By: El Mostafa NAZIH
In Morocco, the small town of Merzouga is known, of course, internationally as a tourist area par excellence and almost never escapes the Saharan tourist and sports circuits scheduled each year; mBut its main particularity, which moreover gives it its natural prestige, is its Erg Chebbi, this immense expanse of ocher, golden sand dunes. A kind of waves in perspective.
This destination has just been ranked 3rd most beautiful place in the world by the site specializing in travel TimeOut who considers the desert ofErg Chebbi, located north of Merzouga, like a pearl among 30 most enchanting and impressive places on the planet. In an article titled “The most beautiful places in the world”, recently published as part of a global dossier on “The 30 most beautiful places in the world, according to travelers who have seen them all”, TimeOut writes in particular that “Morocco is home to some of the most beautiful deserts in the world and Erg Chebbi is the most evocative stretch of Sahara sand imaginable.”
Telling about tourism in Merzouga is, in addition to the Sand Dunes, also talking about palm trees, camels, bivouacs, campsites, hotels, swimming pools, hiking, evenings, desert, sun, music, dance, sports circuit… It’s adventure exotic, in short.
For some visitors and tourists, both Moroccans and foreigners, coming here means appreciating these famous Dunes of theErg Chebbiwhile for others, it is to experience the famous “sand bath”, so famous.
The benefits of sand bathing – which consists of curative “burial” in the sands and which is considered a remedy for people suffering from rheumatism – have long been told here and elsewhere.
This practice keeps its salvation thanks apparently to a merciless sun which beats down in July-August in particular and to the fineness of a naturally clean sand, naturally maintained also by the Chergui wind which, sometimes, blows strong and hot… as if it blew hot and cold. Useful and necessary precision, however, in the sense that the sand bath is formally not recommended for people with diabetes, heart disease or chronic conditions.
Left to particularly appreciate these Dunes, I saw from afar “Sahara Garden” Camping and Hotel.
At the time, Ssi Brahim, the welcoming chef and his staff were hard at work serving groups of tourists from different backgrounds (especially European and Asian) who were eager to enjoy the pool.
These tourists immediately notice that the glass of tea that awaits them is a tradition of rigor like the traditional dishes, rich and varied, of Moroccan cuisine.
After a visit to the spacious rooms of the hotel and the large spaces of the bivouacs, at the campsite, it’s time to swim.
Some are pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful, well-appointed and maintained swimming pool in the middle of the desert to have fun while facing the sun – which beats down for sunbathing in this period – which we have come to discover, however. As for the camel ride “hunting” at Sunset in the desert, it is just as exotic and magical.
How to “Sahara Garden” we organize these hikes as well as open-air dance evenings around a fire for those who dream of escape and space, it is another magical facet calling on professionalism and know-how. make of Ssi Brahim and certainly to the ingenuity of his team, who point out to us, moreover, that the European caravanners whom we saw earlier are not on their first stay as long as their children appreciate places here.
For visitors who opt for bivouacs, it is because they have decided to dive into the heart of the Sahara, surrounded by palm trees, and to appreciate the morning sunrise in the middle of the desert.
About a kilometer further on, the friendly other leader of “Secret Sahara”, Ssi Hsain was also hard at work welcoming caravanners of different nationalities including Germans who usually, by word of mouth, say that the German of Ssi Hsain is excellent. Bravo, should we say, to these autodidacts speaking several languages who honor and boost tourism in this admirable region of the Kingdom of Morocco.
In this small town in the south of the country, which comes under the province of Errachidia, in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, what is even more remarkable is the extent of tourist projects; the specific nature of the Sahara attracts more and more visitors.
At “Sahara Garden”from time to time small birds appear around the swimming pool, flying over the palm trees and adapting to the dry climate, as if borrowing from the expression “See Naples and die” to say, rather, to these visitors: “See Merzouga to come back”.
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