Camel Trekking in Morocco is a once in a lifetime experience offering you memorable adventures in the country’s diverse landscapes and desert regions. Are you wondering what Camel Trekking is?
Over the centuries, Camels proved to be the ideal mode of transportation in the arid terrains of the gigantic dunes for their huge adaptability to desert environments. Rightfully expecting to be riding on the back of camels, Camel Trekking, or what is commonly known as Camel Riding, is an outdoor activity where you will be taken on tours and picnics to explore remote, quiet and deserted landscapes not so often visited by people.
Camel Trekking in Morocco is the perfect outdoor activity to unwind, connect with the world and enjoy the surreal Moroccan Sahara atmosphere. In this article, you will be presented with everything you need to know about riding camels through the Sahara, the best time for Camel Trekking in Morocco and the ultimate camel trekking guide to book for your next trip to Morocco.
What to Expect from a Camel Trekking Experince in Morocco
As foreign as it sounds to you of an experience in another foreign country, Morocco, you might be wondering what the whole process of Camel Riding through the Sahara in Morocco is like. To bring you closer to the steps and preparations that come before, during and after traveling by camels, here is a brief overview of what your experience of camel trekking in Morocco is going to be like.
Introducing you to your Camel Companion
Before embarking on a journey in the never-ending dunes of the Sahara, you will first have to get acquainted with your guide and the camel which will be carrying you through the tallest dunes of the Sahara. Likewise, your travel guide will take care of introducing you to your camel as well as offering you instructions on how to approach this majestic creature.
On that note, many expect Camels to be all squishy and fluffy with the loveliest personalities, Camels, however, appreciate boundaries and respect. Much like the magical Hippogriff from Harry Potter, as long as you are treating your travel buddy with respect, you will undoubtedly enjoy the loveliest adventures with them.
How Do you Ride a Camel?
After your guide gets you nicely wrapped in a Turban to protect you from the windy Sahara, you then have to learn how to ride a camel. Before anything else, however, you must take into consideration that camels have a rough skin and a coarse hair so make sure to wear something nice and comfortable to protect your legs and feet from contact with the camel’s skin.
Generally, standing up for departure or leaning down to be seated for a short break are two of the roughest parts about riding a camel. In a typical Camel Trekking experience, you will receive basic instructions from your guide on how to monitor a camel and the way to hold to the saddle horn for balance. Remember! Camel rides typically last hours and it is vital that you need to be comfortable during your journey. Make sure you are holding your saddle horn at a perfect length and you are nicely seated on the camel.
Buckle Up for an Exciting Adventure
Once you are ready, the caravan journey through the Moroccan Sahara, often led by experienced Badouin people, begins. Your guides will follow a slow leisurely pace as you observe the mezmerising surroundings and soak in the majestic vast stretches of the Moroccan Sahara.
Beware! The quiet, vast, empty and windy desert will sure make you feel small. Visiting the Sahara is without a doubt the epitome of any spiritual experience out there.The Sahara dunes coupled with the special rocky canyons and the famous Saharan palm gloves are a few of the many sightseeing places you can go to while Camel Trekking in Morocco.
Throughout the camel trek, your travel guide will lead you some of the landmarks in the area, join a nomadic camp or make a stop for a special picnic where you wind your spring with a fresh cup of mint tea.
The Best Time for Camel Trekking in Morocco
While Moroccan weather largely varies from one area to another, the Sahara desert climate differs a lot from that of Northern cities, coastal areas and the Atlas Mountains. On that note, having to spend hours travelling the Sahara desert by a camel, you sure want the weather to be to your favour.
If you are not a fan of the scorching hot Sahara weather and not a big opposer to a sweater weather, the best time for Camel Trekking in Morocco is November. With that being said, November or any cooler months from October to April are the ideal time for visiting the Sahara Desert.
Around cooler months, the Moroccan Sahara enjoys mild temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C making it the ideal type of climate for Sahara exploration. However, it can become a little chill as it gets dark at night. Rest assured though as your camp comes equipped with everything you need to shelter you from the cold. Thus, you can enjoy a good night of sleep at your camp cuddled in your warm bed next to your freshly ignited campfire.
The Ultimate Camel Trekking Guide in Morocco
In the past few years, camel riding has become one of the most popular activities in Morocco. Thanks to the vast layout of the Moroccan Sahara, there are different locations where you can enjoy your camel rides and explore the mystical desert landscapes. On that note, here is a guide to the best camel trekking destinations in Morocco:
Erg Chebbi Dunes
Located near Merzouga, that is less than 40 kilometres away from Erfoud, Erg Chebbi is a stunning field of sand dunes stretching around 28 kilometres from north to south. Erg Chebbi is, and rightfully so, the most popular of all camel trekking sites in Morocco thanks to its majestic tall dunes reaching heights of up to 150 metres. Apart from riding on the back of camels, you can also enjoy a session of sandboarding the highest sand dunes in Morocco. And let us assure you, it is an unforgettable experience.
Erg Chigaga
If you want somewhere remote and isolated from people, Erg Chigaga is what you are looking for. Compared to Erg Chebbi, you can enjoy a far more intimate experience at the sand dune field of Erg Chigaga as it is a less-visited site with the most amazing camel treks in Morocco. Located southwest Zagora, Erg Chigaga is 9 hours’ away from Marrakech and a less-frequented destination due to its remoteness.
Merzouga
Unlike Erg Chigaga, and only 35 kilometres southeast Rissani, Merzouga is easily accessible by road. The small village is renowned for its surroundings areas such as Erg Chebbi and the various camel trekking destinations it offers. Being the most approximate to Erg Chebbi, you can easily enjoy the golden sunrise and sunset from the high breath-taking orange-red dunes of Erg Chebbi and get back to your camping site at Merzouga.
Your guides will also plan a journey to experience an ethnical Badouin life through meeting Berber communities and connecting with their cuisine, culture and heritage. Here is a 4 Day Desert Trip from Marrakech to Merzouga if you want to book an authentic camel trekking experience with our travel agency.
Ait Ben Haddou
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the ancient Kasbah and a must visit for any Games of Thrones fan out there. Due its vibrant red and tightly packed ancient buildings, the site has become a famous filming destination for many movies and TV shows producers. When planning a camel trekking adventure in Morocco, Ait Ben Haddou is one those breath-taking ancient landmarks you must witness in person once in your life.
In our 6 Day Morocco Desert Tour from Marrakech, we will take you on an exploration journey to the area and venture through its history and the life of the Berbers minority who are still living there.
There is simply no amout of words sufficient to describe the mystical adventure of camel trekking in Morocco. Learn it yourslef and book a camel riding desert camp for your next trip.