Which is Better for Family with kids the Agafay or the Sahara
Which is Better for Family with kids the Agafay or the Sahara?
There are two types of unforgettable desert experiences that Morocco has to offer: the large vast Sahara and the relatively lesser-known but strikingly accessible Agafay Desert. Having lived in both Marrakech (near Agafay) and in the towns bordering the Sahara, such as Merzouga and Zagora, I had the pleasure of visiting both deserts with and without children. This is the reason I wanted to make this article.
If you are a parent planning a Moroccan adventure and wondering whether to head into the endless dunes of the Sahara or somewhat stay close to Marrakech by visiting the Agafay Desert, you won’t be the only one. I have had these conversations many times with friends visiting with their kids. It’s not a simple this-or-that answer; it really depends on what kind of experience you want, how much time you have, and what your kids are comfortable with.
This post will give you the family perspective on the differences between the Agafay Desert and the Sahara Desert. It will go over distance, transportation, things to do with kids, safety, types of accommodation, and the general on-the-ground experience – sprinkled with a handful of honest tips from the real world, far away from glitz and glamour of a travel brochure. If you want camel rides, desert stargazing, or just a mellow weekend away, this post will help you decide what will be best for your family.
Now it’s time for a little pros and cons list to see which Moroccan desert carries the weight for children and families.
Let’s examine the upsides and downsides of both options to ascertain which Moroccan desert is more child-friendly.
Agafay vs. Sahara Desert: A Bright Snappy Comparison for Parents
Before diving into the details, here is a quick overview:
Getting There: How Much Can Your Children Endure?
Honestly, most kids just do not like to sit in a car for hours, especially on curvy mountain roads. Here, the Agafay Desert is a clear winner: It is a mere 45 minutes drive from Marrakech. By mid-morning, you could be jumping out of your car in the desert to enjoy a day full of adventures or relaxation, and still be back at your riad in time for dinner or bed.
The journey to the Sahara is much longer and demanding. Merzouga, the most famous part of the Sahara, with towering dunes of Erg Chebbi, is about 9-10 hours away by car. Even Zagora, considered the easier desert to reach, is 6-7 hours away. If your children are a bit older or used to road trips, this may be a workable option—but for toddlers or younger children, it’s just too far.
Having taken the route with little ones, let’s just say it’s doable, but also requires much more planning, much more stopping, and probably much more patience. For this reason alone, many families choose Agafay.
What About the Ground: Sand Dunes vs. Rocky Desert?
If people expect to see vast expanses of golden sand dunes like in National Geographic, that’s the Saharan reality. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are iconic, immense, and surreal.
Kids (especially the older ones) will love sliding down the dunes, sandboarding, sleeping outdoors.
Agafay, on the other hand, is a stone desert. No dunes here. But don’t let it discourage you. The scenery itself shouts dramatic—quiet and serene in its own way at sunrise or sunset. Learn it: it’s complemented by flatness, and safe terrain to explore, which is ideal when you have toddlers or toddlers with infinite curiosity just wanting to roam free.
And if it is more of a laidback day-out-amidst-nature thing for you, instead of a trek into some unpronounceable vast desert, the place to be is the Agafay.
Activities in Agafay Desert for Kids
What I liked about visiting the Agafay Desert with kids is that it is easy to arrange a day that entertains the kids and relaxes the parents. Start with a quick camel ride that is thrilling but still safe; then, relish traditional Moroccan food, splash in desert pools at a luxury camp like La Pause or Inara Camp, and finally watch the sun go down over the hills.
There are many camps set up to accommodate families and provide shaded areas, comfy seats, and unfettered freedom to move around. The gift? No steep dunes to panic about, and you are never that far from Marrakech in case of an emergency nap or tantrum.
Book a private day trip that includes camel rides and lunch for the best flexibility and comfort. There are some great options for this, like this Agafay Desert tour, where you can customize the schedule around your children’s rhythm.
Activities in the Sahara Desert for Kids
Should you make the trip to the vast Sahara, then the big payoff awaits. The Sahara is totally an adventure: camel rides at sunset, sleeping in Berber tents, star-lit skies, and awe-inspiring views. Any child reasonably old to appreciate the scale of the dunes will remember this forever.
Just keep in mind that camel rides go 1 to 2 hours long, there would be a great temperature drop from day to night, and you will be completely unreachable on modem convenience. So pack with wisdom, prepare to tough it out a bit, and accept that access to running water and electricity will be very limited.
Nothing, though, is more magical than sitting by a roaring fire with the Berber tribe singing their ancient music while your children are roasting marshmallows under the skies full of stars.
Accommodation: Which Desert Is More Comfortable for Families?
There’s no question: Agafay offers more in the way of comfort and convenience. Many of the desert camps here are just about full-blown glamping resorts, with properties boasting full bathrooms, a private pool, kids’ menus, and even Wi-Fi.
In contrast, accommodations in the Sahara go from the very basic Berber tents to the really luxurious desert camps like Sahara Stars Camp or Ali & Sara’s Desert Palace. The luxury camps are great if you want to really spoil yourself, but that means long travel times.
In case your kids require structure or naps or are fussy eaters, Agafay could potentially be a smoother experience.
