 | Q1: Is Morocco safe?
Morocco's economy is very dependent upon tourism and continues to be a favourite destination for Europeans (3rd favourite in France), and over 17,000 foreigners are registered (2007) homeowners in Marrakech alone. In recent years reforms have been put in place to make the visitors experience in Morocco as carefree as possible. All guides must be registered and trained. Tourist Police Offices are in every major city. Compared to Europe, the crime rate is very low, usually limited to petty thievery most often on trains and buses. Aside from this, Moroccans are experts in talking you out of your money during bargaining with charm and a glass of mint tea; they are renowned for their hospitality.
The political situation is stable. Morocco has very strong diplomatic and trade associations with Europe, especially France; and increasingly the USA. Islamic extremism exists, but attacks are rare.
Most Moroccans practice a moderate form of Islam, and are sensitive to the plight of Palestine and Iraq. Hassling to buy tends to be a problem, and Moroccans are famous for their intimidation techniques. The best way to let them know you do not want to buy is to avoid looking at the wares being sold and simply walk away, even if the person is blocking your way. A bit of humour here can go a long way!
Q2 : What can I expect while touring Morocco?
Travelling in a foreign culture and developing country such as Morocco can be a delightfully rewarding and challenging experience. African cultures have much to teach those of us who come from the modern world, offering opportunities to combine enjoyment and understanding with learning new and ancient ways of living and survival.
Romantic meanderings aside, Moroccans work very hard to make visitors feel welcome and provide what you need, but patience and understanding is needed as well. It is a developing country, and modern amenities are still being built, or are non existent in many places outside the city. Sometimes visitor's expectations are not understood by a culture that has little or no direct experience of them, so instead, you might receive an interpretation of your request. Life moves a lot slower than what Westerners are used to, and this must be taken into consideration when something is taking too much time. Life is slow by nature, and things do get done eventually. It's best to approach Morocco with an appreciation of cultural differences, sounds, smells, language, expression, light, relaxing, enjoying and accepting. Remember laughter speaks the same language everywhere.
Q3: What should I bring on a camel trek?
All Food is included on trek and is very healthy, including Couscous, Tagine, fresh eggs, fish, olives, nuts and fruit. Please let us know whether you are vegetarian. Apart from eggs and fish (Tuna and Sardine) often served at lunch time with vegetable salad, there is not a lot of meat and when meat is available, separate dishes such as vegetarian Tagine is prepared. Bottled water is usually available, but you might need to use your own method to purify water. Occasional villages allow for purchasing good quality bottled water along the way.
Some people like to bring their own treats and food supplements if they have special dietary requirements. If you like to drink herbal teas, bring your own. Moroccan tea tends to be a real energy booster with Gunpowder green mixed with copious amounts of sugar (refreshing and delicious!). Sugarless tea can be requested but not necessarily understood! Make use of your duty free allowance to obtain your favourite tipple.
Q4 : What kind of food do you provide for your tours? What about the safety of drinking water? Can I buy alcohol?
Moroccan cuisine is delicious and offers you traditional dishes such as harira (tasty and nourishing bean soup traditionally served for breakfast), tagine (succulent meat cooked with spices and vegetables in a conical shaped pot), meschui (whole roasted sheep/goat), tangia, a Marrakech specialty, couscous, fresh salads and fruits, hot steaming bread and other delicacies. Café au lait, or café "nous-nous' with pastries is a popular pastime in the street side cafes and mint tea awaits you wherever you go. Alcohol is permissible and can be purchased at supermarkets and hotels (but may be partly unavailable during Ramadan).
Most food in Morocco is typically grown without hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides. Enjoy!
If you are invited to eat with a family, you will typically sit on the floor and eat from a communal plate, placed in the middle of a small table - eat with your right hand only. Utensils are not used although, as a visitor, you are likely to be offered a fork or spoon.
Vegetarian requests are understood and accommodated in most tourist visited areas. Vegan is not.
Water in the cities is fine for washing and brushing teeth etc., but we do not recommend that you drink quantities of tap or well water. Excellent bottled mineral water is available everywhere. Alcohol is available to buy in Super Marches (super markets) and a few bars and lounges are sprinkled around the big cities of Marrakech, Agadir and Casablanca. Morocco also produces it's own beer and wine. If you are an inexperienced traveller, chances are you will suffer stomach upsets. It will pass, (usually within 24 hours), so give yourself a break, eat only well cooked foods, and drink plenty of water, then congratulate your stomach for joining the well-travelled guts around the world!
Q5: How do I pay for my tour? Why are all prices in dirhams? Are travellers cheques accepted? What about credit cards?
