Camel ride and dinner in Agafay

The ride and the meal are sold together because they work together: you cross the stony ground at walking pace while there is still light, then come back to a camp that is set up and waiting. Neither half is a token version of itself — the ride is the full hour, and dinner is a proper sit-down meal rather than a snack.

How the evening runs

You are welcomed at the camp with mint tea, which is also the moment the guide explains what follows. The camels leave about half an hour later, led in a train by a handler on foot across the stony ground. You are back at the camp with time to sit down before dinner is served, and the evening ends at the camp rather than being wound up in a hurry.

The ride

About an hour, with the animals led on foot the whole way. There is nothing to steer and nothing to learn: the handler has the camel kneel, helps you into the saddle and helps you down at the end. No previous experience is required, a safety briefing is given in English, French or Spanish before departure, and a guide stays with the group throughout. Children take part accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

What is on the table

A Moroccan dinner served at low tables and benches under the tents: soup, salads, a main dish and fruit, with mint tea and water at the table. Drinks other than tea and water are not included.

Tell us about a special diet when you book, not on the night. Vegetarian and allergy requests go to the kitchen and we confirm what can be prepared before the day — which is a promise about the answer, never about the plate.

It gets cold once the sun is down

This is the piece most people underestimate. The Agafay loses its heat quickly after sunset, and you will be sitting still under an open tent rather than moving about. Bring a layer you would not otherwise pack for Marrakech.

What is included, and what is not

Included: the camel ride with animals led by a handler on foot, the Moroccan dinner, mint tea and water at the table, the guide with the group, and third-party liability cover.

Not included: drinks other than tea and water, tips, photographs and video taken on site, personal accident cover, and transfer from Marrakech — which can be arranged when you book, for a fee.

Paying and cancelling

You can book without paying anything online and pay at the base, in cash (dirhams or foreign currency), before the start, or pay online with PayPal: a 30% deposit or the full amount. Cards are not accepted at the base. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and anything you paid online is refunded. Inside that, the 30% deposit is kept and anything paid on top of it is refunded; contact us and we will look at moving you to another evening. The evening starts at 4 pm (5 pm from 1 April to 20 September).