Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
First time to Morocco First time to Morocco
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree5Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
First time to Morocco
Good day all
My wife and I are planning to tour Morocco starting about March 15/2023. We are from Canada but have parked our bike in Europe for 4 years. We've done all our own routings mostly out of Milan in that time and are quite comfortable on our own.
We are thinking of a trip of 10-12 days after leaving our rental condo in Estepona Spain.
We would stay on tarmac mostly.
We are riding our own BMW R1200GS which is registered in Ontario, Canada. We use green card insurance for our travels so far but understand we would need to purchase Morocco insurance separate.

The question is should we be leaning towards a guided tour first time, or a self guided tour made up by a tour company or a DIY?
Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Dec 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Aalst, Belgium
Posts: 61
I think it will be no problem to drive in Morocco without a group. I did it plenty of times. Plenty of hotels with safe parking available.
I have a green card ( insured in Belgium) and my card is valid in Morocco too, so no need to purchase insurance at the border. Look at your Green card to see if it is valid in Morocco
__________________
R1200GSADV
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Dec 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
I agree, assuming you are experienced travellers you ought to be able to manage Morocco on your own, especially compared with the price of guided tours.
The key is to have the first days booked, after which you can wing it. Off the ferry aim for somewhere like Asilah (1 hour).
booking.com is popular in Mk.

Depending on your tolerance for hassle, I would leave on foot city exploration (Fez, Marrakech, etc) for another fly-in trip and stick to enjoying the great riding down south.
Or do them on the way back when you're more acclimatised.
I'd also head south over the Atlas and to the desert fringe.
Another country compared to the busier north.

Details on entry and docs here:
https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/...getting-there/
Last edited by Chris Scott; 13 Dec 2022 at 12:56.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Scott View Post

Depending on your tolerance for hassle, I would leave on foot city exploration (Fez, Marrakech, etc) for another fly-in trip and stick to enjoying the great riding down south.
Or do them on the way back when you're more acclimatised.

I'm not sure if it's the same further south but certainly in Tangiers this summer the street hassle level was close to zero - something that really surprised me as I've been there many times and its always been something you have to cope with. I was talking to one of the locals about it and he told me that when tourist levels dropped to zero with Covid they all had to find something else to do. Tourist levels were still down this summer so their alternative employment was still the better bet. He expects they'll be back but it may take a while to ramp up.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
A tour company will make a 9 day route which includes a GPS with the route, hotels, breakfasts, and a booklet giving ideas what to do.
Riding my own bike.
3,000 Euro.
Thoughts?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: granada,spain
Posts: 352
Morocco is a well mapped,tourist friendly,modern country.There is absolutely no need to join an on road,guided tour.If you are a little nervous use Reise Map and Booking.com to plan your trip and never forget that a Plan is only a base line that can be changed
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,484
That’s crazy money for any tour. And even more so for a road based one without a guide present. Well over double what I would charge for a guided off road tour.

Even if you allowed €1000 for top class hotels (and they would be on that budget) the company are pocketing the rest for a few hours work. Shameful really.

This autumn was crazy with the amount of guided bike groups. I have never seen it so busy with motorbikes and overlanders. Campervans numbers were hugely down though.

I could sell you a self guided itinerary with gps routes etc but it’s just not worth it for you. For a road based trip, sit down with a copy of the rough guide and work out where you are interested in visiting and ask questions here. I’ll be happy to point you towards interesting roads between stops and im sure others would chip in with suggestions.
Last edited by TheWarden; 13 Dec 2022 at 00:41.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Thanks for your input. We will do it ourselves with input from the group.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
I typically use my bmw garmin gps to navigate and build the route using base camp.
However it appears no no mini sd cards are available for North Africa. Do you guys just use your cellphone for navigation?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
A mini SD card for a fitted BMW GPS?
Not sure how they work but you can buy a Garmin map for North Africa for just £20 and it's pretty good.

https://sahara-overland.com/2016/12/...-map-reviewed/
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,484
I thought Garmin had a North Africa map set available? I install open street maps for North Africa onto my Garmin Montana. Mostly I've been using the North Africa Topo maps downloaded from gmaptool.eu over the last few months

Google Directions work in Morocco now after being blocked for years. Alternatively mapy.cz is pretty good on the phone. Giaia GPS is very good but difficult to get the hang of or maps.me works ok.
Last edited by TheWarden; 14 Dec 2022 at 03:23.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
There is def a garmin street view sd card for morrocco , I bought it second hand off of this forum for under 20 pounds.....its currently on loan to a friend.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
I ordered the sahara overland map. It won't load on my gps It says it's having trouble retrieving the purchased content. I'm not an IT guy.
Any ideas?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 13 Dec 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
I phoned up Garmin. They tell me it's not compatible with Navigator V.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 14 Dec 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
The card I had works in a gamin 550 ? The bike one that I think is similar to the bmw thing , or u could pick up a cheap zumo 50......it works in that too .
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Morocco (coastal) in Aug AP Adventure Morocco 7 12 Jun 2019 12:22
Obsessions and Morocco again choutos Ride Tales 21 5 Nov 2015 01:51
Paula Kota - Short travel tales Paula K Ride Tales 35 1 Jun 2015 21:17
1st Time Overlander Morocco to Sth Africa, West Coast, from October 24th 2012 teapotone Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 23 Nov 2012 08:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:45.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top