How Safe?

[Elle]

Someone strongly advised last night that I shouldn't go to Morocco. I don't have a date in mind, just gathering information for a trip.

He referred to the "trouble" in Algeria, Libya and Egypt. When I challenged him about Morocco being "tourist friendly" he said the problems in Northern Africa were "spreading" and what may be considered a safe country for tourists today may not be tomorrow - "you never know what may happen".

I've had lots of "don't do it" advice when traveling solo but none of the places I've visited had a reputation for violence so I didn't listen & went anyway. All those trips were great!

But I'm a bit ignorant of the North African politics as I hate listening to news about wars. So I thought I'd ask the experts here.

Should I abandon all notions of going to Morocco?
Should I join an organised tour?
Bear in mind, I'm a 50 yr old blonde female who could be traveling solo

 

[MrIFan]

We will be running a tour in Morocco in April/May and I have no concerns at all regarding safety there at the moment. We will obviously keep a close eye on the situation in case things do change but you're probably safer in Morocco at the moment than in most English inner cities!!
Keep away from Tangier (the city not Tangier Med port), Rabat, Casablanca and Western Sahara without checking on the likelihood of any public protests, just to be doubly safe. Also give the Algerian border region a miss if traveling there alone without good knowledge of the region.
Apart from that, as an already experienced solo traveler you should be fine if you just take the usual precautions that you would when traveling alone anywhere

Have a good trip and check out Tim Cullis's site for more info http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/forum/content.php

 

[Mick-B]

Someone strongly advised last night that I shouldn't go to Morocco. I don't have a date in mind, just gathering information for a trip.

He referred to the "trouble" in Algeria, Libya and Egypt. When I challenged him about Morocco being "tourist friendly" he said the problems in Northern Africa were "spreading" and what may be considered a safe country for tourists today may not be tomorrow - "you never know what may happen".

I've had lots of "don't do it" advice when traveling solo but none of the places I've visited had a reputation for violence so I didn't listen & went anyway. All those trips were great!

But I'm a bit ignorant of the North African politics as I hate listening to news about wars. So I thought I'd ask the experts here.

Should I abandon all notions of going to Morocco?
Should I join an organised tour?
Bear in mind, I'm a 50 yr old blonde female who could be traveling solo

There is an underlying risk of terrorism but that's true of most places, worlwide if you exclude Antarctica.... There are currently no advised restrictions on travel but clearly if you are going it alone as a blonde female then you'll know the general potential for unwelcome attention in north Africa (a sweeping generalisation I know - sorry). My view, for what it's worth, would be to at least go with someone else that you know to be reliable.

Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website for up-to-date advice, right up to the point of departure (and whilst there, if you are able):

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and...-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/morocco#

The US equivalent can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/

Also useful is the CIA World Fact Book site: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mo.html

 

[Tim Cullis]

I landed in Tangers three weeks ago and have been dodging bombs and bullets ever since (not really!). You should be able to see some pics of my current trip on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tim.cullis

You can never say nothing will happen, after all who could have forseen the 7/7 bombings in London, but generally speaking Morocco is much safer than the UK, a walk in the park compared to Chapletown!

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Don't believe anyone that hasn't been there and done it themselves.

Take what the FCO say with a huge pinch of salt.

Most importantly speak to the locals. Go to the Hubb and contact the Marrakech Community.

The Hubb also has a Morocco section where this topic has come up recently.

Bon Voyage

 

[Elle]

Thanks for all the advice and useful links

...generally speaking Morocco is much safer than the UK, a walk in the park compared to Chapletown!

I used to live near Chapeltown. In fact, I used to rent a house from a guy who was considered to be "top dog" of Chapeltown - until he was imprisoned for armed robbery

 

[stolzy]

I haven't been to Morroco for 2 years, but I wouldn't hesitate to go now.

As a woman traveling alone, you might get a bit of hassle in the cities, but outside there, you'll find most arab men very respectful to women. Its unlikely to be worse than you'd get walking past a building site in the UK. My wife reckons Damascus was the city she would feel most comfortable on her own - including the UK.

I once witnessed an older man set about a group of lads who were cat-calling the female friend I was traveling with.

 

[moody]

Hi Elle - if you fancy some company I have always wanted to go to Morocco on my bike, but my husband won't go.
Anne
(another (nearly) 50 year old blonde D) woman.

 

[Ogmios]

... you're probably safer in Morocco at the moment than in most English inner cities!! ...

What about Welsh ones?

Having travelled a lonnng way with MrIFan - i can say he does know his subject well. I'd trust his word on this.
Also, Tim Cullis is the best 'reference book' you'll find.

