Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody was 12 when he started riding racehorses and rode in his first race as an amateur in 1982. He turned professional two years later and won... Read More
Morocco Travel Guide
Casablanca
Casablanca grew from a small trading post to one of Africa's largest cities and was immortalised by Bogart and Bergman's romance and the line "play it again Sam". The French constructed an artificial harbour, at the beginning of the twentieth century, changing Casablanca for ever. The population tripled in ten years of the harbour's construction, attracting traders and explorers alike. Casablanca is a modern bustling city, with skyscrapers nestling alongside art deco buildings. Casablanca's large port is the life of the city witch also boasts many fine hotels and shops.
Fez
One of the great cities of North Africa, Fez is an unmissable spectacle. Suspended in time somewhere between the Middle Ages and the modern world it is a place to thoroughly stimulate your senses. Set in the rolling foothills in the north of the Middle Atlas, Fez's medina has thankfully stayed rooted in the Middle Ages. An endless maze of narrow lanes, donkeys with huge loads and a never ending tide of people, make the souks a wonderful place to explore. Fez's souks have a fantastic collection Moroccan crafts.
The Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains are a mountain range in north-west Africa extending about 2400 km through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and including The Rock of Gibraltar. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of 4167m, in south-western Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The population of the Atlas Mountains are mainly Berber in Morocco and mainly Arab in Algeria. Because North America, Europe and Africa were connected eons ago, the Atlas Mountains are believed to have originally been formed as part of Alleghenian orogeny. These mountains were formed when Africa and America collided and were once a chain far higher than today's Himalayas. The mountains are divided into the Grand Atlas of Morocco, the lower Tell Atlas running near the coast and the larger Saharan Atlas running further south.
Ouarzazate
'Come to Ouarzazate and die.' This old expression refers to the town's remoteness: once you had been here you had been everywhere and even today it still feels isolated. Ouarzazate used to be the last outpost, before the inhospitable desert opened out before you. Originally a French garrison town, it was and still is a welcome sight after the hardship of crossing the High Atlas. Today Ouarzazate has an international airport and many fine hotels, something the French Foreign Legion could only have dreamt of.
Marrakech
Marrakech is a captivating city set against the back drop of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, where Saharan caravans once passed. Few cities evoke as much with just their name: the Pearl of the South. Founded in 1062 by Yussef Idn Tashfin, Marrakech is a fantastic representation of the new Morocco. The fabled walled medina, a maze of narrow alleyways filled with spices and haggling carpet traders, is of stark contrast to the modern tree lined boulevards of the new city. The greatest attraction of Marrakech is drinking mint tea with the locals in a street side café, shopping for designer labels or losing yourself in the legendary souks and stepping back centuries. The choice is yours.
Essaouira
Lying due west of Marrakech on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira is a magical town. Fronted by dramatic sea bastions and surrounded by walled fortifications the town's status was assured by the fact that during the 19th century it was the only port south of Tangier open for European trade. With its crescent beach and ramparts, the town has an enjoyable relaxed feel. Watching the sun set over the sea while standing atop the ramparts, or drinking sweet mint tea in the main square as the night falls are enchanted moments. The town is joyfully traffic free. Men pushing laden carts keep the town moving.
The High Atlas and Imlil
Running from east to west the Atlas Mountains have provided such a natural strategic barrier that no invader has ever been able to permanently subdue the Berber Chieftains who have for so long controlled this intriguing area. At the heart of the Range lies Jebel Toubkal, North Africa's highest mountain. At 4,165 metres its peak is snow capped year round. Imlil, a small Berber village and port to the Toubkal National Park, makes for a brilliant starting point for many day walks, or even to climb Toubkal itself.
Erfoud
This small desert outpost originally sprang up as a French garrison to control the marauding nomadic tribes and today is a quiet place noted for its marble and date harvests. There's a steep hill to the military fort of Borj-Est, which was manned by the Foreign Legion. From here, the views across the region are stunning. The surrounding oasis inhabitants live in fort-settlements knows as ksours, whose high walls, tightly packed houses and intricate pattern of paths and alleyways are as beautiful as they are charming.
Rabat
Morocco's capital Rabat, a once thriving Roman port, sits upon ochre rocks and looks out over the Atlantic. Whitewashed walls and blue doors give the narrow twisting streets a Mediterranean feel. The Medina, unlike that of other Moroccan cites has wide streets, where fresh fish and handicrafts are sold while gulls fly overhead. Rabat is a lively city and makes for an ideal introduction to the Imperial Cities of Morocco.
Tangier
Often described as the gateway to Africa, Tangier has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. Base for the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals and Byzantines, this ancient city became a focus of the struggles between Arab and Berber Muslims from 706AD. The Portuguese first conquered the city in 1437. It became Spanish, then Portuguese again and briefly British when it was given, along with Bombay as part of Catherine da Braganza's dowry to King Charles II. The British left in 1684 not before ingloriously deporting the Jews, alienating the Catholics and destroying the Kasbah. Sultan Moulay Idriss rebuilt the city and during the 19th century it was a prosperous trading port and became a tax-free International Zone from 1923. As with most Moroccan cities Tangier is partitioned into two main areas, the Medina (old walled city) and the Ville Nouvelle (new town). Very little of ancient Tangiers remains, but the Kasbah (with its museum in the palace) and the Medina make a fascinating introduction to the north of Morocco. Tangier, with its strategic location overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar and its ancient history, makes for a different visit.
Chefchaouen
For first time visitors to Morocco Chefchaouen (or Chaouen) is probably one of the easiest and most pleasant places to discover the delights of this North African country. It was founded in the 15th Century and populated by Jewish and Muslim refugees from the Inquisition in Spain. Isolated until the early 20th century it has preserved a way of life that flourished in Moorish Spain more than 500 years ago. Chefchaouen enjoys a stunning location high up in the Rif Mountains', part of the Middle Atlas chain, its name actually meaning 'Look at the peaks'. This beautiful medieval town has a distinctive Spanish character, having been settled by Jews and Moors expelled from its neighbour country. The picturesque medina of the town, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains has become renowned as one of the most charming in Morocco, with whitewashed gabled houses with distinctive powder-blue accents, where craftsmen sit contentedly in their shops sewing caftans and embroidering jellabahs.
Morocco Travel Information
Visa Information
UK passport holders do not require a visa for Morocco. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your tour.
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information. However, you must have at least one blank page for each visa required.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Morocco though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Tour Leaders
Dominico Mocchi
Dom has been running horse treks in Asia for more than ten years. A great friend of Jonny's, with the same enthusiasm and love for the countries in which he... Read More
Louise Worsley
Louise has always had a passion for travelling and has been lucky enough to indulge this throughout her career.
Highlights include trekking to... Read More
Sara Harris
Sara’s family were involved in Scouting so in her youth she was regularly dragged off hiking and camping, which instilled a love of the outdoors from... Read More
