I have experienced the drive from Fes to the Sahara many times, and I never ever tire of it.
The drive? It’s an adventure in itself!. First, you meander through the Middle Atlas Mountains, with its beautiful cedar forests and wild monkeys (personally I’m not of fan of these cheeky little thieves!). Then you come to Midelt, a town famous for apples—a bit random, but hey, the juice is top-notch. Things get serious when you hit the Ziz Valley, a palm-filled oasis that looks straight out of a movie. Sometimes I fantasise about living in this oasis and eating dates all day everyday.
Finally, there is Merzouga, where the Erg Chebbi dunes rise like silent golden waves. In this backdrop you may come across the “ date boys” – friendly chaps with shops stocked up with all sorts of date products from sugars to syrups and everything in between. They make really good gifts to take home- hot tip.
When first visited the Sahara many years ago, I hopped on a camel (let’s call him Jeff) at sunrise, feeling like a super star desert nomad… Now I prefer to give them a little pat instead – such hard working animals – they deserve all the respect. And have you heard about some interesting uses for camel fat? DM us and I’ll fill you in on that one 😅
When night falls, the real magic begins. The charismatic Berber boys do their thing – drumming under the stars, making you dance around the camp fire using their devilish charm. The night skies are literally a blanket of stars amongst this stillness in the desert. It is truely magnetic.
And the sunrises in the Sahara are a sight to behold- so stunning it hurts! Pink, gold, and fire-orange hues paint the dunes, making every grain of sand glow. Day times are spent at a local village listening to Gnawa music while eating Berber pizza and perusing amazing contemporary artworks. Now this is the life. The Sahara lifestyle!