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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 26 Aug 2007
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Morocco for beginners
Hi, first post on here. I'm heading off with the wife to Morocco on our maiden trip to foreign lands. I'm just after a wee bit of advice about a route. We've only got 10-12 days in Morocco itself, but were hoping to make it to the sahara, since we were so close to it.

We're not aiming for the middle of the desert obviously, but is it possible to get there and back in this space of time. Also, what is the best map for this, as all the ones Ive seen stop a bit further north, around Sidi Ifni. None say where the sahara starts so how do we know how far we need to go south.

I hope this makes sense. Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 26 Aug 2007
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Hi,

Get yourself a copy of "Sahara Overland", lots of good advice, many routes and a good reading with English sense of humor.

good luck !
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  #3  
Old 26 Aug 2007
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Hi,

Do the classic Merzouga-Zagora. It's a beautiful and easy piste and will give you an ideia of what the desert looks like. If you've got the time, do also the Zagora-Foum Zguid or Zagora-Tata piste. Also the Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, it's a must see in Morocco.
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  #4  
Old 26 Aug 2007
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Originally Posted by Kingjeff View Post
Also, what is the best map for this, as all the ones Ive seen stop a bit further north, around Sidi Ifni.
On our trip we had the 742 Michelin Morocco sheet and the Rough Guide Morocco Map. They both had their uses, but we generally found the Michelin map to be more accurate.

The two routes described above were probably the highlight of our trip. We did a traverse of the Todra/Dades gorges en-route to Merzouga - well worth it if you have the time.

Enjoy your trip!
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  #5  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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Have a look through the GS Knowledgebase in my signature line.

Much of the Sahara is stony desert (hamada). There's hardly any sand dunes in Morocco, just a bit at Mhamid south of Zagora and a larger section called Erg Chebbi south of Erfoud.

The Michelin 742 map is as good as it gets and covers all of Morocco plus Western Sahara. Your best bet on route planning is to read the guide books, decide where to visit and then connect the places using as many as possible of the green-edged (scenic) roads on the Michelin map. My personal favourites are the Middle Atlas around Azrou and the Anti Atlas around Tafraoute.

Once you are out of the north of Morocco, on non-mountainous roads you can make better average speeds than the UK due to the low intercity traffic volumes. But don't get suckered into too many miles per day; leave lots of time for exploring otherwise your memories will just be of the tarmac.

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  #6  
Old 27 Aug 2007
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Hi all,

thanks for all the replies. All very helpful. I've got a map just now but it isn't as good as the Michelin one, so I'll get one of those asap. Only thing I'd like now is a wee bit of an idea about possible distances. For example, how long, or how far, is it between Merzouga - Zargoza.

I know its one of these things I should just try out but due to the limited time I'll have over there, I'd like some clue to plan the whole route. I promise I'll help others out when I know relevant stuff. Thanks again.
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Old 28 Aug 2007
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Given that it's your first trip to Morocco, if you are riding two-up I suggest you don't try major pistes unless you are an off-road god. Merzouga to Zagora is about 150 miles--the equivalent of London to Sheffield riding cross country through a desert.

My personal recommendation for a 'newbie' tour of around 12 days would be
- enter via Tanger
- motorway to Larache
- inland to Meknes and El Hajeb
- Azrou (stop)

(this route so far is suggested for road safety whilst you get used to Morocco and it's a quick way to get through the less interesting bits of northern Morocco)

- Midelt, Errachidia, Erfoud (stop)
- Tinerhir, Todra Gorge, Boumalne, Dades Gorge, Ouarzazate (stop)
- Ait Benhaddou, Tizi 'n Tichka, Marrakech (stop)
- Asni, Tizi 'n Test, Igherm, Tafraoute (stop)
- Guelmim, Sidi Ifni (stop)
- hug the coast north to Essaouira (stop)
- Marrakech, Demnate, Cascades d'Ouzoud (stop)
- Azilal, Bin-el-Ouidane, Khénifra, Sources l'Oum-er-Rbia, Ain Leuh, Azrou (stop)
- Fes (stop)
- Volubilis, Chefchaouen, Tanger

Tim
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Old 28 Aug 2007
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Hi again

Thanks for that Tim. To be honest I had a bit of an idea we were aiming too high. I'll have a wee look at your suggestion. All the places the wife wants to go to are on there so that might do for our first run. Thanks again.

Colin.
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  #9  
Old 3 Sep 2007
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Originally Posted by Kingjeff View Post
For example, how long, or how far, is it between Merzouga - Zargoza.

Two easy days or one long day. My advice is to stop at the midle of the piste and stay at "Auberge Marabout" (N 30 38 429 W 04 45 040). Very very cheap (2,5€ per night, per person!!!) and very very friendly.
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Old 3 Sep 2007
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Two easy days or one long day. My advice is to stop at the midle of the piste and stay at "Auberge Marabout" (N 30 38 429 W 04 45 040). Very very cheap (2,5€ per night, per person!!!) and very very friendly.
I agree, I didn't sleep there, but we stop for eating there, it's true the guys are very friendly and the tajine kefta is good and the water is fresh.
Eric
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