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Desert & Sahara Historic Sites Moroccan Tourism Nature & Mountains

8 Must-Have Experiences in The Desert : Morocco Desert Magic Tours

Morocco Desert Tours

Moroccan Tourism

8 Must-Have Experiences in The Desert : Morocco Desert Magic Tours

8 Must-Have Experiences in The Desert : Morocco Desert Magic Tours

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Get a memorable desert trip and an outstanding experience in the desert of Morocco

Have you chosen to visit Morocco for your next vacation?

With its beautiful desert landscapes, Morocco is one of the essential destinations for a change of scenery.

Its idyllic setting is conducive to all kinds of tourist activities that stand out.

Best activities to do in the Moroccan desert.

  • Camp or bivouac in the Moroccan desert

A trip to Morocco is an opportunity to escape from the daily routine and live an unforgettable experience. Among the best tourist activities suitable for this purpose, there is the bivouac in the heart of the Moroccan desert.

 bivouac in the Moroccan desert
Bivouac in the Moroccan desert

Like the nomadic peoples of the Saharan desert, camp for several days in Berber tents. Nothing like sleeping under the stars, around the fire, to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture.

Spending the night in the desert also allows you to admire a beautiful sunset and sunrise. Thus, the bivouac in the Sahara desert is therefore perfect for discovering Morocco differently and living a unique experience.

  • Sandboarding in the desert of Morocco

Are you a board sports enthusiast? “Sandboarding” or “sandboarding” is the activity you absolutely have to try. If you are familiar with snowboarding, this activity, also known as “Berber snowboarding”, will not leave you indifferent.

Indeed, the two disciplines share the same principles and the same equipment.

Only the playing field changes from the mountain of snow to the great dunes of the Sahara. This tourist activity specific to the Moroccan desert is ideal for thrill seekers.

Also, do not wait any longer and come and enjoy the benefits of sand boarding with a stay in Morocco.

  • Walks on the dunes of the Sahara

A walk in the middle of the Moroccan desert will do you the greatest good. It is the ideal activity to commune with nature while admiring the beautiful desert landscapes. Among the must-see spots are the film studios at Ouarzazate, the imperial cities and the valley of roses.

Desert Sahara Walk
Walks on the dunes of the Sahara

But for a stay in Morocco, the tourist site not to be missed is the dunes of Merzouga or Erg Chebbi. The latter offers a breathtaking spectacle with these plays of light that change with the sun. Come and admire this spectacle during a camel or camel ride.

Note that for a circuit in Morocco, you can also take a quad, mountain bike or 4×4 ride.

  • Hiking or trekking in the Moroccan desert

For a road trip that challenges your body and your mind, opt for hiking in the Moroccan desert. The desert setting of the Sahara is ideal for venturing off the beaten track.

On a spiritual level, this trip to the desert is an opportunity to release your stress and forget your daily worries. This adventure is the perfect opportunity to recharge your batteries and learn more about yourself.

A hike in Morocco also allows you to meet new people like the Berber tribes. The latter live in the heart of the desert and in the Atlas Mountains. So, don’t wait any longer to test your limits with trekking in Morocco.

The desert is an extreme place and only the most seasoned and experienced travelers can explore it on their own. The warm daytime temperatures plummet at night and if you don’t have the right equipment, you’ll get very cold.

Also, if you were to have a mishap with your vehicle, communicating the exact position and rescuing your 4×4 would be very difficult.

Traveling in the desert is no joke and it is highly recommended that you rely on the experience of the locals by taking a tour guide.

In general, the Sahara is best visited during the winter. Between November and February, the climate is more pleasant, while during the rest of the year, temperatures can easily reach 55 degrees Celsius.

If you’re traveling in the warmer months and don’t want to forgo a ride through the dunes, it is recommended to take a night camel ride. This way, you will avoid melting in the middle of the day.

