Merzouga Sahara Desert

Travel To The Erg Chebbi Dunes in Morocco's Sahara Desert 

Moroccan legend says that the Erg Chebbi  sand dunes were sent by God as a punishment for turning away a weary traveler from Morocco's Sahara desert.  The Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga are indisputably one of the greatest sights of Morocco.

Bird lovers will enjoy looking for desert sparrows, Egyptian nightjars, desert wablers, fulvous babblers, and blue-cheeked bee-eaters. Also, pink flamingos and other water birds are sometimes spotted if the spring brings rain and creates a small lake northwest of Merzouga.

The Erg Chebbi dunes are located forty kilometers from Erfoud, near the town of Merzouga. Historically, getting to the dunes was a hardship on Moroccans and other traders passing through Erg Chebbi, as they followed the Saharan Caravan Route to carry salts, gold, slaves, and spices to Timbuktu. To arrive near the Erg Chebbi dunes, travelers had to pass through some of the flattest and barest areas imaginable.

Morocco: The Djemaa el Fna Square in Marrakech

Marrakech's old medina was built around Djemaa el Fna and is often referred to as the heart of Marrakech.

As the sun sets, the real enthusiasm starts. At night, the air fills with aromatic smoke fumes lingering off the delicious delicacies sold in the streets and the sounds of Moroccan music. There are full groups performing in the evening.

The square turns into one of the world's busiest open air restaurants. The entire square is dark except for the gas lamps lighting up the food vendors cooking area and revealing the towers of greasy smoke sailing over the Djemaa.

Nearby the square there are numerous cafes where you can sit at a table and watch over the activities