Morocco Current security issues
 

I'm off to morocco in about 4 weeks time, on 4 wheels rather than 2, about 5-6 days off road
route includes Cacade d ouzoud, Todra Gorge, Zagora, Chegega.......its not too difficult a route, we are going with other vehicles, but the plan is not to convoy but each vehicle takes its own time on a planned route.

My question is for those who are in Morocco at the moment or who have very recently travelled. what is the security position like, given the problems throughout the Arab world and the very recent killing of a tourist in Algeria.

my Country does not pay ransoms and I don't really want my family to see me in an orange jump suit!

Thanks Charles

I have travelled in Morocco on a number of occasions by motorcycle. The last time was in May this year. I travelled with a friend and we were there about 5 weeks riding the pists from Ceuta down over the High Atlas, Jebel Sahara, dunes, over the Anti Atlas, and back (passing through the "lawless Riff" on the way) to Spain.
Apart from the usual pressures to visit carpet shops etc. I've never ever experienced anything other than good hospitality. Keep to normal common sense precautions and I'm sure you'll have a great time.
Have fun

I will echo plainshorse comments. Wonderful country/people.

Is this a changing situation? I fancied inland Tunisia but now the UK Foreign Office are advising against it

The poor French guy was in a known dangerous part of Algeria.

There is absolutely no problem whatsoever in Morocco. I've been here for nearly three weeks so far this trip. I'm travelling solo, on motorbike, in far more remote areas than you are considering. People are just going about their business as usual.

Your safety anywhere does depend on your activities. Some are not just frowned upon in some countries- No judgement here.
Get informed - stay safe.

fyi I read there is some tension with Alg at the moment, as there is from time to time.

Even before this event, I have been reading of Moroccan patrols turning travellers away from pistes which run very close to the border with Algeria along the Oued Draa (MS8 and Mhamid to MS6-KM50, and at a guess MS11 north of Erg Chebbi).

Even then, that's nothing to worry about. In the interior, business as usual I hear.

Ch

I am a little surprised to hear of reports of people being turned back from tracks. I had no issues on the route from Foum Zguid to Mhamid last week and there was plenty of tourist traffic.

The Oil Libya rally was also due to take a number of the southern tracks a fortnight ago (including parts of MS6) and the Merzouga rally is currently in Erfoud. I don't imagine the organisers or Moroccan authorities would be keen in letting them take those tracks if there were genuine security concerns.

Well, that is what I read, Matt, but these are infrequently-used tracks that go within sight of the the Alg border or even wander across it according to some maps. Foum Zguid to Mhamid (MS7) and MS6 are not in this category.

Perhaps these restrictions and patrols (which happen on other occasions) are in response to (i.e.: looking out for) the rallies?
I see the current Merzouga Rally routes do not get within 10 miles of Alg border. The last time I happened to follow their tracks they passed right through MS11-KM77.

Ch

For clarification 'Mhamid to MS6-KM50' is one of the book's suggested, not detailed routes.

Chris

I expect you are correct and some of the additional patrols may also be in response to the rallies.

As I didn't take any of the routes that directly skirt the Algerian border, I'm perhaps not best placed to comment. However with the possible exception of a few more speed cameras, I didn't notice any additional police / military presence generally on this trip.

Cheers
Matt Roach