DESTINATIONS MOROCCO | AFRICA
views AGENTS’
“I was captivated by Morocco. The food we tasted
was unforgettable, from slow-cooked tagines to fluffy couscous. The rich culture felt welcoming and the kindness of the people made the experience meaningful.” Amy Thorne, sales advisor, Thomas Cook
“This itinerary – and Morocco itself –
exceeded all my expectations. Staying in a bivouac in a luxury desert camp was out of my comfort zone and the whole experience is something I will remember forever.” Hannah Prosser, personal travel consultant, Hays Travel
“I thoroughly enjoyed our adventure. A particular highlight was
a traditional lunch at the female- run Tawesna restaurant, where you could feel that the amazing food was made with love. A unique experience.” Nikki Pennington, Travel Counsellors
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Camel caravan in the Sahara; Todgha Gorge; musical entertainment and accommodation, Bivouacs Xaluca in Erg Chebbi PICTURES: Dan Mirica; Shutterstock/ecstk22; Jo Fernández
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I dressed for dinner in the red gandoura (kaftan) left for me and joined my fellow guests. At night, the darkness and remoteness feel almost
cosy, with all of us enveloped in a little community under the stars, drinking chilled Casablanca beers and tucking into tender beef tagine. Unexpected after-dinner entertainment comes in the form of an African drumming band, who have guests up and dancing to the mesmeric beat. I’m tempted to stay awake and stargaze but the prospect of an early start pushes me to snuggle up in bed, listening as the wind whips up a sandstorm around the tents. By morning, all is calm. After stretching our legs
across the dunes, we climb back in the 4x4s for a three-hour drive to Todgha Gorge in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. The gorge is an orange, cliff-sided canyon whose towering sides loom large the closer you get; we squinted to make out tiny figures climbing up the tracks.
STARRING ROLE There’s a lot of road time involved in traversing remote regions, but our drivers Youssef and Faraji are funny, kind and charming; we bond over jokes, conversations and playlists. Aside from Arabic, they are also brilliant
After-dinner entertainment
comes in the form of an African drumming band, who have guests dancing to the mesmeric beat
linguists, speaking English, Italian, Spanish, German and the local Berber language Amazigh. Our final stop for the day comes in Ouarzazate, a lively desert city home to Le Berbère Palace Hotel. Mint tea poured ceremonially from a great height is a measure of hospitality, and in the tiled lobby we are welcomed with tiny tea glasses and dainty biscuits. Although the rooms are smart and comfortable, the serene gardens offer a more identifiably Moroccan feel with roses, greenery and water features. Meals are impressive, with cloche after cloche hiding lamb tagine, soup, fish and vibrant salads, followed by milky puddings, chocolate tarts and fruit. Framed film posters hang in the hallways, a tribute to Ouarzazate’s reputation as the Hollywood of Morocco. That’s echoed along the edge of town, where the huge Atlas Film Studio holds memorabilia from films including Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy
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travelweekly.co.uk 5 MARCH 2026 33
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