Morocco Camel Ride: Authentic Desert Rides

For many travellers, a Morocco camel ride represents the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and desert magic. Whether it’s crossing the golden dunes of Merzouga, riding through the rocky Agafay Desert near Marrakech, or taking a short scenic ride around Tangier, this experience is one of the most iconic activities you can do in Morocco.

But with popularity comes confusion.
On forums like TripAdvisor and Reddit, travellers often ask the same questions:

• “Are camel rides in Morocco ethical?”

• “How much does a camel ride cost?”

• “Which city offers the best camel ride?”

• “Is it cruel to ride a camel in Morocco?”

• “How do I choose a real desert experience and avoid ‘tourist traps’?”

As a Moroccan travel expert, a nomad man raised between mountains and desert traditions, and the founder of Xabbitours, I’ve guided travellers across Morocco for years. I’ve built camel-ride tours not as “tourist activities,” but as a way to preserve our culture, support local nomad families, and give visitors a real connection to Morocco’s landscapes and traditions.

This guide brings together , real traveller concerns, and local knowledge to help you choose the camel-ride experience that truly matches your expectations.

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⭐ Why Camel Riding Is a Must-Try Experience in Morocco

A camel ride isn’t just a photo opportunity.
In Moroccan culture — especially in desert regions like Merzouga — camels are called “the ships of the desert”. For centuries, they carried nomads, food, water, and goods across long caravan routes. Riding a camel today gives you a small taste of that nomadic life that shaped Morocco’s history.

Travellers look for:

• Sunset or sunrise views

• Sahara-style landscapes

• Authentic moments with local guides

• Ethical and well-treated camels

• Beautiful, calm rides far from the crowd

In this guide, I’ll help you with both: information + booking clarity.

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🐪 Types of Camel Rides in Morocco (Choose Based on What You Want)

Based on search intent and traveller discussions online, Morocco offers four main camel-ride experiences. Each one is different — and suits different kinds of travellers.

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1. Camel Ride in Marrakech (Palmeraie & Agafay Desert)

Best for: short experiences, families, easy access, sunset photos

Marrakech is the most popular starting point for camel rides because it’s close to two accessible areas:

✔ The Palmeraie (Palm Grove)

A peaceful green oasis ideal for families and travellers who prefer a relaxed, short ride (usually 30–45 min).
Travellers often say on forums that this ride is perfect if you want the experience but don’t have time to reach the Sahara.

✔ The Agafay Desert

Not sand dunes — but dramatic rocky landscapes.
Sunset rides here are some of the most beautiful in Morocco.
Many travellers choose Agafay as a lighter alternative to the Sahara.

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2. Camel Ride in Merzouga (Real Sahara Dunes)

Best for: real desert feeling, long rides, stunning dunes

If you’re looking for the classic postcard Sahara, then Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes) is your destination.
This is the most searched-for camel-ride location on forums — because travellers want to know:

• Is it worth the long drive?

• Are the dunes real?

• Is the experience authentic or crowded?

Answer: Yes, it is worth it, especially at sunrise or sunset.
The sand dunes are among the highest in Morocco, and camel riding here feels like travelling through another world.

This is why many of the tours I built on Xabbitours focus on Merzouga: I wanted travellers to feel the real desert — not artificial setups.

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3. Camel Ride in Zagora Desert

Best for: quicker Sahara-like experience, overnight adventures
This desert is more rocky and dry compared to Merzouga, but it offers great camel treks and a strong nomadic culture.

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4. Camel Ride in Tangier

Best for: travellers entering Morocco from Spain, quick beach ride

Many travellers arrive in Tangier asking on forums:
“Can I ride a camel near the city?”
Yes — usually at Achakkar Beach.
It’s short, scenic, and perfect for photos, but not a “desert experience.”

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❓ Are Camel Rides in Morocco Ethical? (Honest & Local Answer)

This is one of the most searched questions:
✔ “Are camel rides in Morocco ethical?”
✔ “Is it cruel to ride a camel in Morocco?”

Some travellers worry because they’ve seen poorly treated horses or donkeys in tourist areas. That’s a valid concern.

But here’s the truth — as someone who grew up around nomads:

✔ Camels are extremely valuable to Moroccan desert families

A healthy camel can cost more than a car.
Mistreating a camel is not only cruel — it’s financially irresponsible.

✔ In desert regions like Merzouga, camels are part of the family

They’re given rest, water, shade, and proper food because their wellbeing affects the livelihood of nomad  people.

