9 Wonderful reasons why Morocco should be your next travel destination
When thinking about travelling in North Africa, Morocco is the most popular destination. And if you have any interest in other cultures, Morocco is the way to go. With a good balance between dynamic landscapes, colourful architecture and vibrant cities Morocco has much to offer. From walking through crowded medina’s, staying in a Riad to sleeping in the Sahara desert. Some people choose to only visit Morocco to stay in Marrakech, but believe us, there is so much more to explore.
If you are still in doubt, here are some reasons that hopefully make you wanna jump on that plane!
9 REASONS WHY MOROCCO SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATION
FIRST OF ALL
Most people around us told us only about the negative aspects of visiting Morocco. But that only made us curious to go and explore for ourselves. When we visit a new country we always choose to keep our judgement at the customs. That gives us the opportunity to blend in with the local people, and in Morocco, that is an experience you don’t wanna miss. Some advice, when you are thinking about a visit to Morocco: don’t let somebody else their judgement affect your travel plans.
1 | GET LOST WHILE STROLLING THROUGH THE MEDINA
Are you one of those people that love to get lost wandering unknown places? A Medina can be a maze and will definitely confuse you where to go. With thousands of narrow streets and handcrafted stalls that all look the same, you will have a big chance of getting lost. But to be honest, it’s really great to feel the vibe and see what’s going on in the medina of Marrakech. To be sure you will find your way back, download and have Maps.me prepared to save the day.
2 | UNWIND IN A TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN RIAD
Ever wanted to stay in a riad? This is your chance. In the heart of the Medina of Marrakech, you will find a lot of them. Once you are inside a riad al the chaos of the Medina is gone and your time to relax starts. You can find good affordable Riads on booking.com. We really enjoyed our stay at the Riad Baba Ali.
3 | MOROCCO’S ARCHITECTURE IS ON POINT
With architectural highlights in the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Marrakech will really satisfy your architectural needs. While walking through the medina you will see traditional Moorish architecture at almost every corner. It is just one of those things that remind you of your visit to Morocco.
4 | MOROCCAN FOOD IS RICH IN SPICES AND HERBS
When in Morocco you should and will probably eat a lot of tagine and couscous. Tagine is a dish that is slowly cooked in a clay cooking pot. This signature dish is prepared with veggies, beef, chicken or lamb depending on your preference. One thing is for sure, it is packed with lovely herbs and spices and you can order the dish at almost every corner.
Another dish they serve is Harira, a Moroccan lentil soup which is most famous as the meal they eat when breaking the fast during Ramadan.
5 | MOROCCO’S CULTURE IS RICH AND CAPTIVATING
This is one of the things that can work for you, or against you. But when you are interested in other cultures and just let the country guide you, this can be such a great experience. With lovely medinas and souqs it feels like you are in a whole different world, and that is the thing we like the most. It’s such a different vibe than many of us experience on a daily basis. If you are curious and open to blend in you will have a really great time.
6 | MOROCCO IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS DYNAMIC LANDSCAPES
If you like breathtaking landscapes Morocco is the way to go. They have mountains like the High Atlas mountains, unbroken silence in the Sahara desert and a serene and calm oasis in Tinghir. Morocco has a lot of diversity in its vast natural environment. Beside those lovely sceneries, Morocco will certainly surprise you with even more natural beauty.
7 | MOROCCO MAKES A PERFECT ROAD TRIP DESTINATION
When we booked our tickets to Morocco we had no other choice then hitting the road. And that is one of the reason why we had such an amazing time. Interested in which destinations crossed our Moroccan road trip? One of them was really, uhm sandy.
8 | SLEEP IN THE MAGICAL SAHARA DESERT
Guess what, this is the place we just mentioned. When you make your itinerary for Morocco don’t miss the opportunity to sleep in the Sahara desert. If you want to know more about our experiences in the Sahara you should check out our Sahara desert Guide. Keep in mind that a trip from Marrakech to the Sahara will cost you about three days of your travel time.
9 | VISIT AIT BEN HADDOU, A GAME OF THRONES FILMING LOCATION
If you watched Game of Thrones you will probably recognize this scenery. This old Kasbah is built up against the hill and is one of the best looking sceneries you will find in Morocco. When you walk your way up through the narrow streets it really feels like you are part of a movie.
Some movies that are filmed here are: The Mummy, Gladiator and Prince of Persia: The sands of time.
