Ouzoud Falls, Morocco - Leave Marrakech and spend two days...

Ouzoud Falls, Morocco – Leave Marrakech and spend two days HERE in a stunning paradise. Why is it vital to do this you may ask? This article will explain every essential thing about Ouzoud Falls. Plus why Marrakech is simply a tourist trap and if you want an authentic taste of Morocco, visit Ouzoud, in the Atlas Mountains instead! This majestic land is home to the highest waterfall in North Africa, Ouzoud Falls. It’s also the homeland of the Berbers, the original people of Morocco.

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Quick Facts about Ouzoud

Ouzoud Falls are 110m (330ft) at the highest drop, making them the highest in North Africa.
They are located next to Tanaghmeilt village, in the province of Azilal, in the Middle Atlas Mountains.
The area of Ouzoud is populated with many Barbary monkeys, who are very used to humans, due to the influx of tourism.
Despite tourism; agriculture is still the predominant way of making a living for the locals.
There are two schools of thought as to what the word ‘Ouzoud’ means. Some say it translates roughly from the Berber language as ‘the act of grinding grain’. The other view is that Ouzoud comes from the word ‘Ozo’ meaning ‘olive’. At any cost, there are many grinding mills and olive trees in the surrounding area!

Who are the Berber people?

The Berbers are the original inhabitants of Morocco. They are also called the ‘Imazighen’ collectively and individually the ‘Amazigh’, meaning ‘the free people’. The latter is the name the people in the countryside and mountain areas prefer. The word Berber was believed to be coined by the Arabs that come later.

It’s believed there’s between 30-40 million Berber speaking people spread throughout Africa.

They are fiercely proud people with their own language and culture. Indeed, the Berbers have had a pivotal role in forming the identity of Morocco and contributing to its rich history.

Berber people are generally a mix of farmers, merchants and nomads. Today their influence bleeds into the wider culture of the country as a whole, with most modern day Arabs proudly recognizing their heritage.

The warm hospitality of the locals

The people of Morocco are warm, fun, and friendly. Especially the Berber people whom I met when I visited the breathtaking Ouzoud Falls in the Atlas mountains. I spent three nights in this verdant land set against the red clay of the Atlas, staying at the Ighbola hotel and restaurant.

Ouzoud Falls – Why leave Marrakech and spend at least two days here? Well, firstly, because of the warm hospitality of the people here. At night I would sit with the young Moroccan men and boys who helped out at the hotel and watch the British premier league football with them. They didn’t speak much English, and my Arabic wasn’t great, but we bonded like brothers. One of my new friends explained that they were all honored and so happy that I had chosen to spend three nights in Ouzoud, as most tourists maybe spend three hours day-tripping from nearby Marrakech.

I explained that I wanted to meet the real people of their country, not just see one big, elaborate show put on for western tourists (which was the vibe I got in Marrakech).

The Berbers told me they didn’t like many people from the city, as they would come to the mountains and steal the monkeys, the same monkeys they would stick on a tourist’s shoulders and then ask for money.

Visit to Tanaghmeilt

While admiring Ouzoud Falls one afternoon, I met a guitar-playing musician and an artist who always had a falcon perched on his shoulder. They took me to Tanaghmeilt, their village nearby, and to their home. We became good friends. I learned from them that at one time, the Berber had never used currency, they simply traded by sharing skills and values. However, the city dwellers and the government changed all of this, and the threat of unwanted land development hung over these people now.

It was fascinating and sad to see how the Berber way of life was now being somewhat affected, and I hoped this idyllic spot wouldn’t get sold out to mass tourism and money-hungry developers. The people I met were eager to share their concerns and aspirations with me. They wanted nothing from me, just my time and my shell-like ear.

Marrakech – The Tourist Trap

Having spent one month travelling around Morocco, I can say straight off the bat, there are much better, more enrichening experiences to have elsewhere.

To my mind, the outcome of you choosing to stay in an authentic Moroccan location like Ouzoud or spending time in the tourist trap that is Marrakech will be very different. The differences in how you come away perceiving the country, will be like day and night.

