Zagora

Due east of Agadir, Zagora is reached via the magical Draa valley, a string of palmeries in a scenic mountain setting, stretching from Ouarzazate south east for around 125 km. It is the gateway to the Sahara and the most convenient stopping off point before travelling on to the sand dunes.

Zagora Main Street

The best dunes are near M’Hamid, a minimum of 80 minutes' drive away at Erg Lehoudi, near the hamlet of Oulad Driss. For those wishing to reduce their journey, the small Tinfou dunes about 20 kms to the south are an inferior alternative with just a small dune field. The Djebel Zagora (the mountain opposite the town) and the Draa valley palmery are worth exploring on foot or mountain bike.

If travelling to Zagora or M’Hamid from Agadir or Taroudant, a convenient stopping off point about 4 hours east of Taroudant is Agdz; on return from the dunes you might instead return along the Draa valley via the Ouarzazate area to see Ait Benhaddou or Skoura

En route from Ouarzazate or Taroudant, Tamegroute is worth a visit. It is renowned for its distinctive green pottery and the Koranic library visited by scholars throughout the Islamic world housing, for example, rare 12th century hide manuscripts, it should be noted that the library is sometimes closed.

Occasional sandstorms can bring travel to a halt. In autumn, at the time of date harvest, flies can be a problem. Behave sensibly to avoid sunstroke – the only well equiped hospital in the desert is in Ouarzazate.

Climate

The best time to travel to Zagora is between October and May, since temperatures can be excessive outside this period. Rain falls mainly between December and March, which tends to be the wettest month.

Average temperatures in celsius
Months Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Zagora 21 23 26 30 34 39 42 41 36 30 26 21

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