SAFETY IN MOROCCO | TRAVEL INSURANCE
When travelling this big wide world, I never go on an adventure without my essential travel insurance sorted out, and though I felt safe in Morocco, I recommend anyone travelling here to do the same.
Though you rather don’t think about the things that could go wrong, there’s always a chance that something happens, and when that’s the case, it is better to be safe than sorry.
To help you find the right policy, I’ve listed two of my favourite options below:
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
PLAN YOUR MOROCCO ITINERARY WITH THESE ESSENTIAL GUIDES
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6 Things to do in Battambang, Cambodia's underrated gem
Battambang, a city full of artistic people and a calm atmosphere. Although it is the second city of Cambodia, a lot of people forget to put this city in their Cambodia itinerary. We almost thought of skipping it as well, but we are glad we didn’t. With a lot of artistic bars, vibrant cultural sights and humble local people it was one of our favourite places we visited during our 3 weeks in Cambodia. Take a ride on the traditional bamboo train and watch thousands of bats leave their cave at Phnom Sampeau.
In this guide, you will read about the six things that you should definitely do when visiting Battambang.
If you choose to use any of the links on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you’ll have a direct impact on WTSW and support my ability to continue to create free insightful travel content for you. If you find any of my tips useful, you can support me by buying me a virtual coffee here.
6 Incredible things to do in Battambang, Cambodia
#1 Take a ride with Cambodia’s iconic Bamboo Train
When in the Battambang province you can have a ride on a classic norry what you may also know as the bamboo train. It’s an improvised rail vehicle made of bamboo that can reach a speed of 50 km/h. When the train brings you from A to B, you will have a nice impression of the countryside. With lovely views of vast rice fields and local people working in the fields. The experience is really worth it and will cost you only $5,- for a return ticket.
#2 Visit the Killing Cave
This tragic site is known as one of the places where Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge soldiers killed thousands of innocent Cambodian people. Normally we don’t like to visit that kind of tourist site. But we learned more about the tragic history of Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge and are now making people we know aware of what happened. So this will hopefully never happen again. On the other side of Phnomh Sampou you can find something that is more calm and has a serene vibe.
#3 Admire thousands of bats leaving their cave
As we mentioned, this is the cave with the serene vibes. Besides the tragic Killing Caves, you also have the Bat Cave at Phnom Sampou. You can have a look on the side of the road or go to the edge of the cave with your local guide. There are so many bats leaving the cave that this scene lasts about 20 minutes. Such an amazing vibe and show by mother nature. We went up and that was a really nice experience. One thing, head down the hill before it’s dark. It can be a dangerous climb down if you don’t see anything.
#4 Sample delicious tapas at Lonely Tree Cafe
The Lonely Tree Cafe is an organization that supports humanitarian activities across multiple lines of action in North-West Cambodia. With the goals of formation, empowerment, employment and obtaining profits to help finance the activities. On the ground level, you can buy all kinds of traditional handcrafted items crafted by the victims of landmine accidents. On the top floor, you can eat delicious tapas or Spanish, Mediterranean, Western and Khmer dishes.
Please bring me some more of that Creamy Pumpkin Soup, NOW.
#5 Walk around and abandoned train station
At many places in Cambodia, you will find abandoned train stations and that’s also the case in Battambang. At the train station in Battambang, all of the buildings are abandoned and some of them contain graffiti traces.
A funny thing about this station is that the clock always says it’s two minutes past eight. It’s worth having a look and after all, the time isn’t ticking.
#6 Climb your way to Wat Banan
Wat Banan is one of the best-preserved temples of Battambang and is on top of a hill. You can reach the temple by climbing 358 steps, but when you reach the top you have a great panoramic view. The temple is located about 22 km outside Battambang but easily to combine with a visit to the bamboo train and Phnom Sampou.
Stay safe in Cambodia | Travel insurance
Though Cambodia is perfectly safe for travellers, I always strive to sort out my travel insurance before arriving in a foreign country, and I highly advise anyone else to do the same.
Where we prefer that everything goes smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can happen at any moment, whether it’s an injury or an accident on the road. When that happens, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full covid-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering covid-19 related claims.
Plan your Cambodia itinerary with these essential guides
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8 Incredible things to do in Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital city
Bangkok is often called the backpackers capital of South East Asia, and beside the chaos that Bangkok brings it also has a lot of exciting things to see and do. Take a look at the Grand Palace, eat traditional Thai street food or take a ride in a tuk tuk on your way to amazing temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
With so much different things to do in Bangkok, it can be a really tough time to plan your stay. In this guide you can read how to get the best out of 48 hours in Bangkok.
