Morocco is a North African kingdom where Berber, Arab, and Andalusian civilisations converged over three thousand years to create a culture unlike anywhere else on earth. From the labyrinthine medieval medinas of Fes and Marrakesh (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites) to the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and the endless golden dunes of the Sahara Desert, Morocco compresses extraordinary diversity into a single country. This guide, written by our Berber team, covers the essential history, geography, cultural customs, and practical travel information you need before embarking on a private Morocco tour.
Morocco gained its independence in 1956 and currently ruled by King Mohammed VI under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Berbers are the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco and have their own spoken language. Arabs started living in Northern Africa around the 7th Century. Affected by Arab culture, most Moroccans are Muslim.
Due to its proximity to Europe (just half an hour by ferry from northern Morocco to Spain) and the influence of the French and Spanish Protectorate in the past centuries, our traditional cultures have since mixed.
Nowadays, Moroccans consist of Arabs and Berbers. People commonly speak Arabic and French, while many still speak our mother language, Berber.
Morocco gained its independence in 1956 and currently ruled by King Mohammed VI under a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Berbers are the indigenous inhabitants of Morocco and have their own spoken language. Arabs started living in Northern Africa around the 7th Century. Affected by Arab culture, most Moroccans are Muslim.
Due to its proximity to Europe (just half an hour by ferry from northern Morocco to Spain) and the influence of the French and Spanish Protectorate in the past centuries, our traditional cultures have since mixed.
Nowadays, Moroccans consist of Arabs and Berbers. People commonly speak Arabic and French, while many still speak our mother language, Berber.
Morocco is a big country where the climate varies from region to region. Morocco has a Mediterranean climate, is usually dry throughout the year but rains more from November to March.
The hottest months of the year are July and August, and temperatures can reach as high as 40°C in Marrakech and 50°C in the desert. However, in coastal areas like Essaouira, you can enjoy a cool summer breeze from the ocean, receiving relief from sweltering weather in the midland.
Visit the waterfalls in Ouzoud and Ourika Valley to escape from the hot weather on our tours. In winter, there is snow in the Atlas Mountains. March to May (Spring) and September to November (Autumn) are the best times to travel to Morocco.
Most tourists usually start their journeys to explore Morocco from Marrakesh or Fes. Both cities have a long and interesting history.
Join our Desert Tours from Marrakesh or Fes, which deliver you a truly unforgettable desert experience; go deep into the middle of sand dunes in Erg Chebbi by a camel ride and sleep overnight in a traditional Berber tent.
You may also join our Grand Tours to travel to other famous Moroccan cities such as Tangier, Chefchaouen, Meknes, etc.
Visiting the Sahara desert will give you an incredible and unforgettable experience. You will always remember the experience of riding a camel while going over the sand dunes. Put aside all of your troubles and enjoy the peaceful moment. Will you lose yourself in the vastness or find yourself?
In the evening, enjoy drum-playing performances by Berbers and look up to the sky to see the shining stars. See Erg Chebbi for more details.
However, if your time is limited, you may join our Day Tours to the countryside of Marrakech, to visit ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah or to the waterfalls located in Ouzoud and Ourika Valley, or to the film city Ouarzazate.
Most tourists usually start their journeys to explore Morocco from Marrakesh or Fes. Both cities have a long and interesting history.
Join our Desert Tours from Marrakesh or Fes, which deliver you a truly unforgettable desert experience; go deep into the middle of sand dunes in Erg Chebbi by a camel ride and sleep overnight in a traditional Berber tent.
You may also join our Grand Tours to travel to other famous Moroccan cities such as Tangier, Chefchaouen, Meknes, etc.
Visiting the Sahara desert will give you an incredible and unforgettable experience. You will always remember the experience of riding a camel while going over the sand dunes. Put aside all of your troubles and enjoy the peaceful moment. Will you lose yourself in the vastness or find yourself?
In the evening, enjoy drum-playing performances by Berbers and look up to the sky to see the shining stars. See Erg Chebbi for more details.
However, if your time is limited, you may join our Day Tours to the countryside of Marrakech, to visit ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah or to the waterfalls located in Ouzoud and Ourika Valley, or to the film city Ouarzazate.
We are happy to create a tailor-made itinerary for you starting and ending in any Moroccan city.
Marrakesh is one of four imperial cities (Rabat, Fez, and Meknes). Walk through ancient medina to explore the traditional handicrafts, visit Jardin Majorelle to see the enchanting garden, and visit old palaces to enjoy the stunning architecture. Remember to visit the night market in Djemaa el Fna Square. You can try the tasty Moroccan food, not only tagine but also chicken pastilla and skewers.
Fes is another former capital and currently the third largest city. Due to its long history, it often attracts lots of tourists, especially to walk down the narrow streets of Medina. The University of al-Karaouine, located in Fes, is one of the oldest Universities in the world.
The sand dunes of Erg Chebbi are the highest in Morocco and can be found in the southeast near the Algerian border. They are an extraordinary natural formation, where the plateau with small black stones reminiscent of hamada rises suddenly to hot sand, up to 150 meters. Length is approximately 25 km and 10 km wide, but just near Merzouga, they are only 5-8 km wide.
You can go to the dunes on a camel and sleep in a small oasis in a Bedouin tent, watch the sunrise and sunset, walk, and climb up to the highest dune. You can also go sandboarding for added adventure and excitement.
Stay in the dunes for several days, ride on the camel from one oasis to another, learn more about life there, see desert lizards, etc. Since the dunes are clean without dust, they have a wonderful color, which changes from orange to gold, red to yellow, but also grey to white when the weather changes and during the storms.
To explore the whole area around Erg Chebbi, you need to have a 4x4. Although there is a tarmac road to Taouz town to explore the surroundings, more is required. Some piste is passable by ordinary cars, but only in some places. It takes additional days to explore the area around the dunes.
The desert area actually starts in Rissani, the last major city of about 40km west of Erg Chebbi. Rissani itself is a fascinating town. From the 8th to 14th Century, it was a separate kingdom known as Sijilmassa, which was prosperous to the caravan route.
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