Morocco : Plage Blanche and the Oued Aounet el Ksab
Morocco : Atlas, Sahara and the Cedar Forest

Next Dates; The next Atlas Adventure will be in 2011, We are running a Plage Blanche Adventure in April 2010

Grade:1 to 2

We have run over fifty adventures to Morocco now and for 2010 we have another revised route. Each year Neil Hopkinson and his Support Crews fine tune each adventure. This leads to a continual evolution ensuring that our adventures do not stagnate.

This adventure starts from the northern port of Tanger, only 35 minutes away by fast ferry from Tarifa in Southern Spain. As you watch Africa approaching from the deck of the ferry the excitement builds as the Moorish port hove's into view and you may be lucky to see dolphins playing around the ship.

We will be using tarmac roads until deep in the High Atlas. It is only there that mountain passes are still rock and mud. As the Sahara is reached golden sand appears sending a tingle of excitement through you at the anticipation of the dunes to come. Four days of desert driving is the off road highlight of this trip. You have to experience the thrill of only seeing sky for a second or two as your car crests a dune before that rush down the other side.

One important change for 2007 is that we now use five hotels throughout the adventure. These hotels that traditionally Moroccan, some of them newly built, each one with a spirit of its own. The quality is equivalent to European four star hotels so you can expect comfortable beds and excellent food.

The wild campsites that we use are chosen to get you close to the spirit of both the Mountains and the Sahara Desert. The contrasts between the High Atlas Wild camp and the Sahara are spellbinding and you will enjoy each one, leaving a part of your spirit in the wilds, eager to return.

One of the many highlights is a visit to Marrakech and the Place D’ Jemna Fna. In fact our hotel in Marrakech is situated behind the maelstrom of life in the Place D' Jemna Fna. You will enjoy the contrasts between the hotel and the Place as you dip in and out of the noise to the cool calm of the alleys and back streets of the Medina.

The climate in Morocco is so varied due to the variations in Altitude. All seasons can be expected during the winter months in the Mountains. Sunshine is a certainty south of the High Atlas with temperatures reaching 40 degrees centigrade or more in the desert itself. Because Morocco is close to the equator there are around twelve hours of daylight whatever the time of year.                                                         

View our Morocco Gallery

Atlas,Sahara and Cedar Forest Route.

Day 1 Once the ferries ramp touches down on Moroccan soil the sights, sounds and smells bombard your senses and all you can do is look and wonder. Impala staff whisk you through customs and the roads of Northern Morocco lead you South to the town of Settat and the Hotel Du Parc.

Day 2 We have 150Km to travel today through ever changing scenery. Our route takes us through the agricultural heart of Morocco, its town's and villages will pass by in a whirl of people, overloaded lorries and heat. Today part of the roadbook will help you gain confidence with your GPS and our roadbook's as drive on tracks that criss cross the farmland. The tranquility of the Cascades camping beside a river stills your mind and body as the air fills with birdsong , you ready yourself for a good nights sleep to the soothing sound of running water.

Day 3 An early walk down to the cascades where we take breakfast at a café overlooking the falls before walking back up the gorge side under the shade of olive trees. Once back at camp Marrakech and the hotel in the streets of the Medina are only 134Km away. You will have the afternoon here to enjoy watching the storytellers, water sellers and snake charmers on this famous square. As evening falls teams of lighted hand wagons arrive setting up mobile restaurants and you will struggle to decide at which on to eat your evening meal.

Day 4 Today is the longest driving day, we have to cross the High and Anti-Atlas to get to the Sahara. Your senses will be overflowing with incredible views of seemingly unending variety, so much so that it is exhausting just taking it all in. Buy evening we will all be settling down alongside a dry river in some sand dunes for the night and witness a sky completely full of stars from horizon to horizon. You will understand why the San People call the Milky Way the backbone of the sky. We will have our first camp fire as well here.

Day 5 The roadbook's for the desert have very few tulip diagrams because there are few tracks here. After the heat of the sun has blasted into the desert small groups of cars follow the river South. Surprisingly after a few Kilometers the river has running water and you will have to work your way across and along it. The driving is exciting and at times challenging. You may come across an Impala Support car waiting to assist if necessary at a difficult crossing. The mountains and valleys here are very different to the North, they are devoid of vegetation, roasting in the relentless sun. Sometimes the sand is deeper than you thought and your heart misses a beat as you just make it to the other side, but the skills we taught you before you left the camp this morning come to the fore. The nights camp is another wild one in amongst the mountains and valleys of the Sahara.

