On a 10-day adventure through Morocco, my friend and I discovered a side of ourselves we never knew existed and experienced the magic of North Africa. From traveling over 1,000km and visiting five captivating cities, our journey has become one of my most memorable vacations so far.
In a two-part essay, I will be sharing an account of how it went. It’ll include notes on my itinerary, mistakes I made and what I would have done differently, and a few pictures to back it up.
This first part will cover everything from visas, transport, and our first day in Morroco.
How It Started
Most trips remain within a group chat, but this one defied the odds. Originally planned as a group trip with five people, constant date changes led me to reach out to a friend for a potential travel companion. With a partner in tow, the next step was to decide on dates, this is when things start getting ridiculous. I found out that flying from Lagos would cost north of NGN450,000 for a return ticket. That seemed super ridiculous to me for a flight within Africa so I started looking to cancel the trip. I had the bright idea to see what flying from England would look like. Tickets cost less than NGN100,000 for a return flight. So I decided to combine 2 countries with England as my base.
I initially planned to be gone for 2 weeks and work from there but after a lot of thought, I decided to make it a vacation.
As for our itinerary, it was pretty unclear. Marrakesh was our primary destination, but my curiosity led me down the rabbit hole of TikTok and Google, sparking an exciting idea.
What if we rented a car and went on a road trip across Morocco? I wasn’t sure how efficient their public transport system was so renting a car seemed like the best bet.
Getting a Visa
The visa process was relatively straightforward for me, as I already held a UK visit visa. I opted for an eVisa, which can be applied for by individuals with a UK, US, or Schengen visa (both visit and residence permit). The application fee amounted to 770 MAD or 77 USD, and my visa was processed within 24 hours (though the average processing time is 48 hours). To learn more or apply, visit here
Climate and What to Wear
Closer to the desert, the weather varied across cities. Marrakesh and Ouzoud greeted us with scorching temperatures, soaring up to 35°C during our visit. Loose, breathable clothing made from cotton or linen is recommended.
In coastal cities like Casablanca and Tangier, it’s cooler and windier so long-sleeved clothes, pants, and shawls will be useful
Cities such as Fez and Chefchouen struck a balance, with cooler climates due to their elevated locations but abundant sunshine.
Don't forget to carry enough sunscreen for reapplication and always have a bottle of water on hand.
When it comes to clothing, choose items that require minimal ironing or consider bringing a travel iron, as some of the riads we stayed in didn’t have one
We went in late April/early May so keep in mind that weather conditions may vary throughout the year, so be sure to do your own research.
Getting Around
Taxis are available in Marrakesh but beware of scams targeting tourists. Drivers will typically try to double/triple the price and disagree when you travel. Sometimes, they drop you far from your destination. Always keep your map open so you know where you are every time. We discovered that the Indrive app worked in the city. When cabs aren’t available on Indrive, you can use the app to get a price estimate and then hail a regular cab. I believe the same goes for other cities but I don’t have that much experience because we rented a car.
Morocco's train service is quite efficient, with the fastest high-speed rail in Africa, which runs between Tangier and Casablanca. The trains also run between other major cities. Buying tickets at the station is slightly cheaper than online options, but try to arrive early and be prepared for long queues.
Day 1: A Hot Welcome in Marrakesh
We landed in Marrakesh on a Tuesday afternoon and it was hottttttttt. It was stark change from a slightly dreary English spring so the change in temperature hit us immediately.
Immigration was a breeze. I got a stamp in my passport, a copy of my e-visa taken from me and I was off to baggage claim. After clearing everything, we stepped out of the airport complex to the arms of the telecom services offering free sims and data bundle deals.
I got a Maroc Telecom sim with a 20 GB data allowance which cost 20 euros. The attendants registered the sims on the spot and helped with the installation. It was such a seamless process.
A pre-booked taxi was waiting for us via booking.com. However, the experience fell short of our expectations as the driver did not help with our luggage, the vehicle felt cramped, and the air conditioning struggled with the heat.
15 minutes later, to our confusion, the driver dropped us off at a gate and instructed us to continue on foot. This was our first taste of the intricacies of Moroccan city planning. We soon learned that medinas, the old parts of town found in North African countries, including Morocco, are typically walled, car-free areas with narrow streets, fountains, palaces, and mosques.
I guess he tried to tell us but the language barrier just made for 3 confused people. We got off the taxi and started walking to our accommodation - Riad Sakkan. After settling in and taking some time to rest, we set out to explore the medina and get our first taste of Moroccan cuisine with Tagine and Couscous.
After dinner, we took a stroll and found ourselves in the bustling Jema el-Fnaa square - filled with vibrant energy. It had snake charmers, juice vendors, pick-pockets, petty traders, and henna artists to name a few. Though my Lagosian instincts urged me to keep a close eye on my belongings, the lively atmosphere was captivating. Eventually, we made our way to the other side of town to meet up with some friends for drinks, and that was day 1.
If you have any questions about what I’ve shared so far, please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message on Instagram. Thank you for reading, if you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend or five xx
love it! enjoyed reading it. Coe and carry me to Moroccooooo
this is so detailed and informative. thank you!