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Morocco has so much to offer! A road trip is the perfect way to explore this exotic land. This guest post describes a great itinerary for a Morocco road trip, including a little bit of well-known favorites and off-the-beaten path treasures.
Guest post by Evelin from Overland Site
Morocco is heaven on Earth for people who are looking for rich and amazing culture and magical sandy coastlines. When the main goal of your trips is to enjoy nature, then there’s no better destination than a Morocco road trip. The Atlantic Ocean, sandy coastline, and the rocky mountains will be a true delight, especially if you enjoy them in a 4×4 vehicle.
An overlanding trip would be a unique experience that would allow you to admire all the natural wonders. If you’re wondering why you should consider overlanding in Morocco, you can find out more details below.
The Ultimate Itinerary for your Morocco Road Trip
Crossing the Border to Morocco
When you start your overlanding trip, you need to know what you have to do and what the route is. First things first, you should have your overlanding gear and equipment ready, such as a good winch like Runva, a tent, and a first aid kit. After all, you need to care for your vehicle and you also need to plan your camping days and stay safe.
When you arrive from Europe, you can cross the Mediterranean at Almeria. It’s possible to do so by taking an overnight ferry. You’ll arrive at Melilla, and then you can cross the border to Morocco. You can have someone helping you with the border crossing, or you can do it yourself as the process is easy. Two forms will have to be completed, with one of them being the D16-TER, which offers details about your vehicle.
The Route in Morocco
It’s unlikely for someone to not fall in love with the incredible scenery that Morocco has to offer. If you follow this overlanding route, you’ll have the time of your life and will want to come back for more. Here’s the route you should take for an amazing experience:
Nador to Midelt
Mountains are always spectacular, and you can enjoy a great mountainous view if you go from Nador to Midelt. This trip will take you through a majestic landscape that will remain ingrained in your memory. Before you move forward, you can stop in Midelt for the night so you get ready for the long but incredible trip ahead of you.
Ouarzazate
If the mountains you saw on your trip to Midelt were jaw-dropping, just wait until you get a view of the road to Ouarzazate. Mountains, sharp rocks, and river beds will make you fall in love with the Moroccan landscape. Although you may have to take alternative routes due to landslides, the experience will still be as amazing as you could imagine. Your vehicle needs to be ready for this.
You’ll get to experience the Moroccan countryside too, and once you get to Ouarzazate, you can set up a great rooftop tent and rest at the Atlas Film Studio.
Laayoune
The next stop is Laayoune, which is the capital of Western Sahara. If you ever wanted to see beautiful sandy beaches, this is your chance. Laayoune is around 360 miles away from Icht, and you can get to Plage Blanche if you drive west. You’ll have an outstanding landscape with white sandy beaches to admire. What’s even better is that you can drive your overlanding vehicle over the beach and along the Atlantic Ocean. You just need to make sure you don’t get too close to the water, or the sand might be swept from under the tires.
It’s best to go on this route if you have company, as they will help you if you somehow get stuck in the sand. After you’re done, you have to find your way back.
Towards Western Sahara
Ever dreamt of visiting Sahara? Well, this is your chance to see Western Sahara. You may be checked at the border, and then allowed to enter. You’ll know that you got there due to the freshly constructed buildings. Laayoune has a lot of culture and history, and it will be a wonderful experience for any overlander. You can see a beautiful old Spanish Cathedral named after Saint Francis of Assissi, as well as the Mosque of Moulay Abd el Azziz.
If you go to or come from the Airport, there will also be a marvelous arch to see. You should also consider visiting Tarfaya, as you will be able to admire some of the most gorgeous cliffs ever.
Dakhla
Next, you should go towards Dakhla. When you drive towards it, you can get a view of the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean right next to it. You can also camp there if you want to.
When you get to Dakhla, you can drive to the Tropic of Cancer for some pictures, or go even further to the Mauritanian border. You won’t regret it when you see the dunes.
Going Back North
You have to return north if you don’t want to drive to Mauritania. You will get to Tafraoute, which is where you can find the Valley of Vans, a great campsite that offers you more of the beauty of Moroccan nature.
Mhamid
Mhamid is an oasis you can find at the edge of the Sahara Desert, so you should not miss it. You’ll see some of the most amazing dunes here, reaching over 900 feet. If you keep driving through the desert, you will get a view of the sandy and rocky trails too, an experience you will never forget.
The Heart of Morocco: Things You Should See During your Road Trip
Some things you should definitely see while overlanding in Morocco include:
- Marrakesh
- Moroccon Alps – the town of Imlil
- Chefchaouen
- Fez
- Roman Ruins of Volubilis
Conclusion – Why Should You Pick a Morocco Road Trip?
Morocco is a unique destination with magical landscapes that will make this the trip of your life. Mountains, sandy beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean will give you views you will never forget. Not to mention that the Moroccan culture is very rich and amazing, and you’ll definitely learn something new or try delicious foods that will make you want to stay there forever. It will be a once in a lifetime experience.
I’m Evelin, from Budapest, avid traveler and overlander. I love road trips, especially if it includes off-roading and camping in remote areas such as the Gobi Desert or the Atlas Mountains. When I am not traveling, I am planning my next trip with my partner, Ferenc.
If you’re looking for more itineraries, check out these posts:
- A Complete One Month Itinerary for India
- The Ultimate Guide to Switzerland
- The Best Places to Visit in Spain
- A Complete Tour to Seeing North Carolina’s Lighthouses
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. Now that the children are gone, but still saving for retirement, she enjoys traveling in an affordable way and wants to share those ideas.