Agafay Desert Tour Review: Camel Ride, Quad & Dinner Show

Planning a visit to Marrakech and looking for a bit of desert magic, very much like the movies, but maybe without traveling too far? So, too, the Agafay Desert might just be what you’re after. Very much unlike the Sahara with its sand dunes, Agafay provides a stony, yet starkly beautiful, setting that’s pretty darn close. Anyway, this tour offers a combo of activities, including a camel ride, quad biking, and a dinner show. We went on this very trip ourselves, and here’s a rundown of what we thought.

Getting There and First Impressions

First, we were picked up right from our riad in Marrakech. Basically, the drive was a bit of an adventure on its own, going through settlements and watching the landscape change is quite an experience. It’s almost an hour, maybe a bit longer, depending on traffic. Still, once you arrive at Agafay, you get this sweeping vista. That stony desert goes on for miles, creating a kind of peaceful feeling. It’s a different view than the city; it’s incredibly calming actually. The camp itself where the activities start, anyway, it’s normally set up with tents and spots for sitting and all that.

Camel Ride: A Gentle Saunter

Riding a camel, it tends to be a very Moroccan thing to do. This part of the tour, seemingly, lasts about 45 minutes or so. Your camel is almost so very gentle, walking you around a small section of the desert. What is that all about? Sure, it’s no trek across the Sahara, very much unlike the other desert treks, but it does allow you to experience the feel of being on these animals, something different in its own way. The guides are very ready to help and are often available to snap some pictures, like your own paparazzi, as it were.

Quad Biking: An Exhilarating Spin

Now, after the calm of the camel ride, you go onto quad biking and things tend to be quite a bit more exciting. Even if you haven’t ridden one before, it looks like it will be okay; they normally start you off with instructions and a test drive of some sort, so you know what’s what. After you feel up to it, anyway, you zoom off across the rocky terrain. Very much like off-roading, bumping over small hills and plains can feel freeing, too. It can get dusty, really dusty even, so wearing sunglasses and something to cover your face could be beneficial. Usually they have scarves available if you forgot. In a way, that tends to be quite considerate, in fact.

Dinner and a Show: Moroccan Flavors and Sounds

The dinner show very often starts as the sun starts to set, which casts pretty, kind of orange-y colors over the desert. You sit at tables normally set up outside. The meal, typically, is Moroccan stuff – tagine, couscous, maybe some grilled meats, things like that, and almost always so plentiful! While you eat, local performers dance and play music, making the whole atmosphere feel celebratory. What is that about? It’s actually quite the display of Moroccan culture in this kind of remote spot, as it were. It makes you feel welcome and part of the place for a moment.

What Could be Better

For those chasing true desert seclusion, it’s almost worth knowing Agafay can get a bit crowded sometimes. With multiple tour groups doing basically the same things all together, there’s a lot going on. If, in the meantime, you’re picturing silent landscapes, very much like being totally alone, this particular scene will require a certain mindset, you know? That’s the desert for you; don’t expect it to be like the movies. What is that? Also, some people think the food could be a little better; however, others have reported positively about the quality, so you might have a decent enough dinner as well. It could depend, perhaps, on who’s catering that specific night.

Some Tips for Your Tour

• Bring layers: It could be warm during the day but can get really cold once the sun goes down.
• Wear sturdy shoes: You’ll want something appropriate for both camel riding and quad biking.
• Protect yourself from the sun: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are kinda necessary, even on cloudy days.
• Bring a camera: Very much like every other good sight seeing opportunity, there will be loads of chances to take photos, obviously!
• Consider a private tour: If you would want something with less crowd action, a smaller or even private tour could be a good idea.

Is the Agafay Desert Tour Right for You?

If, too, you don’t have a lot of time and still want to taste some sort of desert experience near Marrakech, it could be worth the shot. The Agafay tour is seemingly very convenient. It puts together just a little bit of culture, a little adventure, and some views. Basically, it works for families, couples, or single travelers actually. What is that all about? Even though it’s really not the Sahara, you know, it gives you an idea of Moroccan desert landscapes without the lengthy trip to the actual dunes. Yet, remember to adjust what you anticipate so the experience matches the type of adventure. Do that! What is that?

Some Options to Check Out

Here are some options to consider to compare features like flexibility, customer reviews and itinerary items. I’m including links so, too, it will be easier for you to jump around and learn more about the possibilities for your journey: Agafay Desert Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Dinner and Agafay Desert Day Trip from Marrakech, to consider a few examples.