The El Fenn Guide to the Agafay Desert
Want to see some desert while you’re in Marrakech but don’t have time to get to the Sahara? Here’s everything you need to know about the Agafay – a stone desert just an hour from El Fenn.
What is the Agafay Desert?
The Agafay is a rocky, arid desert located about 30–40 km south of Marrakech. It’s not a sand desert like the Sahaha so you won’t get dunes. But Agafay holds its own special beauty: a vast, stony landscape of pale rocky plateaus, dry hills, and lunar-like terrain stretching across roughly 100 km². Think vast plains and hills with dramatic views of the Atlas Mountains’ snow-capped peaks.
Agafay vs the Sahara?
Well the Sahara is the Sahara. But it’s also at least an eight-hour drive from Marrakech so you can’t get there if you’re only here for a long weekend. Most people do at least a three day trip to the Sahara from Marrakech so that they can stop along the way at places like Ben Ait Haddou – where Gladiator was filmed – and see the stunning gorges, kasbahs and oases that line the route.
The beauty of the Agafay however is that it’s only an hour away from El Fenn so you can easily do a day trip. And you definitely get the remote, big sky desert vibes there.
What is there to do in the Agafay Desert?
A series of luxury tented camps have been established in the Agafay Desert which offer everything from quad, buggy, horse and camel riding, to pool days, yoga and massages. Dinner under the stars is a particular highlight and go to the Agafay around a full moon if you can to enjoy the night sky at its best. You can also include an overnight stay in one of the luxury tents before breakfast with a view.
The El Fenn pick: where to go in Agafay
Al Kamar has a beautiful pool with gorgeous views over the plains of the Agafay Desert. The rooms are seriously stylish too. Natural tadelakt walls, rush lighting and exposed beams are topped off with huge glass walls overlooking the dramatic scenery with an open fire for colder nights. The White Camel is another great option. A series of tents are grouped around the central swimming pool and everything from hikes to astronomy evenings are on offer. Or head to Inara, which has 19 tents on a 21-hectare plot, two pools and offers a comprehensive itinerary of experiences which include e-biking, Porsche Cayenne tours, picnics and pottery workshops.
All of the camps offer day passes to access the swimming pool with either lunch or dinner.
Should you go for the day – or stay overnight?
To really get the full desert experience, it’s best to stay overnight because sunrise is always a special moment in the desert. But if you haven’t got the time then a day trip is a perfect option.
If you’re there for a day trip, make sure to stay for ‘golden hour’ – the magical time just before sunset as the light softens and the sky fills with everything from pinks to golds. But we’d recommend opting for the dinner pass so you can see sunset and the camps transform as darkness falls, open fires and candles are lit.
When to go & what to wear?
Just like Marrakech, spring and autumn are high season in the Agafay Desert so you definitely need to book in advance. If you’re there in the summer, head out later in the day when the heat cools and night descends.
For activities like quad biking or camel riding, it’s definitely worth wearing closed shoes and covering up with a shirt because it will get dusty. But for the rest of the day, you can go full-on desert chic if that’s your vibe. Think kaftans, scarves and anything in between.
How to plan your trip to the Agafay Desert
The El Fenn guest services team is here to make sure you have the perfect desert trip. We can plan your itinerary, book your reservations and arrange a driver to transport you.