Enjoy!

 

[Blue Sweeper]

I've been leading tours to Morocco for the last 10 years. The only places I would consider unsafe for anyone walking about on their own, are in the major cities on the Atlantic coast, that is Cassablanca (but you wouldn't want to go there anyway), possibly Rabat and maybe Tangier. Other than that, we've never experienced anything other than a warm welcome. You'll get the usual hassle from the touts trying to sell crap in the tourist spots, but you should expect that and act accordingly.

Just like there are no-go areas in this country, you should use your head and avoid them over there. Police are extremely helpful and are everywhere, you won't get lost when they're about or get any hassle from them if you behave and ride sensibly. Last October we found a road blocked by a crowd due to a protest of some sort. We turned round, found a cafe' nearby, had a coffee and waited for it to subside, so I guess there is an underlying political unrest, but it's not very obvious.

I thoroughly recommend the entry and exit to the country to be via the Algeciras - Tangier-Med ferry (not to be confused with Tangier city). The customs and immigration staff are very efficient and you'll get no problems with them.

 

[Fanum]

I'd echo all of the above.

I'd go tomorrow if I could, and I'd be very happy taking Rose and the kids.

I'd keep away from Casablanca, it is, and for many years has been, a total shit hole, and because of that (mostly) it's where the extreme views tend to focus.

Rabat is absolutely fine, as long as you're in proper public areas....I'd be happy to go wandering off down the kasbahs there myself, but I'd not want my Mum straying out of the well protected main public areas IYSWIM.

Marrakech...no problem, just keep as much awareness going as you would in ANY major country or city

Tangiers, as nearly ALL port cities are in the world, is a dodgy place, but you're fairly safe inside the port area in daylight and it's a fairly easy city to get away from quickly to the more relaxed areas.

Go, but be sensible and be aware, as you would be in any other city

 

[paintman]

Rabat is absolutely fine, as long as you're in proper public areas....I'd be happy to go wandering off down the kasbahs there myself

I have to agree with Bill, and a bit surprised by others comments, I spent a day or two there whilst waiting for a visa for Mauritania. Walked the Souks alone, got lost on the bikes and stayed in a hotel with a initially concerning and rather dark bar where locals seemed to gather, and it has to be said everyone encountered was helpful and nothing seen worried me, other than the unhelpful and surly nurks at the Embassy.

 

[Fanum]

I'd go tomorrow if I could, and I'd be very happy taking Rose and the kids.

Before I get my right bollock skewered and served to me in a tagine, that miss-spelling of my love's name was just that, and not an indication that I have a mistress called 'Rose'

I'm off to hide now

 

[Jonnybiscuit]

My wife reckons Damascus was the city she would feel most comfortable on her own - including the UK.

A big +1 a couple of years ago (I lived there). Not so sure now

When I was getting ready to go there, my Mates handed me an orange boiler suit with the words "Here, you'll probably be needing this". It was completely different to the propaganda we get fed here. Loved the place and the people.

FWIW I would go to Morocco now (still). But FFS be sensible.

 

[SIM]

Take no notice of the doubters, been to Morocco a while ago now. When we went to Pakistan on a trip we spent the night in the same town where bin laden was shot 18 month later. Have to say the people of Pakistan where by far and away the nicest I have ever come across and so generous. If you listened to all the doubters we would never travel.

 

[Elle]

thanks again folks
read the FOC - pick a few european countries and the advice can be read to scare you off or purely as information to be considered
As usual, forums such as these, HUBB and Tim's are the best form of communication

 

[rin_sun]

Been there as the female half of a couple touring central

I'd say it was patchy, some places I was treated OK (delightful chat with a man ploughing with one donkey and one horse in my best french) but in other places I was treated really rudely as a woman. This was about 6 years ago.
Atlas mountains great for riding, but villagers were hostile. Realised after a week or so that in some places it was best to keep my helmet on and let people assume I was male, but you may have to speak at some point! If you are used to travelling alone then use your intuition, I'm sure you can sense where you will be welcome and where it's best to keep riding.

 

[walrus]

We were there last Sept Oct when French embassies were under siege in several places and European popularity was not high. We were met with nothing but kindness and smiles. There were two women in the group and they had no problems anywhere. That said, I realise travelling as lone female could be different.

 

[RATCATCHER]

morocco

just had three weeks there with a mate we had a great time no problems at all infact would go back tomorrow if we had the time/money,dont know about the lone female side of it thou but if you do go good luck im sure you will enjoy you should spend a couple of nights at bikershome with peter and his family great people his wife is local so they are loaded with information about where and what!! safe riding