Overlanding Morocco
Morocco is one of the closest and most accessible countries to mainland Europe to overland, the country is vast with lots to see and do, from beaches in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast, to the Atlas mountains, the Sahara desert, not to mention the rich history of the country.
The country offers very easily accessible place where you can experience overlandng. There is absolutely no need to have a guide in Morocco, it is very friendly to tourists and many people every year self drive without problems.
Vehicle Entry (update 01/01/2019)
A Carnet De Passage is not required for temporary tourist entry into the country, although it may be used if you have one. Using a carnet may allow you to stay longer than those on a TIP, and also bringing multiple vehicles at once.
**New 01/01/2019**
From 1 January 2019, the D16 temporary importation form is no longer used, travellers have reported currently you only have to present your registration documents to customs.
Customs will enter your details into their system and print you out a document / TIP.
- – Passport
- – Vehicle registration
- – Insurance (can be purchased at the port after customs)
*we are awaiting travellers reports for further details, confirming the new procedures, process and to the length of time, you are provided on entry.
**Previous – From not required / Available any more**
D16Ter
- – Passport
- – Vehicle registration
- – D16 – temporary importation ( can be completed in advance online)
- – Insurance (can be purchased at the port)
Border Crossing Mauritania to Morocco
Motor Vehicle Insurance
To drive legally in Morocco insurance is required, there are two possibilities to obtain insurance:
- – Ask your current EU insurer for coverage in Morocco (normally they will provide you a green card)
- – Obtain Insurance in Morocco either at the port or in a town centre
Expect to pay around 1980 MAD for 3 months insurance.
Visas / Immigration procedures
For most people visiting Morocco the stays of under 90 days they do not require Visa, if you are travelling by ferry to Morocco immigration procedures / passport control is carried out on board the vessel.
In order to complete possible control on board, you must obtain and complete immigration, sometimes Immigration form is provided to you with your ferry ticket.
Citizens holding passports of the following countries do not need a visa to enter the Kingdom of Morocco (If your stay is longer than 90 days, a resident permit is required and can be issued by the Police Department of your place of residence in Morocco):
Administrative area of Macao – Algeria – Andorra – Argentina – Australia – Austria – Bahrain – Belgium – Benign – Brazil – Bulgaria – Canada – Chile – Congo (Brazzaville) – Croatia – Cyprus – Czech Republic – Denmark – Divided into volumes Sao and Principale – Estonia – Finland – France – Gabon – Germany – Greece – Guinea (Conakry) – Hong-Kong (a stay limited to 30 days) – Hungary (a stay limited to 30 days)- Iceland – Indonesia – Ireland – Italy – Ivory Coast – Japan – Kuwait – Latvia – Liechtenstein – Lithuania – Luxemburg -Mali – Malta – Mexico – Monaco – Netherlands – New Zealand – Niger – Norway – Oman – Peru – Philippines – Poland – Portugal – Puerto Rico – Qatar – China – Romania – Russian Federation – San Marino -Saudi Arabia – Senegal – Singapore – Slovakia – Slovenia – South Korea – Spain – Sweden – Switzerland – Tunisia – Turkey – United Arab Emirates – United Kingdom – United States of America .
http://www.moroccanconsulate.org.uk/en/Visa.html
Citizens from countries not listed above do need a visa
Travelling to Morocco from Europe
There are several ports where you can take RORO ferries with your vehicle to Morocco. The shortest routes are from South Spain departing Tarifa port to Tangier Town and Algeciras to Ceuta (Spain)
Ferry services:
Cargo ships – It is also possible to put your vehicle on RORO cargo ships from the UK and Northern Europe to Tangier and Casablanca, this offer people the ability to send there vehicle in advance and fly down and meet it on arrival, which can save a few days for those pressed for time / on shorter trips
Self drive / off-road Morocco
There are a number of guides, maps and books available providing detailed routes for off-road 4×4 travel, I often the books will also include GPS waypoints.
Large numbers of people each year travel to Morocco independently, in general it is a very easy country to travel in, with friendly and helpful people. however you should ensure that you do have decent maps and/or the GPS.
Download open Street maps to your GPS device, which will provide you a reasonably good level of coverage, you can also search online for free, topic maps and other GPS routes and waypoints others have published or created.
Other resources available online Is wikioc , database of off-road routes, where you can download the GPS tracks https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/outdoor/morocco
Camping in Morocco
There is an abundance of campsites in Morocco, prices vary from place to place.
Free camping – there is the opportunity to free / wild camp the number areas of the country. most people tend to camp out in the desert, if you are closer to towns and cities it is quite likely the police would ask you to move on, especially during busy periods.
Useful links and websites
– Overlanding West Africa & Morocco is the number one resource and Facebook group, and our official group for the region.
Recommended repair shops
- Tbc
Morocco tours
We can recommend the following Morocco tour companies, they have a good reputation and are closely associated with our organisation:
- Tbc
Overlanding Association on August 11, 2019