Marrakech Camel Ride Tour: A 2025 Palm Grove Review

So, you are thinking about a trip to Marrakech, and you’ve obviously seen the pictures. It’s almost a given that you will see those amazing photos of people on camels with a huge, orange sun setting behind them. As a matter of fact, I was in that same spot, wondering if the real thing was actually as good as the pictures made it look. I mean, is it just for show, or is it a genuinely good time? Honestly, I wanted to find out for myself. It’s pretty much the most iconic thing you can do there, right? I went for a private tour in the Palm Grove, or the Palmeraie as it’s really called, and to be honest, I want to share what that was really, really like. You know, beyond the filtered images and a bit more about the actual feel of the whole thing.

Getting Picked Up and Heading to the Grove

Okay, so the whole thing typically starts with a pickup, which is, you know, super convenient. Like, our driver found us right at our riad, which was frankly a huge relief because the little streets of the medina are kind of a puzzle. Anyway, he was a very friendly man, pointing things out as we left the old city walls behind. Basically, you can feel the entire mood change as you drive away from the city’s lively center. Actually, the sounds of motorbikes and market sellers sort of melt away, and a quiet stillness takes over, you know? The car was pretty much brand new and the air conditioning was a total blessing. Seriously, that Moroccan sun is no joke, even in the late afternoon. You’re sort of just watching the scenery transform from tight, clay-colored buildings to wider, more open spaces. To be honest, it was just a little bit of a drive, maybe thirty minutes, and then, at the end of the day, you see the first of many, many palm trees.

Meeting Your New Four-Legged Friend

So, you finally arrive and, you know, there they are. I mean, a whole group of camels just relaxing in the shade, sort of chewing away without a care in the world. As a matter of fact, they’re much bigger in person than you might think. Honestly, their long eyelashes and, like, slightly goofy expressions are incredibly charming. Our guide, a man named Yousef, was clearly a person who loved these creatures; you could tell by the way he spoke to them. He helped us put on our cheichs, the traditional blue scarves, which made us feel really, like, part of the experience and stuff. He explained that a private tour meant we got our own personal guide and could go at our own pace, which was really nice. Getting on the camel is, well, an experience in itself, right? It’s kind of a wobbly, three-stage process as the camel stands up, first on its back legs and then on its front. For a moment, you are nearly ten feet in the air, with a totally new view of everything around you. It’s pretty much a unique feeling.

The Ride Through the Palmeraie at Sunset

Honestly, the ride itself is incredibly peaceful. It’s not a fast-paced thing at all; in fact, it’s a very slow, swaying rhythm that you quickly get used to. As I was saying, Yousef led my camel, whose name was ‘Simba’ he told me, through the groves. The Palmeraie isn’t a dense forest, obviously, but more like a huge stretch of land with thousands of palm trees, some villas here and there, and lots of open, dusty ground. Still, the silence is what really gets you. Basically, all you hear is the soft padding of the camel’s feet on the earth and the occasional happy snort from your ride. You know, you start to notice the little details, like the way the setting sun casts these really long, interesting shadows from the palms. And the light, well, it’s absolutely amazing. It’s like the whole world is dipped in gold. Seriously, the sky shifts from a bright blue to a warm orange, then to pinks and purples. We actually stopped a few times so Yousef could take photos of us with the sun setting perfectly behind us; he was pretty much a pro at finding the best spots.

A Break for Mint Tea with a Local Family

As a matter of fact, one of the best parts of the tour was the stop for tea. After about an hour of riding, we, you know, arrived at a small, traditional Berber home. It wasn’t a fancy tourist spot at all, but a real, functioning place where a family lived. So, we sat down on some cushions under a simple tent and were served what is frankly the most delicious mint tea I’ve ever had. It was incredibly sweet and refreshing, poured from a great height in the traditional way. They also gave us some Msemen, a kind of Moroccan pancake, which was absolutely fantastic with some honey. The host didn’t speak a lot of English, and we spoke zero Berber, but honestly, it didn’t really matter. We communicated through smiles and gestures. It felt really authentic, a genuine moment of connection. Like, it gave a small peek into a different way of life, away from the busy tourist centers. In a way, this part of the trip was just as memorable as the camel ride itself.

Final Thoughts: Is a Private Tour the Way to Go?

Okay, so at the end of the day, was going private the right choice? For me, definitely. I mean, watching the big group tours go by, with like thirty camels in a long line, made me really appreciate our quiet little journey. We could stop whenever we wanted for a picture, ask Yousef all sorts of questions, and just enjoy the calm without feeling rushed, you know? It’s slightly more expensive, of course, but you are basically paying for space and personalization. It feels less like a theme park ride and more like a proper, genuine adventure. If you’re a photographer, or a couple looking for something a bit romantic, or just someone who dislikes big crowds, then frankly, it’s a no-brainer. You just get a completely different, more intimate look at the beautiful Palmeraie. It’s a very personal way to see a classic Moroccan scene, and honestly, the memories are just that much richer for it.

“To be honest, the quiet swaying of the camel, the warm glow of the setting sun, and the sweet mint tea made for a really unforgettable afternoon. It’s a completely different side of Marrakech, and definitely a calmer one.”

Read our full review: Private Camel Ride Tour In Marrakech Palm Grove Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Marrakech Palm Grove Tour)