Our tours are priced in Morocco dirhams because all our tour and trek expenses are paid in Morocco dirhams. We use the central Morocco Bank Al Maghrib to convert Morocco Dirhams from other currencies. We require a deposit to start the reservation process.
Q6: What type of clothing is appropriate?
You can relax and wear whatever is familiar and comfortable on the street at home. Morocco is very tolerant and welcoming to visitors, you're not expected to act or look like a Moroccan. Longer shorts and shirts are fine for men. For women it's a good idea to bring a scarf to cover bare shoulders and arms in rural villages. Shorts are not acceptable for women unless below knee length.
Rural people will be visibly embarrassed if you choose to dress with skin showing, and react with a muffled laugh or cover their eyes. In their view, you're walking around in your underwear. City dwellers often dress as we do.
Q7: Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance should be obtained before leaving your country of origin. We don't force anyone to purchase it. Local hospitals have limited diagnostic capability. Foreign clinics can be expensive, evacuation can cost thousands, luggage can disappear, so insurance is a good idea.
Q8: What is your recommendation about giving money or presents?
Don't give anything to children, no matter how needy they may appear to be. Pedophilia is on the rise in Morocco, especially in Marrakech and giving encourages children to freely approach foreigners. We particularly recommend clients give a more helpful gift and consider important development projects such as Education for All Morocco.
Q9: Do your guides and drivers speak English, French or Spanish?
Our guides know many languages as well as Berber and Arabic, including French, Spanish, and English, and often some German, Japanese, Italian and Dutch as well.
Camel Expeditions drivers and guides know Arabic, French and English. We also have some drivers who know Spanish. During high seasons; Christmas and New Years into the first week of January; Easter; and sometimes during October; English speaking drivers are at a premium, and will be given on a first come, first serve basis.
Q10: What is a Kasbah?
In Morocco you will see kasbahs and ksours throughout the Atlas mountains and the desert. A kasbah is a mud and straw fortified structure that would have been typically inhabited by a wealthy extended family; ksours (also called kasbah's) are large fortified dwellings that sometimes house 100's of families, and their livestock.
Q11: What kind of accommodation do you use?
The desert camp is quite comfortable with wool blankets, matresses, sheets, pillows, and carpeted wool tents. We normally use 2, 3, or 4 star level medina riads, auberge (small country inns) and hotels.
Hotel stays include breakfast and many include dinner. You will stay in traditional mud kasbahs, many with wood burning fireplaces; air conditioning; salons and roof terraces for meals and relaxing. They are charming and comfortable, but tend to be cold in the winter in the higher elevations. In Marrakech, Essaouira and Fes we use small hotels renovated from old Merchant houses - riads in the old medina. In Casablanca we use a modern hotel downtown.
We send hotel contacts once a deposit is received and booking confirmation is sent to us from the hotel.
Environment
Morocco defies a simple description. It spans the Northwest corner of Africa from the Rif mountains and the Mediterranean below Spain, and south down the Atlantic ocean. The High Atlas mountains divide the Sahara desert from the fertile flat cental plains. We like to think of it as a country of cedar forests, long Atlantic beaches, colourful markets, ancient medinas, sandy deserts, bountiful vineyards, acres of olive, argan & orange trees, hedgerows filled with wild flowers and herbs, exotic palmeries, snow capped mountains, and deep river gorges. The climate invites visitors for skiing, surfing, wind-surfing, golfing, cycling, trekking and more.
Camel Expeditions runs most tours in the southern part of Morocco, in the delicate desert environment and High Atlas mountains. We foster responsible tourism and recommend that our guides do not leave rubbish anywhere, and respect the environment with preservation of resources, flora and fauna, etc.
Please do not leave your own rubbish behind. Wherever possible please take out whatever you bring in, (i.e.: empty shampoo containers, etc.). If you go on a camel trek in the desert, there are no disposal facilities. Please be environmentally aware and burn toilet paper or carry it out for disposal. If you bury toilet paper in the desert it will not decompose, and the wind eventually shifts the sand to expose it.
Why we don't send a list of our hotels before you book...
We provide examples of hotels we use, and can send the complete contact list after receiving a booking confirmation (deposit) and confirmation from the hotel. Our small hotels, for the most part have limited rooms available. Some hotels are exclusive to us, our Marrakech riad for example. It's taken us a long time to find and create excellent working relationships with our hoteliers and protecting quality and availability for our clients is important.
For More Information
camelexpeditions@gmail.com
Telephone Morocco:
GSM: +212 666 933 710
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