📌 HOWEVER:

In over-touristic areas near beaches or city centres, some animals may be overworked. That’s why choosing a responsible certified operator is important.

On Xabbitours, I only work with nomad families I personally know, where camels are raised with respect and love.

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💰 How Much Does a Camel Ride Cost in Morocco?

Another top searched question:
✔ “How much is a camel ride in Morocco?”

Here’s a transparent average:

Longer camel treks (2–5 days) cost more because they include:

• guides

• food

• tents

• desert camps

• logistics

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🐪 How to Ride a Camel in Morocco (Beginners’ Tips)

Travellers often worry about comfort, safety, and what to wear. Here’s what you need to know:

✔ When mounting

Camels stand up in two stages — front legs then back legs.
Hold the handle firmly and lean back slightly.

✔ During the ride

Relax your shoulders and let your body sway naturally.
The movement is slow, like riding a boat.

✔ Clothing

Wear:

• long pants

• closed shoes

• sun protection

• scarf or turban

• sunglasses

✔ Best time

Avoid midday heat.
Sunset and sunrise rides are magical and cooler.

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🎒 What Travellers Complain About (From Real Forums)

From your forum findings, travellers usually mention:

❗ “The ride was too short”

Some companies offer only 10–15 minutes.
Always check duration before booking.

❗ “The place wasn’t a real desert”

Many Marrakech rides are not dunes — they are palm groves or rocky landscapes.
This is why I always clarify the location and landscape type on Xabbitours tours.

❗ “The saddle was uncomfortable”

Traditional saddles can be hard.
Good operators use padded saddles.

❗ “It felt like a tourist trap”

Some companies push shops, tips, or forced shopping stops.
I never include those experiences in my tours.

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🏜️ Camel Ride vs Camel Trekking (Know the Difference)

Many travellers think both are the same, but they’re not.

✔ Camel Ride

Short (30 min–1 hour)
Perfect for photos, families, quick experiences

✔ Camel Trekking

Longer journeys
Often includes sleeping in a desert camp
Much deeper cultural experience
Sunrise over dunes included
Stronger nomadic immersion

If you’re searching for “Morocco camel trekking,” you’re probably dreaming of something deeper — a moment of silence in the desert, a real connection with nature, and an experience that feels authentic, not staged.

My multi-day Morocco desert tours  on Xabbitours were built exactly for this type of traveller.

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🧭 How to Choose a Good Camel Ride in Morocco

To avoid bad experiences, choose a tour that offers:

✔ ethical treatment of camels
✔ clear itinerary
✔ honest visuals (not fake “dunes” when it’s only rocky desert)
✔ experienced local guides
✔ time flexibility
✔ padded saddles
✔ small groups
✔ no forced shopping stops

These rules guide every camel-ride and desert tour I created on Xabbitours.

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🌙 Why I Built Camel-Ride & Desert Tours at Xabbitours (My Story)

As a Moroccan nomad man, my passion has always been:

• our desert heritage

• our traditional hospitality

• our nomadic culture

• the beauty of Morocco’s landscapes

When I started Xabbitours, I didn’t want to create “tourist packages.”
I wanted to build authentic journeys that help travellers experience Morocco the way we, locals, feel it.

I designed my camel-ride and desert tours to answer exactly what travellers worry about on forums:

• ethical animal treatment

• real desert experiences (not tourist traps)

• transparent prices

• small groups

• personal connection with nomad culture

• honest guiding

• authentic desert camps

Every tour is built with intention — not just to show Morocco, but to share it.

If travellers search for an honest, meaningful, safe camel-ride experience, I try to make sure Xabbitours is the answer.

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⭐ Final Thoughts: Is a Camel Ride in Morocco Worth It?

Absolutely — if you choose the right experience.

A camel ride is:

• peaceful

• cultural

• unforgettable

• safe

• ethical (with responsible operators)

• incredibly photogenic

Whether you pick a sunset ride in Marrakech, a Sahara trek in Merzouga, or a short Tangier beach ride, Morocco offers something for every traveller.

And if you’re searching for a deeper experience designed by someone who understands both the nomadic lifestyle and the expectations of international travellers, my camel-ride and desert tours at Xabbitours were built exactly for that.

Whenever you’re ready, I can help you choose the perfect route based on your travel dates and what type of camel-ride experience you’re dreaming of.