Southern Morocco is home to the city of Erfoud, which is situated in the valley of the Ziz river, which originates in the middle Atlas mountains and drains into the Merzouga desert, where Tafilalet palm trees are created. A large hamada that is dotted with sand dunes encircles the same palm trees.
Regarding Erfoud
It is surrounded by breathtakingly arid environment, with rocky outcrops and a verdant oasis merging together against distant stony mountains. Scientists that perform study on Mars have shown interest in the image due to how much it resembles that planet. This arid terrain served as the backdrop for the Hollywood films The Mummy and Prince of Persia.
It was built within the French Protectorate as a military fort. Although the station was designed to keep the region under control, people sometimes came into conflict with the troops. Two tiny forts from this period that were constructed at this time may still be seen on the Borj-Est and Borj-Sud hills, which overlook the city and provide breathtaking views of the palm grove.
The reason for Erfoud’s plethora of top-notch hotels is because it acts as the administrative hub for the Errachidia province, a popular tourist destination, and a starting point for expeditions into the desert.
Off-road vehicles need a lot of infrastructure, such as garages and petrol stations, to navigate its sandy roads.
Accommodations in Erfoud?
The following is a list of the top-rated places to stay in the area that come highly recommended:
Kasbah Hotel Xaluca Arfoud.
La Rose Du Desert.
Kasbah Tizimi.
Riad Nour.
Belere Arfoud.
The land of genuine fossils is Erfoud City.
Erfoud is famous for its unique, precious fossils. Around 500 million years ago, while the area was submerged under water, many fossils were discovered there. Outside of Erfoud, there are magnificent fossil workshops where you may look around and discover unusual fossils. There are ammonites, nautiloids, crinoids, trilobites, and more. There are also fish, crocodiles, and even the remains of dinosaurs.
What sights are there in Erfoud?
The only royal palace in the area is the royal palace. Even if you cannot enter, it is nevertheless worthwhile to go see the outside and its lit gate at night.
The Ksar of Maadid
Madid near Erfoud is the biggest ksar in southern Morocco. Ksars or kasbahs are the names for historic walled cities or castles. You are welcome to explore their winding lanes and see the nearby oasis. It has tall walls and a huge gate.
Borj Est
This hill overlooking Erfoud formerly housed a military outpost. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun set over Erfoud since it offers views of the river, the city, the adjacent mountains, and the dunes. A very wonderful setting.
Constructed pieces of land art
The distance to these unusual structures is around 25 kilometers. The three most well-known ones are the city of Orion, the golden spiral, and the ladder to heaven. Using regional materials, German architect Hannsjönrg Voth built these works of contemporary art.
City of Rissani
a large oasis community situated 17 kilometers south of Erfoud in the center of Tafilalet. It is the historic capital of Sijilmassa, one of the stations for ancient caravans crossing the Sahara on their way to Timbuktu. The present Alaouite dynasty was also established there.
How to get there?
Erfoud is accessible from two important interstates. The R702 connects Erfoud to El Jorf, Tinjdad, Tinghir, and Ouarzazate. This route leads to the Merzouga desert. The N13 links Errachidia to Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga in the south.
The public transportation system has buses that go to Erfoud from the north (through Midelt, Meknes, and Fes) and the east (by Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Boumaln Dades, and Tinghir). Supratours manages the daily excursions.
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