Carved out at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, Akenza Golf Club is Marrakech golf with the gloves off. This is not manicured parkland or a gentle resort loop, it's a raw desert round where the scale of the landscape is part of the challenge.
The backdrop is the headline act. On a clear day the Atlas peaks sit out beyond the course and the light in the desert can be properly dramatic, especially later in the afternoon. But it's not just a pretty walk. Akenza asks you to think your way around it, pick sensible targets and commit to your shots because the punishment for a sloppy line can arrive quickly.
Expect a course that leans into its terrain rather than smoothing it away. You'll see elevation changes, awkward stances and natural run-offs that can turn a decent strike into a tricky next shot. And if the wind gets up, you'll quickly learn which holes want restraint off the tee and which ones reward a confident swing. The fairways can run firm, especially in summer, so club selection matters more than you might expect on a desert layout.
Akenza feels characterful and a bit untamed compared with the more polished resort options around Marrakech. If you're after immaculate perfection, it may not be your favourite. If you want a proper test and a round you'll talk about back at the clubhouse, it delivers. The course doesn't give much away, but when you stripe one down the middle with the mountains in view, it's the kind of moment that stays with you.
Include Akenza on your next Marrakech golf break if you fancy something with bite and a serious sense of place.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want a desert-style round in Marrakech with big scenery, firmer conditions and a more rugged feel than a typical resort course.
Who is it best for?
Confident mid to low handicappers, mixed groups who enjoy a challenge and anyone building a Marrakech itinerary and looking to add one round that feels different.
