Travel Exploration

  
M’Hamid is a small village in the Zagora region of Morocco. It is one of the two places in Morocco where Sahara begins (another is Merzouga). M'Hamid has fewer visitors than Merzouga due to it being the most Southern point of the desert. M’Hamid is arguably more "authentic". M’Hamid is just 7- 8 hours by car from Marrakesh and 5 hours from Ourzazate. The original name for M'hamid is Bounou, once a thriving village that evolved from a mix of local Ait Atta Berbers, Drawa, and Hassani tribes. There is a kasbah located 2Km away from the road that is inhabited by black Africans who came from Mali many years ago. Other than this, the main attraction are the Erg Chegaga dunes which are about 50Km from the town. The main attraction of M'Hamid is trips to desert, overnight or several day tours: by camel, 4x4, motor bike or a quad bike.

After a breakfast of Fresh bread, jams, coffee and orange juice depart on a desert journey to M’Hamid. Beyond the village of Aït Saoun catch a glimpse of the Draâ ksours and kasbahs, the desert plateau of Jbel Tifernine and steep canyons. Your journey through Draâ Valley continues as you cross the desert plateau of Jbel Tifernine. Bird watchers can choose to stop at El Mansour Eddahbi barrage where at certain times of the year the reservoir attracts migrants, ruddy shell duck, mourning wheather, trumpeter finch, blackbellied sandgrouse, thick-billed lark, and raptors like lanner falcon. Moving along, enjoy the views of kasbahs, valleys and cliffs. Upon seeing Ochre pise koubas lining the valley, cemeteries filled with flat stone and a sign post stating “Cirque Touristique de Binzouli”, this is the sign that you are nearing Zagora. The landmark sign Timbuktu that reads “52 jours” – 52 hours by camel signals you have reached the midpoint on your passage to M’Hamid, Zagora.

Before reaching M’Hamid you will cross the village of Tamergroute known for it’s a potter’s cooperative (making forest green, glazed pottery) ksars and kasbahs as well as the prestigious Zaouia Nacri. The Zaouia Nacri is a 17th century Islamic academic center was built by Mohammed Bou Nasri and made Tamergroute the most important settlement in the Draâ Valley. Visit the Zaouia’s library where you can see illuminated Korans, animal hides, 12th century works on mathematics, medicine and history. After your departure, in just under a few hours, you will arrive in M’Hamid. Spend the evening becoming familiar with M’Hamid’s small administrative center, and then prepare for an overnight adventure in a Berber tent under a sea of stars in the Sahara desert.