Want to head to Morocco this year as a feeler/practice for a full African trip. I'm looking at September/October 2005, I have a basic but prepared Land Rover Defender 110 and would like some info on which route to follow, places to visit and equipment to take. I have 3 weeks from the day I leave the UK to head through France, Spain and onwards.

Any help or advice really appreciated!


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Hi,


Check out the book "Sahara Overland".
Plenty of routes and advices.
Its all there!!

Cheers,
José

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Desert Crocodiles of Mauritania: http://cibio.up.pt/crocodilos/en

Hi There, Firstly yes get yourself a copy of Sahara Overland and look back through threads on the HUBB - theres loads of info here relevant for your trip.
Its not long 3 weeks - after making your way down through Europe it leaves little time for Morocco - so if you can get any more time do so. The ferries that run to northern Spain from the UK do cut out alot of driving and are worth considering.

a quick route for you...
Algeciras-Sebta-Tetouan-Chefchaouen-Ouazzane-Fes-Azrou-Midelt-Errachidia-Erfoud-Erg Chebbi-Erfoud-Todra-Dades-Ouarzazate-Tizi n Titchka-Marrakesh-Tizi n Test-Agadir-Essaouira-Casablanca-Rabat/Sale-Sebta-Algeciras

This is an anticlockwise loop that takes in the popular bits of Morocco and finishes on the coast for some chill time - theres plenty more to see depending on whether you like cities or not - I prefer being out of them personally - you could also head East to the Cascasdes d'Ouzoud (very picturesque)from Marrakech and cut back to Essaouira or head up to Casablanca - missing the Tizi n Test and Agadir if time is against you, or you could head South and Stay there for as long as possible, doing some routes from Sahara Overland and forget touristy Marrakesh.

If you need any more info on routes or vehicle prep feel free to drop me a line.
Cheers
Grif


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'95 LR 90 300 Tdi
'02 KTM Adventure 640
Ex Rockape, Ex Drago
...and Bloody Nice Bloke!

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

More possibilities...

Get yourself a copy of the Gandini route book (French but easy to follow with GPS co-ord's). Loads of routes in remote places. ISBN 2-913412-06-08.

Route suggestion -

Tarifa (near Algeciras) to Tangier. Fast ferry (45 minutes) same price as lumbering Algeciras ship but no queues and much faster. Customs in Maroc is simple enough. Change money and buy car insurance 10 yards from the customs exit.

Then look at Asilah 1 hr south of Tangier, good place for first night. Get Lonely Planet Morocco guide for accomodation possibilities.

Head to Casablanca on toll motorway and then turn towards Marakkesh but bypass completely Marakkesh using country roads which you can do later when more confident -now towards Agadir but inland via the spectacular Imi-n-Tanoute route, not the coast road. Side route to Tarfaya/Laayoune if time is available - Big dunes/Lagoons/Birdlife/Shipwrecks and a taste of further south)

Otherwise explore the mountainous but agricultural area around Tafraoute and head to Tata for the start of desert pistes. They are all in the Gandini book or I can send you the routes in TTQV form or text emails. Basically there are about 1000 miles of absorbing pistes between Tata and Bou Denib. Really you shouod travel 2 up on some of these pistes, but it's not essential if you have a sound vehicle.


You need a GPS to view the routes, a TTQV mapping programme, a Michelin 742 Morocco map for planning, IGN maps of Morocco on CD for more precise planning, Lonely Planet, a good car and 5 tough tyres in good nick, plus water reserves etc. Of course you may get away with less gear and trust to luck.

Hope that helps,

Andrew.