Overland Morocco Travel
West Africa > Morocco
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Morocco
- 2 Entering Morocco with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Morocco
- 4 Gas price in Morocco and Diesel price in Morocco
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Morocco
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Morocco
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Morocco
From beaches to sand dunes to mountains and lakes, Morocco has it all and is considered to be one of the best countries in the world for Overlanding.
The people of Morocco are extremely friendly and welcoming, adding to the amazing experiences on offer here.
Entering Morocco with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: June 2016
Travel Visa for Morocco
Virtually all nationalities can enter Morocco free for three months. You will be given the entrance stamp at the border, or on the ferry.
Required Paperwork
No special papers are required to enter, except of course for your original Vehicle registration.
You fill out a form at the border, two copies you keep. Process is fast and easy.
Process at border
Here is a detailed write up of the process from late 2015 http://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/27/morocco-documents/
Cost of entry
Free.
Permitted length of stay
Typically three months/person, and up to six months per calender year for the vehicle.
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Get yourself stamped out of the country, then go to aduana to have your temp import permit cancelled.
You keep one copy, they keep the other.
Driving in Morocco
Recommended books for Overlanding in Morocco
Travel insurance for Morocco
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Insurance is available at most ports on entry. Tangier Med (New port) has some booths once you've cleared customs. You may be covered by your own insurance, but check first. None of the UK companies I've tried will cover it under your 'green card'.
Cost of vehicle insurance
It's about £45.00 GBP - £60.00 GBP (car) for one months insurance and it's the vehicle that's covered so anyone can drive who holds a full license. Buying two months gets you a third month free.
If you say the vehicle has 2 or 3 seats, they'll change commercial rates which are much higher. Say it has 5
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
At the port on entry.
Driving license
Your home license is sufficient.
Driving side of road
Right.
RHD vehicles can be driven in Morocco.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Road quality varies greatly. Some paved highways are excellent and can be traveled at almost 100km/h, while dirt roads in the mountains can be extremely rough and slow going. Beward of hazards like broken down cars, trash, unsigned speed bumps and large pot holes.
Road signs
Road signs are usually present showing the way and distance to the next major city. Street names are often not signed in cities.
Toll roads
There are toll roads in the West of Morocco, following the coast.
Bribery in Morocco
Bribery is uncommon, though it does happen. Police are generally friendly and very professional.
Checkpoints
Police checkpoints are extremely common, and are at the entrance or exit to virtually every city. As a foreigner you will be waved through 99% of the time. If not, show your temporary import papers form the border, and you'll be cleared through.
South of Agadir on the West Coast you will be stopped at many Police checkpoints. The offers will check you passport, and usually ask for a Fiche. People have reported needing 40 copies of the Fiche for all the different checkpoints. Come prepared.
Police are also posted on roads with speed radar guns, and will issue you a ticket for speeding, so follow the limits.
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Morocco and Diesel price in Morocco
Last updated: June 2016
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded (called "Super", "Sans Plomb" or just "Sans") | د.م10.50 MAD per Liter |
| Unleaded (south of Agadir it's cheaper) | د.م7.10 MAD per Liter |
| Diesel | د.م8.80 MAD per Liter |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
There are no fuel shortages in Morocco.
Every town has a gas station so you are as far from fuel as the next town. In the east and mountainous areas that might be some time, as if you go piste driving in the south east. Gasoline shortages happen in the very far South of the country from time to time (on the way to [Mauritania]). It's advised to fill up at every opportunity.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Gasoline appears to be high quality.
Diesel sulfur content is 50 ppm effective 2009.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Driving at night should be avoided due to hazards on the road and vehicles with no lights.
Vehicle parking
Vehicles are very safe on the street, though it never hurts to pay for secure parking overnight.
Special driving considerations
The Rift Mountains are a known marijuana growing region, and it's not advised to drive there at night.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Morocco - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Morocco
Paid campsites are extremely plentiful in Morroco. It's very rare for a city to have less than a few options.
Campsites usually have a hot shower, bathrooms and shady parking for around د.م35.00 MAD and may have wi-fi and a pool for a cost of around د.م100.00 MAD for two people and one vehicle.
A number of the larger cities also have secure concrete parking lots where you can sleep in your vehicle for around د.م80.00 MAD. Tent camping is not allowed in these lots.
Wild camping is popular in the lesser populated areas of Morocco like the Atlas Mountains or the southern sand dunes. Use your discretion.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Tap water is considered safe to drink, though it's best to filter it when in doubt.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Morocco
GPS Maps of Morocco
Tracks4Africa are the undisputed best GPS maps for Africa.
Tracks4Africa is an SD Card for Garmin GPS, and contain Routable turn-by-turn maps with 809,000 kms of roads and over 129,000 points of interest.
Tim Cullis is the Patriach of Morocco Overlanding & adventure travel and his forum Morocco Knowledgebase includes maps, waypoints, POIs, guidebooks and tons of info about navigation. Check here: http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Morocco
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Special Overland Travel interests
- The middle and high Atlas Mountains offer virtually unlimited opportunities for exploration.
- The sand dunes at Zagora and Merzouga offer great 4x4ing.
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
- Iriki Garage - they specialize in overlanding
- Pneus Bensouda in Fez
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Morocco
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/forum/forum.php
- Morocco: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Morocco - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Morocco travel guides at wikivoyage
- Morocco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
