Safety in Morocco 2014
 

Hi Whats the latest view on safety close to the Algerian border?
6 of us motorbiking between Foum Zgoud and Merzouga in April & some of team have concerns of getting lost and entering Algeria or from Algerian bad asses kidnapping us !
Cheers
CB

Safety in Morocco 2014??

I think you won't have any problems in 2014.:D

Don't worry, take a proper gps and use your eyes and braines. If you can't rely on your own skills, take a guide. If this still doesn't make you feel secure?? Don't go!!

GRTZ,

JP

Chris

The Moroccan army will turn you round before you get too close to the Border so theres little chance of accidentally wandering over it. The area is well controlled with a lot of tourist activity so also little chance of kidnapping.

I did Foum Zguid to Erfoud last October and was turned back at one point for getting to close but otherwise no problems at all

Thanks for your views.
I am still a little unsure.
I am carefully plotting the route from Mrimma towards Merzouga using GPS coordinates from the Chris Scott Morocco Overland book (route MS8/7 & MS fom Tagounite).
I am using a general Sat Nav with rough coverage of Morocco (not minor roads) and software (brilliant & accurate in UK/Europe) called Viewranger.

I am comparing the Viewranger map (set on cycle maps) which shows a track matching the Chris Scott routes & seems to match GPS coordindates within a 1km accuracy.

The western stretch MS8/7 seems all pretty straightforward but the eastern route MS6 from Tagounite appears to cross the Algerian border ! Sat Nav shows a section around N30' 38.16 W004'49.33 where the track vears from bearing NE to E towards Ramlia as being within the Algerian side!

On my Michelin 742 1/1000 000 map of Morocco this route is marked as "Prohibited Track". The map doesnt show the border position.
Viewranger software shows it on the Moroccan side.

My question isnt so much about getting lost, for I am confident I can track MY position but whether I would be inadvertantly crossing the border & whether that is a problem out there.
Is the a better source of finding the actual border coordinates?

Chris:scooter:

The above posters have been to Morocco and in the areas you ask about. Their answers are very reliable. You haven't. What's wrong with their answers?

When the Moroccan army start shooting at you for attempting to illegally cross the border, then you've deliberately ignored all the signs and their previous advice.

I think your friends watch too much bad ass Fox News.

I double check my track logs and mapping when I'm back home but I think the "Border" your worried about is a River doh (edit checked you GPS Coordinates and its by Donousaur Kem Kem Camp Site roughly 25miles from the border)

None of the routes in Morocco Overland cross the border and as I said above the Moroccan Army will intercept you and stop you going any further before you cross a border in this part of the country.

Right had a look on my maps and gps

MS8 gets within 12km of the border but at this point (KM110) you will have passed several army watch posts and are about 2km from a base. I got stopped here in October as the river further east was impassable. 2 soldier came and stopped me :) (Tim Curtis reports this route is now passable and he rode it recently)

MS6 gets to about 17km of the border at MS50, by now if your heading east you have reached 2 army checkpoints and had to provide your details, passport etc.

The Coordinates you posted above is KM121 on MS6 and 1km from the campsite I mention above. Here you are 49km due north of the border :)

keepcalm

Morocan border :)
 

Well, I am now suitably satisfied of the relative ease & safety of the route.
so thank you all for the replies.
:scooter::scooter: