Visit M’Hamid El Ghizlane

Visit M’Hamid El Ghizlane

Which is a village in Zagora region of Morocco, 98 km after Zagora, one of the two places in Morocco where Sahara begins, another is Merzouga. M’Hamid El Ghizlane is a small town that is easily explored by foot. The village gets fewer visitors than Merzouga and is arguably more “authentic.” It is about 7-8 hours by car from Marrakech and 5 hours from Ourzazate.

Visit M’Hamid El Ghizlane,days from marrakech to desert

It is “The end of the road” or ” The door to Sahara” (the last point of The route national N°9), after it is only sand of Sahara, shepherds and caravan trails. Across the bridge over the river Draa , you are heading towards the Kasbah which is still inhabited by families, and towards Oulad Youssef village. This is a lovely area to explore by foot as it is covered with palm trees and the terrain is quite gentle.

Visit M’Hamid El Ghizlane,ride camel,days from marrakech to desert

There is a paved road to make sure you don’t get lost, and also the villages ensures that there is a relatively dense population around, who are very friendly and will help you find your way back to the road. Or a passing motorbike may give you a lift back to M’Hamid El Ghizlane centre. You can spend 2-3 hours wandering in this immediate oasis vicinity of M”Hamid El Ghizlane , getting a good feel for the vegetation, the home- and farm-steads, and the people.

Visit M’Hamid El Ghizlane,days from marrakech to desert

You can go for a Camel ride, note that these dunes may not be as ‘fairytale’ as Erg Chigaga which are about 60 km from the village, but if you are not interested or do not have the budget to hire a 4×4, this is a good option to get a feel for riding a camel and for the sand dunes. The main thing people come to M’Hamid for is trips to the desert.

Getting out is basically what one does in M’Hamid El Ghizlane . Camping in the desert, trekking and expeditions to the high dunes are very popular. You can do them overnight or for several days, by camel, 4×4, motor bike or quad bike.

days from marrakech to desert,Desert Morocco, Ouarzazate ait ben haddou,Quad and bike in Erg Chebbi Merzouga

  • If you’d like to add this destination to your own custom tour contact your Travel Agency Morocco– together we’ll make it happen!
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