Buggy in Marrakech: what driving a dune buggy in the Agafay Desert is really like
A buggy is a small off-road car with a roll cage, a steering wheel and room for two. Around Marrakech, buggy rides have become the favourite alternative to quad biking for people who want something with a bit more power and the comfort of sitting side by side.
We run buggy trips in the Agafay Desert, the stone desert 40 minutes from Marrakech. This guide explains how a buggy ride works, who can drive, how it compares with a quad, and what to expect on the day.
Buggy or quad: what's the difference?
Both are off-road vehicles and both follow the same desert tracks. The difference is how they feel to drive.
| Buggy | Quad bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Two seats side by side, with seat belts | Driver in front, passenger behind |
| Controls | Steering wheel and pedals, like a car | Handlebars with a thumb throttle |
| Protection | Roll cage around you | Open, you hold on |
| Feel | More power, more stable on slopes | Lighter, you lean into turns |
| Good for | Couples, friends, anyone who prefers a wheel | Solo riders, lighter budgets |
If you've never ridden a motorbike, a buggy usually feels more natural because it drives like a car. Passengers also tend to prefer it: you sit next to the driver, belted in, instead of holding on behind them. Quads are lighter and feel more nimble, which some riders enjoy more. Our quad biking guide covers the quad side in detail.
Where to ride a buggy near Marrakech
Buggy trips from Marrakech go to one of two areas. The Palmeraie, on the northern edge of the city, has flat sandy tracks among palm trees. The Agafay Desert, about 40 to 60 minutes south-west, has open stone desert with hills, slopes and dry riverbeds, and views across to the Atlas Mountains.
Buggies are made for hilly ground, so Agafay is where they make the most sense. Climbing a ridge and seeing the desert open up in front of you, with the snowy Atlas behind, is the moment most guests remember.
How an Agafay buggy trip works
Our Buggy + Camel + Dinner & Fire Show trip runs every day and is built around the buggy:
- 3:00 PM pickup in Marrakech, free from seven meeting points such as Bab Agnaou or Jardin Majorelle, or by private VIP transport from your hotel or riad.
- Briefing and gear. Helmets on, a short explanation of the controls, and a test loop before setting off.
- 1-hour buggy ride through the desert behind a guide, two people per buggy.
- 15-minute camel ride as the afternoon light softens.
- Dinner with a fire show under the stars, then the drive back to Marrakech.
The whole trip takes about 5 hours. If you'd rather drive a quad but still want to try a buggy, our Quad + Camel + Dinner & Show trip lets you swap the quad for a buggy for an extra fee.
Who can drive a buggy?
- Drivers must be 16 or older. You don't need a driving licence.
- Children aged 3 to 15 can sit in the passenger seat but can't drive.
- Babies aged 0 to 2 come along free but don't ride.
Each buggy seats two, so two adults can swap driving halfway if they both want a turn. Ask your guide at a stop.
Is it safe?
A buggy is one of the safer ways to go off-road: you're belted in, there's a roll cage around you, and the tracks are away from traffic. The guide sets the pace at the front, and you keep a safe distance from the buggy ahead because of the dust. The main rule is to drive within your comfort zone, especially on downhill sections. Nobody will push you to go faster than you want.
The single most useful thing to bring is a scarf or buff. Buggies throw up dust, especially when you're not at the front of the convoy.
Buggy rides with children
Buggies are a good way to bring older children along on an off-road ride. A child aged 3 to 15 sits in the passenger seat next to a parent, belted in, inside the roll cage, which many parents find more reassuring than having a child hold on behind them on a quad. Children can't drive, so each buggy with a child needs an adult driver aged 16 or over. Very young children often find the dust and noise tiring after a while, so for toddlers a camel ride is usually the better choice; our camel ride guide explains how that works.
Photos and videos
Passengers get the best footage, because the driver needs both hands on the wheel. If you want to film, put the passenger in charge of the phone and keep the strap around their wrist. Guides stop at viewpoints along the route, which is the safest moment for photos of you with the buggy and the Atlas behind.
What to wear
- Closed shoes for the pedals.
- Clothes you don't mind getting dusty. Light colours show dust less.
- A scarf or buff for your nose and mouth, and sunglasses for your eyes.
- A warm jacket from November to March. Evenings in the desert are cold.
Helmets are provided. Keep phones in a zipped pocket or a small bag strapped inside the buggy.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons. Summer afternoons are very hot, which is one reason our trips start at 3:00 PM and run into the evening. Winter days are mild and clear, with the best mountain views of the year, but bring warm clothes for dinner.
Questions to ask any buggy operator
- How long is the actual driving time, not the whole trip?
- Is it one buggy per two people, or are you sharing with strangers?
- Are helmets included, and is there a guide at the front?
- What happens if the weather is bad: reschedule or refund?
- Is pickup included, and from where?
On our trips the answers are: 1 hour of driving, 2 people per buggy (your own group), helmets and a lead guide included, a free reschedule or full refund for weather, and free pickup from central Marrakech meeting points. More details are on the Agafay tours page.