8 THINGS TO DO IN BANGKOK, THAILAND'S BUSTLING CAPITAL CITY
1 | CHILL AT A HOTEL WITH A ROOFTOP POOL IN BANGKOK
You can find lots of hotels with a rooftop pool in Bangkok. After a long flight, it’s lovely to have some time at the pool. When you are charged up after some time relaxing you are ready to explore the city. During our visit to Bangkok, we stayed in Casa Nithra, they offer good quality for a decent price.
2 | TAKE A STROLL ON KHAO SAN ROAD
Khao San Road is probably the most famous street in Asia, and that is mostly for its party scene and that is visible since everything is arranged to satisfy backpackers coming from all over the world. Khao San Road is also the place where you can get all kinds of street food. We prefer the last one over the party scene or tend to take it a bit more easier on Soi Rambuttri.
3 | WANDER AROUND SOI RAMBUTTRI
Nearby Khao San Road you can find a smaller alley named Soi Rambuttri. We prefer this small street over Khao San Road everyday. The vibe at Soi Rambuttri is way more authentic and you will find less tourists. For a calm walk past street food stalls and small shops, this is where you should be. In the evening you can find lots of nice restaurants and outdoor bars.
4 | SAMPLE THAI STREET FOOD
Bangkok has street food like no other. If you like to live on the edge and love to try new things, you are in the right place. Dare yourself to eat fried rats, spiders or even scorpions. Eating Thai street food is all part of the ultimate Bangkok experience and Thai Cuisine is favourite for many people. We prefer to try signature dishes like Pad Thai or Khao Pad over fried spiders and we loved that you can have really tasteful meals for almost nothing.
5 | TAKE A BOAT TRIP ON THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER
The Chao Phraya River is also known as ‘‘The River of Kings’’ and is the lifeblood of Bangkok. A boat trip will take you along a number of attractions such as Wat Arun, Wat Pho, The Grand Palace and the Flower Market. You can book your tickets at the Chaoprahya Tourist Boat, they offer 3 kinds of passes: 1-day river pas for 200 Baht, 1-night river pas for 200 Baht and all-day all-night pass for 300 Baht. If you don’t have a lot of time in Bangkok, this boat trip can ensure you see some of the highlights.
6 | WAT ARUN ‘THE TEMPLE OF DAWN’
Wat Arun also known as ‘‘The Temple of Dawn’’ is located on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. With a height reaching 82 metres you can’t miss it. It’s one of the nicest and cheapest temples in Bangkok and it’s fully decorated with broken porcelain from China.
The best time to visit is early in the morning, there is almost no shadow at the site and it can be really crowded at noon. You can use the ferry over the Chao Phraya River to get from Wat Arun to Wat Pho.
THE ESSENTIALS
Opening hours | Daily, 08.00 – 17.30
Cost | 50 Baht
Website | Wat Arun
7 | VISIT WAT PHO TO SEE THE RECLINING BUDDHA
Wat Pho is known as ‘‘The Temple of the Reclining Buddha’’. With a mesmerizing Reclining Buddha that has a length of 46 metres, this temple is really impressive.
The temple is one of Bangkok’s oldest temples and is recognized by UNESCO. Visiting Wat Pho is easy to combine with a trip to Wat Arun.
THE ESSENTIALS
Opening hours | Daily, 08.00 – 18.30
Cost | 200 Baht
Website | Wat Pho
8 | THE GRAND PALACE
The Grand Palace is the biggest attraction in Bangkok, and a trip to the palace can take a whole day.
With beautiful architecture and high standing details, it shows the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people. Keep in mind that it is Thailand’s most sacred site and they use a strict dress code. So cover up your shoulders, wear something that covers up your knees and doesn’t show your bare feet.
THE ESSENTIALS
Opening hours | Daily, 08.00 – 15.30
Cost | 500 Baht
Website | Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok
A guide to the Pyramide van Austerlitz, Utrecht’s very own pyramid
A guide to the Pyramide van Austerlitz, Utrecht
Did you knew there is a pyramid in The Netherlands? It is in fact, the only pyramid in Europe.
Even though we are both born and raised in The Netherlands, we didn’t knew as well. When we heard of it we did some research. There is a small town in Utrecht called Austerlitz. In 1804 Napoleon’s soldiers built a 36-metre-high pyramid which is now one of the highest points of Utrecht.
