Get your humps ready for camel trekking and tagine tasting as we take on the Sahara with the Berbers!
Morocco is known for its vibrant culture, colorful markets, and stunning landscapes, including the vast and majestic Sahara desert. For those seeking adventure, the Moroccan desert offers various activities, from camel trekking to sandboarding and hot air balloon rides to quad biking. T
o truly experience the desert and its unique culture, many travelers opt for tours with local Berber guides, who have lived there for centuries and offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise.Â
There are many exciting things to do in the Moroccan desert. Here are some ideas:
- Camel Trekking: Riding a camel is one of the best ways to explore the Moroccan desert. Tour companies offer a variety of camel treks, ranging from a few hours to several days.
- Camping: Spend a night or two in a traditional Berber camp, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner cooked over an open fire and sleep under the stars.
- Sandboarding: For the adventurous, try sandboarding down the dunes of the Moroccan desert. Various tours provide sandboards and instructions for those who want to try it out.
- Hiking: Take a guided hike through the desert to explore the stunning landscapes, discover hidden oases, and learn about the local flora and fauna.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: Experience the Moroccan desert by taking a hot air balloon ride from a new perspective– choose sunrise or sunset flights over the dunes.
- Quad Biking: For those who prefer a faster pace, various tour companies offer quad bike tours through the desert, where you can experience the thrill of speeding across the sand.
- Visit Nomad Villages: Visit traditional Berber nomad villages and learn about their way of life, culture, and traditions.
- Stargazing: The Moroccan desert is famous for its clear night skies. Stargazing tours is where you can learn about the constellations and the stories behind them.
- Local Food Experience: Try traditional Berber cuisines, such as tagine, couscous, and mint tea, and learn about the cooking techniques and ingredients used in the desert.
- Photography: The Moroccan desert is a photographer’s dream with its stunning landscapes and unique culture. Book guided photography tours to help you capture the best shots.
Did you know?
One interesting fact about the Berbers in Morocco is that UNESCO has recognized their traditional music as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Berber music includes various genres and styles, such as Ahidous, Aroubi, and Gnaoua.
Instruments commonly used in Berber music include the lute-like guembri, the double-headed drums called bendirs, and the single-headed frame drums called taarija. Music plays a vital role in Berber cultural and social events, such as weddings and religious ceremonies.
A little history:
The Berbers are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, with a history that dates back thousands of years. The name “Berber” is derived from the Greek word “Barbaros,” which means “foreigner” or “barbarian,” and was used by ancient Greeks and Romans to describe the peoples of North Africa.
The Berbers are believed to be descendants of the ancient people who inhabited North Africa before the Arab conquests of the 7th century. They were initially divided into various tribes and kingdoms with their language and culture.
Despite centuries of outside influence from multiple conquerors, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs, the Berbers maintained a strong cultural identity.
In the Middle Ages, the Berbers were known for their seafaring skills and were active traders in the Mediterranean. They also played a vital role in the spread of Islam in North Africa, with many Berber tribes converting to the religion in the 7th and 8th centuries.
During the colonial era, North Africa was divided among European powers, with France taking control of much of the region. The Berbers suffered under colonial rule, with their languages and cultures suppressed in favor of French culture and language.
In the 1900s, the Berbers began to assert their cultural identity and demanded recognition and rights.
They are diverse, with a population of around 25 million across North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania. While many Berbers have adopted the dominant languages and cultures of their respective countries, many still maintain their distinct Berber language and cultural traditions.
