Practical information for the traveller

To assist you before setting out on this significant journey, and in preparation for leaving your familiar life behind as you discover another country, another land, and another culture, here are some recommendations and information on Morocco.

GEOGRAPHY

Morocco's coastal borders extend for some 3400km. To the west it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north by the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Spain by a few kilometres across the straits of Gibraltar. In the south of the country the Sahara desert forms a natural border.

POPULATION

The population of Morocco is estimated at 30 million.

LANGUAGES

Whilst Arabic is the official language, Berber languages are spoken widely across the country, particularly in the mountains, and French is widely understood and spoken at all levels.

FOOD

World renowned as one of the best, Moroccan cuisine is varied and fine, including tajines, couscous, honey and almond pastries and desserts. Whilst local wine and beer can be bought the national drink remains sweet tea.

CLOTHING

The large temperature difference between the hot days and the cool nights means that appropriate clothing needs to be considered.

SHOPPING

Morocco is famous for its traditional handicrafts, still crafted in time-honoured ways and for sale everywhere you go.
Pottery, embroidered silk and woven fabrics as well as gold and silver jewellery, carpets, metal work, leather work and wood work including marquetry are commonly displayed and crafted in the maze-like cobbled streets of the old walled towns. Haggling with the shopkeepers and the craftsmen is a traditional and customary practice. There are however fixed price, state run shops which give you an idea of the price you should expect to pay.

TIME DIFFERENCE

In winter the time is the same as in England, whilst in summer (March-October) the time in Morocco is one hour later than in England.

FORMALITIES

A valid passport is required. No visa is necessary.
See your doctor for recommended vaccinations.

DRIVING

European valid driving licences are recognised and accepted for hire car rental.

CURRENCY

The Moroccan unit of currency is the Moroccan dirham, which constitutes 100 cents. The importation and exportation of Moroccan currency is forbidden.
The Euro is generally accepted.

In the cities and towns it is easy to find cash machines to access currency but in the south of the country credit cards and traveller cheques are not generally accepted other than at the banks. The nearest cash machine and bank to M'hamid is in the town of Zagora (2 hours distant).

CLIMATE

The varying Moroccan landscape and countryside is reflected in the climatic changes throughout the country. In one day one can pass from the coast, through the snowy High Atlas Mountains to the sand dunes and heat of the Sahara desert, experiencing all four seasons along the way.
The best times of year to visit the desert are from February to May and September to November.

In the south :  in summer the temperatures are extremely hot and the climate dry with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius in the shade.
In the winter the temperatures are milder - from 18 C during the day.
Rain is rare but flash floods can occur in the months of December/January, causing problems on the roads around Ouarzazate, Erfoud and Zagora.

Temperatures