morocco

[gs martin]

I am planning the run down to NOUADHIBOU in september this year, solo, on my bmw gsa,, which is the furthest town south on morocco, verging on the border of mauritania. I am not planning to go further south because of the carnet requirement, but I would be grateful for any up to date info regarding the road conditions of the atlantic route down there (casablanca -agadir-laayoune-dakhla) and petrol stations, camp sites, on the way. I know this type of thing has been asked many times before (& annoys moderator chris scott) but I have never ever done this type of thing before so up to date knowledge is what i would appreciate. thanks

I probably wont make it further south than ceuta, but it will be the best thing that i have tried to do in my 41 years so far.

[Luuk]

i did this route a coulpe of year ago in a car so you micht want to get newer info. but the marocan roads are generaly very good, just be a bit careful of sanddunes on the road in the western sahara part. as for camp sites the Germany printed GEOCENTER map of morocco, isbn 3-575-11281-9 (this is the rather old one so maybe check if there is a update) does list campings in marocco itself, it is also a rather good map. in western sahara it doesn't list campings but there are some (i beleive there was one just north of Tarfaya but it is some years ago) there is also one in AL-DAKHLA. as for petrol, sorry we had diesel car's. there were enough gas stations but i'm not sure if they al had petrol and it lookt as if a lot were newly build so the situation can be inproofed, good luck in marocco, take your time, verry beatifull country. happy travels

[Luuk]

o and by the way, ceuta is definetly a place i would mind gettning stuck in for a while so enjoy

[Sophie-Bart]

Originally Posted by gs martin

... probably wont make it further south than ceuta, but it will be the best thing that i have tried to do in my 41 years so far.

I would certainly recommend going further south than Cueta .

Maybe you should rethink about going al the way down to the Mauritanian border (Nouadhibou is on the other side) and explore some of the 'couleur locale' in Morocco instead. Sniff around on this forum and be surprised what this country has got to offer (From Laayoune to the border is an awfull long road which even gets a bit boring sometimes, especially when you know you'll have to go back north the same route in a few days).
See the 'King city's', go across the Atlas, venture across the valley's and desert/oase-villages. Wonder and wander around some kasbah's. Maybe go adventures and follow some of the desert-pistes, like Chris Scott's proposed inituaries.

You can always go to Nouadhibou and the rest of Mauritania when you're 42 ;-) and the rest of Africa when you're 43.


regards and lots of fun

[Edith Kohlbach]

Luuk mentioned the German map including camp sites in Morocco, I know it, there are not all included. Just to round it up I will add that there is in Germany also a printed camping guide for Morocco. It has listed not only official campings, but also places, where you can stay free. And the Westsahara is in it. Nearly ALL Moroccan camp sites are listed and the information is very new.
The only problem will be: one must be able to read german.
More info here:
http://www.kohlbach.org/shop.htm

[gs martin]

hi, thanks to all the above for advice, i really do appreciate it. martin

[sq5rk]

hi Martin
in May traveled from Tanger to Nouadibhou. Last fuel station in Westerh Sahara is: N22.05512 W16.74606 also rooms.
and abt 150 km before: N23.20793 W16.09505
In my yamaha have 20 ltrs tank, and was enough from last station to Nouadibhou and back. But saw station in that city.
On south part of city is Abba camping, quite nice with double or three beds rooms, or places for tent, dont remember prices. Threr are no ATM's !! You can change money on the border, on capmping, everywhere.
My trip to Tanger was from Sete in France. Ferry strts in the evening and arrives in the morning after 40h trip. Price is resonable. For double cabin (I was alone, so second bed was empty), motorbike, paid 192 euros in one way. Meals included. Every formalities on ferry !!! Nothing to do in Tanger. Started from Warsaw, so saved in one way almost 2kkm, using ferry from Sete, not from Algeciras. Fell free to ask more infos by mail: sq5rk@o2.pl
some pictures:
http://www.moto-turysta.pl/gal,98.html
or:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/xvz13/Mor...006/index.html
thanks - Romek

[Sam Rutherford]

Nouadhibou is in Mauritania, not Morocco! But, if your concern is lack of a carnet - the first country you need to worry about anyway is Senegal - much further south. Even for Senegal, an option is to team up with other travellers and pay the customs escort all together until you get to the Gambia.

On a bike, you might find it cheaper (and more fun) to continue further south and then ship the bike back, and fly back yourself. Just an idea.

Sam.