Morocco, in addition to being a country of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, is a Saharan country. The Sahara Desert occupies large expanses of its territory in various forms: mountains, steppes, Hamada, and large dunes, sprinkled with palm trees that extend to the Algerian and Mauritanian border.
There is an acceptable road network of paved roads and an infinite number of dirt tracks, secured and supplied. Ideal place to enjoy adventure tourism, caravans, but especially all-terrain vehicles.
Zones of desert Morocco
The desert of Morocco can be divided into five zones.
The eastern desert, which can be accessed from the eastern Mediterranean coast from the ports of Melilla and Nador, through Oujda, the great oasis of Firguid being the center, next to the Algerian border. It is the closest zone, although not prepared for tourism and having few quality establishments.
An alternative is the Rekkam plateau steppe zone that separates the Rif and Atlas Sahara that can be traveled from Debdou or Jerada.
The Valleys of Ziz Todra and the region of Tafilete. Errachidia being the middle town, where stand out the dunes of Merzouga and the tourist sites of Errachidia, Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga and Tinehir with the gorges of Todra. Areas of wide tourist offer and quality, it is perhaps the most recommended for the first visits of the Sahara. It is easy to access by non-off-road vehicle, although we must avoid the Atlas in winter.
It is normally reached from Ceuta and Tangier through the cities of Fez and Meknes, crossing the Atlas and from the eastern ports of Melilla and Nador, through the valley of the Muluya River through Midelt. We have a small airport in Errachidia.
El Jebel Saharo, between this area and the Draa Valley, with the oasis of Nekob and Tazzarine.
The top Drâa and Dadés. Its center is the modern city of Ouarzazate, note the oases of Zagora, Boulemaine El Dades, El Kelaa de Megouna and the great dunes of Mhamid with tourist quality and better hotels. Although to access it with his car, it is further. There are the airports of Ouarzazate and Zagora.
It is normally accessed by Marrakech or directly to Agafay desert camp crossing the Great Atlas by the port of Tizi n’Tichka or from Rachidia by the Dades Valley.
The lower Drâa Valley and the mountains of Jebel Bani and Ouarkziz. Its middle is the oasis of Tata, to notice the oases of Foum Zguid, Akka and further away from Assa and Zag. Zone with a poor and remote tourist offer. It must be visited by all-terrain vehicle or caravan.
It is accessed from Ouarzazate-Zagora and through the mountain range of the Anti Atlas from Agadir.
The Anti Atlas and the Southern Desert. The great south of Morocco begins after crossing the chain of the Anti Atlas is where is the desert Agafay camp, its entrance being the city of Agadir, extending to the southern Saharan provinces. Good tourist offer in the area of Agadir. It can be reached with all vehicles, although it is far from the Strait of Gibraltar, more than 1000 km. The plane is more recommended and the car rental.
In this area, we will note the tourist centers of Taroudant, Tafraouten, Sidi Ifni and Tiznit in the Anti Atlas and Goulimine, Tan Tan, Tarfaya, El Aaioum, Bojador and Dakla in Western Sahara.