The desert an hour from the medina

Moroccan desert usually brings to mind the great dunes of the south, many hours away. Yet about 30 km south-west of Marrakech, the Agafay plateau shows a different face: a stone desert of ochre and beige hills, with the High Atlas peaks in the background on clear days. No endless sand, but a silence and light that surprise so close to a big city. It is ideal for a late afternoon outing, through to sunset.

Driving to Agafay

The road leaves Marrakech heading south-west, and in less than an hour the city gives way to mineral landscapes. Tracks into the plateau can be rough: stay on passable roads and drive slowly. An automatic SUV with a high driving position makes these trips more comfortable, but it does not turn a luxury car into an off-roader: difficult tracks are best left to local professionals.

The Palmeraie, Marrakech's other face

North of the city, the Marrakech Palmeraie spreads thousands of palm trees along quiet roads. People come for an evening stroll, a camel ride offered by locals, or simply a change of air after the bustle of the medina. It is easy to reach by car from the centre and pairs very well with Agafay on the same day: the Palmeraie in the morning, the stone desert in the afternoon.

A typical day

  • Morning: a loop through the Palmeraie, photo stops and a quiet coffee.
  • Midday: back to town or lunch on the way.
  • Afternoon: drive to Agafay and sunset on the plateau.
  • Evening: return to Marrakech, less than an hour away.

Which SUV to choose

Several SUVs in our fleet can be collected at Marrakech airport:

  • Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: from 1300 MAD/day.
  • Maserati Grecale: from 1800 MAD/day.
  • Audi Q8: from 2100 MAD/day.
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport: from 2000 MAD/day (for rentals of 15 days or more).

The deposit is 30000 MAD for these models, the minimum rental is 3 days, and every car is automatic with unlimited mileage. A driver can be offered on request, subject to availability.

Tips

Bring water and a jacket: evenings are cool on the plateau, even after a hot day. Check the sunset time before leaving and plan to drive back on paved roads after dark. The car is returned during the agency's opening hours.

Book your SUV

For your day between the Palmeraie and Agafay, book on WhatsApp at +212 646 618 020 or on loccor.com, from the page of the model you choose.