Glamping in the Agafay Desert: A Family-Friendly Oasis Near Marrakech

We're always on the lookout for amazing family adventures, and our recent trip to Morocco was no exception. While the Sahara Desert was tempting, the long drive with our 2-year-old in tow felt like a step too far. Enter Agafay, a beautiful desert escape about 45 mins drive from Marrakech. It seemed like the perfect compromise, offering a taste of the desert without the epic journey. We had read some mixed reviews online, so we arrived with a healthy dose of curiosity. But from the moment we pulled up, we were pleasantly surprised.

Arriving at the Agafay Pearl Camp

If you hire a car, the roads become quite tricky when you turn into the Agafay desert camps. The tarmac quickly is replaced by gravel and rock with unexpected bumps in the road so drive carefully and remember that you will need to return the car in “clean condition”. If you don’t feel comfortable driving and renting a car then you can either get a taxi there or alternatively by booking a tour.

The Agafay Pearl Camp is a relatively new campsite (opened in 2023) with modern facilities, spacious tents and scenic views in a peaceful and serene setting. The friendly team greeted us warmly and whisked our luggage away to our tent. The entire camp area, from the parking lot onwards, is paved and easy to navigate, even with a little one in tow. Lanterns lined the pathways, creating a magical atmosphere both during the day and at night.

The bathroom of a luxury desert camp site

Our spacious canvas glamping suite provided a breathtaking, panoramic view of the vast desert landscape and the majestic Atlas Mountains. Inside, the tent was beautifully furnished with draped fabrics and soft, ambient lighting, creating a serene atmosphere. The canvas walls offered flexibility, easily zipping open to fully immerse us in the stunning scenery, or closing for privacy and warmth. A comfortable king-sized bed and a stylish chaise lounge provided ample relaxation space, and an en-suite bathroom offered all the necessary comforts. An integrated AC/heater unit maintained a perfect temperature, ensuring comfort throughout the day and night. For families, they are able to make a separate bed but on this occassion our daughter she opted to snuggle with us to make the desert stay extra cosy!

After settling in, we headed up a short climb of colourful steps to reception. Here, we were greeted with traditional Moroccan mint tea and traditional cakes while we soaked in the breathtaking views, it was the perfect spot to unwind and take it all in.

Facilities at the Agafay Pearl Camp

A sparkling swimming pool, fringed with palm trees providing welcome shade, was is the pearl of this camp. While the February sun was warm, the pool water was a bit too chilly for a long dip. However, after I braved a quick swim, Malva was insistent on swimming so I dunked her in and we both lay on the loungers to warm up in the sun!

A beautiful swimming pool surrounded by palm trees

The site is quite large so there is a lot of open space for to roam around in - they also have a play area with swings and a slide which she liked playing on. Next to the play area they have resident turkeys, chickens, and goats which were a constant source of fascination for her. She had a lot of fun happily running around, playing on the swings, and watching the animals. For older kids (and grown ups) there’s also table football and a pool table so if you want to chill at the camp hopefully there is something for everyone in the family!

Desert Camel Rides & a Traditional Dinner

A family with a camel

Surely no desert visit is complete without a sunset quad bike tour or camel ride! We felt that Malva was too young to fully enjoy the quad biking, so we opted for the sunset camel trek and it was a fantastic experience. We were provided with traditional garments to wear on top but I’d definitely recommend layers – especially in winter as it quickly gets chilly as the sun goes down! Our camel trek took us on a scenic journey through the undulating hills surrounding the camp, lasting about an hour. The seats were well-padded, and the pace was gentle, making it perfect for our 2-year-old. Malva sat with Minna on the lead camel, next to the guide, and held on tight to the handles making her feel safe whilst enjoying this special experience.

After our amazing camel adventure, we were ready for a delicious Moroccan feast. Dinner was served a little later around 8:30 pm in the spacious reception. It’s something to bear in mind and luckily, we came prepared with some of Malva's favourite snacks – so she wasn't too hungry while we waited. Dinner was a wonderful experience! We started with a beautiful array of Moroccan salads with many colours and textures. Then came the tagines - the beef tagine was incredibly tender; the meat just fell off the bone and it had a lovely, fragrant aroma and a subtle sweetness from the prunes. The chicken tagine was equally tender and juicy, with a bright, tangy flavour from the preserved lemon. Finally, the vegetable tagine was a delightful mix of tender carrots, soft potatoes, and melt-in-your-mouth courgettes. There was plenty of food because the portions were very generous, and I certainly didn't leave hungry!

The highlight of the evening, though, was the entertainment during dinner. Traditional musicians and dancers put on a mesmerising show. Malva was completely captivated! The performers were so sweet with her, encouraging her to join in the dancing. She started by watching from the highchair, then gradually got closer, tapping her feet in front of them, and eventually was running freely around and joining in by playing the drums with them. They were all so kind, engaging and respectful with her - it was an absolute joy to see how happy and free she was jamming with the band and it made me feel so proud of her!

During the break in the entertainment we managed to pull her away for bedtime and after putting her to sleep, the staff helped us light a fire outside our tent so we were able to sit by the fire and relax under the crisp night sky, enjoying the warmth and the incredible view of the stars.

Conclusion

Our stay at Agafay Pearl Camp wasn't just a desert adventure; it was a truly relaxing family getaway. It proved that you can experience the magical desert of Morocco with little ones in tow, without the stress of long travel days. Seeing Malva's face light up with joy as she rode a camel, danced with the musicians, and explored the desert landscape was the highlight of our trip.

From the comfortable accommodations to the thoughtful staff and engaging activities, every detail was geared towards making our stay enjoyable. For families seeking a unique and hassle-free desert experience near Marrakech, I would highly recommend Agafay Pearl Camp.