Although the Egyptians never made it this far north, they definitely inspired the soldiers with their architectural masterpiece. What to do in Utrecht? Visiting this historical place, isn’t that nice?
Take a look at this guide to find out more about the Pyramide van Austerlitz.
If you choose to use any of the links on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you’ll have a direct impact on WTSW and support my ability to continue to create free insightful travel content for you. If you find any of my tips useful, you can support me by buying me a virtual coffee here.
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug
When you have an interest in what to do in Utrecht, this is your read. When you plan to visit Utrecht it is really nice to have a walk through the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
It is also possible to rent a bike to explore the area. It’s an oasis of calm just outside of the Randstad. With a vast natural environment and lots of historical locations, it’s lovely to spend the day, or even two. But that’s up to you!
There is no way around the Utrechtse Heuvelrug if you want to visit the pyramid.
The Pyramide van Austerlitz
Start your trip at NS Station Driebergen-Zeist and walk your way to the small town of Austerlitz. To plan a trip with public transportation in The Netherlands it comes in handy to use OV9292 and the NS reisplanner. When you plan to walk to the pyramid keep in mind that it is a one and a half-hour walk. It eventually took us three hours of walking before we arrived. The reason it took us so long was that we just bought our drone and camera and in combination with the lovely vast natural environment it’s a guarantee for success. So if you have a drone, don’t mind taking it with you.
History of the Pyramide van Austerlitz
In 1804, the French General Auguste de Marmont established an army camp (le Camp d’Utrecht) in this central location in the Batavian Republic, the present Netherlands, where over a period of several months he forged together various battalions into a large, well-trained army, capable of beating the British enemy should there be any repetition of the invasion of 1799.
In the autumn of 1804, satisfied with the military power of the new army, and to occupy his bored soldiers, Marmont had his soldiers build an earth and turf monument inspired by the Great Pyramid of Giza, which Marmont had seen in 1798 during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.
Even the erosion-exposed stepped surface was imitated. Construction lasted 27 days. The pyramid hill was 36 metres high and surmounted by a 13-metre-high wooden obelisk. It was named “Mont Marmont” or “Marmontberg”.
Entrance to the entrance to the Pyramide van Austerlitz
When arriving at the entrance it’s about a 300m walk till you reach the pyramid. Don’t forget to bring some cash with you. The entrance fee is around €3. They open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. and in the wintertime, they only open on Saturday. The winter season for 2019 is from the 29th of October till the 6th of April.
Even if it is closed it’s worth paying a visit, the only downside of that is that you can’t climb it.
If you are planning to visit the pyramid by car. There will be free parking spots available next to the entrance, in high season there is an opportunity it’s too busy.
More information about the Pyramide van Austerlitz can be found here.
Stay safe in the Netherlands | Travel insurance
When travelling this big wide world, I never go on an adventure without my essential travel insurance sorted out, and though the Netherlands is safe, I recommend anyone travelling here to do the same.
Though you rather don’t think about the things that could go wrong, there’s always a chance that something will happen, and when that’s the case, it is better to be safe than sorry.
To help you find the right policy, I’ve listed two of my favourite options below:
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full COVID-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering COVID-19-related claims.
Use these essential guides of the Netherlands
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Marrakech to Merzouga | My Incredible 3-day Morocco road trip itinerary
A 3-day Morocco road trip itinerary | From Marrakech to the Sahara
Morocco, with its oriental flair, is in many ways a country that you will not easily forget.
It’s a mix of captivating culture and incredibly picturesque landscapes, and to me, one of the best ways to experience its diverse beauty is by going on a 3-day road trip from Marrakech to Merzouga.
From the majestic Atlas Mountains to the tranquil dunes of the Sahara, the ancient fortified town of Aït Benhaddou to the hairpin roads of Tizi n’ Tichka, my brief, yet fulfilling Morocco road trip itinerary will take you along some of the country’s absolute highlights.
Where I normally sort out my own itineraries, I this time chose to join this 3-day guided road trip from Marrakech to Merzouga and had a brilliant time exploring this amazing part of Morocco.
In this post, I’ll talk you through my experience – plus a day-to-day route overview, accommodation suggestions, transportation advice and a few helpful tips for those looking to plan a Morocco road trip independently.
