Night in the Afagay Desert
Tour Highlights
- Enjoy a quick and easy transfer from your hotel in Marrakech to the Agafay Desert.
- Relish a delicious Moroccan-style dinner, with salads, chicken tajine, vegetable couscous and dessert.
- Watch a traditional show with belly dancing, fire-eaters and Gnawa music.
- Embark on an exciting camel ride (optional).
- Sleep in a traditional haima under the stars and see the sun set over the dunes.
Spend a Night in the Agafay Desert
On the day of the activity, we'll pick you up from your chosen meeting point in Marrakech to begin our adventure to the desert of Agafay!
After a quick 1-hour drive, we'll venture into the Atlas Mountain's expansive, arid landscapes and make our way to camp. Upon our arrival, we'll receive a set of luxury haimas along with a cup of Moroccan tea.
At this stage, depending on the time you choose to start the tour, you can either relax in the camp to watch the sunset or embark on a camel ride through the desert's dunes.
Later on, after everyone has arrived back at camp, we'll tuck into a delicious traditional Moroccan dinner, consisting of salads, chicken tajine, vegetable couscous and dessert. Along with dinner, we'll enjoy a fantastic traditional show, complete with belly dancing, fire-eaters and Gnawa music!
After an evening of delicious food, spectacular entertainment and wonderful views, we'll retire to our haimas to rest underneath the clear, starry skies of the tranquil desert.
In the morning, we'll watch the sunrise before enjoying a lovely wholesome breakfast and making our way back to Marrakech.
Desert Accommodation & Food
As part of this tour, you'll enjoy a one-night stay in a camp in the Agafay desert. All haima's are equipped with private bathrooms and can accommodate up to 6 people.
The camp also has a swimming pool, though it's closed at certain times of the year due to maintenance work.
During the booking process, please indicate if you have any dietary requirements so that accommodations can be made. If you're vegetarian, you can request a menu consisting of Moroccan salads, vegetarian tajine, vegetable couscous and a dessert. If you're coeliac, we offer Moroccan salads, lemon chicken tajine, vegetarian tajine and dessert.
Agafay Desert Day Trip
If you want to experience the Agafay desert but don't want to stay the night, why not book this dinner & show? On this activity, we'll spend 5 hours in the desert, enjoying a delicious Moroccan dinner and also wear traditional attire.
Morning Trip
If you prefer, you can opt for this day trip to the Agafay desert, in which the departure takes place in the morning.
Pickup Info
When booking, you can choose between the following meeting points:
- Tazi Hotel
- Moulay al-Jazid Mosque
- Collège Mohamed 5
- Mohammed 5 High School
- Abdelmoumen College
- Bab Doukkala Pharmacy
- Marrakech Menara Airport
More Information
Duration
19 hours.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.
Included
Transfer by minibus
1 night accommodation with breakfast in a private haima in a camp in the Agafay desert camp (maximum 6 people per reservation)
English–speaking guide
Dinner
Traditional show
Snack and welcome tea
Welcome tea
Not included
Camel ride: € 25 (US$ 29.28) per person
Drinks
When to book?
You can book up until 18 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Not wheelchair accessible.
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- Printed material is avoided.
- No single-use plastics are used.
- The show represents local culture.
- The indigenous community participates in the management of the activity.
- The activity helps the conservation of biodiversity.
- The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
- The activity helps vulnerable groups.
- The activity helps to promote peace.
- The activity promotes local production.
- No printing of documentation required.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Are there alcoholic drinks available at the camp?
A - The campsite has a legal licence to serve alcoholic beverages. These are available from €3, with a wide selection: wine, beer, vodka, gin, whisky, etc.
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Q - If I have a special dietary requirement, do I need to let you know in advance?
A - Advance notice is not necessary, except in the case of a very specific diet. In all other cases, the customer can simply inform the guide upon arrival at the camp, who will take care of everything.
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Q - What is the best time of year to sleep in the Agafay Desert?
A - The best time to spend the night in the Agafay Desert is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are pleasant both day and night. Summer (June to August) is very hot, with temperatures that can exceed 40°C, while in winter (December to February) the days are mild, but the nights are very cold, reaching 0°C.
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Q - Which local supplier will be providing the tour?
