Echoes of Selina Agafay

A Look Back at Its Philosophy and Digital Nomad Community

I’m here to share great stories and separate the hidden gems from the noise. While Selina Agafay may have closed in 2024, its philosophy and impact on the digital nomad community still deserve to be remembered.

Let’s dive into the story of this incredible place…

Remembering Selina Agafay: A Desert Escape Near Marrakech

If you ever traveled to Marrakech, chances are you heard about Agafay, an impressive desert landscape of arid hills just 45 minutes from the city. Known for its breathtaking sunrises and mesmerizing sunsets, this unique destination offered a peaceful escape from the hustle of Marrakech.

As I revisit the places I explored on my last trip to Morocco, today we take a look back at Selina Agafay—once a vibrant nomad camp that embraced community, creativity, and remote work. Though it closed in 2024, its philosophy and impact remain. In this article, I’ll share my experience at Selina Agafay and revisit the story of digital nomad Sofia Kakkava, who lived and worked there during its prime.

All pictures in this article © Selina except those expressly indicated.

Choosing the Right Camp in the Agafay Desert

Some time ago, I suggested the Agafay Desert as a potential location for a company convention. This led me to conduct an in-depth study of the different camps in the area, and I quickly realized that each one caters to a specific type of traveler.

Back then, I decided to experience Selina Agafay Nomad Camp firsthand, along with another camp that I’ll cover in a separate article. Selina was known for offering a unique concept that blended community, remote work, and local experiences across its many destinations worldwide.

I first discovered Selina’s philosophy thanks to musician Afrosideral, aka Kumar Sublevao-Beat, during his performance at one of the SIMS editions—another inspiring initiative from this brand. Though Selina Agafay is no longer operating, its impact on the digital nomad community and its immersive approach to hospitality remain worth revisiting.

The Selina Experience – A Global Ecosystem

Selina is a global ecosystem spanning more than 25 countries across six continents, designed to inspire authentic connections among travelers. Whether for remote work, wellness, or cultural immersion, its locations offer spaces for like-minded individuals to meet and create meaningful experiences.

What makes Selina unique is its ability to blend seamlessly into diverse settings—thriving in the heart of urban and cosmopolitan cities as well as in remote jungles and deserts.

For this article, I’ll focus specifically on Selina Agafay Nomad Camp, where I stayed during my trip. While this particular location closed in 2024, its vision and philosophy continue to live on through Selina’s many destinations worldwide.

Arriving at Selina Agafay – A Community in the Desert

Selina Agafay Nomad Camp was just a 40-minute drive from Marrakech, offering a secluded escape in the heart of the desert.

Upon arrival, guests were welcomed into a vibrant community, with an invitation to join a WhatsApp group to stay updated on daily activities and connect with fellow travelers. Every evening, newcomers gathered for a welcome drink at The View, the camp’s communal space, setting the tone for an immersive experience.

The activity program at Selina Agafay was extensive, catering to adventure seekers and those looking for relaxation alike. Guests could embark on ATV or buggy rides, take a camel trek through the dunes, or unwind with morning meditations and nightly bonfires. For those staying longer, excursions to the Ourika Valley, the Ouzoud waterfalls, and even hot air balloon rides were available, alongside wellness-focused activities like yoga, mindfulness workshops, and massages.

Though Selina Agafay is no longer in operation, its spirit of community and adventure remains a defining part of the Selina experience worldwide.

Staying at Selina Agafay – A Desert Retreat

Following Selina’s signature philosophy, the camp offered a variety of accommodations, from shared spaces to private tents designed for comfort and connection with nature.

I stayed in a beautifully designed glamping tent equipped with a private bathroom, shower, air-conditioning and heating, a Nespresso machine, a desk, a TV, and even a private pool. Watching the sunrise from here was an unforgettable experience—the colors of the desert sky at dawn and dusk were simply breathtaking.

For those seeking solitude, Selina Agafay also catered to travelers looking for privacy and disconnection. Many of the tents were spaced far enough apart to create a sense of seclusion, making it the perfect escape whether you wanted to socialize or enjoy a quiet retreat.

One of the standout aspects of the camp was its reliable WiFi, which worked seamlessly throughout the property. Even in such a remote setting, staying connected was never an issue—ideal for digital nomads balancing work and adventure.

Though Selina Agafay is no longer operating, its blend of comfort, community, and nature made it a truly special place in the desert.

A Conversation with Sofia Kakkava – Living the Selina Philosophy

I could have easily stayed longer at Selina Agafay—the atmosphere was truly special. But with other places to visit on this trip, I decided to connect with Sofia Kakkava to dive even deeper into Selina’s philosophy and values. She perfectly embodied the spirit of this nomadic lifestyle, which, as you can see, is easy to fall in love with.

Sofia is a full-time digital nomad who spent a significant amount of time at Selina Agafay, leading wellness and coaching programs. Initially a guest in September of the previous year, she was later invited to guide transformational workshops for visitors and fellow digital nomads. Her offerings included abundance and self-love workshops, new moon rituals, full moon ceremonies, mindfulness sessions, and mind-body training.

