Sunset Camel Ride in the AGAFAY DESERT trip from Marrakech

Very nice experience

Very nice experience in the Agafay desert. Thanks to our driver/guide Younes, super nice and super pro. I recommend ++.

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Great experience

Great experience with this operator, we had an extraordinary time out. The driver was very friendly and full of knowledge about Morocco.

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Terrible injuries sustained - UNSAFE TRIP

AVOID THIS TOUR COMPANY WHATEVER YOU DO! I AM PRETTY CERTAIN IT HAS NEW OWNERS WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND COULDN'T CARE LESS HOW SAFELY OR OTHERWISE THEY ARE OPERATING. I am in a lot of pain, I have been in a wheelchair since doing this trip and I am exhausted. I am self employed and so have had to cancel a month (so far ) of work. I have had to hire a wheelchair, have had to pay for taxis to get to appointments, and have had to arrange help from friends to look after me ( incurring extra expenses for them). I use TripAdvisor because you can read real reviews from others who have done the thing you want to do. I researched well and booked one of the most expensive options because the reviews all said they felt safe, it was well organised and the camels were looked after. When we arrived at the site, much much further into the desert than all the other camel rides, who had already started, via a precarious and dangerous route, with no actual road, we were surprised that it was just the 2 of us. The camels looked poorly looked after and the camel man could speak no English - despite that being requested. The camel I was on stood up before being told, as did my sisters. They refused to do what the man told them and I believe followed him because he had a stick. They were unhappy and digging their heels in refusing to move. My camel was tied to the saddle of my sister's in front with a rope just 20" long and was in pain. The photos used to advertise the ride we booked above, must be library photos - my camels head was past the flank of the one in front, there was no gap or leeway, no comfort for him. We stopped on a hill for some photos, which the camel man took. We both were really scared at this point and nervous laughing, my sis said I think we should stop. The man couldn't understand us and just kept laughing at us. After the photos I indicated he needed to make my camel more comfortable as he was in pain. As he loosened the neck harness, my camel ducked his head and slipped out. Instead of grabbing him, he did nothing. As soon as my camel realised he was free, he turned and started to bolt into the desert. I had no reins and just clung to the bar. Camels run at 65km/h. My headscarf flew off. I was terrified. As he approached a sharp drop, my seat came untied, it slid down the right side of the camel, and as I felt the animal start to topple, I let go and landed on the rock desert floor with a thud onto my right hip. I tried to stand and immediately collapsed with the pain. The camel man ran after my camel, that he was never going to catch up with, and left my sister. Her camel then turned and started to run after mine. She bravely swung a leg over and started to lower herself to the ground before letting go and dropping. While she was not as badly injured as me, and she didn't realise at the time how bad she was and did not seek medical help, she also had a badly swollen and bruise left hip and dislocated her left shoulder. I was in absolute agony and could barely move. The driver, owner of the business, Mokktur was more worried about himself than us. In the car, as he started the precarious drive out of the desert, with me laying in the back in agony, he was crying and asking why had this happened to him. It didn't. It happened to me and my sister. She had to tell him to stop crying and pull himself together.... several times. The entire time we were with him, I believe he only cared about himself and not us at all. He , at great pain and stress to us, took us not to the nearest hospital, but to the one his sister worked at. He even suggested we stopped on the way at his house "to rest". I was in agony, and shock and kept nearly passing out. The nearest hospital 35 minutes from the desert where I was injured, but he drove over 1 hour to take us to the clinic where his sister works. I was in agony in the car. At the hotel he wouldn't let me out of the taxi to start with saying that he is a good man and it wasn't fair this happened to him. Unlike every person we were in contact with that night, the strangers from the desert (both English and Moroccan), and the friends ( who we'd met doing a balloon flight that morning, Adam and Karim), he is the only one who has made no further contact to check and see how we are. The camel man had no control over the camels. I could see what was happening as soon as the camel ducked his head and stepped away and then bolted ( he acted the same as my dog when he doesn't want to go somewhere and ducks his head away from his collar and harness). He had no idea what they were doing or how they felt. It was as if he'd only just acquired them. Mokktur, the operator is not mentioned in any of the company reviews on TripAdvisor, as others are. But after investigating and following the company link to their website, he is the contact. It feels as though he is new to this, maybe just acquired the business, and just asked a random camel guy in the desert if he wanted a few pounds for a quick job. It all feels shoddy and unorganised. It was totally unsafe. It could have been so much worse. Looking at the photo timeline, we were on the camels just 12 minutes. We could have sustained far worse injuries, it could have been fatal. A friend who worked organising camel rides in Egypt for 3 years said while she arranged 100's of thousands of such trip, she had NEVER heard of anything like this before. The locals who came to help, and the local friend who came to hospital to translate for us all said they had NEVER heard of anything like this. Avoid.

Response from the operator: Dear Mrs. Thomas, We are truly sorry to hear about the distress you experienced and the injuries you sustained during your camel ride in the Agafay Desert. Your wellbeing and safety are our top priorities, and we take your feedback very seriously. While we deeply regret the unfortunate incident, we would like to clarify a few important points regarding your experience: 1. Camels and Staff: Our camels are professionally trained, well cared for, and handled by experienced camel guides who have worked with us for years. At no point are animals mistreated, and safety is always a focus. We understand animals can be unpredictable, which is why our team remains vigilant. We were not informed of any specific request for an English-speaking camel handler; however, an English-speaking guide was available throughout the trip to assist. 2. Incident Response: Immediately after the incident, our team acted swiftly to assist you. We transported you to one of the most reputable private clinics in Marrakech, where you received full medical attention, including X-rays and a CT scan. All medical expenses were covered by us, and you received a full refund for the excursion, given in cash, as a gesture of goodwill and empathy. 3. Care and Compassion: Our team remained with you throughout the process, ensured your safe return to your hotel, and offered support at every step. We understand that the stress of the situation, combined with your personal grief at the time, added to your emotional distress. We genuinely did our best to provide care, comfort, and respect during this difficult moment. 4. Business Practices: Contrary to your claim, there has been no change in ownership. Arib Voyages has been family-owned and operated for over 15 years with a long-standing reputation for quality and customer care. We are proud of our consistently positive reviews and loyal clientele. While we deeply regret that your experience did not meet expectations, we must also respectfully disagree with several of the accusations made in your review, particularly those that misrepresent the actions and intentions of our team. We remain committed to safety, professionalism, and animal welfare at all times. We genuinely wish you a full and speedy recovery and hope that, in time, you may look back with a more balanced view of your experience. Sincerely, Fadel & Mokhtar & Bachir El Ammari Arib Voyages

via Tripadvisor

Great Trip

Great trip and cool views of the desert. Abdul was a great guide, good conversation and insight and took great care of us. He made sure we always got the best of the best - from the best camels to the best views. Thank you!

via Tripadvisor

Must do when in Marrakech

It was a 10/10. Lamen was so great he picked us up from our RIAD which made the process so easy. The conversation was great during the drive and we got to the camel location in great time. The camel ride was incredible including providing clothes to wear during the journey. We then enjoyed tea with bread and nuts after and watched the sunset. The desert was beautiful at sunset. I’d book with this place as they took us to the coolest camel location I think you could go to.

via Tripadvisor