Discover the Moroccan desert

Discover the Moroccan desert

Discover the Moroccan desert, Morocco is a country known for its stunning desert landscapes and breathtaking sunsets, making it a popular destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.
Morocco’s desert regions are among the most beautiful places in the world, with a range of landscapes that offer something for everyone.
From vast sand dunes to towering rock canyons, Morocco’s deserts offer an unforgettable experience for travelers looking for some of the world’s best outdoor adventures.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the best of Morocco’s desert regions, from Morocco Sahara Desert to the Draa Valley.

Discover the Moroccan desert

We’ll take a look at the region’s history and culture, explore some of the most popular activities and attractions, discuss the best time to visit, and provide some tips on how to stay safe while exploring Morocco Desert.
Continue reading to learn more about this incredible location! The Moroccan Desert is a singular and enthralling location with amazing beauty and a vibrant, varied culture. It is located in north-west Africa and extends over 260,000 km², covering a large part of Morocco.

What are Morocco’s deserts?

Morocco Desert is known for its sand dunes, verdant oases and rocky mountains. The sand dunes of the Moroccan desert, such as those at Merzouga and Zagora, are famous for their breathtaking beauty and attract thousands of visitors every year.
Oases, such as Skoura and Tinehir, are verdant oases that offer a striking contrast to the surrounding sand dunes and are home to unique animal and plant life.

The rocky mountains of the Moroccan desert, such as Todra and Dades, are also not to be missed, offering breathtaking panoramic views.
The culture of the Moroccan desert is equally rich and diverse. Berber nomads have lived for centuries in this inhospitable region and have developed unique means of subsistence, such as camel and dromedary breeding.

Berber nomads are also known for their handicrafts, such as carpets and jewelry, which are symbols of their culture.
Kasbahs, or traditional fortresses, also bear witness to the region’s rich history and can be visited in many Moroccan desert villages.

There’s plenty to do in Morocco Desert. Excursions by 4×4 and camel are popular for exploring sand dunes and oases. Hiking in the rocky mountains is also popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
There are also luxury campsites in the desert, where visitors can spend the night under the stars and enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine.

The Sahara

The Sahara is the world’s largest desert. It occupies an enormous area of over 9 million km2 on one continent. It stretches across eleven nations and links the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, effectively surrounding a third of Africa. The Sahara is a special transnational natural zone. It is made up of plains, volcanoes, pans, narrow valleys, mountains, oases and lakes. It is entirely wild, unforgiving and mostly desert.
The Sahara has been traversed by caravanners, explorers, scientists like Théodore Monod and, more recently, travelers, but it nevertheless preserves its mystery.

There is still a significant wilderness area where nature is in charge. Generation after generation has expressed the same awe and appreciation for this exquisite desert as it is unique.
The Sahara is also an important open-air museum with ancient and historical artifacts. It is the home of the great nomads, who have lived here since the Palaeolithic and ask us questions about their future today.

Discover the Moroccan desert

The best natural excursion is a vacation in the Sahara. You can see the sunrise and sunset every day. On some evenings, the full moon shines on the light-colored dunes, giving us views almost identical to daylight.
Still others, we sleep with the Arabian crescent that serves as a tale of a thousand and one nights. Alongside the sand, sun and stars, the wind, which has a prophetic quality and shapes the landscape, is another traveller’s friend.

The journey to the Sahara also has an inner dimension. Leading tourists have described this Saharan sensation.
The traveler experiences an immense serenity after a few days in these vast zones. This spiritual cleansing is only conceivable in an environment as pristine and devoid of vegetation as theirs.
Counting and immobilization are exposed when confronted with the wickedness of the desert. As Théodore Monod says, you have to enter the Sahara “on tiptoe” and travel as much as possible on foot.
This guide will help you select your expedition or destination in the most amazing desert on Earth.

