Luxury Glamping in the Agafay Desert: Where to Stay
The Agafay Desert’s Luxury Stone Camps have become the trendsetting destination for holiday travelers to Morocco who are interested in a luxury glamping experience. Agafay is surrounded by an arid, yet majestic rocky landscape that resembles a moon crater and located an hour away from Marrakech, the designated cultural capital of Africa 2020. At one time travelers to Morocco placed the Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga Sahara Desert Dunes on their bucket list yet with the popularity of Agafay the twelve-hour distance to the south is less enticing and has made, luxury glamping in the region of Marrakech the latest attraction.
The Agafay Desert glamping experience offers unparalleled 360 degrees of natural beauty.
The region of Agafay offers a variety of luxury camps that rival stays at five-star boutique riads and hotels in some of Morocco’s finest cities The Agafay Desert also has notoriety from Hollywood stars, Instagram influencers, honeymooners, couples seeking wedding destinations, and groups in search of silence and comfort. Many travelers also come to Agafay to take advantage of the natural scenery for photoshoots. The legendary Queen of Pop, Madonna, visited Marrakech several times in 2018 and celebrated her 60th birthday in the Agafay Desert. Included in her celebrity guest roster was American actress Debi Mazar. They attended a Fantasia show, camel trekked across the desert and indulged in the premiere Kasbah Agafay Spa. Madonna thanked “magical Morocco” for hosting with a new single in 2019 called “Come Alive.” With Morocco on her mind, Madonna explained “Come Alive was inspired by the music of North Africa. It is called Gnaoua.” As a storyteller, she recognized the importance of the Krabkeb, a world-old percussion instrument used in Gnaoua music. These traditional Moroccan rhythms can be experienced in person against a sunset Agafay backdrop.
The Agafay Desert is best described as a landscape of many contrasts. Multitudes of tracks run between canyons, there are rolling plains juxtaposed with stony mounds. Aside from the luxury desert camps, a view of nomads and sheepherders in the distance, Agafay offers ultimate serenity after dusk. For those who crave adventure, mountain biking, hiking, horseback and camel trekking are all possible in Agafay.
Agafay luxurious glamping is enchanting and those who indulge are destined to take in the rose and saffron-colored sunsets, sip mint tea in a Berber tent and camel trek across a historic stone and sandy desert. Evenings are always capped off in Agafay with a traditional multi-course 1001 Arabian nights dinner under the Moroccan stars. Agafay Luxury GlampingExperiences all include an Arabian Nights experience with a Sunset Camel trek through the Agafay moon-like dunes.
The Top 4 Agafay Luxury Glamping Sites
Scarabeo Camp, Perched on Top of Afafay
Scaraebo Camp is perched on top of the Agafay’s rocky dunes and is sought after for its jaw-dropping panoramic views. With its rolling landscapes and a glimpse of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains, Scarabeo is one of Agafay’s top desert camps. It has fifteen luxurious tents that dot the landscape and blend in with the natural surroundings; these range from double suites, twin suites, and family suites. Each luxury tent is equipped with a Moroccan salon, private terrace, ensuite bathroom with heating (in winter), and queen or twin size fluffy beds. Traditional touches of artisanal art, African woven matting and Berber rugs, unique collector’s pieces, atmospheric Moroccan lanterns, and a wooden writing desk add to the old world decor. Rising early in the morning and catching the sunrise is highly recommended. Scarabeo’s landscape and peaceful surroundings make it an idyllic place to do yoga or meditate. One of the highlights of Scarabeo is their expansive list of leisure activities for those seeking outdoor adventure. ATV riding, trekking by camel or donkey, horseback riding, or a dune buggy excursion are among many of the activities offered. For those who prefer to stay onsite the luxury camp offers yoga classes, massages, and lessons with an astronomy professor. Couples traveling with children can also enjoy the lawn bowling and board games organized by the camp. Evening dinners are highly anticipated. Guests sit around a communal candlelit table, enjoy freshly baked bread, seasonal vegetables and local meats cooked in tagines within a traditional earthen oven.
