The Agafay Desert in a Rental Car: Adventure 40 Minutes from Marrakech, No 4x4 Needed
You want that feeling of standing alone in front of an endless desert, but you do not have a whole day to drive to Merzouga or Zagora. Around thirty kilometres south-west of Marrakech lies the Agafay desert: pale clay hills that look like lunar dunes, the wall of the Atlas behind them, and an ordinary rental car is all you need to get there.
Contents
Agafay: a stone desert at the gates of the red city
Which route to take from Marrakech: staying on tarmac
Do you need a 4x4, or will a small car do for Agafay?
Sunset, a nomad dinner and the drive back to Marrakech after dark
Agafay: a stone desert at the gates of the red city
Unlike the eastern Sahara and its sand seas, Agafay is a stony reg of pale rock and rolling hills carved by erosion. The sense of isolation is complete, less than an hour from the noise of Gueliz and Jemaa el-Fna.
The contrast between the chalky ground, the deep blue sky and the distant Atlas peaks creates a scene of almost cinematic purity, which is exactly what draws travellers looking to switch off.
Which route to take from Marrakech: staying on tarmac
To reach the heart of Agafay without any stress, leave Marrakech to the south-west on the Amizmiz road and carry on as far as the Lalla Takerkoust dam.
These roads are paved and take you into the desert without ever leaving the asphalt. Small, discreet signs mark the turnings to the camps and eco-lodges scattered across the landscape.
Do you need a 4x4, or will a small car do for Agafay?
This is the question every driver asks. For most of the camps and eco-lodges in the area, a 4x4 is not necessary.
The final tracks linking the paved road to the camp entrances are usually packed-earth tracks, from a few hundred metres to two kilometres long, maintained by the properties themselves. A standard city car gets through without trouble if you crawl along and avoid the larger stones. A raised SUV such as the Dacia Duster gives you more ground clearance and removes any worry about scraping the underbody. If in doubt, call your accommodation the day before: only they know the real condition of their access track.
Sunset, a nomad dinner and the drive back to Marrakech after dark
The best of Agafay begins in late afternoon. The pale hills catch fire, turning pink and then deep purple as the sun drops behind the horizon.
After mint tea and a tagine under a lantern-lit caidal tent, you will get back behind the wheel for the return to Marrakech. Night in the desert is absolute: no light pollution, no street lighting. Use your high beams sensibly and keep your speed down so you can spot flocks of sheep or camels crossing the road.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Agafay just for an afternoon without staying overnight?
Yes. Several properties in the area offer day packages, though what is included and what it costs vary a great deal from one place to another and with the season: check directly with them before setting off.
Is there mobile coverage in the Agafay desert?
The area is broadly covered by the Moroccan networks, especially on higher ground, but the signal can drop away in the hollows. Download your route for offline use before you leave.
How long does it take to reach Agafay from Marrakech airport?
Allow about 40 minutes from Marrakech-Menara airport, depending on traffic on the way out of the city and where exactly your camp is.
Further reading
rent a car at Marrakech-Menara airport
browse the SUVs available on Loccor
our guide to driving at night in Morocco
Written by the Loccor editorial team, the platform connecting travellers with car rental agencies in Morocco.