A - Marrakech Select Travel Corporate name: Marrakech Desert Camp Registered Office: AV.PRINCE MY ABEDALLAH N68 IMM D3 COMPLEXE YOUSSEF BEN TACHAFINEB, Marrakech, Morocco Tax Identification Number (VAT ID): 25044207 Contact information Email: marrakechselecttravel@gmail.com Phone: +212760982283
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Q - What's the difference between the Agafay and the Sahara deserts?
A - The main difference is that the Agafay Desert is a rocky, arid desert, and is much closer to Marrakech (about an hour's drive away), ideal for a day trip or overnight trip. The Sahara is the famous desert of sand dunes, much further away and requires a trip of several days.
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Q - Can you see the stars from the camp?
A - Yes, stargazing is one of the main attractions of the night in the Agafay Desert. Thanks to its distance from Marrakech, light pollution is minimal, which generally allows you to enjoy a very dark and starry night sky.
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Q - What should we bring for spending a night in the desert?
A - To spend the night in the Agafay Desert, the most important thing is to dress in layers: light clothing for the day and warm clothing (jacket, jumper) for the night. Also, bring comfortable footwear, a hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, a torch, a bottle of water and your camera to capture the starry sky.
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Q - Is the campsite safe? Are there any risks or precautions to keep in mind?
A - Camping in the Agafay Desert is generally very safe. The main precautions you should take are related to the environment: protect yourself from the sun and heat during the day, and bring warm clothing for the nights. In addition, we recommend following the guides' instructions during activities and keep your valuables safe.
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Q - What are the haimas like?
A - For this activity, the haimas are very comfortable, equipped like hotel rooms. They have beds, bedding and a private bathroom with a shower. Complimentary toiletries (shampoo, soap, towels) are also provided. The tents also have electricity, heating, air conditioning and sockets for charging phones.
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Q - How far in advance should we book?
A - To guarantee availability, especially if you're travelling during peak season (spring and autumn), it's highly recommended to book your trip as far in advance as possible. Ideally, you should do so several weeks or even 1 or 2 months in advance. If you're travelling in low season, booking 2 or 3 weeks in advance is usually sufficient. Although there may be last-minute places available, this is not common, as the camps have limited capacity and this activity is in high demand.
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Q - What type of landscapes will we see during the camel ride?
A - The landscape you'll see is a rocky, arid desert with a few dunes. The walk will take you through ochre and beige hills and dry valleys with sparse vegetation. The most spectacular sight is the sunset, when the sunlight bathes the landscape in golden toness
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Q - Can the camp swimming pool also be used at night, or are there specific opening hours?
A - The pool is open both day and night, especially during shows and dinners, creating a unique atmosphere.
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Q - Is the experience suitable for young children? Are there activities tailored for them too?
A - All of the activities are suitable for children aged 10 and up.
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Q - Can I go on a quad tour instead of a camel ride?
A - Yes, you can request to do this extra activity at the destination and pay the guide directly.
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Q - How strenuous is the camel ride, and is it suitable for people with mobility issues? Is there a weight limit for the camel ride?
A - There is no strict weight limit. We have small and large camels, capable of carrying up to 100 kg (220 lbs) without any problems.
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Q - What is the evening with the show like? Is attendance compulsory?
A - Dinner is served in the large restaurant and is accompanied by a two-part show. The evening begins with a Berber singer. Then, during dinner, the show continues with Gnawa music, an oriental dancer, a fire juggler and a dance floor. For those who wish, it is possible to enjoy dinner only without attending the show.
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Q - Are there plug sockets in the haima?
A - Yes.
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Q - Is there Wifi in the camp?
A - There is a little although the signal is weak.
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Q - Can I take luggage with me?
A - Yes.
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Q - What is the dinner menu?
A - Dinner is made up of 2 Moroccan salads, chicken tagine, couscous with vegetables, and fruit.
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Q - How and where can I pay for the camel ride if I'm interested?
A - You can pay for it with cash or card once we reach the camp.
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Q - How long is the camel ride?
A - The camel ride is about 1 hour long and begins from the campsite.
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Q - Can the drinks not included be paid for by card?
A - No, they can only be paid for in cash, either in Euros or Dirhams. Prices range between 2EUR o 7EUR on average.
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Q - Is this acticity suitable for pregnant people?
A - Yes, with the exception of the camel and quad rides.
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Q - Does the minibus have air conditioning?
A - Yes.
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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
If you have any other questions please contact us.
