Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tourism development is an ongoing threat to the four local breeding grounds, which re-
main off-limits, but you can spot ibises around Oued Massa or at the mouth of the Tamri
River.
The park is also a great place for walking. Animals such as jackals, red foxes, wild cats,
genets and Eurasian wild boars are found here, while a large fenced area in the north of
the park contains species that have disappeared from the south, including Dorcas and
dama gazelles, addaxes, red-necked ostriches and scimitar-horned oryxes.
Guides can be arranged in the village of Massa, some 60km south of Agadir (signpos-
ted from the N1). From there, a track leads along the river to the estuary mouth (5km) and
a tarred road leads to
Sidi R'bat
(8km). This tiny village has two claims to fame. Sup-
posedly it is where the biblical Jonah was vomited up by a whale, and also where Uqba
bin Nafi, the 7th-century Arab conqueror of Morocco, rode his horse triumphantly into the
sea and called on God to witness that he could find no land left to conquer.
Ksar Massa
( 0661 28 03 19;
www.ksarmassa.com
; Sidi R'bat; s/d/tr incl breakfast Dh1411/
1962/2693, tent s/d Dh700/1100, lunch/dinner Dh170/300; )
, spectacularly located on Sidi
R'bat beach, is a fantastical destination in itself. The terracotta-and-blue contemporary
kasbah is a wonderful place to unwind, with hazy ocean views from its perch above the
pale sands. Luxuriously spacious rooms and suites are painted in bright colours and meals
are sumptuous affairs with multiple dishes. Management can arrange guided trips into the
park and throughout the region. To get there, follow the signs from Massa or 3km south of
Belfaa.
Next to Ksar Massa,
La Dune
( 0666 80 78 24;
www.ladune.de
;
Sidi R'bat; s/d/tr incl breakfast
Dh400/500/650, tent per person incl breakfast from Dh100, dinner Dh70; )
has basic two- and four-
person Berber tents, a pleasantly cool tented restaurant and African-themed, occasionally
garish rooms with balconies.
Getting There & Away
From Agadir and Inezgane, Tiznit-bound local buses and grands taxis will drop you in
Belfaa or Massa (about Dh20). From either, a grand taxi to Sidi R'bat costs about Dh200.
Accommodation options in Sidi R'bat also offer transfers to/from Agadir airport (about
Dh400). From Massa, it is about an hour's walk to Oued Massa river mouth; 4WDs also
head into the park, but both Oued Massa and Oued Souss are usually accessible by 2WD
(or grand taxi).