While Selina Agafay has now closed, its mission of fostering personal growth and meaningful connections lives on in other Selina locations worldwide.

All photos from this point onward are sourced from Sofia’s Instagram account unless otherwise indicated.

Sofia Kakkava – A Journey to Freedom

At 31, Sofia Kakkava is originally from Greece but considers herself a citizen of the world. Her passion for understanding the mind and human behavior led her to study psychology in Athens, followed by a master’s in executive coaching and leadership at the University of London, where she also explored human resource management.

She later moved to Amsterdam, where she gained her first corporate experience while completing an MBA in Management. After working with international organizations and living in the Netherlands for five years, she realized that true happiness lay in the freedom to design her own life.

This realization led her to create her own online coaching business, helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential, overcome limitations, and cultivate a mindset geared toward personal and professional growth. Through her work, she empowers others to embrace a lifestyle of freedom, self-discovery, and leadership.

Sofia’s Nomadic Journey – From Experimenting to Full-Time Freedom

Sofia began experimenting with remote work in 2018, taking it step by step rather than diving in all at once. She tested the lifestyle in places like Malta, Switzerland, Italy, and Dubai, balancing travel with periods of stability.

By 2022, she fully embraced life as a digital nomad, spending seven months exploring Central and South America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama, and Colombia. She expanded her travels to Morocco, Spain, and Tanzania, covering 11 countries that year—six of them completely new to her—while navigating 17 relocations.

Her journey has been filled with unforgettable experiences: celebrating Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, learning Spanish, exploring the Amazon rainforest, earning her diving certification, swimming with glowing plankton in Colombia, going on her first safari, and even hunting alongside one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in Southeast Africa.

Beyond her personal adventures, Sofia has led over 500 workshops and coaching sessions, both online and in person. She continues to inspire others to step into a life of freedom, guiding individuals toward their own digital nomad journeys and curating unique nomadic retreats that bring together self-discovery and personal growth.

How Selina Agafay Became Sofia’s Retreat Destination

Sofia also organizes and leads private retreats, which is what initially brought her to Selina Agafay Nomad Camp. Some of her clients had inquired about holding retreats in the desert, and she felt Agafay was the perfect setting.

As a digital nomad whose business operates largely online, reliable internet and co-working spaces are essential to her. Selina Agafay Nomad Camp provided both—ensuring great connectivity and designated workspaces. That said, in Sofia’s experience, the peaceful atmosphere of the tents also made them an ideal spot to work remotely.

From the moment she first stayed as a guest, Sofia was captivated by the camp’s tranquil energy. Once she settled in to work there, she found the environment naturally encouraged a daily rhythm of meditation, goal-setting, and mental training.

What Set Selina Agafay Nomad Camp Apart?

When I asked Sofia what she believed set Selina Agafay Nomad Camp apart from other camps in the area, she was clear: this camp was frequented by more locals than the other, more tourist-oriented camps in Agafay. This made it a great place to connect with locals, not just other travelers.

In my opinion, another key factor was the camp’s dedication to building community. The team at Selina Agafay worked hard to create an environment that fostered meaningful connections, ensuring guests left with a sense of having had a truly memorable experience. This was very much in line with Selina’s broader philosophy.

For Sofia, Selina Agafay Nomad Camp was perfect for people looking to relax, slow down, or disconnect. The desert’s serene environment provided an ideal setting for such experiences. Couples, groups of friends, or solo digital nomads were the most common types of guests there, and Sofia agreed with me that these were the profiles that seemed to fit best.

Meet Sofia, a True Entrepreneur

I was delighted to meet Sofia. She’s a full-fledged entrepreneur, and once again, her journey reaffirms the saying, “If you want to, you can.”

I’ve been following Sofia for a while, and I truly believe in the value of the work she does. Her approach centers around helping individuals transform their mindset, build healthier habits, and cultivate personal growth. She provides the tools to help you balance your life, boost your confidence, and unlock your full potential, making the journey of self-improvement feel achievable and rewarding.

Sofia’s latest venture is the Soulsearch Retreats, designed to help people reconnect with their inner nature through mind and body experiences. These retreats take place in idyllic locations around the world, blending mindfulness, yoga, breathing exercises, biohacking, and fitness to transform your lifestyle.

For those interested, you can access a significant discount by using the code “NOLIMITIDEAS.”

Sofia’s work is centered around helping people transform their mindset and lives, with a focus on personal growth and empowerment. She’s an inspiring example of what can happen when you’re dedicated to investing in yourself and your future.

Are you ready to transform your life too?

Final Reflections

Finally, here are a few questions for you to reflect on:

Would you consider adopting a digital nomad lifestyle?
What are your thoughts on traveling and having the opportunity to create meaningful connections, as Selina proposes?
Has this article changed your perspective or made you reflect on how you currently approach your life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts over on my Instagram, where, as always, I’ll be waiting for you with more daily content.

If you found this article helpful or valuable, feel free to share it! It helps me a lot. Thank you so much!

More Unique Stays in Morocco

This article is part of my personal guide to unique stays in Morocco. You can find all the places I’ve stayed here.

If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it and leave me your thoughts and feedback.