The two magnets

There are two magnets the vast majority of tourists in Marrakech are drawn to: the medina and Jemaa El Fna Square. These are epicentres for scam-artists and local opportunists.

If you take a photo expect any random person to confront you and demand or lull you into believing you owe them money for doing so. While this is to be expected if you photo the snake charmers, but putting that aside, it is essentially your right to use your cameraphone, just as much as the next man who owns one, local or foreign.

Around the square expect to see some really sad examples of animal abuse. You’ll see malnourished monkeys being hoisted onto unsuspecting shoulders and tourists from all over the world having their money so easily extracted from their wallets. You’ll be coerced into a video or photo of one of the poor monkeys, but at a hefty price.

The dark overlayer

One really needs to assert themselves in these situations and make it clear you don’t wish to participate in the cruel theatre. These monkeys are often stolen from their natural home with the Amizagh, as a way to hold a tourist for ransom.

Marrakech certainly displays little of the charm it was famed for back in its heyday, at least if you visit the tourist spots mentioned above. The city of Marrakech serves to give visitors the false perception Morocco is full of ingenuine folk. Chancers. When this really isn’t the case. The city is the dark over layer you must dust off to unveil the true, warm heart of this colourful country and its people. The Berbers typify or embody this more than anyone. They will leave a satisfying impression on the soul and memory.

Only one night in town

I only spent one night in Marrakech, because it was somewhere to rest after a long journey. I wandered out into the square , side-stepped the scams, having already did my homework on the area. And I didn’t go anywhere near the Medina, knowing faux guides will be waiting like hungry wolves for my money.

I was more excited to head to Ouzoud, a place holding much more fascination in my opinion. I’d go there the following morning.

Don’t fall in the trap

Ouzoud proved to be a place where I’d forge long-lasting friendships with the locals. At least on a psychic or soul level, for we did not speak the same language. I just saw how the Berber people wanted to share their story/culture, their hospitality and warmth. They were simply thankful I was sharing some moments in life with them.

People may disagree vehemently with my assessment of Marrakech and say I wasn’t there long enough to judge. Perhaps true and I’m sure there are pockets of this city that are lovely. However, in general tourists are drawn to the medina and Jemaa El Fna Square and unless you want to fall in the trap, then avoid like the plague.

Come to Ouzoud: Things to do

Ouzoud waterfalls pours into the Al Abid River, forming pools for bathing. Come here and enjoy the warm waters in the summertime. Even go for a swim!
At about 20MAD (approx $2) take a boat ride to within 2 or 3 metres from the waterfall, almost going underneath. Be sure to wear a rain jacket, as it’ll be a wet one.
See the Barbary monkeys in their natural habitat. They hang out in the trees and bushes all around the falls.
Enjoy the trip to Ouzoud through the open countryside and pinky red Atlas mountains.
Spend time relaxing with a picnic or dine in a local restaurant.
Get the perfect vantage point for some stunning travel photos of the cascades. Natural rainbows form from the water mist and appear like magic against the red clay of the rocks behind. Just don’t get too near the edge of the mountains, it could be fatal! There are plenty of safe paths to see the spectacle from.

Getting there from Marrakech

I have read numerous posts about how ‘difficult’ it is to reach Ouzoud alone. But I would disagree totally. By applying some street smart and common sense, it’s very easy.

To begin with, just do your own research to get factual info, such as where to catch a bus, what time it’s due etc. Verify your findings with the reception of where you’re staying in Marrakech. It’s important to show you’ve did your own research and you plan to make your own way there. This means NO TOUR GUIDES!

Basically, you must take a local bus to the province of Azilal or Beni Mellal and from there you can catch a taxi direct to Ouzoud. It takes about 3 hours and is a scenic ride.

More than a day trip

Ouzoud Falls – Leave Marrakech and spend at least two days in this stunning paradise. Do this because it’s more than a day trip organized by tour guides in the city. It should give you a real sense of Morocco and the free people called the Berber. You can connect with the locals if you spend more than a few rushed hours here. Instead choose to spend at least a few nights and enjoy the wild nature and the company of its people.