where to camp in sahara/morocco?

[davidgibson999]

Planning a trip for me and my wife in July 2007 and I'd like to spend a night or two camping but don't want to do anything requiring tyres other than Tourances or any offroad skill to get there! Anyone any ideas of places which are secluded and safe? We'll be doing a big loop from Ceuta-Fes-Azrou-Marrakesh-Quarzazate and back via Gorges du Todra etc

Any suggestions appreciated!

 

['Nuffsaid]

David - get to the dunes at Merzouga , not far off the route you have suggested, there are now quite afew hotels there - The one I would recommend is the Kasbah Mohayout ( owner is called Moha, very friendly guy - good english spoken) - He will sort you out a night in his Berber camp( Hes has two) in the middle of the dunes - He will get you there by camel and then cook you dinner. These tents are really comfortable - great mattresses covered by huge rugs - the tents even have a toilet! Not expensive either and it will score you millions of points with the missus (Tel: 00 212 66 03 91 85) - Need any more details - PM me

 

[Tim Cullis]

Not sure Merzouga meets the non-offroad requirement, especially if unskilled and two-up...

I'm not a great fan of camping unless in the wild due to the extra weight of all the gear. Bear in mind also that July will be extremely hot at night time and tents are not great for this.

Places you might enjoy (see knowledbase link) are

Azrou: Gites Ras El Ma
Ouarzazate: Bikers Home
Todra: Chez Addi

Tim

 

[davidgibson999]

Thanks for the tips guys - more than happy to take advice on this - back in 2000 I trekked in the Sahara in January and it was REALLY cold at night - I'm guessing from what Tim says that this is definitely not the case in July?
I like the sound of what Nuffsaid suggests but if it's tricky offroad to get there that's probably not a wise call for Lynda and I... On the other hand if it was relatively easy with a bit of care then I'd consider it. Is there anywhere safe to camp without a tent along the route I roughly outlined / or some professional operation like nuffsaid mentioned without the offroading to get there?
Tim - I've found your previous threads on Morocco really helpful and inspirational!

 

[Jon]

I'm guessing from what Tim says that this is definitely not the case in July?

Lets out it this way, the Desert Inn, in the boonies between Erfoud & Merzouga shuts in July, cos it's so hot and no-one goes there............

Mad dogs and Englishmen

 

[bladerunner]

[QUOTE='Nuffsaid]David - get to the dunes at Merzouga , not far off the route you have suggested, there are now quite afew hotels there - The one I would recommend is the Kasbah Mohayout ( owner is called Moha, very friendly guy - good english spoken) - He will sort you out a night in his Berber camp( Hes has two) in the middle of the dunes - He will get you there by camel and then cook you dinner. These tents are really comfortable - great mattresses covered by huge rugs - the tents even have a toilet! Not expensive either and it will score you millions of points with the missus (Tel: 00 212 66 03 91 85) - Need any more details - PM me[/QUOTE]

This looks excellent on the web site - thanks.

SERIOUS QUESTION
Could a moderately experienced rider on a R1100RT (touring tyres) reach the base hotel safely? I shall be on GSA, but don't want to piss off friend!

Simon

 

[Tim Cullis]

This is about as good as it gets. Here the surface is OK to ride on as long as you watch out for bigger rocks. Don't get suckered into riding in the 4WD tracks as they expose the sand and you'll likely fall. Navigation can be 'interesting' if you don't have GPS.

Wrapping the RT in bubblewrap may help.

Tim

 

[Greg Masters]

As I posted in the 'other' thread on this, there is now a tarmac road from Erfoud to Merzouga via Rissani.

From recollection the Desert Inn isn't too far beyond where the tarmac of the corss-dune route to Merzouga peters out. With a bit of paddling, most bikes should be able to get there without too much effort.

Greg

 

[Tim Cullis]

N13 might be the sealed road you are referring to in which case 'Kasbah Moh' might be OK. However, R702 was still piste a year ago and the track from N13 to Desert Inn (which may, or may not be sign posted) is about 3 miles.

Given the potential for damage, I would hesitate to recommend riding tracks to a 'moderately experienced' guy on an RT with road tyres.

Tim

 

[Greg Masters]

N13 might be the sealed road you are referring to in which case 'Kasbah Moh' might be OK. However, R702 was still piste a year ago and the track from N13 to Desert Inn (which may, or may not be sign posted) is about 3 miles.

Tim

Yes, the N13 is now a sealed tarmac road. But I think that the R702 is mostly dune (and not easy to follow - GPS essential if sand storm blows up!). But, from Erfoud, the R702 starts off as tarmac - loads of pot holes - but, none-the-less, tarmac. I thought that the Desert Inn was just past where the tarmac finished.

I also wouldn't recommend the track across from the N13 on anything with road tyres. GPS would also be essential.

Greg

 

['Nuffsaid]

This looks excellent on the web site - thanks.

SERIOUS QUESTION
Could a moderately experienced rider on a R1100RT (touring tyres) reach the base hotel safely? I shall be on GSA, but don't want to piss off friend!

Simon

Simon,

The road is sealed and I would have no hesitation in riding it, the Hamada route (the rough stuff) is OK as long as you keep out of the ruts - My advice is to stick to the road, only the drive up to the Mahmout (the last 500 metres ) is Hamada track.

As for the Desert Inn, the owner Michel had a heart attack and died last week, so not sure what is happening there.

Steve

 

[bladerunner]

Thanks for all this. UKGSER is one excellent resource and very therapeutic during the winter months.

I'll contact the owner also.
Any thoughts on whether we could secure the bikes somewhere by the tarmac and have owner come & get us?

 

[bladerunner]

.

I'll contact the owner also.

By that I mean I'll contact owner of Kasbah Mohayout, not desert inn - Ouiji board lost somewhere in attic!

 

['Nuffsaid]

I cant think of anywhere you would want to secure the bikes - I think we may have overdone the warnings on the off-piste there. At the time of year you want to go - there should be no problem getting to the K.M - worst sould be that Moha comes and collects your passengers and you paddle the 500 meters to the hotel - This really is not a problem - Give him a call and get him to talk you through it - he is an OK bloke!

 

[rodsharp]

MOHAYOUT

Just got back from similar trip. Mohayout is brilliant,the food and service are excellent ,easy to get to,signed from the road and about 1km along well made gravel track no problem at all. Not even too expensive and the camel ride into the desert is well worth the experience.

 

[bladerunner]

Below is e mail from Moha regarding road to his place - I guess he would try to sell it, but consensus seems to be it'ss be OK

Looks like it's a go-er!



hello!
ther is a new road from rissani which is the last town
before merzouga and you will have just 2 km of the
track but it is very good!
we will send you in the last confirmation atext in
which it is illustrated how to get to the hotel
best regards!
moha!