The Camels: Morocco Desert

Although everyone calls it a “camel”, the ruminant mammal found in the southern part of Morocco is a dromedary, as the camel range is only found in Central Asia. By contrast, the dromedary is found in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. This member of the Camelid family, native to the Andes Cordillera like the Lama, has long been used as a beast of burden. This incredibly resilient animal was introduced to the Sahara at the beginning of our era and is particularly well adapted to the harsh living conditions inherent in the desert. The horse has been replaced, no longer adapting to the increasing aridity of the region.

The dromedary can adapt to the desert thanks to a few unique characteristics. Its hump is a fat store; when 1 kilogram of this fat is oxidized, its metabolism produces 1 liter of water. Its nostrils, which it can close, and long eyelashes, which protect its eyes from the flaky sand. It loves conifers and is not put off by their thorns. Because of his stronger joints, including the knees on which he hides and his hooves, he’s not afraid of burning sand. In a single day, it can cover more than 150 miles.

Efforts to introduce the dromedary to the American desert and Spain have been unsuccessful. Although there are fewer and fewer caravans today, they remain a crucial ally for nomads roaming the Sahara. In addition to transporting its owner’s personal effects and belongings, this “ship of the desert” also

The Magic of Morocco Desert

The southern and eastern regions of the Atlas Mountains are hot and dry. This marks the beginning of Morocco’s deserts. The south of the country is quiet, sparsely populated and infinitely large, with few settlements and even fewer metropolitan centers.
Desert Morocco differs enormously from the northern part of the country in that it is separated from the bustling coastal towns by rugged mountains. The Hamada, rocky, dry landscapes with little sand, make up most of the Sahara in general and the Moroccan Desert in particular. Every grain of sand blown by calm breezes leaves behind boulders and bare rock.

However, Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are the two locations in Morocco most Europeans associate with the Sahara desert. The term “dune field” (ERG) in Arabic refers to wide, flat stretches of desert with wind-sculpted dunes and little or no vegetation.
The two Ergs, in southern Morocco and flanked by Rock Hamadas, have superb dunes that can reach 150 meters. A visit to the Sahara, which is located here and is desert in its purest form, is a must on any North African vacation! A seemingly endless sea of dunes stretches into the distance, resembling a rising ocean gently caressed by a scorching wind. The wind has sculpted the waves, painted the ridges and constantly produces new designs with its voracious breath. Deserts are constantly changing, just like the ocean.

Discover the Moroccan desert

The smallest of the sand deserts, Erg Chebbi, is also the best known because of its accessibility. It is between 5 and 10 km wide and 50 km long. Erg Chigaga is slightly larger than Erg Chebbi, measuring 40 km long and 15 km wide. It is generally considered the wilder of the two ERGs, as it is more difficult to access.
The Sahara offers a truly incredible experience at dusk. The desert unleashes all its soothing, magnetic power as the day draws to a close and the vibrant spectacle begins. Saharan sunsets are a spectacle not to be missed!
When the weather is fine, you can easily lose yourself in the spectacular starry night sky as you count the shooting stars, continuing the desert spectacle that began with the setting sun. The event is over and will be followed by silence in the desert at night.

The Saharawis: a faithful culture!

All travelers are enchanted by Morocco’s unfailing appeal, which turns a brief trip to a desolate place into a lifelong romance. It’s the ideal place for those who love the beauty of nature.
Morocco boasts many types of landscape, including mountains, beaches, desert dunes and green spaces. In addition, there are ancient ruins and architectural remains.

But what sets Morocco apart is its rich and varied culture. You can find a different culture with its own customs and language in every region of this country. For example, if you travel through the south of Morocco, you’ll see Sahraouis.
The Sahraouis are nomads who live in southern Morocco and the Sahara. Their true educational philosophies are based on kindness, hospitality and a strong sense of community.
By placing a high value on the home, its layout and group life, the Saharawis enshrine the idea of family and blood relations.
They also have a special bond with their animals, especially camels. You’ll discover that the Saharawis, who live in the Moroccan desert, also love to entertain, as they have a distinctive folklore of song and dance.