Day 6 Our second day in the desert takes us along a sand river towards a majestic table top mountain where we drop into Lac Iriki itself. This lake is flat, so flat and smooth that is is possible to see three figures on the speedometer of your car if its powerful enough. But be aware, the roadbook will tell you of some holes, a few difficult dunes so your navigator needs to be alert. The dunes on the North of the lake are short and steep which makes for some exciting driving, two Impala support cars will be on hand at the most difficult of them. Just before the big dunes of Chegega is an old Acacia tree which is where the cars rest in the shade until everyone has arrived. You will be able to see the campsite high up on top of the dunes from this tree, some 300 meters higher than the tree and one kilometer inside the dunes. If the weather looks like we may have a sand storm then we will camp beside the tree. We always go into these dunes as a group because a mistake her can cost you your car.

Day 7 Lac Iriki’s 150 miles of desert is utterly awe-inspiring. Our third day in its enormity takes us closer to the town of Mhamid where the magnificent Hotel Azalay awaits us tomorrow. Before we get there you have 35km of desert to cross after a couple of hours getting out of the dunes of Chegega. It takes a lot of courage to drive up the face of a big dune and plunge over the other side, just follow the tracks left by the Blue Impala Range Rover as it blasts its way into the dunes. Some of you will get stuck!,but by the time we exit Chegega you will have mastered the necessary skills. The rest of the day is spent crossing hills with sand dunes on top of them as well a quick blast along a sand river before entering some smaller dunes for our last desert camp.

Day 8 The camp is packed and ahead of you are a series of steep dunes, but now we are all competent desert drivers so they are soon behind us and by lunch time we are in the cool shade of the Hotel Azalay. This hotel is run by an Andorran and the oldest family in the desert town of Mhamid. Their hospitality is exceptional as are the rooms and it is here that our Moroccan mechanic Said and his brothers service our cars. They have amazing skills in repairing cars with seemingly little tools. In this part of the world mechanics excel in "jury rigs" that will last for weeks.

Day 9 After four wild camps in the desert the cool rooms and beautiful view of the palmeries of Mhamid from the Hotel Azalay are breathtaking. After a leisurely breakfast you will head north out of the desert to the town of Zagora. This is the famous desert staging post where camel herds of up to 50,000 used to wait to cross the Sahara to Timbuktu, some 50days away. You will arrive around mid-morning so there is plenty of time to explore the souk and shops in the town. After the desert, today is far easier and you can meander a little in Zagora before leaving for an auberge at the foot of the High Atlas in the shadow of some spectacular rocks called Bab'nAli.

Day 10 A 16km climb up to the top of Tizi-n-Tazerzert is your first task of the day as you crest the first high mountain of the High Atlas. The climb is exciting as the track winds back and forth. Stop at the summit and behind you is the barren Anti-Atlas, in front the green of the High Atlas, the difference is that marked. The first village that you come to on the other side is a "blacksmith's" village where apart from shoeing donkeys and the occasional horse they make some beautiful buckets and mugs in a rare cedar wood. Today we are on our way to an auberge some 6km into Todrgha Gorge a famous gorge to the north of Tinigher. This auberge sits quietly above the road and is a very peaceful place to relax over an excellent dinner. We use this hotel because it is far away from the touristic gorge mouth which fills with busses's and tourism four wheel drives.

Day 11 There is time after breakfast to walk into the mountain past Berber camps to a spring which is a very important source of water for the mountain tribes. You will amazed by the herds of goats and sheep walking across near vertical rock faces in search of bushes and grasses to eat. When you leave the route takes you deep into the Atlas through the town of Agdoual and onto the famous Berber marriage town of Imichil. You will have time to wander through its streets, try to find the famous baker of bread in one of the streets running parallel to the Souk. Lac Tislit or if the weather permits Lac Islit is our destination. Here we camp beside a deep blue lake. It can be cold here so a good sleeping bag is essential. It is possible to eat an excellent meal at the auberge beside the lake and for a few Dhirams a room or a place in a traditional berber tent can be taken, although most of us camp and enjoy a warming log fire. Again the stars are clear and bright, filling the sky once more.

