Morocco Travel Guide

The Sahara  Conservation    Fund

(www.saharaconservation.org)    is

dedicated   to  preserving  the wild

creatures   of  the Sahara, and provides

a   preview of  wildlife    you might   spot    in

this    vibrant desert  ecosystem.

Souss-Massa

National    Park    (Click

here

south   of

Agadir

coastal estuaries   and forests;    275 species of  birds,  including

endangered  bald    ibis,   mammals &   enclosed    endangered

species

hiking, wildlife-

watching,

birdwatching

Mar-Oct

Lac de  Sidi

Bourhaba    (Click

here )

Mehdiya lake    &   wetlands;   200 migratory   bird    species,    including

marbled duck,   African marsh   owl &   flamingo

swimming,

birdwatching,

hiking

Oct-Mar

Merja   Zerga   National

Park    (Click  here )

Moulay

Bousselham

lagoon  habitats;   190 species of  waterfowl,  including   African

marsh   owl,    Andouin’s   gull,   flamingo    &   crested coot

wildlife-watching Dec-Jan

Talassemtane

National    Park    (Click

here )

Chefchaouencedar    &   fir forests;    Barbary macaque,    fox,    jackal  &   bats    in  the

cedar   forest

wildlife-watching,

hiking

May-Sep

Bouarfa Wildlife

Sanctuary   (Click

here )

Bouarfa red rock    steppe hiking,  climbing Apr-Oct

Tazzeka National

Park    (Click  here )

near    Taza oak    forests &   waterfalls hiking Jun-Sep

National    Park    of  Al-

Hoceima (Click  here

)

Al-Hoceima thuya    forest, limestone   escarpments,    fish    eagles hiking,

birdwatching

May-Oct

Today Morocco’s 14 national parks and 35 nature reserves, forest sanctuaries and other
protected areas overseen by Morocco’s Direction des Eaux et Forêts are conserving species
and advancing natural sciences. The park staff are tracking the region’s biodiversity through
botanical inventories, bird censuses, primate studies and sediment analyses. These studies are
critical to understanding the broader causes of habitat loss, in Morocco and beyond; the
Spanish and American Park Services have recently studied Morocco’s parklands to better
understand biodiversity concerns.

Parks have proven a boon to local wildlife, but a mixed blessing for human residents. While
national parks protect local ecosystems and attract tourist revenue, access of local
communities to water, grazing land and wild plants harvested for food and medicine has been
limited or cut off entirely. By conserving parkland, the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture aim
to help local ecosystems flourish, gradually restore arable land, and ultimately benefit local
communities with ecotourism that provides a profitable alternative to kif cultivation. In the near
future, fees for park admission may be instituted to support the parks’ conservation, scientific
and community missions. Meanwhile, the best sights in Morocco are still free and visitors can
show their appreciation to local communities by supporting local NGOs along their route ( Click
here ).

CREATIVE CONSERVATION

The only    thing   more    natural than    the wonders of  Morocco is  the

impulse to  preserve    them.   Morocco is  in  a   fortunate   position:   to

envision    a   more    sustainable future, it  can look    to  its recent

past.   Ancient khettara    irrigation  systems,    still   in  use,    transport