Address: Désert Agafay، Marrakech 40000
Phone: +212-0662-800823
The White Camel Glamping Lodge with a Panoramic Landscape
The White Camel Glamping Lodge is set upon a panoramic landscape. White Camel welcomes their guests into their glamorous village of Bedouin tents with dozens of flickering candles, mint tea, and a traditional Gnoua music private concert that takes place after sunset. Possibly, the most luxurious of the desert camps, the White Camel interior is tastefully adorned with shabby chic furniture, high-quality bedding, and a sophisticated atmosphere that has a setting perfect for romance. The stunning open-air property calls out to those in search of the ideal location for a destination wedding or classy off-the-beaten-track party venue. In the main campground area, visitors can enjoy a nighttime dip in the infinity pool while they look over the glittering Marrakech city lights. Atmospheric dinners are complemented by music, dancing, a fire show, and delicious Moroccan wines from the Kingdom’s top vineyards. At sunset, with a cocktail in hand you can lean into luxurious artisanal pillows and watch the landscape transform from fiery reds into hues of blues, and purple. When the sky becomes pitch black, endless opportunities for stargazing reveal themselves. The morning time is just as mesmerizing. The lodge’s encased luxury tents were designed to have an entire wall of clear open glass window and to enable guests to watch the sunrise from their bed.
The harmonious elements of the sublime desert even bring outs the yogi in those who don’t usually practice. After a good stretch and then relaxing by the poolside, the White Camel continues to spoil visitors with a gorgeous breakfast display. The traditional Berber breakfast feast comes complete with fresh-squeezed juices, an assortment of bread, and an omelet tagine. After breakfast, travelers also have an option to explore the desert grounds. Anything from quad or mountain biking, camel riding, horse activities, and even golf is possible at Agafay.
Address: Hay Nahda Bloc 4 Rayto Agafay, Marrakesh
Phone: +212+ 0660-047248
La Pause Desert Camp & Eco Lodge
La Pause Desert Camp is the perfect balance of an eco-lodge that meets luxury glamping experience. The expansive grounds of La Pause offer visitors the option of staying in a glamourous bedouin tent or one of its eights traditional Berber ‘pise’ (mud and straw) lodges. The lodges have been said to evoke a sensation of the deeper parts of the African content. Both the luxury tents and “pise” style lodges paces are well designed to offer an unforgettable overnight experience. Luxurious bedding, oil lamps, private indoor and outdoor showers, and Berber carpets are just a few of the luxury amenities that La Pause includes. La Pause is also an ideal place to explore nature as the grounds are lined with hammocks and sunbeds from are footsteps from the outdoor swimming pool, all offering spectacular views of the Agafay landscape. Olive trees, arid hills, and the property’s organic vegetable garden dress up the remote location. The onsite private garden has a variety of herbs and vegetables that are grown specifically for use in the camp’s salads and juices. Among the homegrown ingredients are alfalfa, rocket, and grapes. Additionally, La Pause makes its own fresh-pressed olive oil.
In 2002, La Pause owner Frédéric Alaime ventured on horseback to the Agafay Desert and came across land owned by a Berber farmer. He imagined creating an eco-resort to draw in travelers from around the world and therein he made the owners an offer. Alaime’s desire was for travelers to Morocco to experience some of his favorite things about the desert region such as stargazing, delicious Berber cuisine and Gnaoua music that could be set among inspiring Moroccan decor. In addition to creating the perfect environment for travelers to discovery Agafay, La Pause also has a list of activities they offer. These include adventurous quad biking rides across the desert, cooking classes, Arabic calligraphy lessons, and short cross-country’ or “crazy golf.”
Address: Douar Lmih Laroussiene Commune Agafay, Marrakech Morocco
Phone: +212-0661-306494
Terre Des Etoiles Ecolodge in the Heart of a Moroccan Oasis
The owners of Terre Des Etoiles had but one dream when they set out to create a luxury ecolodge in the midst of a Moroccan desert oasis: to transform utopia into reality. Striving to create their dreams, they purchased five hectares of “lunar” land and transformed it into stretches of an organic vegetable garden with inspiring views of the Atlas Mountains. They complemented their small farm with a permaculture concept that has been woven into their luxury camp. Inspired by their successfully implemented Green lifestyle initiative, in March 2019, the committee behind Hotel & Lodge Awards nominated Terre des Etoiles for one of the “Best Eco-responsible hotels.” Although they did not win, standing among giants like the Four Seasons of Seychelles and the Manapany in Saint Bartelemy spoke to the camp’s level of achievement. The chic eco-lodge has manifested the ultimate destination for those seeking nature, wellness, and comfort. There are two onsite pools, a traditional Moroccan hammam, a wellness area, and a team with a penchant for hosting and serving guests. Terre Des Etoiles is also working towards the Green Key Label, a first international environmental label for eco-lodges. For travelers seeking a high-quality eco-tourism experience, Agafay’s Terre Des Etoiles is a top choice.
Address: 12 Derb El Baroud, Marrakesh 40000
Phone: 0661-591150