For some travellers, the desert is about silence and slow camel rides. For others, it is about engines, speed and the thrill of climbing a sandy slope. Quad biking and buggy rides have become one of the most popular activities around Marrakech and in the Sahara, and they can be a great way to explore landscapes you would not otherwise reach — as long as you choose the right place, the right operator and the right format.
Here is our honest guide.
Quad or buggy: what is the difference?
- Quad (ATV): a four-wheeled motorbike with handlebars. You ride alone or with a passenger behind you. It is more physical and more exciting, and you feel every bump.
- Buggy (side-by-side): a small off-road car with a steering wheel, seats side by side, seat belts and a roll cage. More comfortable, easier for beginners, and ideal for couples, parents with a teenager or anyone who prefers driving a car.
Both are usually done with a guide who rides in front and sets the pace.
Where to ride in Morocco
The Agafay desert, near Marrakech
The most accessible option: rolling stone hills, dirt tracks and Atlas views 40 minutes from the city. Rides last one or two hours, often in the late afternoon so you finish at sunset. It is a perfect add-on to a camp night — it is offered on day three of our 3-day Atlas & Agafay tour. See our Agafay desert guide.
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Riding in real sand dunes is a completely different experience: soft sand, steep slopes and breathtaking views over the erg. Local operators run one or two-hour loops around the edge of the dunes. On our 4-day Merzouga tour, it fits naturally into the free afternoon of the desert day — see our Merzouga guide.
Around Essaouira and the coast
Quad trails also run through the argan forests and coastal dunes around Essaouira and further south. They are cooler in summer and combine well with a beach day.
What a typical ride looks like
You meet the team at the operator's base or at your camp, put on a helmet, goggles and a scarf, and the guide explains the throttle, brakes and hand signals. After a few minutes on flat ground to get used to the machine, the group sets off in single file. Halfway, there is usually a stop at a viewpoint for photos and sometimes a mint tea with a local family, before riding back as the light softens. From briefing to return, a one-hour ride takes about an hour and a half.
How long, and how hard?
- 1 hour: enough for a first experience, especially for beginners.
- 2 hours: the best balance, with time to reach viewpoints and stop for photos or tea.
- Half day: for experienced riders, often in the Agafay hills.
You do not need previous experience: the guide gives a short briefing on the controls and adapts the pace. Riding in deep sand is more demanding than on tracks; if you are nervous, choose a buggy or stay on the firmer edges of the dunes.
Safety: the essentials
- Helmet always — reputable operators provide them.
- Goggles or sunglasses and a scarf against dust and sand.
- Long trousers and closed shoes.
- Follow the guide's line and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
- Never ride after drinking alcohol, and do not try to impress anyone on steep dunes.
- Check insurance and the condition of the vehicles before you start.
Age rules vary by operator: younger children usually ride as passengers in a buggy or with a parent, while teenagers may drive a smaller quad under supervision. Our family desert guide has more on activities with kids.
Responsible riding
Engines in fragile landscapes deserve some thought. Choose operators who stay on authorised tracks, avoid riding through vegetation, villages and camps, and keep noise down near people and animals. In Merzouga, rides should keep away from the heart of the dunes where camps and camel caravans rest. And remember that one or two hours is plenty: the rest of your time in the desert is best spent in silence.
Quad biking, camel or 4x4?
They are complementary rather than competing. A camel ride gives you the slow, iconic desert experience; a 4x4 excursion takes you further, to Khamlia, nomad families and oases; quad biking or a buggy adds adrenaline for an hour or two. With two nights in the desert, you can easily do all three. Read our camel ride guide and our article on Khamlia and Gnawa music to plan the rest of your desert day.
When to ride
Spring, autumn and winter are ideal, especially in the late afternoon. In summer, ride early in the morning or just before sunset: the sand and the engines get very hot in the middle of the day.
Add quad biking to your tour
Quad biking and buggy rides are optional activities on our circuits to Agafay and Merzouga, booked with local partners we trust. Tell us what you would like when you request your quote on WhatsApp, or compare our itineraries in the guide to multi-day tours from Marrakech.
