Southern Morocco

A trip to southern Morocco is a journey through stark gorges and palm-studded oases that slowly give way to the Sahara desert. And it is the birthplace of two of Morocco’s dynasties, the Saadians and Alawites (also spelled Alaouite). Spend the night in a kasbah, a feudal castle. Tour a ksar, an adobe citadel. Traverse sand dunes on foot, by camel or jeep. And take in the beauty of a very different Morocco.

Getting there

If you are traveling by road, Rissani and Merzouga are best accessed from Fès. The trip from Marrakech takes nearly 12 hours and, unless you are traveling on an organized tour, will prove difficult to reach in a single day. The nearest airport is located in ErRachidia. Royal Air Maroc offers flights to/from Casablanca and ErRachidia twice weekly. Marrakech is the best place to start a road trip to Ouarzazate and Zagora. Royal Air Maroc offers daily flights to/from Casablanca and Ouarzazate. There is no train service in this part of the country.

Royal Air Maroc
Triotours
getting to Zagora
getting to Rissani and Merzouga

Getting around

Travel in the south will be by car or by bus and if you are taking a trip to the desert by camel or jeep.

Triotours
by car
by bus
traveling to the desert

When to travel

The weather in the south is characterized by hot summer days and cold winter nights. The best time to visit the south or embark on a desert adventure is in April, May and October. In summer, the daytime high can exceed 40°C (105°F) and, in winter, the nighttime low can fall below 0°C (32°F).

Weather Underground
forecast for ErRachidia
forecast for Ouarzazate

Travel health & child safety

Drink bottled or sterilized water only and protect your skin from the sun.

MD Travel Health

Things to keep in mind

While most hotels claim to have heating, in winter, the rooms aren't always warm and the hot water is not always hot. Of note, hustlers, mainly selling their service as guides, are more aggressive in this part of the country.