Morocco Skydiving 101

Morocco Skydiving 

Morocco is known for its rock climbing and trekking, but when most people think of adventure activities in Morocco, skydiving doesn’t normally come to mind, but for a place lush in beautiful scenery, what better way to view it on a Morocco holiday than from thousands of feet up? Even though Morocco is lined with mountain peaks, it also has many wide-open spaces—making for a great drop-zone. Skydiving is a relatively new sport in the country, however, like many adventure sports, its popularity is picking up speed.

There are two major skydiving schools in Morocco to consider while making your travel plans. Located a short distance from Marrakech is the Beni Mellal Flying Club (PACMA), which offers a full-day experience for adventure seekers. Whether you’ve jumped many times or this will be your first experience, the PACMA team is ready to make your Moroccan skydiving experience memorable. Everyone that is interested in jumping must undergo a medical examination and then an introduction briefing. 

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Tales from the Heart of Morocco

Tales from the Heart of Morocco
“Never act in haste. Think first.” Those are the words of a storyteller who sells his words for 100 pieces of gold per portion to the Sultan of Marrakesh in Abderrahim El Makkouri’s story, “The Vizier and the Barber.” These words end up saving the Sultan’s life. If it were not for the work of Richard Hamilton, we would not know Makkouri’s story today.

In 2006, Richard Hamilton was sent to Marrakesh as a correspondent for the BBC. Shortly after arriving, he heard of the hlaykia – oral storytellers – who had been plying their trade in Marrakesh for nearly 1,000 years. He was intrigued by the possibility that people in Morocco, where the literacy rate hovers around fifty percent, still practiced the dying art of oral storytelling. Hamilton interviewed one of these storytellers and, over the following three years, continued traveling to Marrakesh to track down more hlaykia. While interviewing them, Hamilton learns about the history of oral storytelling in Marrakesh, how the art of oral storytelling is becoming lost, and, perhaps most importantly, he recorded these stories that had previously only been told in small circles in the Jemma el Fna, the main square and carnival heart of Marrakesh, for a millennium.


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Wildlife of Morocco (with pictures)

Morocco for the past several years has been trying to stop the deforestation of their lands by creating a number of bio reserves and national parks in the Ait Bougmez Valley, Rif Mountains, and High Atlas Mountains. Wildlife in Morocco has dwindled because of agricultural use of the land, pollution entering the water sources and locals annihilating various species. The government has taken this turmoil into account, and there are still many areas of Morocco which luckily still untouched.  There are eighteen species of mammals that are on the border of extinction along with eleven bird species here in Morocco. For anyone who is visiting Morocco the best places to witness the wonders of wildlife are the national parks and reserves.  

Houbara in Morocco

Purple Heron, White Headed Duck, Crested Coot, Houbara and Marble Duck have lost numbers due to issues in the marshland.  Exactly 182 plant species are now endangered, but for tourists with conservation in mind, protection of these species is possible.

Spotted Woodpecker in Morocco

In a direct way, aMorocco toursyou can help place money into the economy at some of the reserves like the Souss Massa Biological Reserve or the Toubkal Biological Reserve.  These two large parks make it possilble to see more than 200 species of animals and birds, some that may not be around forever.  Waders, Spoonbills, Flamingos, and Woodpeckers are going to be found within the forests of these parks.

Egyptian Cobras, red Foxes, Leopards, and Golden Jackals are also within the borders of the reserves. Other smaller species of animals like squirrels and butterflies can be seen in the High Atlas Mountains when on a trekking Morocco tour.

A Chillaxed Barbary Monkey in Morocco

Trekking the desert of Morocco also yields other species of wildlife such as Wild Boars and Eagles. High Atlas trekking up the mountains of M’Goun or Jbel Toubkal can help visitors reach other wildlife not always seen.  For example, Barbary Monkeys are quite endangered but they can be seen when trekking up the valley paths towards the mountains.  

By trekking in Morocco you are also able to experience the culture of Morocco.  Morocco villages are largely without electricity in the High Atlas Mountains. They rely heavily on streams, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls for their water.  They also build huts from wood and sand, such as adobe homes in the cliffsides to live.  Their homes show elaborate art on the walls and ceilings. Morocco tour operators can arrange home stays with many of the families living in such homes. These humble experiences help us all appreciate all that we have and hold dear.

Dab Lizards in Morocco

Most of the trekking can be done with mules bringing the equipment along.  However, there are some paths in which the mules have to be left behind as they narrow.  Throughout the footpaths of Morocco, it’s possible to see goats, dab lizards and even the elusive panther (a legend these days).

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