I'm going to drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and… on 43 Places

s0b
London

A question about this place:

I'm going to drive from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and wanted to know where some good places to stop en route are. In Africa we were quite limited and could only stop at "safe" places but I'm assuming that Morocco is much safer than that?

1 cheer

Answers:

geoveo
Rugby

That is the most beautiful drive. The road is well surfaced but is quite a challenge as it is very tortuous through the spectacular mountains. You should be wary of the trucks and grand taxis that assume their own priority, but taken with care it is very safe. I would say that you can stop just about anywhere. In towns and villages you may attract the attention of curious children, in the countryside you’ll very soon be approached by someone selling crystals or fruit, or just hoping for to get a fee for being photographed. remember that many of these comunities live on very small incomes so any additional passing trade is very beneficial.

If you are driving a 4×4 you could leave the main road after the high pass at Tizi n Tichka and head for Telouet and then on to Tamdaght and then Ait Benhaddou and then after rejoining the main road you could visit the Atlas film studios before you drive in to Ouarzazate. If you will be in a normal car I’d stay on the main road though.

I’d avoid any night-time driving.

One more word of caution, watch your speed; the police do have speed traps and will fine you on the spot for any speed over the very low limits in towns and villages.

s0b
London

Thank you – that’s very helpful indeed.

Respond to this

s0b
London

So I’d been meaning to come back to this for ages and say thank you for all your advice.

I did actually get stopped for speeding (just outside of a town – I thought I was in the clear) but fortunately managed to avoid a fine.

We took a normal car to Telouet as the guide book suggested it was possible. Frankly I would have been nervous about taking my old landrover defender along parts of that road but it was well worth the journey and not (technically) off piste.

Anyway, a belated “thank you” once again for your advice

geoveo
Rugby

Glad it was of help.
I’d be interested to know how you managed to avoid the fine. The impression that I got was that tourists are sport for the traffic police, issuing large fines that I’m sure Moroccans wouldn’t or couldn’t have paid – 400MAD for doing 55kph on the outskirts of a town.

s0b
London

I’m not really sure how I avoided it to be honest; apologising in Arabic and in French seemed to help.

I found everyone was very friendly – even the traffic cops; and they became even more welcoming once we tried talking to them.

Respond to this

zouhair
5 places

geovo’s answer is great, I can add that if you have a 4×4 and time you can make another way back, go east to Tinghir (road to Errachidia), Gorges Du Todgha, Ait-Hani (up in the mountain), Imilchil (don’t miss the lakes Isli and Tisli), Azilal (you can go see the Ouzoud Waterfall), Kellaa De Sraghna, Marrakesh.

And Morocco is safe, and yeah the road can be tricky so don’t assume you have “a right”, there is a lot of bad drivers out there. So night driving is not advisable. Else it’s much safe, you can stop wherever you want.

Have a nice trip and sorry for the bad grammar.

Respond to this

Dave Strawman
0 places

Nice to hear from you.

Having made this trip several times, last time being July. The road is good but not US standards, it is narrow and full of curves and goes to an altitude of 8000 feet plus. Scenery is wonderful and a few places to stop for photo ops.

I am not sure what you want to stop for, fuel, lodging, food? Well, there are no places to stop except for food and coffee. Fuel is available but not every town, lodging is not available except very rudimentry local places, and they are not good. The trip you propose is easily done in 1 day and the places ot stay at your destination are great, from the ridiculous to the sublime.

I remain availabe for questions if you have some. I can be reached in Morocco from a US toll free number 1-888-314-5096 or in Morocco at +212-6-149-3553.

I will send you a link to some pix from Morocco, the region you will visit.

Cheers

Dave