Day 12 Leaving the high mountain lakes behind, you will drop down into a river valley and follow it to the town of Agbala before crossing "desert's" of farmland  that lead you into the magnificent Cedar forest. After the space in the mountains traveling through trees feels closed in at first, but the valleys and forests will soon capture you, they are very beautiful and full of troops of Macaque Apes and if you are lucky you may be enchanted by their passing. Some 10km before camp the town of Kerrouchen sits on a high rock outcrop a white marker for your route to a camp deep in this green forest.

Day 13 All day is spent traveling through this immense forest. Rock tracks burst out onto grasslands grazed by sheep before being enveloped by the forest again. As you approach the last off road mountain pass it looks impossible, shut off by rocks washed away by a winters rain but we have four wheel drive and experience aplenty so its dusted off with aplomb. Our last wild camp and camp fire is on a grazed green between ancient Cedars.

Day 14 Azrou, El Hijab and Meknes pass by on our rurual journey North to Assilah. Near Meknes are some excellent Roman ruins of Voulibilis which are well worth a visit before traveling to the Hotel  Al Khamia beside the sea at Assilah. We always have an evening meal together at a Moroccan-Spanish restaurant beside the sea complete with wine from Spain.

Day 15 Spain is but a stone throws away, just 34 Km to Tanger and the fast ferry across the straights. We may have to wait awhile as its very laid back at Tanger and often there are more ships than quays so one or two wait for a position for docking. There is time in Spain to put a few miles behind you on the journey North to St Malo and England.

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Conditions to Expect in Morocco

Sahara Desert

Temperatures will range from 45°C at the hottest part of the day to 15°C at 2am
· Sunshine all day. Shade is important
· Warm wind from a zephyr to force 8
· High winds will mean that sand will be airborne
· Stones (small to large), flat rock, dry lakes, sand rivers, mountain passes and sand dunes 200 meters high
· Camps are basic. Hotels vary from good to excellent

High Atlas, Anti-Atlas and Cedar Forest

· Temperatures will range from 35°C during the hottest part of the day to 0°C at 2am
· Weather is variable but generally warm and clear (tends to be colder in the Cedar Forest)
· High winds will mean that dust will be airborne
· Rock or sand track abound. Flat rock, mountain passes and if it rains very slippery mud will be an interesting challenge
· Camps are basic. Hotels vary from good to excellent

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The Impala Roadbook

In order to give our clients an exciting adventure without the constraints imposed by a convoy system, we use roadbook's set out in the following manner:

It is very important that you use all parts of the roadbook in conjunction with any maps that you will be required to buy for a particular safari. Every morning you will be given a briefing on the days route outlining any caution as well as fuel, food and cultural stops. We will also advise you of the crucial waypoints that must not be missed.

1. Notes. This section has important information such as ‘enter river bed’. We also put symbols here to indicate a food, fuel or photo stop.

2. GPS. The actual position that corresponds to the tulip diagram in latitude and longitude.

3. Tulips. These diagrams indicate the direction to travel, the arrow indicating the track or road to take. Any track or road with a double line across it means that you should not travel that route.

4. Kilometers. We split kilometer markings into ‘Partial’ and ‘Total’. The partial is the amount of kilometer from the preceding tulip or GPS co-ordinate. The total is the amount of kilometer traveled so far that day or since the kilometer were zeroed.

It is important to use all of this information together as you will experience slight discrepancies in both the final GPS numbers and kilometers. This is quite normal and is often no more than the difference in your cornering lines or where exactly you zeroed the unit.

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Navigational Equipment

You will need to purchase the following navigational equipment. If you are uncertain as to what to get just ask us and we will gladly advise you.

· GPS
· Compass
· TPC maps or Ordinary Maps.

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Driving and Rules for Morocco

1. Always Slow down early for Police Checkpoints and be polite and courteous. They will ask you where you are going and are often interested in talking about what it is like in England and in your car.

2. On the off road tracks it is often very slippery and you should always use four wheel drive with a locked center diff. Extreme Caution is often needed on bends and brows of hills. Always drive at a speed where you can stop easily in the distance that you can actually see ahead.

3. Punctures can be quite numerous and you will be able to get tyres repaired at all towns and most villages.

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Training Days

The training day's, as well as being fun, give you the chance to get to know us and your fellow travelers. During these very comprehensive training day's you will have the opportunity to have your vehicle looked over by the Impala team, who are experts in expedition vehicle preparation, and can give you all the advice you need.

