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Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 May 2016
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Morocco with drone?
I'll be heading into Morocco from Spain in a couple of days. I am on a KTM 1190 Adventure and have been travelling with a drone. I've heard drones are essentially illegal in Morocco. Has anyone had any experience with this? I went through Tangier Med customs last year but without a drone, they all seemed pretty chill there. I don't want them to try and confiscate it or anything... I'm taking it through Africa
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Old 2 May 2016
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Maybe THIS will help!
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  #3  
Old 2 May 2016
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It says they confiscate it until you leave back to your country, ...wtf am I supposed to do via overland to Mauritania -__-
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Old 2 May 2016
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At least they don't throw you in jail and confiscate your vehicle, like happened to this poor chap entering Egypt.
Don't think all of Africa is ready for drones yet.
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Old 2 May 2016
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This subject has been done to death a couple of times on the TripAdvisor Moroccan forum. To import the drone is illegal, however I've never heard of anyone being searched on the way in for several years.

To use the drone in Morocco, however, is super-dooper illegal and you could expect to see the inside of a cell whilst the authorities decide what to do.

The fourth anniversary of the Marrakech bomb was four days ago and I'm with the authorities with this, it would be all too easy to use a drone for an attack.
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Old 2 May 2016
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Hey, thanks too much for your reply.

I respect the Moroccan laws, I'm happy to not fly during the Moroccan transit. I just don't want to have to find a place to leave my drone for the whole of West Africa - especially for use in remote regions with absolutely nobody around, just good bike footage.

Could you tell me what is the typical process when taking the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier Med? I was intending to leave my luggage on my bike and lock it all up, do they usually put all your gear through xrays or look in your bags?? If it is likely I can get through customs without them checking my gear, I'd probably risk taking the drone and leaving it on the back of my bike. If not then I will find a place to leave it in Spain... it could end up being a real headache if they want to confiscate it after the ferry. What are your thoughts?

Cheers
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Old 3 May 2016
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The only time I've been asked about my luggage entering Morocco is coming north from Mauritania, coming into Western Sahara of course. After denying I had any knives etc, they did not check, I was told to join the queue for the xray. We were taken into a large building, left the vehicles and they were xrayed by a machine on rails. Nothing incrimating was found, to my relief.

I've not even been asked about my luggage on entering from Spain, and never been searched, or seen anyone else searched.
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Old 3 May 2016
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Does anyone else have any experience coming from Spain to Tangier? Were you searched? I went on the ferry 9 months ago but don't remember if I was searched/xrayed or not
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Old 3 May 2016
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I just returned from Morocco last night and never got searched when entering at Tangier Med 3 weeks ago. They were more interested in searching cars and vans stuffed full of tat than looking in motorcycle panniers. Have a great trip.
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Old 3 May 2016
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If you mention "Mauretania" at Tanger Med you get xrayed. But probably not bikes.
The place to get in trouble in Morocco is Dahkla Junction, beware. I left my camera and binoculars on the passenger seat and was interrogated.
Mauretania could also give you trouble. Like Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Niger.
Only time I saw a drone in use in Morocco was at the cascades Imouzzer
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Old 4 May 2016
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Never had a search on a moto at any Mk port either, but as said, it may not just be Moroccan authorities who take a dim view, so use with caution or local approval.
In the Sahel military drones are used and may be the cause of paranoia/misunderstandings.
Is it an auto-following drone, out if interest?
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Old 5 May 2016
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Hey Chris,

If all goes well I'll be taking the ferry Friday morning. I think I'm going to chance it and take it anyway leaving it with my luggage on the bike while going with the ferry... I hope to christ they don't search or xray any of my gear on my bike. The drone is a DJI Phantom 3 Pro, runs about 800gbp hence why I don't want it confiscated or having to ferry back to Spain to post it somewhere. The Phantom 3 Pro does have a follow-me feature, and can use digital tracking now too via third party apps. It is an incredibly powerful drone when used with some of these apps now and what I feel is a necessity on a RTW trip.
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Old 5 May 2016
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That's quite bulky - better shove it in your sleeping bag.
As you may know https://twowheelednomad.com are now using a DJI too.
It takes up the space, but as you say currently there are no shortcuts if you want to shoot worthwhile stuff.
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Old 5 May 2016
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Maybe things have lightened up but last time I went through from Ceuta on a bike (a few years ago now) I had my luggage searched. I wasn't that thorough a search but it would have found something drone sized. When I asked what he was looking for he said "guns and knives".

Fortunately I didn't have any - maybe I just look suspicious
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Old 5 May 2016
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I got searched at Tangier - the city, not med. It was a half assed search for sure, but I did have to open the boxes, they had a little rummage through my inner bags, even flicked through some books and asked what they were about. So conceal it well!
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