The Agafay stone desert
Forty minutes from the medina and utterly empty — grey hills, dry riverbeds, the Atlas on the skyline.
1–3 HOURS
Buggy Rides The Agafay desert, at speed
Two-seater buggies across the stone desert of Agafay and the palm groves north of the city. No experience needed, an instructor ahead of you the whole way, and a landscape that looks like the Sahara without the six-hour drive.
Duration
1 to 3 hours
Level
Beginners welcome
Minimum age
18 to drive, 8 as passenger
Season
All year
Two landscapes, twenty minutes apart
The Palmeraie is palm groves, dry riverbeds and tracks between mud-brick walls — good for a first hour. Agafay is different: bare grey hills rolling to the horizon with the Atlas behind them, and nothing man-made in sight. If you have three hours, do Agafay.
Highlights
Palmeraie tracks
Narrow lanes between the palms and the old irrigation channels, closer to the city.
Berber village stop
Mint tea and bread in a village courtyard halfway through the longer circuits.
Sunset departures
The late slot puts you in Agafay as the light goes gold and the temperature drops.
Briefing and lead rider
Fifteen minutes of instruction, then an instructor rides ahead of the group the entire route.
Photos and footage
Your guide films the run and sends the footage the same evening.
How the day runs
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Pick-up
Collected from your door
Private transfer from your villa, riad or hotel to the base — around 30 minutes to Agafay.
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Briefing
Kit and instruction
Helmet, goggles and scarf, then a walk-through of the controls and a short practice loop.
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The ride
Out into the desert
One to three hours across the hills and riverbeds, with stops wherever the view is worth it.
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Break
Tea in the shade
Mint tea and a rest at a village or a desert camp before turning back.
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Return
Back to Marrakech
Private transfer home, with the day's photos sent through that evening.
What's included
- Private return transfer from your accommodation
- Buggy hire, fuel and full safety kit
- Briefing and a qualified instructor leading the group
- Mint tea break
- Insurance and photos of the ride
Good to know
- Drivers must be 18 or over and hold a valid driving licence; under-18s ride as passengers.
- Wear clothes you don't mind covering in dust, and closed shoes.
- From June to August, take the early morning or sunset slot.
- Can be combined with a dinner under a nomad tent in Agafay.
Shall we arrange it?
Tell us your dates and how many of you there are. We handle the vehicle, the guide and everything in between.
