Morocco is, hands down, the most popular country in all of Africa. Tourists from all over the world flock to Morocco to explore the area while submersing themselves in the music, cuisine, and distinct culture. Morocco is so popular, in fact, the country plans to host more than 10,000,000 visitors by the end of 2010.

The country is huge and there is a lot to see and do. One of the most highly recommended methods for exploring the country is to simply rent a car and hit the roads on your own. While public transportation is available for those who may not want to go at it alone, the ability to drive through Morocco will give you the opportunity to stop at places that are a little bit further off of the beaten path.

Obtaining a Rental Car

Finding a rental car to drive during your trip through Morocco is no different than it is in most major cities around the world. You should be able to arrange for a rental car in advance by making a reservation with a major international chain such as AVIS, Hertz, or even Budget. Check the internet and consider asking your local travel agent for recommendations, as the average rental car can cost anywhere between $40 and $85 per day, if not more.

If you carry full coverage on your personal vehicle your coverage may or may not extend to your rental car, depending on your carrier’s rules regarding rentals out of the country. Despite this fact, it’s still best to purchase automobile insurance from the rental car company. While your personal coverage may pay for damages to the vehicle itself, it absolutely will not pay for the “loss of use” charges your rental car carrier will assess to cover the money they are losing while the car you damaged is undergoing repair.

As with most rental car companies, the driver of your vehicle will have to be at least 25 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and possess a credit card to pay for charges. Be sure to check in advance to find out if you need to fulfill any special requirements for an international driving permit.

Traveling Morocco by Car

We’d recommend this regardless of the country you’re driving through: never leave home without a road map. If you don’t know how to read one, you’ll quickly learn. The roads between major cities are often well marked and evenly paved, but some of the lesser traveled routes are not as easy to navigate.

Never leave one destination for another without topping off your gas tank. You will not find a filling station on every city corner like in most major cities in the United States. You could easily drive for several miles without even a sign of civilization, let alone a place to purchase gas. Morocco may be a safe place, but we don’t recommend getting stuck anywhere strange because of such a silly oversight.

Planning Your Trip

As we mentioned before, Morocco is a huge place and there are tons of incredible towns to see. The average person needs about eight days to drive through Morocco, though some who are lucky enough to be retired or have vacation days backed up will find three or four weeks to be a reasonable amount of time as well.

This is the part where a little bit of advanced planning comes into play. Sit down with your road map, determine how much time you have, and figure out what route you’d like to take. No matter where you go, try to include these unforgettable cities:

• Casablanca is the setting for the famous movie and is also home to the second largest mosque in the world, Hassan II Mosque;

• Marrakech is a short trip down the Marrakech-Casablanca expressway and it’s here that you’ll get to see some of the saints tombs before entering the city;

• Djemaa Al Fna is an incredible place to stop and explore some of Morocco’s finest bazaars. Just be sure to watch out for large tourist crowds and hustlers. You’ll be asountded by the beautiful silks, woven baskets and foods waiting to be discovered;

• Ait Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site found not far off the N9. The village lies along the Ourzazate River and is a welcoming destination for those wishing to explore culture outside the big city;

• Tangiers is another famous Moroccan town and has historically been incredibly popular amongst writers, artists, and musicians, especially in the first half of the 1900’s;

• Essaouira is a beautiful harbor town you won’t want to miss. A relaxing afternoon in a caf? after a morning of watersports or photography should top your agenda. This is the perfect Moroccan destination for anyone who wants to spend a day or two in complete relaxation.

These are, of course, only a sample of the incredible destinations you’ll find throughout Morocco. No matter where you end up you’re sure to be greeted by friendly locals and fellow tourists. Make sure you research local traffic laws, check your car for defects before hitting the road, and mark your destinations on the road map before you embark. Your road trip through Morocco will be the trip of a lifetime!

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