FAQs

Morocco enjoys on average more than 300 days of sunshine per year and the sun is deceptively strong even in winter.

In the cooler months, the mountains and desert are very cold at night, so layering is essential. In the summer, Marrakesh can see temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C, and further south even fiercer. The Atlantic coast enjoys a temperate climate all year but the summer can feel cool due to strong sea breezes. Rainfall is never prolonged, but intense, and to witness rain in the desert is certainly special. The snow-line does not normally pass below 1800m.

As elsewhere globally, weather conditions in Morocco are becoming far less predictable and the country is experiencing ongoing drought/depleted reservoirs. We ask you to be mindful of water usage when travelling in Morocco.

The Arabic name given for Morocco, by medieval historians and geographers, is “al-Maghrib al-Aqsa”, translated as furthest westerly kingdom (of the Maghreb countries in North-West Africa).

Morocco is just 13km from Spain but is smaller than its neighbour, despite its territory bordering 3500km of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. The country is dissected in two, north-east to south-west, by the Atlas Mountain ranges (Middle, High, Anti) and it shares a border with Algeria and Mauritania. The Rif Mountains in the far North are visible from Spain’s Sierra Nevada.

Marrakesh is the southern-most of the four Imperial Cities (together with Fes, Meknes and Rabat in the North) and is ideally located to get into the great outdoors; 1hr to the Atlas, 3hr to the beach, 5hr to the start of the pre-Saharan oases, and 7hr to the Sahara itself.

Morocco is a very safe and tolerant country. Its generous hospitality knows no bounds and you will be exceptionally well looked after wherever you stay.

Moroccan culture is rooted in Islam and is very traditional. We therefore remind you to be respectful of certain aspects of society here, in particular with your dress and during the fasting month of Ramadan. In Marrakesh, and at the beach, anything goes dress-wise but expect to get noticed if that’s the case.

In rural areas avoid having too much skin on show, so cover up your arms and legs as much as possible. The month of Ramadan, calculated by the lunar calendar, is a particularly sacred time for Muslims and you should be mindful of your dress even in Marrakesh. Also, at this time, think twice before openly drinking, eating or smoking in public spaces during the day, especially so near areas of worship.

When shopping for souvenirs, homewares, items of clothing, etc in the souks (markets) expect to have to haggle over the price; this is perfectly normal and all part of an elaborate bargaining game between you and the shop-keeper. Have a price in mind before you start the negotiations and try to keep to it. Don’t forget, you can always walk away from the negotiation at any time (this often helps the shop-keeper come round to your price).

Tipping is also an established practice in hospitality/tourism. Tipping remains entirely discretionary and is a very welcome and accepted way for you to show your appreciation for your guides, drivers, cooks. We can provide further guidance in this respect.

Moroccan food is absolutely delicious and good for you too; lots of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables, all grown in Morocco of course, lean meat (lamb, mutton, beef) and a variety of colorful herbs and spices (paprika, saffron, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, etc). Well-known dishes include tagine (named for the conical earthenware pot that the dish is slowly cooked in, over charcoal) and couscous (semolina steamed three times to keep it light) which is usually eaten on Fridays.

Other notable dishes include pastilla (filled filo pastry parcel, sweet and savoury), mechwi (roasted whole lamb or sheep, sometimes cooked in a fire-pit in the ground, popular at weddings and festivals), harira (bean and chickpea soup, tomato-base, eaten to break the fast during Ramadan), tanjia (jugged beef or lamb, slow-cooked in the embers of a fire), and flavoursome salads.

Dessert is not really a big deal at mealtimes, and, usually, fresh fruit is served (pomegranate, melon, peaches, grapes, for instance). Other fruits particular to Morocco are figs, dates and prickly pears.

Sweet treats are wonderful Moroccan pastries, often made with almonds and honey and not too sickly, and they make a thoughtful gift to take along should you be invited to a Moroccan home.

From a European perspective something as simple as making a cup of tea or baking a loaf of bread, here in Morocco carries huge cultural significance. You will most likely experience this in the desert; witness the staple of every meal, bread, baked fresh in the hot sand beneath the coals of the campfire and take part in the art of the tea ceremony. Nothing is rushed!

The preparing of tea is a social ritual that opens dialogue and connects people. You will no doubt enjoy countless glasses of tea during your adventure with us.

The Imiazen (plural of Amazigh, alternatively 'Berber') are the original people of Morocco. The Arabs did not invade until the 7th C. Eventually, nearly all Amazigh converted to Islam and were accepted by the Arabs as fellow Muslims.

Today, most Moroccans can claim both Amazigh and Arab heritage. In the Rif and Atlas Mountains and in the South, including the desert, purely Amazigh communities remain. There are several different dialects spoken, according to specific regions in the country. Only since the Constitution of 2011 has one of the Berber languages, Tamazight, been officially recognised as Morocco’s second language (next to Arabic).

