Morocco is the most popular country in Africa in terms of tourism. It is the most visited country in Africa in 2018, with over 11 million people visiting this region of the world. It is part of the Maghreb region, which is Africa’s Arab world. Tourists mostly visit the country to experience its culture. They visit many of the country’s architectural marvels from the ancient ruins, which indicate Phoenician and Roman impressions, and the modern designs in the urban centers.
Moroccan cuisine is also revered. It is generally fragrant because Moroccans are indulgent in their use of spices and vegetables. Among the popular food, ingredients are lemon, mint, olives, oranges, and saffron. The locals prefer chicken above all other types of meat, followed by beef. Lamb is also a favorite but is generally expensive. One of the most famous international dishes that originated in the country is couscous.
Among the most famous Moroccan destinations are the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. The former is a famous mountain range in the Maghreb traversing Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world traversing 10 countries: Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, and Morocco.
The country is also known for its biodiversity. As part of the Mediterranean basin, the nation is also known to house many endemic species of plants and animals. The country’s emblem is the Barbary lion, which was a species that was supposedly endemic of the Maghreb. Poaching and hunting, though, drove the species into extinction in the region. Other endemic animals in the country are facing the same threats, which was why it was important to enforce laws to protect Morocco’s natural resources.
To experience the country’s biodiversity, tourists should visit the following unexplored national parks:
1. Al Hoceima National park
The park is located in Al Hoceima and shares its name. It was established as a protected park in 2004 to preserve its undisturbed coastline. It is home to beautiful beaches as well as mountains in its interiors and high cliffs, which provide a great vista of the entire park. The limestone cliffs are geological marvels. The terrestrial part is blanketed by various tree species: Aleppo pine, carob, green and Kermes oak, jujube, lentisk, Mediterranean cypress, Mediterranean dwarf palm, and wild olive. The marine part has some 264 species of seaweed.
The marine part is vibrant with the presence of three species of dolphins: common, common bottlenose, and striped. There are also three species of turtles: green, leatherback, and loggerhead. The shallow part is also a favorite roosting area for the ospreys. The sea caves in the park are exciting to navigate because it is also a favorite shelter of the Mediterranean monk seals.
2. Khenifra National Park
Also known as Aguelmame Azigza National Park, this protected area in Central Morocco was created in 2008. The park is home to two stunning lakes: Aguelmame Aziza and Augelmame Sidi Ali. The land surrounding the lakes used to be covered in Atlas cedar. However, the lack of maintenance has probably caused the degradation of the surrounding vegetation. Lake Augelmame Sidi Ali remains a significant area, though, as it is a Ramsar Wetland. Despite the lack of terrestrial plants and trees, the lake still hosts a good number of water birds.
Among the more common migratory birds are crested coots and ruddy shelducks.
The park is a great place to do some hiking and camping. It is especially a nice thing to put up a tent near the lake.
3. Merja Zerga National Park
While this is the official name of the park after its tidal lagoon, the water body is also referred to as Laguna de Moulay Bou Selham. However, it is a significant protected area in Morocco. The centerpiece of the park is the lagoon, which has received a Ramsar Wetland designation in 1980. The lagoon receives its water from the Oued Drader.
The lagoon is significant for providing habitat to over 100 species of birds. The area is one of the sites covered under the East Atlantic Flyway, which is a migration route followed annually by over 90 million birds. Tens of thousands of ducks migrate to the park during the winter season, while more or less 75,000 waders do the same. Other park visitors are common and ruddy shelducks, common coot, Eurasian wigeon, gadwall, greater flamingo, grey plover, marbled teal, northern shoveler, pied avocet, and slender-billed curlew. The marsh owl, though, is a permanent resident of the park.
4. Talassemtane National Park
Established in 2004, the park aims to protect the country’s fir forests, which have been threatened by human activities. The park hosts the last of the country’s fir forests. The forest area, though, is not even the most wonderful part of the park. The honor belongs to the natural bridge known as the Bridge of God. The park is a good but challenging hiking venue. The hiking trails will also lead to the villages of Akchour and El Kalaa.
Hikers will also enjoy the view of the park that includes some Atlas cedar trees, which is an endangered species native to the Atlas mountains. There are also Andalusian belladonnas within the park.
5. Toubkal National Park
This is a park within the High Atlas mountain range, which is one of the most visited areas of Morocco. The park is home to several high mountains. It is a great hiking and mountain climbing venue. The highest peak within the park is the Jbel Toubkal at 4,167 meters. Within the Atlas Mountains, the Toubkal is the dream for serious climbers. The other high mountain within the park is the Ouanoukrim mountain, which has two summits: Timzguida standing at 4,089 meters and Ras Ouanoukrim at 4,083 meters.
The other peaks in the park are the following: Plateau de Tazarhart (3,995 meters), L’Aksoual (3,910 meters), Ineghmar (3,892 meters), Bou Iguenouane (3,882 meters), Le Tichki (3,753 meters), and Azrou Tamadout (3,664 meters). There are also petroglyphs within the park that are thousands of years old.