If you choose to use any of the links on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. By using these links, you’ll have a direct impact on WTSW and support my ability to continue to create free insightful travel content for you. If you find any of my tips useful, you can support me by buying me a virtual coffee here.
Transport | How to get from Marrakech to Merzouga
First things first, to follow this Morocco itinerary, it’s important to sort out how you plan to travel around the country.
If you ask me, there are two options that both have a few pros and cons. To help you out, I’ve researched both the use of a rental car and taking part in a guided tour from Marrakech to Merzouga – which I eventually ended up doing myself.
Join a multiple-day tour from Marrakech
If you’re not completely comfortable with driving in Morocco, don’t worry, there are plenty of excellent 3-day desert tours from Marrakech that will take in all the above highlights along the way.
Marrakech to Merzouga: 3-Day Desert Safari | Experience the Moroccan Sahara Desert, as well as Aït Benhaddou and the Todra Gorges on this 3-day group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. This excellent tour includes transportation by a modern, air-conditioned minibus, 2 nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and a camel ride in the dunes of Erg Chebbi. I opted for this tour and was pretty pleased with how the trip turned out. Prices and availability here.
Marrakech to Merzouga: 4-Day Private Desert Tour | If you rather prefer a private tour, opt for this 4-day private tour from Marrakech to Merzouga instead. Like the above, this tour also includes 3 nights of accommodation with breakfast and dinner, and a camel ride in the dunes of Erg Chebbi, but now the transport is exclusively for you and your party. Prices and availability here.
Rent a car
If you prefer more freedom to outline your own Morocco itinerary, it’s also possible to rent a car from the Marrakech international airport.
While driving in Morocco brings some challenges, it’s totally achievable to follow this road trip with a rental, given the infrastructure has improved a lot over the last few years.
However, to help you along the way, I highly recommend you to read this article as it’s packed with essential information on driving in Morocco.
For car rental in Morocco, I highly recommend Rentalcars.com, since they provide brilliant service, additional insurance options, and a wide range of cars, all at an affordable price.
DAY 1 | Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou
Tizi n’ Tichka and the Atlas Mountains
After spending five days in Marrakech, it was finally time to start my incredible road trip from Marrakech to Merzouga (make sure you check this 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga).
The day started early and was packed with interesting stops, including Tizi n’ Tichka, the Atlas Mountains, and Aït Benhaddou, before reaching my accommodation in Tinghir.
First things first, Tizi n’ Tichka is an impressive mountain pass that runs straight through the high Atlas Mountain, connecting Marrakech to Ouarzazat.
These winding roads are some of the most challenging roads in the country, and the viewpoint at the end makes for an epic first stop on this Morocco road trip adventure.
At the viewpoint, you’ll be welcomed by some of the most stunning views of Morroco’s highest mountain ranges; the snow-covered Atlas Mountains.
Once we reached the highest point of the journey, we had some trouble with snow blocking the roads, which is very common in the Atlas Mountains during the early spring months.
Aït Benhaddou
After crossing the High Atlas Mountains in roughly 4 hours from Marrakech, it was time to take the roads less travelled in the direction of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou.
Located in the foothills of the High Atlas along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech is Aït Benhaddou, an authentic Berber village marked by Kasbahs (earthen buildings) and a towering fortified wall, also known as a Ksar.
While most of its inhabitants are now long gone, the fortified village, with its traditional Kasbah’s, narrow laneways and friendly Berber people remains an utterly unique place to visit and I’m pretty sure that wandering along the distinctive architecture will be one of your absolute highlights on this Morocco road trip.
To me, the village is simply wonderful and it’s easy to see why movies such as Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones – one of my favourite series of all time, have been filmed here.
Where to stay | If you plan to do your Morocco road trip independently, make sure you check out Riad Caravane, an exceptional riad with Kasbah-style rooms at only 10 minutes from Aït Benhaddou.
Read more | Check out my Aït Benhaddou guide for inspiration, travel advice and all the essentials.
Boumalne Dades
The next stop on this road trip is Boumalne Dades, a quaint town in the midst of the eponymous Dades Valley at the heart of the Tinghir Province.
Encircled by a lush oasis, this region is home to one of the most picturesque stretches of land in the whole of Morocco, with hundreds of red-hued adobe houses lined up after the dense vegetation of the oasis.
During my time here, my driver guided us along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, a scenic route that runs straight through the Dades Valley, before enjoying a fresh mint tea in one of the many traditional carpet shops.
