1. Introduction
As the gateway to Africa, located only 13 km away from Europe, Morocco has a rich history of occupations of some of the great empires that ruled Europe and Asia. Over the past 2000 years, Morocco has seen the occupations of the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
Throughout Morocco, the rich history is still clearly visible and this photosafari will enable its participants to experience the variety of different cultures, races, religions and landscapes that Morocco has to offer.
Although the main focus of the trip will be to provide you with an unforgettable photographic experience, it will not be limited to pleasing only the eyes. The program will definitely also please the other senses with a program that includes a mix of local music, dance, food, and even a taste of nomadic life in the great Sahara Desert.

2. Guided by a local photographer
This photosafari is guided by a renowned local photographer, Bob Endert. Bob worked for Canon for 28 years of which 10 years in Asia. Bob now lives in Casablanca with his Moroccan wife and is fully dedicating his time to photography and wildlife conservation.

3. Highlights of the trip

• Visit the ancient Arab trading cities of Fez and Marrakech
• Visit one of the greatest mosques in the world: the mosque Hassan 2 (also open for non-Muslims)
• Taste a bit of Berber life in the mountains and Nomadic life in the Sahara Desert
• Stay in carefully selected comfortable 4 and 5-star hotels and luxurious tents at Sahara Desert
• March/April/May are the best months for travelling with moderate temperature and possibilities to see snow-capped mountains
• Professional photo guidance by two experienced street and wildlife photographers
• Photo sharing sessions among participants to improve the photography techniques.
• Experience the sights and odours of the ancient leather tanneries of Fez
• Visit the most impressive ancient Kasbah of Morocco: Eid Ben Haddou
• Visit the film studio of Ouarzazate where top movies were shot
• Experience the incredible landscapes of the Sahara Desert
• Enjoy the Moroccan cuisine with its famous dishes like the Tajines and Couscous

4. Main cities and Places to be visited

Ait Bin Haddou

UNESCO World heritage site since 1987, this fortified ancient village is located between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. As one of the most exotic and best-preserved Kasbahs, it served as a film location for as many blockbusters such as Gladiator, the Mummy and The Jewel of the Nile.

 

Chefchaouen

Surrounded on all sides by epic mountain scenery and with a 500-year-old fortress at its centre, the city of Chefchaouen — or Chaouen for short — is becoming a new “it” place on Morocco’s tourist trail. It is also known as the “Blue City”.

Casablanca

This city needs no introduction. It has been made famous by the film of the same name. It was founded in the 10^th century by Berber fishermen. One of the prime sights we will be visiting in Casablanca is the grand mosque Hassan II.

Fez

The oldest of the imperial cities. Fez is the symbolic heart of Morocco with a medina and views of the city that are not to be missed by anyone visiting Morocco. Besides the ancient medina, a highlight of Fez will most certainly be the visit to the tanneries

Marrakech

Capital of the south, Marrakech once drew camel caravans from the Sahara; this oasis is still one of the finest and most popular cities of Morocco.

Ouarzazate

After our drive through the magical Valley of Dades, we will be spending the night in a comfortable hotel in Ouarzazate. At its heart is an ancient Kasbah it is also the location of the film studios. You will have sufficient time to discover both attractions and take stunning photos.

Merzouga

 From this small desert town, we will be exploring Erg Chebbi – huge drifting sand dunes that change colours depending on the time of day. We will be spending the night in luxury tents in the sand dunes

Volubilis

It is the sight of the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in December 1997. Besides the ruins, we will also be visiting the stunning mosaics which have been left in their original locations.

 

• Itinerary

27 April – Day 1 Arrival (D)

• Arrive at Marrakesh International Airport
• Pick-up and check into Hotel
• Sightseeing and dinner in Jmaa El Fnaa

28 April – Day 2 Marrakesh-Casablanca (B,L,D)

• Breakfast
• Check-out hotel
• Visit Menara of Marrakech
• Lunch at Sqala in historical centre
• Check-in at Casablanca Hotel
• Visit Mosque Hassan 2, Medina, Habous
• Dinner in Rick’s café

29 April – Day 3 (B,L,D) Casablanca – Chefchaouen

• Early Breakfast and check-out
• Drive from Casablanca to Moulay-Bousselham
• Lunch and visit Moulay-Bousselham
• Drive to Chefchaouen
• Check-in Chefchaouen

30 April – Day 4 (B,L,D) – Chefchaouen

• Breakfast
• Photoshoot in streets of Chaouen
• Lunch
• Visit (optional) waterfalls or shopping
• Dinner

May 1 – Day 5 (B,L,D) – Chefchaouen via Volubilis to Fez

• Breakfast
• Check-out
• Drive to Volubilis
• Lunch and visit ancient Roman outpost of Volubilis
• Drive to Fez
• Check in and visit Tanneries
• Dinner

2 May – Day 6 (B,L,D) Domestic flight to Errachidia

• Early breakfast and Check-out
• Drive to Casablanca airport
• Lunch on the way
• Check-in Errachidia
• Dinner

3 May – Day 7 (B,L,D) Errachidia – Erg Chebbi

• Check-out
• Drive via Merzouga to Sahara
• Lunch in Merzouga
• Desert travel to camp site
• Dinner
• Sleep in Sahara desert

4 May – Day 8 (B,L,D) Sahara to Tinerhir

• Check out
• Lunch on the way
• Check-in Tinerhir

5 May – Day 9 (B,L,D) Tinehir to Ouarzazate via the valley of Dades

• Check out
• Visit and lunch in Vallee Du Dades
• Check-in Ouarzazate
• Visit film studios

6 May – Day 10 (B,L,D) Ouarzazate to Marrakesh via Kasbah of Eit Benhaddou

• Check out
• Visit and lunch Aid Ben Haddou
• Drive to Marrakech across the Atlas Mountains
• Check-in Marrakesh
• Farewell Dinner

7 May – Day 11 (B) Departure

• Early morning visit of Marrakech
• Breakfast and Check out
• Transfer to airport
• End of trip