Erfoud

Erfoud

More than 20 years after the French colonization of Morocco began, the region of Erfoud was put under control, and Morocco was considered pacified. To control the forceful and freedom-loving bedouins of the region, a major military settlement was put up, and this place came to be known as Erfoud

Erfoud is not a typical tourist destination, but a good number of travelers from all over the world fill the streets almost all through the year. Erfoud can work as a good base for people exploring the Ziz valley, and the dunes out at Merzouga (finally something in Morocco that really fits the image of Sahara!)

Erg Chebbi

The dunes of Erg Chebbi is a strikingly strange natural formation. On the top of the flattest area you could imagine, suddenly a long mountain of sand rises. This mountain is surrounded by flat and desolate nature on all sides, and you could end up wondering if it really is real. But so it is, even if its existence is so weird that it has given rise to lengeds and myths among the locals
One legend tells us that the dunes of Erg Chebbi were created by God as a punishment to the locals of nearby Merzouga after they refused to give shelter to a woman and her child during a local festival. A sandstorm came, and buried the village of Merzouga is it was then.

In order to get out to Erg Chebbi, you will have to pass through one of the flattest areas you could imagine. For several kilometers there is nothing but small, black stones spread on the ground evenly.
When the sun shines, a strong reflection comes from the stones further away, so that you won't really believe your eyes when you suddenly see a camel or a man.
Even in such a remote area, where the sun always shines, there are people out to sell souvenirs. Of obvious reasons, what they sell has not been carried from a long distance, and you stand a fair chance of buying OK fossils at an OK price.
There are several stories told about these dunes. One is that they are the largest in the world, but that could very well prove not to be true. But they are the largest in Morocco!
Another one is that they can be good for patients with rheumatics — they bury themselves in the sand and stay that all the day. That is not unlikely.
Another one is that the dunes are often used in films and commercials. And that is definitely true!

An early wake up call for sunrise excursion to Dunes. An experience not to be missed is to watch the sun as it rises from the top of the golden dunes, a spectacular view of the Sahara which no words can describe. Back to the tent for special Breakfast with the Touargees people, then continue on to explore the holy ancient city of Rissani by your 4X4 Land Rover. ( CT&T's Program)

Merzouga

The Saharan lake of Dayet Sriji is a surprise. You see, in most of Morocco the only form of lake you will see are the ones behind modern dams. So out here, about an hour of travel south of everything, you see a real lake. A salty one, that is true, but still it is a lake.

In the lake there are numerous birds, of which flamgoes will be the most fascinating for most to watch. I had a small accident with my camera, which destroyed the good pictures I made of the birds. The one of to the left is the closest I have to any flamingo.

The very start of the oasis zone. It is well cultivated, and not a single straw of grass is there without a purpose. Notice the well in the middle of both photos.

In between all the trees of the oasis, run canals. Considering how far you are from the next trace of civilization, how barren the nature is, and how hot it is all through the year, it is surprising to see how strongly the water streams through the canals.

Rissani

The setting of Rissani is very much like what you find in villages near the Nile in Egypt, in terms of building styles, number of people, heat and nature.
There are small canals running between heavily populated villages which all seem to be at least 50 years behind the development of the rest of Morocco.

From :Adventures of Morocco