Morocco is a country of sparse and unpredictable rainfall, strong sun, high mountains, hot winds from Sahara — as well as pollution and ruthless exploitation on nature. The result is a country of extreme shifts in nature zones. Everyone seems to know that Morocco has oases and desert. The fact is that if you look apart from the southern part (which is internationally considered as the Republic of Western Sahara) there are few oases and very few sand dunes. Morocco is mainly steppes and mountains. In the north, there are many green areas, landscapes of sweet hills of agriculture and some few forests. The further south you come the more unreliable rainfalls become, and many araes can be close to uninhabited, even if this is the part of Morocco with most pf the large cities. Down here, rivers is the source of life — even if they only has water through parts of the year. Oued is the name of this type of river, the seasonal river.
Sarhro Mountains are among the most fascinating mountain areas in all of Morocco. Isolated, barren and with locals that even today feel themselves independent from the king in Rabat.
Smara is a typical and beautiful Saharan town. The houses are all in red, making use of local colours.
There are many gorges around Morocco, narrow mountain passages. But noen equals the Todra Gorge. The mountain rises 300 metres above you and the passage is no more than 50 metres at its narrowest.
Believe it or not, sand dunes are in the minority in Sahara. When travelling around Morocco, the best sand dunes are near Merzouga, and known as Erg Chebbi.
Chefchaouen is weirdly enough a hashish capital, and the friendliest, safest and cleanest city in all of Morocco. It is set below twin mountains, from which the coldest river you could imagine stems. The city climbs up the mountainside with its chalk white houses and their blue doors.
Oualidia is famous in Morocco for its lagoon and the oysters. The lagoon allows warmer water and children friendly swimming, while the oysters give the little town a touch of sophistication.
Skiing in Morocco? Well it is possible, and Oukaïmeden is the best, with the best slopes and most reliable winters. While it isn't the Alps or Norway, it allows you the opportunity of skiing in Africa. And perhaps rent a ski instructor named Mustapha, as I did.
