New member - first time to Morocco

[MotoNik]

Hi Folks,

Having done a bit of digging about on the web this seems like the place to be for advice for a first-timer like me! I'm your standard middle-aged BMW bloke from Devon in the UK. I've been riding for years, and have done a reasonable bit of bike travel.

I'll pre-apologise for asking all the same stuff that others ask - I've found a lot of the information I need elsewhere, but it's handy for me to have it all in one thread.

So here I go...

I have a Brittany Ferries booking from Plymouth to Santander at the end of April. I think I have roughly 10-11 days between leaving and returning to the UK. This should give me approximately a week in Morocco, assuming I blitz across Spain for the ferry crossing. At this stage, for me, that's fine. This is a taster and is a bit out of my comfort zone (although I've done loads of UK and mainland Europe solo trips).

1. Do I need to book the ferry, or can I just show up and get on?
2. What is Morocco like for bike theft? In the past I've been super-paranoid about staying in hotels with private parking or garages. What precautions should I take? I'm mostly going to avoid the cities in this instance.
3. Is camping a thing in Morocco, or is it better/safer to stay in private accommodation? I'm budget-conscious (I have a family and financial commitments!) so looking to keep things fairly low-cost.
4. Can I buy insurance from a UK broker, ahead of arriving in the country?
5. Is cash preferable in out of the way cafes/shops?
6. Any recommendations for some easy off-roading for a 1200GSA that'll take me to out of the way cool places, but nothing that you wouldn't take the family car down! I've been riding for 30 years, owned trail bikes, but the GSA is big and heavy and I'm not Simon Pavey!

Main objectives are Ouarzazate, Dades, Erg Chebbi, and any landscapes along the lines of Gara Medouar. I love the desert and the mountains. Basically I want to get some sahara on my bike, return to the UK then NEVER wash it off!

I already have a certain C. Scott's book (albeit quite an old copy from about ten years ago), plus a selection of maps. It's only due to some lucky circumstances I can go at all, so I need to make the most of the next few months to get planning, and make the most of the trip.

I sincerely welcome any advice or tips, and thank you in advance!

Nik

[TheWarden]

Originally Posted by MotoNik

Hi Folks,

1. Do I need to book the ferry, or can I just show up and get on?
2. What is Morocco like for bike theft? In the past I've been super-paranoid about staying in hotels with private parking or garages. What precautions should I take? I'm mostly going to avoid the cities in this instance.
3. Is camping a thing in Morocco, or is it better/safer to stay in private accommodation? I'm budget-conscious (I have a family and financial commitments!) so looking to keep things fairly low-cost.
4. Can I buy insurance from a UK broker, ahead of arriving in the country?
5. Is cash preferable in out of the way cafes/shops?
6. Any recommendations for some easy off-roading for a 1200GSA that'll take me to out of the way cool places, but nothing that you wouldn't take the family car down! I've been riding for 30 years, owned trail bikes, but the GSA is big and heavy and I'm not Simon Pavey!

Main objectives are Ouarzazate, Dades, Erg Chebbi, and any landscapes along the lines of Gara Medouar. I love the desert and the mountains. Basically I want to get some sahara on my bike, return to the UK then NEVER wash it off!

I already have a certain C. Scott's book (albeit quite an old copy from about ten years ago), plus a selection of maps. It's only due to some lucky circumstances I can go at all, so I need to make the most of the next few months to get planning, and make the most of the trip.

Nik

HI Nik,

I'm just east of you in Dorset, and will be in Morocco from March through to the end of May again (4x4 rather than a bike).

1 - no need to pre book the ferries are regular. I tend to check prices online direct with the ferry company and then buy an open return from Carlos in Algeciras.
2 - Morocco is pretty safe from a theft point of view, I've not heard of bikes being stolen but maybe things left in bags etc. Theres a lot of info on here for places to stay with secure parking though. Also iOverlander has some details although after Covid a lot of detail is several years old now.
3 - Camping is absolutely a thing. To me wildcamping is a highlight of any trip. Campsites vary from awful to amazing and price is no indication of quality. Some have closed permanently during covid but the best options are still there. The Park4Night app is good to get recent reviews of sites. Many campsites will also have good cheap rooms available if you dont fancy pitching a tent
4 - A few UK insurers will issue Green card cover for Morocco so check with your current one. Worst case pick up local insurance at the port when you arrive.
5 - Cash is preferable for shops, cafes and restaurants etc. More fuel stations are taking cards now as are the big supermarkets. ATM's are everywhere so its easy to get cash out when needed.
6 - Not my best areas for bike specific routes, but the route from the Dades gorge up towards Imichil is a cracker that will soon be asphalt the whole way so get it done while theres still some dirt left. A lot og good options between Merzouga and Zagora for some desert fun. Although your copy of Chris' book is old it still has a lot of cracking routes in it to start you off. Gara Medour is easily accessible from the main road.

Ramadan is early this year so depending when you arrive you may be during the month of Ramadan. Its not a big problem but I find you need to plan ahead a little more when it comes to shopping.

