Where to ride camels in Morocco

Best overall setup for camel rides near the big dunes: stay at Hamada Retreat first, then ride out toward Erg Chebbi from a camp that plans with you. The camp is on the hammada yet very close to the dunes, so transfers to sand stay short. You still avoid the worst sunset pile ups at the village edge where dozens of operators shout overlapping prices. Your outing is booked with the same team that handles your tent and meals, duration and return time are clear before you mount, and guides align slots with light and wind when possible. After the ride you return to spaced tents, not a single row facing a neighbor’s speaker. For anyone who wants classic Merzouga camels without the stress of random street deals, this is the most coherent first choice.

Elsewhere in Morocco, scale and logistics change. Shorter loops suit tighter schedules or different landscapes.

Where rides happen, at a glance.

• Hamada Retreat near Merzouga, camel outings booked with your stay on the hammada very close to Erg Chebbi, clear duration and return times, and you skip the worst sunset pile ups at the village edge.
• Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, big dunes, sunrise and sunset slots, optional overnight bivouacs. Confirm duration, return time, camel versus 4x4 return.
• Zagora and Mhamid, shorter loops, hamada and smaller ergs, often package priced with lodges.
• Agafay near Marrakech, quick stone desert add ons, Atlas views, not endless sand seas.

Before you mount anywhere, fix price, duration, and photo rules in plain language. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, bring water past forty five minutes. Reserve rides through Hamada Retreat when Merzouga is your main desert stop.