Tafraoute is a cool place. I’ve never seen landscape quite like this. The town is super friendly and it just has a good feel about it. I kind of wish I found this place sooner. There’s no trouble with camping in the van here – totally different to the coast.
I came here after Taghazout. See this post: Hanging out in Taghazout – 14 photos of Morocco’s best known surf town
I took the mountain road to Tafraoute
This was a really scenic drive coming from Tiznit at sunset
I bumped into this guy on the way
I pulled over to get a photo and this blue van pulled up behind me. It’s Gary and Claire. He knew me from the internet. Good to meet you both 🙂
This is where Tafraoute is…
In the anti-atlas mountains about 90km inland from the coast
It’s van land, van paradise or van valley
This seems to be a winter destination for hundreds of vandwellers from europe. The floor of this valley is covered with vans, motorhomes and campers.
I camped here for a couple of nights
You can camp where you want but near the town you pay a guardian 10MAD (about 1 euro) for the night. It’s good and gives peace of mind being able to leave the van all day whilst exploring.
The small town has everything you need
Internet, hardware shops, groceries, good cafes, information. Oh and you pay local prices.
Everyone knows someone who can help you
I reversed the van over my bike. Within 10 minutes I found a guy who could rebuild the front wheel. I picked it up the next day and it cost me 100MAD – like 10 Euro! he did a great job as well.
People come to get work done on their vans… or even to get a whole new paint job
The landscape is really cool
This is Napoleon’s hat in the village of Agard Oudad 2km south of Tafraoute. It’s a popular spot for climbers
Can you see the lions face in the rocks?
This is a popular climbing area in the Ameln Valley
This whole area is also really good for cycling and hiking
And a few km down this road is the blue rocks
But I’ll show you this in a new post – see this post: Wildcamping paradise by the blue rocks in Morocco
All the locals are so welcoming here. They will shake your hand in the street – and without wanting to sell you something afterwards. I think this place is a must visit. I could probably spend a whole winter down in this valley. I love it and I recommend it, especially if you’re in a van.
Hi we are still at Tafroute after nearly a month and left the van valley yesterday to come to Mohamed’s garage for a full respray and some other minor repairs. Agree it is a great place to spend an extended stay with everything you need at good prices. Sorry we didn’t see you when you were camped here. Maybe somewhere else on our trip. Good travels. Sam and Marc aka Horshamjack.
Ah we missed each other. I can see why you’ve been there a month. I see many traveller vans at Mohamed’s garage. He must have a good reputation. A kid on a moped shouted through my window telling me to go to Mohamed because my wing mirror is smashed. Did they do a good job with the respray? I guess it’s good climate for it
I don’t imagine a woman traveling alone would have quite the same experience, unfortunately. Lots of great places I couldn’t go.
No It is really a very secure place for women. I spent three nights in there alone in a camper rented from zigzag camper in Morocco and had no problem. All locals really respect women especially if they are not from there.
You mentioned about possibly spending the whole winter in this valley. Surely its cold at night?
What are the average temperatures in the winter months?
Hi do you know a good place to get a van converted into a campervan in Morocco
What a lovely place. I spend only three nights and thinking about going back. I am from Morocco but I don’t own a camper, so just rent one from zigzag camper in Morocco and hit the road. Peaceful and a secure place even if you are a solo lady!!!
Do you know a good place to get van interiors redone? I hear rumours about awesome places in Essouairia but can’t find any hard info 🙂