Main advice would be to get down south on the motorway and spend you time around the High Atlas and the desert with maybe the ride back north up through the Middle Atlas.

[Chris Scott]

I agree with the above but would add:

1 - I just show up but at the port and get on the next one. Usually 100€ return, iirc. Always room for a bike.
3 - Taking into account the clobber required, don't bother tent camping on a moto. Take rooms as said, or use the loads of inexpensive hotels down south, from 20 quid half board with wifi. Much more relaxing.
4 - Very much doubt any UK moto insurers issue Green card cover for Morocco anymore so buy at the port. See other recent post for prices.
5 - I don't even try to pay with cards in Mk but as said, ATMs which are everywhere.
Current edition 3 is full colour and loads more comprehensive than earlier, or look on wikilocs.

[MotoNik]

Thank you both so much for your replies, it’s hugely appreciated!

Any tips on phone usage? In the last few years I’ve tended to use Google Maps for nav (on my phone), but I notice my provider doesn’t include Morocco in my roaming allowance, so data usage is extremely expensive. I may revert to using an offline app, although it’s still bloody useful to be able to research on the road, without being on wifi. Maybe I could use an old phone with a local SIM?

[MotoNik]

Incidentally Chris, I have the 2013 second edition of your book - I’ve been thumbing through it for the last hour. Supremely useful, thank you!

[TheWarden]

pick up a local sim, data is reasonably priced a 10 euro for 10gb and network coverage is good

[dommiek]

I think all the above posts have answered your questions.
However I am concerned about your plans and only having 11 days from leaving and returning back to the UK.

It's a few years since I've been to Maroc but I don't think the journey times are any quicker. I'm estimating a day on the boat, another day getting across Spain then you need to allow yourself half a day crossing to Tangier, getting through customs, exchanging money and buying insurance. So double that for the return, leaves you a max of 6 days from the port and it's a long journey south to Merzouga and back.

I'd recommend taking the motorway to Marrakech, then heading to Ait Benhaddou and relaxing for a few days. There's lots of easy trails to ride around there and it's a great ride to Zagora just off the tarmac road following the palmeraie and Oued Draa. (there's also some small dunes just south of Zagora).
If you have enough time return to Tangier through the mountains.

Watch your speed on the main roads and entering and leaving towns as it's easy to be stopped for speeding.

[Tim Cullis]

+1 for @dommiek's comments

[*Touring Ted*]

Even though I've ridden a lot in East Africa, i'm taking a 3-4 week trip to Morocco in April. It will be my first time too. Leaving from the U.K

So I'll watch this thread with interest.

Maybe I'll see you on the road

[Gstar-69]

Originally Posted by MotoNik

Hi Folks,

Having done a bit of digging about on the web this seems like the place to be for advice for a first-timer like me! I'm your standard middle-aged BMW bloke from Devon in the UK. I've been riding for years, and have done a reasonable bit of bike travel.

I'll pre-apologise for asking all the same stuff that others ask - I've found a lot of the information I need elsewhere, but it's handy for me to have it all in one thread.

So here I go...

I have a Brittany Ferries booking from Plymouth to Santander at the end of April. I think I have roughly 10-11 days between leaving and returning to the UK. This should give me approximately a week in Morocco, assuming I blitz across Spain for the ferry crossing. At this stage, for me, that's fine. This is a taster and is a bit out of my comfort zone (although I've done loads of UK and mainland Europe solo trips).

1. Do I need to book the ferry, or can I just show up and get on?
2. What is Morocco like for bike theft? In the past I've been super-paranoid about staying in hotels with private parking or garages. What precautions should I take? I'm mostly going to avoid the cities in this instance.
3. Is camping a thing in Morocco, or is it better/safer to stay in private accommodation? I'm budget-conscious (I have a family and financial commitments!) so looking to keep things fairly low-cost.
4. Can I buy insurance from a UK broker, ahead of arriving in the country?
5. Is cash preferable in out of the way cafes/shops?
6. Any recommendations for some easy off-roading for a 1200GSA that'll take me to out of the way cool places, but nothing that you wouldn't take the family car down! I've been riding for 30 years, owned trail bikes, but the GSA is big and heavy and I'm not Simon Pavey!

Main objectives are Ouarzazate, Dades, Erg Chebbi, and any landscapes along the lines of Gara Medouar. I love the desert and the mountains. Basically I want to get some sahara on my bike, return to the UK then NEVER wash it off!

I already have a certain C. Scott's book (albeit quite an old copy from about ten years ago), plus a selection of maps. It's only due to some lucky circumstances I can go at all, so I need to make the most of the next few months to get planning, and make the most of the trip.

I sincerely welcome any advice or tips, and thank you in advance!

Nik

Hey Nick,

Watching your thread with interest , I’ve been to Morocco a couple of times but 20 over years ago on a heavily loaded gs with my girlfriend on the back and am thinking about time for a return trip. Your comment about getting some Sahara on your bike and never washing it off pretty much sums up my outlook lol. ( particularly finding some ‘easy’ piste routes that aren’t going to stress a big adventure bike or it’s middle aged pilot )