Today, Amazigh identity is strong in Morocco. ‘Berberism’ in Morocco has led to the creation of a Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture, to schoolteaching in Tamazight, and to numerous radio and TV stations. Amazigh customs are unique in terms of art and design, music, dress and jewellery, and marriage rites.

You will be fortunate enough to be absorbed in this culture. Read more here.

Morocco is well-served by national carriers and budget airlines from most major European hubs. There are new direct routes from 2024 with Montreal and New York.

Alternatively, and with time to spare, you can reach Morocco by train in approx. 42 hours from London (we’ve done it!), or less from Paris/Madrid. This includes an overnight in Algeciras (or Tarifa) in Spain and then a short ferry crossing to Tangiers. Crossing times vary between 40mins (Tarifa) and 90mins (Algeciras).

US/UK/EU nationals don’t require a visa to enter Morocco and are permitted to stay for 90 days at a time. You will need to have 6 months validity remaining on your passport from arrival date.

There are currently no official requirements for travellers to have specific inoculations before arrival but we recommend that you be up-to-date with jabs for hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus, and polio.

The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD, dh) and is a closed currency (although it may be possible to purchase it at certain airport forex desks). We recommend that you simply use an ATM on arrival, or change currency at a bank once here.

Approx. exchange rates are $1 : 10 MAD, £1 : 12.5 MAD and €1 : 10.7 MAD.

Bottles of water (1.5l) cost around 6-10dh, small coffee or mint tea around 15-20dh, short taxi ride in Marrakesh no more than 20dh, lunch/snack around 80-100dh at roadside restaurants.

To get by on a first visit you may like to try out the below Darija and even if you don’t speak it it may help you to understand some of the phrases you may hear around you.

Le bes? – how are you?
Behir – good, well (as in behir? are you well?)
Salam alaikum – peace be upon you
Wa alaikum salam – the response to being greeted with salam alaikum
Sbah l’kheer – good morning
Msa l’kheer – good evening
Leila saeeda – goodnight
Biselama – goodbye
Shoukran – thank you
Afak / minfadlak (to a man) and afik / minfadlik (to a woman) – please
Naam – yes
La – no
Shweeya – a little
Bzef – a lot, very
Mezyen – good
Safee – that’s enough, that’s it
Wakha – ok
Kayn? – is there?
Shahal? – how much?
Kebir – big
Seghir – small

Amazigh – Berber (generic term)
Agadir – fortified granary
Ait – tribe (‘sons of’)
Kasbah (plural ksar) – particularly in the South, a fortified family or tribal home constructed from pise (mud / stone material), with 4 corner towers in trapezoid form
Medina – the old town, usually enclosed by remparts
Marabout – holy man, and place of his burial
Minaret – tower of mosque used for call to prayer
Muezzin – singer who makes the call to prayer
Ramadan – month of fasting
Jebel or adrar – mountain or peak
Tizi – mountain pass
Ain – spring
Oued or assif – river
Erg – sand dune
Hamada – stony desert, pre / sub-Sahara
Hammam – steam bath
Souk – market/market area
Jellaba – hooded outer layer of clothing worn by men and women
Gandoura – man’s cotton outer garment, like a kaftan, worn in the desert
Babouches – leather slippers, brightly coloured
Ferwal or lettam – a turban, protection against the elements in the desert and worn at ceremonies, approx. 8m length of cotton
Melhfa – a woman’s dress in the desert, up to 10m length, the fabric is wrapped round the wearer

Tipping is entirely discretionary and is a very welcome and accepted way for you to show your appreciation for the hard work of your guides, drivers, camp team. It is part of the hospitality culture.

Our 'benchmark' suggested amounts are as follows – 100-200dh per day for your driver, 150-250dh each per day per desert guide and per cook on desert hikes (note there is a hierarchy), and 100-200dh per night per guest at the fixed desert camp (shared collectively at the fixed camp amongst all staff).

In cafes, it’s usual to round the bill up or to leave a few coins for your waiter. In restaurants, 10% of the bill is about right.

Self-driving in Morocco is a real adventure for those of us who like getting behind the wheel and hitting the open roads. However, it pays to bear the following tips in mind when self-driving in Morocco –

• Obey the speed limit, there are often hidden radar speed traps when you least expect them;
• Assume the vehicle in front hasn’t seen you – mirrors aren’t often used;
• When over-taking, beware mopeds/cyclists/pedestrians/animals in the opposite side of the road and pay particular attention near schools as children ride side-by-side;
• Don’t under-estimate how tiring the journey will be and how long it will take with rest stops – e.g. e.g. driving on winding mountain roads needs concentration with oncoming traffic, in particular taxis;
• Don’t drive at night – aside from the uneven road surfaces and narrow lanes to deal with, pedestrians/vehicles without lights/animals may suddenly appear without regard for passing traffic;
• Check your tyres before setting off (and including the spare tyre which can sometimes be neglected);
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers or scam artists – a scam artist will try to stop you near a seemingly broken down vehicle.