Moroccan Safaris
Every year, thousands of eager vacationers take part in a Moroccan safari. Morocco is the epitome of exotic sophistication; its landscape, wildlife, people and culture are vastly different from most nearby countries, but the country is easy to reach from Europe – particularly Spain. Morocco is bordered by water on two sides: the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. “Going on safari” used to mean pith helmets, jeeps, guns and big game hunting; in more recent times, however, tourists have discovered other safari options that are just as invigorating but centered on sightseeing rather than hunting.
Camels, Sand and Sun
The most obvious distinguishing feature of the Moroccan safari experience is travel by camel. Many of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations in the country aren’t accessible using paved roads, so tourists must do what the locals do: hop on a camel and set out on an adventure. For tourists, one of Morocco’s most attractive qualities is its balmy, Mediterranean climate; visitors are free to explore the exotic markets, ancient cities and expansive countryside without enduring baking, oppressive heat.
Cities, Markets and Bazaars
A Moroccan safari can be anything travelers want it to be. The country covers over 170,000 square miles; its landscape, wildlife, people and culture are incredibly diverse. Tourists who prefer to stay near larger human settlements will be delighted by the bazaars and markets packed with merchants selling spices, meat, produce, carpets, blankets, clothing, tobacco and other goods. The sheer variety of merchandise is mind-boggling. Morocco’s cities and towns are also home to a panoply of mosques, whose intricate architecture makes them fantastic subjects for a photo safari. For example, Casablanca’s King Hassan II Mosque is the third-largest in the world; its minaret reaches 689 feet into the sky, and the mosque itself comfortably accommodates 25,000 worshippers inside the building and up to 80,000 in its courtyard.
Moroccan Cuisine
Tourists who enjoy cooking shouldn’t miss the opportunity to take some cooking classes during their Moroccan safari. Moroccan cuisine is a diverse and delicious testament to the complex influences other cultures have had on northwest Africa. Modern Moroccan food has been shaped by the culinary influences of Spain, many Arab cultures, France, Greece and other Mediterranean countries. This cuisine is heavily spiced, but delicately balanced and often laced with the flavor of preserved lemons, a characteristic ingredient of Moroccan cuisine.
Remote Locations
Tourists who want to venture out into the more remote areas of Morocco often head to the Todra Gorge, on the eastern side of the imposing Atlas Mountains. The Grottes d’Hercule (Herculean Grottoes) are also an essential stop for visitors who want to experience the Moroccan wilderness. These are a series of caverns outside of Tangier that have been carved by water over many thousands of years. Because the type of rock found here is so hard, it is often used to make water wheels for use in other areas of Morocco. The anthropological importance of the Grottes d’Hercule, however, lies in the religious figurines that were unearthed in the early 20th century. These items date back to the Neolithic Period and are evidence that early humans held religious rites in these caverns many thousands of years ago.
Guest article written by Sense Africa offering bespoke African Safari tours.