In northern Morocco, the Rif Mountains stretch along the Mediterranean and are Morocco's primary mountain range. The area is characterized by agriculture. Most of the fields are cultivated with grain and hemp. The grain is used as fodder for the animals as well as to produce flour for humans. Hemp cultivation is one of the most important sources of income for much of the population, in addition to tourism.  The export of hemp products secures many livelihoods and is therefore tolerated by the state and the police. Tourism focuses mainly on the city of Chefchaouen and associated day trips to the mountain area. The Berbers form the largest ethnic group, although now, they are predominantly sedentary and only partially nomadic. Typically, they live in close-knit social groups, organized in clans.

Travelling on various off-road routes, we focused on the regions of the Middle and High Atlas Mountains. In this more inaccessible part of Morocco, our 4x4 off-road vehicle, Dötnius, came in handy and enabled us to reach even more remote places. Exploring these wild and wonderful areas would not have been possible without our own vehicle. Our route took us to «Little Switzerland», encountering Barbary monkeys, seeing monumental rock formations and meeting Berber families in the Vallée Heureuse. We experienced magical sunsets and sunrises as well as the hospitality of the local people. Regardless the time, place or circumstances, we were always welcomed warmly – and created cherished memories.

After crossing the Middle Atlas and driving towards Merzouga, our car, Dötnius, experienced the desert for the first time.  On the way we came across a number of beautiful oases though once arrived in Merzouga we were hit by the harsh desert climate and could but admire the adaptbility of the local people. Moving west we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aït Ben-Haddou, which has served as a backdrop for many movies and TV series. For us, this was the first approach to the crossing of the Sahara, which was ready and waiting for us.

Turning away from the Moroccan desert, we drove back over the High Atlas till we reached the coastal plain. We spent a few days in Casablanca and then drove along the coast towards Western Sahara. On the way, we visited a UNESCO biosphere, which is responsible to protect endangered argan trees, local to this region. The coastal region is characterized by fishing villages, cliffs and sandy beaches.