Accommodation Morocco, Maruitania

[kalikellett]

Hi, Having planned the trip (Landcruiser London to Mali via Spain, Morocco, Western S, Mauritania) I'm turning my mind to where to rest our heads.
I've searched this excellent Hub, but cannot find (probably me)

Any pointers along the way welcome
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Crossing either Algeciras Ceuta or [/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Tarifa Tangiers[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Someone said [/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Hurricane hotel in Tarifa?[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Campsites / Hotels / Guest houses / Good watering holes / recommended restaurants/food???[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Thanks[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Rachel[/FONT]

[Chris Scott]

I started a thread for personal recommendations in Morocco here:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ntribute-39077

All are welcome to contribute.

Ch

[kalikellett]

Hi Chris
As always, great pointers to response.
By the way, your book is invaluable.

Unrelated question, is there somewhere i could find the recommended
jerry can diesel literage to take Morocco, Mauritania, Mali?
is 40 litres sufficient between fill up points?

I've got your 10 litres of water a day sorted.

Thanks
Rachel

[kalikellett]

forgot to add

do you have similar threads for Mauritania Mali, BF?

rachel

[BMWbiggles]

Hi
I am planning a trip next week through Morocco and I'm thinking of taking a tent. Are camp sites open this time of year or can you just pitch up anywhere? I bet its cold in the evenings.
Ta

[Chris Scott]

Hi Rachel, 40 litres is plenty with a diesel, assuming you are not doing Tidj-Nema.
There are no threads for accom in the countries you mention here but if anyone wants to kick off Mori, go ahead. The other two would be more suited in the sub-Sahara forum.

Ch

BMWB, good answer to your question here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...083#post223089

On a bike I'd use auberges and forget all the camping clobber to enjoy a lighter bike. Many of the places I tried in Nov (listed on the link above) cost around 150dh half board. Min 80, mac 250.

[kalikellett]

Thanks Chris.
I'll pluck up courage perhaps.
rachel

[steveindenmark]

Have a look at hostelworld.com

Or join Couchsurfers.com

Steve

[thestens]

We did the trip UK to Mali by Landcruiser Nov - Dec last year. We camped most of the way after Spain but it was cold at night in N. Morocco! OK after Casablanca. Campsites were open, mainly, except the ones that had shut down - noteably the one just outside Rabat. There is nowhere to camp at Algeceras - the ones that come up on an internet search have shut down. We ended up near La Linea, just off motorway - quite conveneint but very expensive and facilities not all open (no hot water for more than 20 euros a night!!) In France we stayed at B and B or other Quick Palace hotels - cheap and near motorway. In Spain we stayed at hotels and pensions on motorways - not so cheap but good value meals.
We took the ferry to Tangier as it was cheaper than Ceuta, also you can buy insurance there and get cash easily. From there we drove to Chefchoen (?? spelling??). This is a lovely little town with a very nice campsite at the top of the hill - both highly recommended.
Get in touch if we can be of any more help - we had a brilliant time!!

[Peter Girling]

You're right, there's nowhere here to camp, but Tarifa is only 12 miles down the road and is by far a nicer place. There are several good campsites beyond the town on the left by the beach.

Also, you could catch the ferry direct from Tarifa to Tangier.

Any rccommendations for a good campsite on the coast near Tangier or Tetouan?

Jojo

[wilco]

Tarifa - Tangier is quickest, Algeciras - Ceuta more interesting when you get to the other side.

acaustoms/Imm in Tangier - pay a fixer to help you, be polite and keep smiling. The proceedure can take under 30 mins or 2 hrs plus, depending on you!

Then it depends on which way you want to go. From Tangier the motorway speeds you along the coast to the old, slower, road to Marra. A nice route is to Meknes and on to Marra via Beni Mellal. Plenty of good accom off Rue Bab d'Agnaou, secure parking just by the western end.


Cross the Atlas and follow the coast to Sidi Ifni (hotel Suerta Loca - get a room overlooking the sea or use the campsite).

Towards Laayoune the checkpoints get much more frequent and can add hours to your journey (have plenty of photocopies of the main and visa pages of your passport handy, they save a lot of time as the details are written laboriously into a ledger at each stop).

Leaving Laayoune there is a station that sells cheap diesel - a good spot to fill up your jerries.

Good campsite entering Dakhla, a favourite overlander meeting place.

NDB the Auberge Sahara has lock up covered parking and a friendly owner.

NKT the Auberge Nomades is another safe spot to relax/prepare for the next phase.

The Route of Hope is often lacking in diesel until just before the Malian border town of Nioro (smugglers get a better price for it in Mali). I went 450 kims before getting a top up.

The horrendous 300 km pistetowards Bamako is no more, it is a new blacktop. No more stories for the grandchildren. In Bamako the Catholic Mission (the one immediately in front of the cathedral) has secure parking and is a great place to clean the car, unwind etc.

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Chris Scott]

....Towards Laayoune the checkpoints get much more frequent and can add hours to your journey

Leaving Laayoune there is a station that sells cheap diesel - a good spot to fill up your jerries....

Thanks for the news Dave but to clarify for first timers: checkpoints, as well as discounted fuel start soon after Tan-Tan for over 1000km through Western Sahara up to 86km before the border with Mauritania (Motel Barabas). Fuel is about 50% more expensive in Mori.

At a Western Saharan checkpoint a pre-printed form or fiche as found here:
Morocco Overland ~ Documents
is more useful than the back page of your passport.

Ch

[kalikellett]

Thanks Thestens, JoJo, and Wilco dave and Chris
We're on our way. Arras northern france.
I'm sure will be in touch.

rachel

[beebop]

Hello, just come back from a similar trip , London to Aguelhock via Spain, Marrocco, Mauritainai and into Mali, you are going to have an amazing time.
Some reccomendations for Mauritaina, between Chom and Atar you will come across a tent and mud building, sorry no nname , local 4x4s stop here and its actually a hotel and resturant, stop for tea or longer with the hospitable woman who runs it and her lovely teenage children, Bab Sahara in Atar can give a nice bit of respite from camping out in the desert and if you go to Chinguetti there is a little place called Auberge Zarga, just by the wadi before you cross over into the old town. Run by a nice young man called Abdu whos buissiness is in danger of going under because of unfounded fears bout traveling in Mauritainia. Say hello to him from Diane.

[thestens]

Have a great time - I'm jealous!