Trekking Morocco's Scorching Desert
Trekking Morocco Desert

Best Desert Excursions in Morocco

  • Quad biking through the palm grove

For a taste of the desert experience, you won’t have to stray far from Marrakech. The Red City Palm Grove is an arid landscape dotted with palm, olive and fruit trees. This natural area borders one of Marrakesh’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Even so, it has retained much of its charm and is cross-crossed by a myriad of unpaved tracks.

  • Stargazing in the desert of Agafay

This excursion will take you to the nearby Agafay Desert, which is about 30 kilometers from the Red City. Get the typical picture of the dunes out of your mind: this natural landscape is characterized by arid terrain covered with stones and pebbles and almost no vegetation.

  • Day and night excursion in the Zagora Desert

Zagora is about 360 km from Marrakech and is very popular with tourists who only have a short time available. In fact, two days and one night are enough to visit it, while other destinations require at least one more night.

  • The Desert of Merzouga

This safari will take you through Boumalne Dades, a village of 2,000 inhabitants. Here live the Imazighen, the descendants of the original inhabitants of North Africa, Tinghir, the Todra Gorges, a corridor of rock reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the United States.

These mountains are the result of centuries and centuries of erosion; the Todra River has shaped the cliffs to give us this breathtaking scenery, the dunes of Erg Chebbi, in this fairy tale landscape, you can end the day with an unmissable activity: a camel ride at sunset.

camel ride in the Moroccan desert
Camel ride

The road back to Marrakech will take you to Ouarzazate for the opportunity to admire the Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultoute.

There is no doubt that those excursions are very complete excursion, and if you feel like traveling with all the comforts, you can opt for superior quality rooms or tents for your stays available on all the spots in the Moroccan Desert.

Check out all the private Morocco tours from Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca …

 

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

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 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

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 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

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The Morocco you’ve
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what you’re curious
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absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
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 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

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Categories
Desert & Sahara Historic Sites Moroccan Tourism

Zagora : 10 Things About This Magnificent Desert

Visit Zagora Morocco Desert

Moroccan Tourism

Zagora : 10 Things About This Magnificent Desert

Zagora : 10 Things About This Magnificent Desert

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Dusty streets, terracotta buildings, huge skies. Zagora, in the south-east of Morocco, is a place that is inextricably linked with the Sahara Desert.

Named after the nearby mountain, Zagora was once a stronghold of the Almoravid people, and their legacy can still be seen in the surrounding hills.

Outside the town is the amazing Draa Valley, which follows the twists and turns of the river – an unforgettable place where thick groves of palm trees line the twists and turns of the river, while the Jbel Saghro mountain range rises in the background.

Riding Camels in Zagora Desert

Everything You Need To Know About Zagora :

1. Zagora culture


The culture you’ll find in Zagora is very different to that of the northern towns and cities. While you’re here make time for the Musée des Arts and Traditions de la Vallee de Draa.

This wonderful building is dedicated to the Amazigh way of life in the Draa Valley. With plenty of exhibits including jewelry, weapons, and even wedding outfits, this is a fascinating insight into the lives of the desert people.

And don’t miss the Festival of the Nomad in the nearby village of M’hamid where tribes from all over Morocco congregate to celebrate their unique culture.

2. Zagora cycling


The area around Zagora is ideal for enjoyable winter and spring riding. The weather at this time of the year is warm, but not overpoweringly hot, and riding in the desert under the Moroccan sun is an amazing experience.

The roads in the area are mainly good quality and work is ongoing to ensure that all roads are maintained. Once outside the town the road climbs gently up the Draa Valley, a lush valley lined with palm trees and greenery.

As you approach the high points, make sure you take time to enjoy the stunning views of the area.

If you’re more of an off-roader then you’ll find all the challenge that you could ever want, whether it’s dried up lakebeds, steep valley sides, or the sand of the Sahara itself.

3. Desert treks

Squad in Zagora Desert


The southern town of Zagora rests in the sands of the Sahara, making it an ideal base from which to take a desert trek. But it’s not all endless sands as far as the eye can see.