How to visit the Moroccan desert?

Visiting the Moroccan desert is a unique and unforgettable experience. To begin with, it’s important to book a tour with a reputable company specializing in desert excursions, like Morocco tours
This will ensure that you have an experienced guide to lead you through the desert and provide you with information on the various sites.
It’s also important to choose the right time of year to visit the desert, as temperatures can be extreme during the summer months.
It’s important to plan your trip carefully and consider the best time of year to go. Autumn and spring are generally the best seasons to visit.

Bringing plenty of water and sunscreen is also essential for sun protection. Finally, it’s important to dress appropriately for the climate; light, breathable fabrics are best for desert temperatures.
You should also think about the activities you want to enjoy, such as camel riding, dune hunting and stargazing.
Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks, and dress appropriately for the heat. Finally, don’t forget to bring your camera or smartphone to capture the incredible views and sand dunes of the Moroccan desert.
With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a safe and enjoyable experience when visiting the Moroccan desert.

Which desert from Marrakech? Maroc Desert.

Discover the Moroccan desert: The Agafay Desert

The Marrakchi Desert, just 30 kilometers south of Marrakech, is a “reg” of rock and stone that will mesmerize you with its panoramic beauty as the Atlas Mountains loom in the distance.
Many people who have been there admit to having been emotionally overwhelmed when they first saw the vast desert plains, the almost supernatural colors and the utterly spellbinding sunsets…
You can choose to stay in a hotel room or a Berber tent. You have various options for hiking, including horseback, buggy and even helicopter tours.

4 must-see desert regions – Morocco Desert.

Morocco is transformed into desert, mountains, valleys and villages to the east of the cities along the highways and coast, often in a single panoramic view. Your precise schedule will determine whether you start in Fez or further south in Marrakech, and a full week or more is recommended to take your time between these two great centers of history. What’s more, it will be hard to leave the view of the rising sun from your tent, as the dunes are difficult to climb, and camels can only move so fast.
The Middle Atlas, the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas are the three main mountain ranges that dot the Moroccan landscape before reaching the desert. The first is the most northerly, and many travellers start their journey here before moving south from Fez.

From the Middle Atlas to the Desert: Erfoud, Merzouga & the Sahara

Vast tracts of cedar forest cover the slopes of the Middle Atlas mountains, which are rich in biodiversity (one example is the Ifrane National Park). The trees provide hiding places for families of Barbary macaques. They don’t hide well, so you may also spot them at the side of the road.
Continue south over the Tizi-n-Talremt pass into the Ziz valley. You’ll see palm trees for sure. The ksars, or fortified houses along the road, were built to protect precious commodities like gold, salt and spices, while still being used as currency. In addition, you may see the beginnings of dunes, but keep going as they will soon become much more prominent.

Discover the Moroccan desert

You’ll soon arrive in Erfoud, a lively market town. It’s famous for its fossils. Consequently, anything handcrafted by a local collective, whether it’s a tiny fossil pendant, a “fossilized” bowl or an 800-pound sandstone slab, is the apparent souvenir of here. Trilobites the size of your head must be shipped pretty far!
Leave the town and continue towards Merzouga, a small village. Get your camera ready, as you’ll soon see Morocco’s most famous Saharan dunes and highest mountains. They’re called Erg Chebbi, with their 13-square-mile sea of sand. As with the dunes, their shape and color are constantly changing. Consequently, the best times to take photos are at sunrise and sunset. Rent a sandboard and join the Erg Shibi tour to see them travel at up to 40 mph. See this four-day itinerary for more details.
Although Merzouga offers hotels, you should consider spending the night in a Bedouin tent, dining by a campfire and listening to people play Berber music. You’ll need to ride a camel to your accommodation to finalize the transaction.