The weekends include training in:

· Navigation
· Driving
· Maintenance

and will include advice on: camping and health.

There is one for each Impala trip that we run, contact us for dates.

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Equipment for Morocco

Your Car

Preparation

· Full service – with oil changes of engine, gear box and axle oils
· Guards for differentials, steering and fuel tanks
· Half shafts and differentials must be checked for wear
· Fuel capacity of 640 kilometers (400 miles)

Spare parts needed for car: -

All these should fit into 2 x 2ft square boxes

· Rags or blue roll
· Alternator
· Belts and hoses
· 1wheel bearing and seals
· Relays (diesel or petrol cars)
· Windscreen cleaner
· Air pump tyre inflator
· Tyre gauge
· 1 inner tube
· 1 spare tyre
· Grease & grease gun
· Water pump
· Track rod ends
· Seals:-
   - Gearbox
   - Axle
   - Front engine cover
· Electrical parts needed for petrol cars:-
   - Plugs
   - Leads
   - C.B. points
   - Distributor cap
   - Coil
   - Rotor arm
   - Condenser
· Oil:-
   - 5 liters engine
   - 5 liters gearbox
   - 1 liter brake fluid
   - 2 liters power steering fluid

Tools:- You will need to have a selection of tools that will enable you to change wheels and tyres as well as manage simple repairs to your car. We have a comprehensive tool kit on Impala cars so do not bring too many as we will be on hand to help with repair.

Tyres:- The ability to blow up tyres and repair punctures is very important and you will need to have some Tyre Leavers and a puncture repair kit for tubeless and tubes as well as an air pump.

Recovery Equipment

· 1 x 2 meter rope for towing
· 2x 2 meter aluminum sand/bridging ladders
· 1 x shovel

Daily Maintenance

· Keep engine oil level at or close to high
· Look for oil leaks
· Hand check wheel nuts for looseness
· Clean windscreen

Weekly Maintenance

· Check wheel bearings for any free play, investigate any movement
· Look at the tightness of all drive belts.
· Hand check suspension bolts. Do not check with a spanner as this stretches the threads and they will come            undone.

Safety points to remember

· If wheel has been changed, hand check nuts after 2 hours driving then at the end of that days driving.
· Remember you know your car and will be aware of any changes to its handling or performance.
· Your car will need a major service on your return to home.

Camping Equipment

Camping is an integral part of an adventure with Impala so the list below has been compiled to ensure that you have a comfortable camp. The list is for two people.

· Tents:- A two man tent is only big enough for one person.
· Sand and normal tent pegs will be needed.
· Sleeping bags will need to cope with low temperatures.
· Good quality sleeping mats
· Small camping stove and three or four canisters.
· Kettle
· 2 camping saucepans
· 2 plates, bowls and mugs.
· 2 sets of knives, forks, spoons & teaspoons
· Fridge

· Water Siphon and purification tablets or system.

· Chairs, table and an awning or camouflage net for shade and shelter from rain.

· Tin Opener
· Scissors
· Sharp knife
· Wooden Spoon
· Small chopping board
· Washing up bowl, clothes and washing liquid.

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Suggested Clothing

In the heat of Morocco heavy clothing will not be needed, but be prepared for cold temperatures at night though, so bring a woolly jumper or something similar. Rain is also a possibility so a light raincoat should be taken.

Almost everybody brings too many clothes and as you will see the suggested list looks pretty sparse but it is all that you will need.

A suggested list is:

For a 15 day safari to Morocco:

· 5-6 cotton t shirts
· 3-4 pairs of utility trousers (or similar)
· 3-4 pairs of mid-length shorts
· 1 fleece
· 1 warm jumper
· 1 hat (for warmth at night and protection from the sun in daytime)
· 1 pair of sunglasses
· warm socks (for nighttime)
· sturdy sandals
· walking boots/sturdy shoes
· nightwear (warm but comfortable)
· light waterproof clothing

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Suggested Food Supplies

You must always have a reserve of food for emergencies. Make sure that everyone in your party can be fed for 5 days.

