Best National Parks in Morocco
Best National Parks in Morocco: Morocco has many natural parks. For those who prefer ecotourism programs and walking in the open air, visits to Morocco‘s natural parks are good suggestions. There are several natural parks throughout the country, which have been created to protect ecosystems, animals and natural sites both inland and by the sea. All these natural parks in Morocco are beautiful, with spectacular nature and a wide variety of animals and vegetation.
Khénifra National Park
This national park was created in 2008 because its natural resources were being threatened. The reserve covers more than 200,000 hectares and is located in the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region of Morocco, between the province of the same name (Khénifra) and Ifrane.
Al Hoceima National Park
This park extends over more than 48,000 hectares of land and also by the sea, in northeastern Morocco. It has paradisiacal beaches, but many are only accessible by boat. Created in 2004 to preserve marine and coastal biodiversity, this park is home to several endangered species. The Mediterranean vegetation is preserved and animal species, such as the osprey, are a regular presence in the waters that belong to the park.
Tazekka National Park
This national park in the Middle Atlas covers 12,000 hectares. The ancient cedars are one of the natural wonders of this park and at the top, at Jebel Tazekka, at 1980 meters high, you can get one of the most beautiful views in the region. It has hiking trails that can be used for long walks, accompanied by a wealth of fauna and flora.
Dakhla National Park
This national park was classified as a Natural Heritage Site in 1998. Dakhla National Park is located in the far south of the country. It covers more than 14,000 km2 of desert soil, but also has a stretch of coastline. By the sea it is home to monk seals, which are preserved animals. Dakhla National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Morocco.
Ifrane National Park
Created in 2004, this park covers more than 124,000 hectares in the Middle Atlas region, 60 km south of Fez. It exists to preserve and enhance animal species and more than a thousand plant species. As it has many lakes, migratory birds choose this park for their passage. It is also a park frequented by many people who go for walks and hikes.
Iriki National Park
Several species of gazelle and fox live in Iriki National Park, which was created in 1994. It is one of the largest, with 123,000 hectares of land showing biodiversity in various ecosystems, including deserts, and is also a haven for migratory birds. Iriki National Park is usually included in the list of destinations for 4×4 off-road raids through Morocco.
Eastern High Atlas National Park
This park, created in 2004, covers more than 55,000 hectares. In this national park, located in the Eastern High Atlas Mountains, there are two important lakes, Islit and Tislit, which are listed as wetlands of international importance. It has mountainous areas that hold wildlife treasures, with protected trees such as the maritime pine. On the hillsides, gazelles and wild boars are some of the animals you can see living freely in this area.
Toubkal National Park
This was the first park created in Morocco in 1942. It extends over an area of 36,000 hectares in the valleys of the High Atlas, 70km south of Marrakech. The peak of Mount Toubkal is 4,167 meters – the highest point in North Africa. It has a great diversity of landscapes with valleys, plateaus and forests. The park was created for the conservation and preservation of natural landscapes as well as rare species. It’s a great place for hiking and is often used for sightseeing.
Khenifiss National Park
It is located in the southwest of Morocco, next to the Atlantic coast and covers 185,000 hectares. It was created in 2006 to protect both the desert part, with dunes as far as the eye can see, but also the marshland and the coastal area. Since 1980 it has been considered a wetland of world importance and three years later it was transformed into a Biological Reserve. Its boundaries include the protection of the Khenfiss Lagoon, where many migratory birds nest, but also where many other birds live permanently.
Talassemtane National Park
This national park in Morocco, created in 2004, covers an area of almost 59,000 hectares. Talassemtane National Park has an ecosystem that is unique in the world, rich in both plants and animals. This park in Morocco is famous for its peculiar rock formations, which, being pointed and set diagonally, form a very beautiful landscape.
Souss Massa National Park
Created in 1991 to safeguard endangered birds, this park is home to flamingos and herons, among other birds. It covers an area of more than 33,000 hectares and was created to protect a wetland of global importance where many animals live. It is located in the Atlantic area south of Agadir and it is estimated that more than 270 species of birds hibernate and breed in the park. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers.
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