South Marocco – a road trip

4 reasons why you should travel to South Marocco:

• Sleep under starry sky in the Sahara desert
• Delicious food, especially lamb tajine, smashed eggplant and meloui
• Diversity of countryside: mountains, desert and sea
• Very safe Africa experience

Our road trip in South Marocco took 10 days and about 1.500 km. For details on the trip see schedule and map on the bottom of this page.

 

Marrakech

Sleep @ Riad Monika – ask for pick up at the airport as streets are confusing in town and no cars are allowed inside the Medina

Food & tea @ Café clock – very nice arty café with different events and concerts, @ Earth cafe – vegan organic yummy food, café des epices, @ henna cafe – women are doing henna tattoos while you enjoy your Moroccan tea and be careful that you don’t step on the turtle, @ le jardin – special dinner in the middle of a green garden, @ the market Jemaa el Fnaa at stand n.98 mustefa – try grilled aubergine and baked fish 

Drinks with view @ any of the rooftop cafe at the Jaama el Fna ideally for sunset and watch the people building up their food stalls

Get a massage and/or hammam @ heritage spa (make sure you book in advance)

Visit @ Maison de la photographie and have a drink at the rooftop terrace enjoying the beautiful view over the Medina, @ Mederesa Ben Youssef – great old corn school, @ Tombeaux saadiens, @ Palais El Badii

Shopping @ the souks – be careful of people who want to bring you to any shop – they only do it for money

Ait Ben Haddou

Sleep @ Riad Tamdakhte – new Riad with caring owners and excellent Moroccan food, very calm and beautiful views

Visit @ Ksar – it is best for sunset when all the tourists are gone, soak in the beautiful landscape from the top

M’hamid / Erg Chegaga Desert

Sleep @ Luxury camp Erg Chegaga by Sahara Services – park your car at the hotel of sahara services in M’hamid and start the tour with driver and guide. During the 2h drive to the camp you see oases, camels and lots of different kinds of desert grounds while enjoying Moroccan music. At night they serve great dinner and private traditional live music. We got the chance to put our bed outside in front of the tent to sleep under starry sky (we had about 23°C at night and were almost alone in the camp).

Zagora

Sleep @ Jardins du Draa – very beautiful Riad with big pool and great garden, food was ok, too.

Visit @ Zagora and Ksar Amazraou – house-guide can give you a tour wherever you want to go, @ famous sign of 52 days to Timbuktu

Shop @ any date stand – gare routiere or with some guy on the street

Taroudant

Sleep @ Riad el Aissi – great pool, delicious food, very calm as it is located outside of city

Visit @ the old city – very laid back and authentic Moroccan town with few tourists and a great sunday market

Shop Argan Oil @ any of the cooperative d’argan on the road to and from Taroudant

 

Essaouira

Sleep @ Riad Baladin – very nice owner: Nicole and very cute and beautiful riad, or @ Riad Dar Adul – great rooftop terrace and delicious food, owner is a French artist

Food @ Elizir – pricy, very recommended, @ Legnaoui – small restaurant offers great tajine, nice relaxed owner, @ fish market at the port – prices are the same in every stand, @ beach & friends – lounge terrace right at the beach

Beach @ Sidi Kaouki – lonely beach about 20k south of Essaouira, rent a surf board or enjoy camel or horse riding along the beach

Have a massage or/and hammam @ Azur Art Essaouira – great and clean experience

Visit @ the art galleries and handicraft shops in the medina, @ the city walls and @ the port.

---

things to consider:

• best time to travel in april/may (off season and great weather)
• rent a car – no need of a 4 wheel drive
• follow traffic rules, if police stops you and wants you to pay a fine, ask if you can pay via bank transfer (they might
• during the roadtrip stop @ cafés randomly for refreshments – great local experience, very friendly people
• sports: running is best in Essaouira (beach walk) or along the long and wide beaches in Sidi Kaouki; pack out your yoga mat on the rooftops of the Riads for sunrise session

 

10 Day Roadtrip recommendation (driving time in brackets and check map bellow):

1	Marrakech
2	Marrakech
3	Marrakech – Ait Benhaddou (4,5h)
4	Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate – Zagora – M’hamid (5h)
5	M’hamid – Zagora (2h)
6	Zagora – Agdz (1,5h) – Taroudant (4h)
7	Taroudant – Essaouira (4,5h)
8	Essaouira
9	Essaouira
10	Essaouira – Marrakech