You can explore along the banks of the Oued Draa River, which bustles with wildlife, or travel by foot, 4×4, or camel through fields of date palms and into the stunning Draa valley.

The area retains its age-old charm with signs proclaiming that, if you were so inclined, it would take 52 days to reach Timbuktu by camel, (although we’d recommend getting the bus).

Hire a local guide or join an organized excursion, but make sure a desert trek is at the top of your ‘to do’ list.

4. Family days out


If you want a family holiday that is a world away from the usual beaches and theme parks, then a trip to Zagora is ideal. It’s a place where children can enjoy exploring the natural side of the world, in an environment that will captivate them.

Try a trek to the Draa Valley where your children can go fossil hunting or look for animals. The river that runs through it is perfect for a boating trip, and you’ll see traditional Amazigh villages and exotic wildlife.

A trip into the desert is a must, and what child could resist the chance to ride on a camel?

5. Food and drink


When it’s time to eat in Zagora you’ll have plenty of options for your dining pleasure. There are many restaurants in town, most towards the centre, and they serve a wide selection of traditional Moroccan dishes – fill your plates with couscous, tagines, or perhaps Madfouna – the ‘Berber Pizza’.

These delicious dishes have the dough on the outside, and are filled with all sorts of different foods such as lamb, steak, eggs, beef and vegetables. (Best Foods To Eat in Morocco)

It’s also worth visiting the souk and selecting your own wonderfully fresh food from the friendly stall holders.

6. Hammams


After a long hot day in Zagora, why not refresh yourself with a trip to a traditional hammam? There are several of these Moroccan bath houses in the town, usually family owned and run, and are an ideal way to cleanse yourself after a trip to the desert.

They’re also a great way to meet local Moroccans, who use their trips to the hammam as a social occasion as well as somewhere to get clean.

As well as the hammams in town, many hotels offer the same service. These are usually more similar to western style spas and more expensive than the traditional offerings, so the choice is yours!

7. People

Camel and Nomad


The people of Zagora have been shaped by their environment for many years. Centuries living on the edge of the desert have forged a strong sense of independence into these Moroccans, but at the same time they are friendly and welcoming to visitors to their town.

A mix of Arab and Amazigh, they have a proud past, and much of their ancestry can be traced back to the Almoravid dynasty who had a strong presence in this area during the eleventh century.

8. Zagora retreats

Sunset in Zagora Desert


If you’re looking for somewhere to go to get away from it all, rest, relax, and reconnect with yourself and nature then Zagora is the place to do just that.

The vast desert on its doorstep means that this is an extremely popular place to take a retreat, and there are many companies who will organize trips on which you can practice yoga, meditate, practice chakra flow and even desert flow in the quietude of the dunes.

9. Stayings

 

Riad Zagora
Riad Zagora

Zagora is a popular destination for tourists coming to see the desert so there are many hotels in the town to cater for visitors.

These are generally good quality places at reasonable prices, and many can organize treks into the desert and other excursions for you.

The traditional riad is another option, while a lot of people choose to get the full desert experience and spend the night in a nomadic camp outside the town. (Book Stays in Zagora)

10. Getting to Zagora

Zagora has an airport with direct flights from Ouarzazate, Casablanca and Marrakech.

Also people can choose to fly into Marrakech or Ouarzazate which can be reached with international flights from Europe, Asia, America… and get to Zagora by bus. (Book Flights to Morocco & Zagora)

The journey from Ouarzazate is around 100 miles, while Marrakech is approximately 225 miles away. There is a regular bus service to and from both these places to Zagora, which is by far the most popular and convenient way to arrive here.

To conclude :

Your journey will be enriched by the Zagora escape, an essential component of the plural Morocco, you will definitely be surprised by the difference and diversity of the region comparing to cities that may in first sight seem like Zagora, knowing that connoisseurs knows that every region in Morocco is unique in its own way.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.