Morocco Camel Ride — Complete Guide to Camel Tours in Morocco

A Morocco camel ride is one of those experiences that sounds like a tourist cliche until you are actually on a camel watching the sun drop behind the Erg Chebbi dunes at 6pm. The scale of the Sahara, the silence once the guide stops walking, and the light on the sand at that hour are genuinely unlike anything else in Morocco.

This guide covers where to find the best camel rides in Morocco, what the experience actually involves, how long it lasts, what to pack, when to go, and how the tours connect to the wider desert trip. Whether you are planning a single night in the Sahara or a full multi-day camel trekking Morocco itinerary, this is what matters on the ground.

Where to Go for a Morocco Camel Ride

Erg Chebbi — Merzouga

Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is the best place for a camel ride Morocco experience. The dunes rise to 150 metres, they run for about 28 km north to south, and the nearest road is far enough away that once you are 15 minutes inside on camel-back, there is nothing around you but sand. This is the largest natural sand dune field in Morocco and what most people picture when they think of the Moroccan Sahara.

Merzouga is the village at the base of the dunes. It is small, functional, and exists almost entirely to support visitors coming to the desert. The luxury desert camps are positioned inside the dunes rather than on the road edge — a good camp means a 40 to 50 minute camel ride to reach it.

Erg Chigaga — M’Hamid

Erg Chigaga near M’Hamid is the more remote alternative. It sits 60 km from the nearest town on piste tracks that require a 4×4 to reach. The dunes are comparable in height to Erg Chebbi but see significantly fewer visitors. If you want the Sahara without the Merzouga infrastructure around it, Erg Chigaga is the answer. Access is harder and the journey takes longer, but the isolation is total.

Marrakech Palmeraie

Camel rides are also available in the Palmeraie — the palm grove north of Marrakech. These are shorter rides, typically 20 to 30 minutes through the palms, aimed at visitors who do not have time to travel south to the Sahara. The experience is pleasant but not comparable to the desert. The Palmeraie camel ride is a good add-on for a Marrakech day. The Merzouga camel ride is the main event.

What to Expect on a Morocco Camel Tour

The standard morocco camel tours format at Erg Chebbi works like this: you arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon, leave your main bag in the vehicle, and put the essentials in a daypack. The guide introduces you to the camels at the dune edge. The camel kneels, you climb on, and it stands — back legs first, which tips you forward, then front legs, which corrects it. Hold on. It evens out quickly.

The ride into the dunes takes about 45 minutes at a steady walking pace. The guide leads on foot. The camels follow in a line. The light changes the whole way in — the dunes go from gold to orange to red as the sun drops. By the time you reach the camp, the temperature is dropping and the sky is clear.

At the camp, dinner is served — usually a full Moroccan spread of salads, tagine, and bread, followed by Berber music and a campfire. The private tent has an en-suite bathroom, hot water, and air conditioning. In the morning, the camel ride back takes another 45 minutes timed for the sunrise over the dunes.

What Riding a Camel Actually Feels Like

Riding a camel is not like riding a horse. The motion is a rolling side-to-side sway rather than a forward bounce. Most people find it comfortable after the first few minutes. It is slower than it looks from the outside. The saddle is padded. Long trousers are a good idea — the saddle edge is less comfortable on bare skin over 45 minutes. Children from about age 5 can ride comfortably.

If you prefer not to ride, a 4×4 transfer to the desert camp is always available at no extra cost. Let the guide know before the ride starts. There is no pressure to get on the camel if you are not comfortable.

What to Pack for Camel Trekking Morocco

• Small daypack — leave your main bag in the vehicle. You only need overnight essentials at the camp.
• Sunscreen SPF 50 — the dune reflection makes it stronger than it looks at 5pm.
• Sunglasses — wind and sand in the open desert.
• Light scarf or shemagh — wrap around your face if the wind picks up during the ride.
• Long trousers — more comfortable on the saddle than shorts.
• Power bank — no charging points inside the tents.
• One change of clothes — sand gets into everything. A clean set for the morning is worth carrying.
• Flip flops — for the camp area. Shoes fill with sand fast once you step off the camel.
• Small torch or headlamp — the camp is dark at night and the path to the bathroom is unlit.

Best Time of Year for a Morocco Camel Ride

Types of Camel Tours in Morocco

Evening Camel Trek — One Night

The most common format. You ride into the dunes at sunset, spend one night at the camp, and ride out at sunrise. This is the camel ride included in the standard desert tours from Marrakech. It is the right choice for most travellers — it covers everything that makes the experience worthwhile without requiring extra days.

Full Desert Day with 4×4 Excursion

On a 4 or 5-day tour, day four is typically a full day in the Merzouga desert. The morning camel ride is followed by a guided 4×4 excursion covering a nomad family visit, Khamlia village (where a community keeps a live Gnawa music tradition), and Dayet Srji — a seasonal lake at the dune edge. A second night near the dunes gives you a proper sunrise camel trek on day five before the drive north.

Multi-Day Camel Trekking

Multi-day camel trekking Morocco routes through the open Sahara are available for travellers who want the traditional experience of crossing the desert on camelback. The most established route runs from Merzouga south toward M’Hamid over 5 to 7 days, camping wild each night. This is a niche experience that requires advance planning, physical preparation, and the right operator. Contact us for details on multi-day trekking arrangements.

How Camel Tours Support Local Communities

Morocco camel trekking supports Berber families in and around Merzouga who have managed camels in this region for generations. The guides who lead the treks, the camp staff, the musicians, and the cooks are all from the local area. Booking through an operator that works directly with Merzouga-based camps — rather than a large-platform aggregator that takes a significant cut — keeps a larger share of the income in the community.

The camels used for tourist treks are working animals that are well-maintained by their owners. A camel that is fit, calm, and capable of carrying a rider for 45 minutes twice a day is a significant financial asset. Good operators ensure the animals are not overworked and that the rides are appropriate for the terrain and conditions.

Camel Rides Included — Desert Tours from Marrakech

Every desert tour from Marrakech includes the sunset camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes and a night at a luxury desert camp. The ride is part of the tour — not an optional extra. You do not need to book it separately.

All tours are private. Morocco Desert Tour picks you up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech on day one. For groups of three or more, a private tour costs the same as a reputable shared group departure and gives you full flexibility on timing and pace. Contact us to confirm availability and pricing for your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions — Morocco Camel Rides