Nature of Morocco - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Morocco is a country unique in the variety of its natural resources. Mountain ranges, sandy beaches washed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, tiny bays among the rocks, endless expanses of golden dunes, emerald oases – Simply put, nature shows its entire splendor in this region. Morocco lies in the subtropical zone. The features of the relief and the influence of the Atlantic Ocean bring variability to the country’s climate. In the coastal zones, summer is hot but comfortable, while winters are warm and mild. Closer to the center, the continental climate with its hot summer and cool winter begins to dominate. Dry weather leads to the drying up of the rivers, leaving behind picturesque “wadi” – dried up riverbeds.

The main natural landmark of Morocco is the grandiose Sahara desert located south of the Atlas Mountains. The valleys of picturesque rivers, shady oases, eternal dunes, small Tuareg villages show some of the many diversity of the desert. Under the deep black night sky, one has but to admire the magnificent scenery of the Skoura oasis and the velvet sands of the Merzouga Dunes, the ancient Efrud stones and thousands of date palms. In the north, near the town of Taza is the Tazekka National Park. Created about seventy years ago, the Park was expanded almost forty years after its discovery and now boasts of an area of ​​more than a hundred square kilometers. For all those who are attracted to the beautiful mountain scenery, the Park has natural waterfalls, grottoes and cliffs. Above it, hangs the peak of Jebel Tazekka, which reaches a height of 2 kilometers. The top of the rock became covered with cedars, lined in the shape of a crown.

In the South of Agadir is located the Souss-Massa National Park. It is a narrow strip along the rocky coast of the Atlantic Ocean between the channels of two rivers – Souss and Massa. The main pride of the Park is the nests of endangered forest ibises. In the river basins, conditions have been created for the reproduction of other species of birds, as well as rare ungulate animals. The reserve also contains various species of reptiles and butterflies. Near the Algerian border, not far from the town of Ouarzazate, lies the Draa Valley. Thanks to the Draa River, a living belt overgrown with palm trees and other trees which contrasts sharply with the desert landscape is formed in the valley. Among the mountains here, you can see the settlements of the ancient people – Kasbah. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The magnificent gardens of Menara are located in Marrakech. They were created in the 12th century upon the orders of Sultan Abdul Momin. Today the gardens are located outside the city of Medina and embody peace and relaxation after a tiring journey. On an area of ​​about 100 hectares there is an extensive grove of olive trees. Oranges and other fruit trees brought from different countries are also grown here. Another natural treasure of Marrakech is the Majorelle garden laid out by the French artist Jacques Majorelle. The garden attracts attention with the contrast of a bright blue color of the building of the former artist’s studio with emerald greenery. At the entrance to the garden is sited a bamboo alley. Plants collected from all over the world coexist with multitude of ponds, fountains, canals, in some of which you can see turtles. The garden is divided into two zones: tropical and desert. Its pearl is a park of cacti of all shapes and sizes.

There are mysterious grottoes of Hercules in the town of Ashakar near Tangier which are the deepening washed away by water. Their name originated from the myths about the twelve labors of the ancient Greek hero. Hercules rested there, gathering strength before stealing the golden apples of the Hesperides. The exit of one of the grottoes is called the reflection of Africa. There is a high humidity in absolute darkness inside each of them. At high tide, they are flooded by the sea, and at low tide the lights are turn on. The atmosphere that reigns inside the caves is determined by the sounds of drops that get away from the stone ceilings and the sounds of waves that crash against the stones. Stone blocks cast whimsical shadows on the walls.

One of the most beautiful natural attractions in Morocco is the Ouzoud waterfall, cascading from a hundred-meter height. Its transparent waters form three streams. The name of the waterfall in the Berber language means “olive”. Its name is derived from plantations of olive trees, hiding the trail to it. There are several ancient water mills at the top point of the Uzud. Some of them are still in operation. In order to inspect the waterfall, you need to pass along it by a winding path among the thickets of a carob bush and figs. In the evening, groups of macaques gather together at the foot of the waterfall. There is a super beautiful El Abid gorge not far from Uzud.