South Morocco..any help.....

[uknomad]

Hello,

I hope all is well; I've read some posts on this forum, some questions; is it worth going this far south, I'd like to see the ships on the beaches, I believe they're down that way, and are there many campsites in/near these places.

I hope to get to the further south in Morocco this time, and looking for any help (solo in a landy 14 days 21/22 Oct - 4/5 Nov in Morocco);
Hope to do MS6 to Zagora then onto Foum Zguid - Tata - Akka - Bouizakarne - Tan Tan up to Sidi Fini and coastal places of Agadir, Essaouira and Safi.

Any help appreciated, happy travels, cheers Mark

[backofbeyond]

If you go on Google Earth there's quite a few pictures of beached ships and you can get their locations from there.

[Toyark]

You can wild camp all over Maroc :0)
Head for Fort Boujerif
GPS N29.08237 W10.33084
for some R&R, hot showers and delicious tagines
Ask Pierre to give you info on how to ride - sorry I mean drive on Plage Blanche - CHECK THE TIDE timetable CAREFULLY...
and bear in mind it's between 38 and 42 Kms on sand/trail without any markers from the turn-point on the beach, up through an oued back to the Atlantic Route tarmac.
Beware of the tide |(did I already mention that? !) and don't go beyond the turn off point for the oued as beyond is where the sand mixes with mud to make a nasty mixture and not a good place to get stuck in.,
Sand plates are wise to have aboard- used mine-
p.m if u need more information

[uknomad]

Thanks for the replies. Great info, and I'll keep an eye on the tide.

Cheers Mark

[priffe]

South of Ifni
29° 16' 52.04" N 10° 15' 19.48" W

Tide was out but the wind and sea was so strong I didn't dare going very far on the beach.

[uknomad]

Hi,

Yes looks like it from the replies, most grateful to all. I don't (ideally) want to drive on the Plage Blanche or at less not too far, so thanks for the info.

And yes I'll be taking waffles etc.

Thanks again, Mark

[guzzibob]

Originally Posted by uknomad

Hope to do MS6 to Zagora then onto Foum Zguid - Tata - Akka - Bouizakarne - Tan Tan up to Sidi Fini and coastal places of Agadir, Essaouira and Safi.

Did most of this in Apr/May with 2 mates on bikes. MS6 is great, but MS5 (Zagora to FZ) is largely graded now and pretty forgettable. MS8 is a much better bet IMHO. We tried to stay south and loop directly into Tata, but got turned back, very politely, by the Army. Even soldiers scrounge stylos, by the way! Tata is a great town - we found essential spare inner tubes. Are you planning off road driving west of Akka, as we found that off tarmac can be v rocky and slow compared to the open earlier stuff, especially when you start having to change tubes....MW3 was prety spectacular, though doing it in reverse meant we had a couple of challenging 'diversions' early on in the Draa valley.

[uknomad]

Many thanks Guzzibob, excellent info and thanks for the tips.

Cheers Mark

[twenty4seven]

Originally Posted by guzzibob

MS8 is a much better bet IMHO. We tried to stay south and loop directly into Tata, but got turned back, very politely, by the Army.

I know someone else who got turned back but we got away with doing that loop in 2010 in fact an Army guy said it would be ok, so it seems sometimes it can be done.

Link to route

[wearthefoxhat]

I agree with guzzibob & twenty4seven, my wife and I did most of this route in May / June and it's worth the trip. Not too much hassle from army / security on route (v friendly throughout Morocco). Perversely, got stopped a couple of times for speeding on some tarmac sections (mobile speed traps) but let off the fine with a smile.
When coming back up coast there's plenty of wild camping but you can feel a little exposed. Suggest you avoid Agadir - we found it pretty bland and totally un-typical of Morocco.
Particularly nice campsite just off the beach at Sidi Kaouki. V small village and chilled-out windsurfers bay with a windsurf shop / bar that makes a great place to watch the sunset (and sells reasonably priced ). Campsite has good showers, bread arives daily on a donkey, along with an old v friendly chap selling fresh cakes (including 'happy cakes') and guys selling freshly caught fish. Idyllic for a break and only 15-17 miles south of Essaouira (which is much bigger but a really nice, interesting port / town).
Link to an article in The Telegraph regarding Sidi Kaouki.... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...ndy-coast.html
Enjoy.

[hieronymus]

Ksar Tafnidilt is also worth a visit, also for a decent meal and a glass of wine!
SITE OFFICIEL DE KSAR TAFNIDILT TANTAN MAROC

[Toyark]

UKnomad
if you have a 4x4 or a bike, driving/riding the Plage Blanche is fabulous!
There are not many places where you can do this anymore.
Do go visit Pierre Fort Boujerif
FORT BOU-JERIF
Pierre GERBENS
BP 504
81000 GUELMIM GSM 212 (0) 672 13 00 17
FAX 212 (0) 528 87 30 39
all sortds of accom from super luxurious to your own or a bedouin tent.
Great place for a few days

[uknomad]

Cheers to you all, great info, I'll spend time researching the links and info.

Thanks again and happy travels.

[Mervifwdc]

That all sounds so tempting!!!