Try to take food that does not need a lot of preparation i.e. ready made meals to heat in a saucepan, dried fruit and tinned produce. Try to buy items that have combustible packaging; i.e. paper, card or plastic. Couscous is a good substitute for rice which takes a lot of boiling (therefore using up resources).

Fresh vegetables, fruit and bread can be bought on most day's.

Remember to avoid eating salads in restaurants and drinks like orange squash which use local water as this will often lead to a stomach upset or food poisoning.

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Health Advice for Morocco

We take a serious view on Health and Hygiene during our adventures and as long as a few basic rules are followed you will have an enjoyable, illness free time with Impala Adventures. Not washing hands after going to the toilet is often the most common reason for a stomach upset.

Water

1. Use only bottled water, making sure the top is secured. At Café's and Restaurants water is often put on tables in what appears to be sealed bottles but in fact it is often tap water which has been put into water bottles.

2. Any opened bottles must not be used for drinking after 1 day. Use yesterday’s opened water for washing.

3. Try to keep the water cool. This can be achieved by covering with a blanket low down in the vehicle.

4. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. YOU CAN VERY EASILY BECOME DEHYDRATED.

5. Take some water purification tablets to treat local water.

First Aid Advice

Every car should have a basic first aid kit. We at Impala are first aid trained specifically for motor vehicle accidents and on some trips a doctor is often a support member.

A typical medical kit should include:

· Painkillers
· Plasters
· Lip-salve
· Sun block
· Insect repellent
· Tweezers
· Thermometer
· Tissues (pre-moisturised are best)
· Eyewash
· Moisturising cream
· Multi-vitamins
· Lacto-calamine cream
· Mentholated balm for aching muscles
· General antibiotics
· Scissors

Suggested Vaccinations for Morocco

Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid

All vaccinations can be obtained at your local surgery. You should check with your doctor up to 7 months before you leave as some courses are for 6 month period.

We suggest that you take Medical Insurance cover whilst you adventure with us.

In case of an emergency we will have a satellite phone with us at all times.

Back to TopWe at Impala can arrange your ferries for you from England to France or Spain as well as the ferry from Spain to Morocco.

Our rates are very competitive as we are agents for Brittany Ferries(England to France or Spain)and FRS(Spain to Tanger)

How to Get to Morocco

Give yourself at least three days to get from England to the South of Spain, it can be traveled more quickly but it is a long journey and will be tiring.

We can deliver your car to the South of Spain and meet you at Malaga airport. Ring Neil or Louise to discuss on 07930 910870

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Options

There are two options available for Morocco:

Taking your own car

This is the most popular option as Morocco is an ideal adventure destination to take a standard off road car.

No modifications are needed, the only non-standard criteria are to have a fuel range of 400 miles which can be achieved by carrying one or two jerry can’s.

We also recommend fitting of differential guards.

Car Hire

Morocco has many four wheel drive hire companies hiring Jeeps and Shoguns. We will hire the car and deal with all paperwork.

When we hire a car for you a deposit will need to be left with the hire company. This will be from £1000 - £1066. A credit card can be used for this.

The deposit is intended to cover your excess, which constitutes your maximum liability in the event of anything happening to the car while you are hiring it. You will be required to pay for any damage, including to tyres or windscreen that occurs to the vehicle up to the excess amount.

When the car is returned to the airport the deposit will be returned to you as long as there is no damage. One of the Impala staff will look at the car with you while the car hire company is checking for damage.

You will need to get a return flight from Europe to Marrakech. We will advise you of the dates on booking.

Contact Neil or Louise on 07930 910870 to discuss this option or e-mail us at www.impalaadventures.com

Prices

For a car with two people £2700.00

look what we include:

Booking

Right click on one of the below links and select "Save Target As" to save a booking form to your computer:

Offroad Safari Booking Form (as Word Doc for PC)

Offroad Safari Booking Form (as pdf)

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Impala Rules and Regulations

It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure that their children understand and follow the rules and regulations set out below.

1. Never leave your tent open unattended. This is because all insects and wildlife will look for somewhere cool out of the sun - your tent being the ideal place!

2. Always assume that every stone or tussock of grass, fallen tree or log harbors a scorpion, snake or spider beneath it.

3. DO NOT LITTER. Rubbish should not be left at campsites or thrown from cars. Please take all rubbish with you until it can be disposed of safely, or burn it on a campfire (please note that tin cans, beer cans etc DO NOT burn).

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