To complete the day, we drove further to Hotel Bougafer in Tinghir, where I settled down for a yum veggie tagine, before taking a good night’s rest.
Where to stay | For those travelling by car, I’d highly recommend Riad Dar Bab Todra as they offer well-designed rooms, a large outdoor swimming pool, and all the essentials to unwind after a long day of travelling.
Day 2 | Tinghir to Merzouga
Todra Gorge
After an excellent breakfast, it was time to continue in the direction of our first stop of the day; the impressive Todra Gorge.
But before we reached Todra Gorge, we passed loads of verdant palmeraies, traditional Berber villages, and dramatic rock formations, making it one of my favourite stretches of road during this road trip.
Once entering Todra Gorge, I was welcomed by an incredible sight, with 400-metre high rock walls flanking either side of the narrow road that guided us into the gorge – it was an exceptional experience, and one you can’t miss when travelling in Morocco.
Unfortunately, our time here was limited, otherwise, I would have loved hiking the Todra Loop hike, a moderate 3-hour hike in the mountains above the gorge.
Where to stay | If you have more time since you’re making your own road trip, La Petite Gorge is an excellent hotel for those looking to spend the night close to Todra Gorge.
Merzouga
Then, after exploring Todra Gorge, it was finally time to venture to the absolute highlight of this Morocco road trip – Merzouga, a tiny remote village at the edge of the Sahara Desert that serves as the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes.
After a short break and another lovely mint tea in Merzouga, my means of transport changed, when I jumped on the back of a camel.
Bumpy and dusty as it was, the camel ride truly was an unforgettable experience, since we drove over the endless dunes while the sun slowly settled behind the horizon.
From Merzouga, it took about 50 minutes to reach my Sahara Desert camp in the heart of the dunes of Erg Chebbi and I’m pretty confident that the camels are well looked after.
Erg Chebbi – Sahara
Following the camel ride, I arrived at a small, yet cosy camp that was hidden between the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Upon arrival at the camp, I immediately dropped my luggage in my tent and wandered around the dunes in complete silence, encircled by tangerine-coloured sand as far as the eye can see.
After taking in an incredible sunset from the top of one of the dunes, it was time to walk back to the common tent where I was served a lovely tajin and the Berber people played traditional music on their instruments.
On the way back to the tent, I took a moment to appreciate the deep blue sky that was filled with glittering stars, before I crawled under three layers of blankets to get a good night’s rest (the desert gets extremely cold during the nights).
Where to stay | For a unique experience in the heart of the desert, make sure you check out the Desert Heart Luxury Camp.
Day 3 | Back to Marrakech
The final day of my Morocco road trip was all about getting back to Marrakech, meaning we had a big day of driving ahead of us to make it back in time.
But before the 9-hour drive back straight to Marrakech, I still had time to watch an incredible sunrise over the rippling sand dunes, ate an excellent breakfast and drove back to Merzouga by camel – which was the perfect way to end this exceptional trip.
Then at around nine in the morning, it was, unfortunately, time to start the lengthy and exhausting journey back to Marrakech.
Best time to visit Morocco
Given Morocco’s location on the Northern tip of Africa, the country enjoys excellent weather year-round.
However, if you’re planning to follow this Morocco road trip in particular, I’d highly advise avoiding the peak summer months of June – early September, since most of the desert camps are closed due to the extreme heat.
For the above reason, I’d recommend planning your trip for the shoulder months of March – early May or September – November, when the temperatures are comfortable for explorations around the country.
I personally visited Morocco in early April and had perfect weather throughout my entire trip.
Safety in Morocco | Travel insurance
When travelling this big wide world, I never go on an adventure without my essential travel insurance sorted out, and though I felt safe in Morocco, I recommend anyone travelling here to do the same.
Though you rather don’t think about the things that could go wrong, there’s always a chance that something will happen, and when that’s the case, it is better to be safe than sorry.
To help you find the right policy, I’ve listed two of my favourite options below:
Heymondo | Whether you’re going on a 3-week backpacking trip, or planning a long stay somewhere abroad, Heymondo has excellent insurance options either way – plus full COVID-19 coverage and a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy, more information here.
World Nomads | If you’re an adventure seeker, backpacker, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime world trip, make sure you check out World Nomads, they designed the perfect travel insurance to help you travel safer and smarter. Do note that they’re not covering COVID-19-related claims.
Plan your Morocco itinerary with these essential guides
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