Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are six villages around the lake, four of which depend on agriculture, two on fish-
ing - the men fish the lagoon and the ocean while the women gather shellfish.
Most of the fishermen take tourists around the lake as a sideline. Boat trips with the loc-
al boatmen, who have had some guide training, are easily arranged if you wander down to
the small beach where the boats are moored. Expect to pay about Dh100 per hour for the
boat. The only officially recognised (and by far the best) guide is
Hassan Dalil
( 0668 43
41 10; guide half-day Dh200, plus motorboat per hr Dh100)
, who can also be contacted at the Café
Milano (on the main road into town), where the bird log is kept. Call him rather than ask
for him as several people have been known to pretend to be him in order to take his busi-
ness. Otherwise ask the waiters at the Café Milano to call him. Trips can also be arranged
through Villanora. The boatmen can also arrange fishing trips (Dh100 per hour, including
equipment).
Hard-core birdwatchers may also want to explore
Merja Khaloufa
, an attractive lake
about 8km east of Moulay Bousselham and part of the park, which offers good viewing of
a variety of wintering wildfowl.
Sleeping & Eating
Hôtel Le Lagon
( 0537 43 26 50; fax 0537 43 26 49; d Dh300; )
The saving grace of this faded '70s hotel is
its stunning location overlooking the lagoon below. The rooms are big, bright and clean,
but in dire need of updating. The large terrace makes up for that. The restaurant is medio-
cre, and the swimming pool and nightclub are only open in July and August.
HOTEL
€
Camping Caravaning International
( 0537 43 24 77;
www.atlantisgatemb@yahoo.fr
;
2-person tent/camping/car Dh60/70/30, extra person
Dh13;
CAMPGROUND
€
)
An excellent site in a superb location, open all year.
Villanora
( 0537 43 20 71, 0664 87 20 08;
http://villanora morocco.ifrance.com
;
s/d incl breakfast Dh300/400,
with sea view Dh400/500; )
This B&B, the holiday home of an English family who fell in
love with this quiet corner of Morocco, sits on top of a high dune with glorious ocean
views. It's run by the Anglophile Mohammed, a family friend. There are just a few homey
rooms (some with shared bathroom) where you can fall asleep to the sound of crashing
waves, and breakfast is served on the terrace. Dinner is available if booked in advance -
B&B
€€
