Merzouga Travel Blogs

Africa

Antarctica

Asia

Central America Caribbean

Travel Blog » Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Merzouga Travel Blogs

Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily eroded; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997. Parliamentary elections were held for the second time in September 2002 and municipal elections were held in September 2003.

Morocco

Map of Morocco

Morocco's Flag

Hostels in Morocco
Latest Merzouga Blog Entries
Merzouga Photos

By Shons
September 21st 2008

Camel trekking...Part 2!

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

10 Sep - an all day drive through the spectacular scenery of the Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountains as well as the cedar forests before arriving on the edge of the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in the village of Merzouga. En route we stop to see a pack of hungry (and extremely lazy) monkeys on the roadside. By the time we check-in to our auberge and climb the sand dune behind our rooms we have missed the sunset but it's still an amazing sky. The landscape of the reddish-pink sand dunes, interspersed with greenery is completely breathtaking. We [View Full Entry]

By Nikkilovestotravel
August 12th 2008

videos

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Here are some short videos that I took from my camera in Morocco... [View Full Entry]

By Les and Peter
June 28th 2008

Hot, Hot Heat!!

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Typical desert town...empty

Who would have thought that it'd be hot in Africa's Sahara Desert in the summer?? Somewhere, somehow, Peter and I neglected that minor detail when we set off with our little, rented Renault. Holding tight to our budget, we also neglected to investigate the car rental personnel's look of curiosity when we said 'no' to the more expensive car, with A/C. It's difficult to explain how hot +50 is, but the best way, is to sit in your oven right before you put in the Turkey... a convection oven would be perfect...the ones that blow the hot air around. As a [View Full Entry]

By steffen
May 20th 2008

Along the Route of Kashbas to the Erg Chebbi desert

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Sunrise at Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
Morocco

Over the Atlas mountains I left Marrakesh airport on one of the frequent airport shuttle buses that connect the airport with the city (20dh). I got out at the central bus station and was lucky enough to catch a bus towards Ouarzazate (80dh) straight away. The 5 hour bus ride across the High Atlas was impressive - it never got boring due to the ever-changing landscape with its barren mountains, wild rivers, small villages, high passes and snow-capped peaks. Some 30km before we reached Ouarzazate I asked the bus driver to drop me off at the turn-off to the village of [View Full Entry]

By Steph and Rob
February 19th 2008

A Waterless Wipeout

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Snow Boards

It was a fun experience sleeping in a tent in the desert and the optimists in us say that not too many people will have slept through rain in the desert; however we were both glad that we were only there one night. We woke to our alarm at around six and we dressed hastily in order to catch the sunrise. We were a bit annoyed that our guide didn't wake us but it didn't actually matter because it was too cloudy to see much anyway. We climbed a dune behind our camp and looked down on a small nomadic village [View Full Entry]

By Steph and Rob
February 18th 2008

It's A Vegetarian Chicken Tagine

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Shadow Camels

We woke this morning and waited with another English guy for the hotel owner to take us to a minibus which would take us to the desert. The minibus was massively overloaded with things on top and inside the bus. There were also twelve of us getting a lift but being the only westerners we were stuck on a bench at the back of the minibus. We were dropped off at what we were told was Hasi Labied but what actually looked more like a collection of clay mud houses. I had been told that there was nothing in Hasi Labied [View Full Entry]

By Jose blog
January 8th 2008

High Sand Dunes at Merzouga's Desert

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Sahid and the Camel

I like to think I got to the Sahara! Well, I'm not a long way from it. Erg Chebbi has plenty to offer and is much more than just an intro to the desert experience: beautiful fine golden sand, the highest dunes in Morocco, friendly accommodation... It was worth it delaying my trip from Todra to come to Merzouga with Rosa, Jorge and Abdul. After getting my bike's wheels stuck on the track and splitting from the group going back to the tarmac road, we met again at a crossroads and spent the eve with the black musicians in a very [View Full Entry]

By vaj
December 5th 2007

The rip off in Merzouga Part 3 of 3 - Merzouga leaves a bad taste !!!

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

Woke up early in the morning for the sunrise. Was disappointed with the view of the sun rise guess I was expecting something different again, all what I saw was the sun rising from a dune and then saw the sun rising from another dune it was really useless. I think what’s important is to see the sun rise from the horizon and thats not what I saw. I kept walking up a dune and noticed there were 3 more bases in the adjoining valleys so I wasn’t quite alone in the area. We didn't have breakfast and we started to [View Full Entry]

By vaj
December 4th 2007

The rip off in Merzouga Part 2 of 3 - In the Erg Chebbi desert

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

I woke up around 8am and took a shower. Had mint tea and had a chat with the owners son. I said what I can afford is Dhm550. He said the lowest is 650 and then after bargaining it became 600 and then I said come on I am a student from Sri Lanka I don’t have much money and that he wouldn’t have to spend much money on food because I'm vegetarian and lets do this for 550. He said let me go and check and came back after 2 mins and said ok 550 and deal. Afterwards I met [View Full Entry]

By vaj
December 3rd 2007

The rip off in Merzouga Part 1 of 3 - Unimpressive Merzouga village

Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga

The guy at the reception told me that there is a tour for 2 nights 3 days where they did the two gorges near Tenehir and the Marzhouga desert which was costing Dhm1050 or Dhm850 without a camel ride. The French couple was doing it and they required a 3rd person. Even though I heard from the French couple yesterday that they had met travellers who said it was good I felt the price was a little steep and could not spend 3 days on a tour. Instead I thought I will do it on my own. Woke up early as [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Africa » Morocco » Meknès-Tafilalet » Merzouga