je projette un tour dans l'atlas en en septembre , partant des cascades d'ouzoud via azilal , la vallee heureuse la catedrale, pour finir a ain leuh et foret de cedres . avez vous et des infos sur l'etat des routes/pistes dans cette zone et des conseils sur des coins a voir .
Bonjour Robert.
Tu vas visiter une des régions que j'aime beaucoup, Ain leu, Ifrane, La route des lacs, Azrou etc.
Toutes les routes sont goudronnées et en bon état. Il y a peu de circulation et les paysages sont superbes. Cette région du Moyen Atlas est très visitée et tu trouveras tout ce dont tu as besoin sans aucun problème. D'autre part tu seras en plein pays Berbère. Ce sont des gens extraordinaires par leur hospitalité, leur gentillesse, leur générosité et leur ouverture d'esprit. Emotions garanties.
Nous n'héritons pas de la terre de nos ancêtres, nous l'empruntons à nos enfants - Antoine de St-Exupéry
entierement d'accord avec toi, nous avions fait la partie gorges du dades/emilchil/midelt il y a 4 ans et je m'etais promis de revenir , les gens tres sympas , paysages magnifiques.
..... les cascades d ouzoud un septembre...il n'y aura pas beaucoup d'eau car f'in d'été et surtout grosse sécheresse dans le sud marocain l'hiver dernier ....il a trés peu neigé ...POur la cathédrale.... attention .... c'est assez éloigné et tu risques de perdre pas mal de temps....LAvallée heureuse des ait bougmez c'est trés beau ...en remontant sur ain leuh comment y vas tu???? Par midelt ??? au quel cas ne rate pas le crique de jaffar et l"aguelmane sidi ali ....ou par beni mellal et kenifra??? auquel cas passe d'azilal à bin el ouidane ....puis à kenifra tourne à dsroite pour rejoindre ain leu par les sources de l oum er bia ....si tu restes un peu à ain leu...va faire un tour à ZOUAI D IFRANE environ 40 kms au sud ...c est sublime et pas de touristes... et pas mal d hebergement rural sur place ...sinon à ain leu...installe toi au gite de NEHRAT chez Hassan et Aziz ... en pleine campagne ... azrou n est pas loini et leur maman fait une cuisine marocaine divine ...
Bonne ballade alain
Au fait aux casqcades d ouzoud et sources oum er bia ..évite les we ... c'est bondoé surtout si chaleur ...
Pour l'état des routes ... attention pour accés vallée heureuse ...route sublime mais pas plus de 40 Kms/heure.... le reste du rezo de route où tu vas passer sont à peu prés en état ...
Et à cette saison ... attentiuon azunorage dans le haut atlas qui peuvent être dévastateur ...
Nous venons de faire, en mai, une partie de ton projet dans l'autre sens.
De IMI-N-IFRI (pont naturel) route R302 (correcte),
puis piste (R302) jusqu'à AGOUTI: état moyen avec des ornières au début.
Il y a des travaux sur 2/4 km.
AGOUTI (vallée heureuse)>>>La cathédrale: très bonne piste
"La cathédrale">>>>Lac BIN-EL-OUIDANE: très bon aussi.
Après je ne sais ou tu passes.
La R306 est une bonne route.
ATTENTION depuis "la cathédrale" on ne peut toujours pas aller à ANERGUI.
La piste est toujurs effondrée.
nous étions sur ce secteur il y a quelques semaines, les infos sont donc relativement fraiches :
- la piste qui part de BIN EL OUIDANE vers la CATHEDRALE est excellente, aucune difficulté. Tu continues la progression vers ZAOUIA HAHENSAL, quelques kilomètres plus loin tu arrives au sommet du col. Après peu de kilomètres dans le descente, tu tombes sur un carrefour. Soit tu descends vers AIT AHMED soit tu continues vers les AIT BOUGHEMEZ (très jolie parcours, avec de nombreux gîtes pour dormir).
- Je te conseille également la route 307 entre DEMNATE et SKOURA les paysages sont fabuleux, et le parcours facile. ATTENTION : Il se peut que dans le cas d'un éventuel orage, les pistes soient dégradées.
bon voyage
Jean-marc LAFFARGUE - association LES PARRAINS DU DESERT
" un jour, j'irai encore plus loin ..."
SALUT et merci a tous pour vos conseils , nous sommes revenus enchantes par le sejour, comme d'habitude et la tete pleine de paysages, souvenirs et anecdotes .
un cas de racolage que je n'avais pas encore vu:
entre ouarzazate et agdz , dans la montee du col , un camion sur le bas cote avec une trainee d'huile parterre un mec qui nous fait des signes, camion en panne il va a agdz demande si on peu le mener pour revenir reparer car il est plein de sucre pour une "caravane"??? .
resultat, om atteri dans un bazard de tapis et souvenirs !!!
Circuit de la Vallée Heureuse (Ait Bougmez) le 07 mars 2013 (année assez exceptionnelle question pluie et enneigement), en Renault Symbol.
Compte rendu :
Azilal / Ait Mhamed = route à une voie, goudron parfois défoncé ou enfoui sous la boue, je suis un taxi qui ralentit quand il faut et qui montre le chemin entre les trous. Facile à 90 km/h.
Une fois à Ait Mhamed, je me renseigne auprès d'un chauffeur de taxi : " ça passe par là" en montrant l'Est.
Ait Mhamed / Vallée Heureuse par l'Est :
Jusqu'à l'embranchement Tilougguite / Vallée heureuse (panneau indicateur), route goudronnée en très bon état, encore plus étroite que la précédente mais je ne croise pratiquement personne, ça monte fort, paysages somptueux plutôt désertiques. À noter, peu après Ait Mhamed, sur la droite, le lit d'un Oued asséché en escalier d'un carrelage régulier, géant, naturel, curiosité géologique que je ne saurais expliquer.
Aussitôt après l'embranchement, ça se complique : fin du goudron (pour longtemps) et premières plaques de neige sur le flanc de la montagne => piste de boue avec ornières, très étroite (de longs passages où il serait impossible de se croiser, heureusement personne). On continue a monter sur un flanc Nord, de plus en plus de neige tout autour mais rien sur la piste. Cette neige fondante alimente la boue, les flaques, les ruisseaux qui parsèment la piste. Ça passe en seconde, avec des sueurs froides quand l'eau masque la profondeur de l'ornière. Heureusement, la pente est raisonnable donc pas de problèmes d'adhérence.
Je n'ai pas eu l'occasion d'admirer le paysage sur ce tronçon d'environ 10 kilomètres mais aussitôt sur le versant Sud, quand ça descend et que la neige disparaît, c'est magnifique. La piste n'est pas meilleure mais un peu plus sèche, ça descend très fort et je suis certain qu'il m'aurait été impossible de faire ce circuit dans l'autre sens. On surplombe la Vallée Heureuse puis on la rejoint a peu près en son milieu. Prendre à gauche pour remonter la Vallée, a droite pour continuer directement le circuit. Dans les deux cas, piste encaillassée, facile, large, à flanc de rivière. Paysages, habitations, champs, population, tout est magnifique, d'un autre temps, presque d'un autre monde.
Vallée Heureuse / Ait Mhamed par l'Ouest :
Au panneau indicateur (le premier depuis longtemps) prendre à droite pour commencer à monter sur un goudron "fatigué", toujours à une voie. Quelques portions de piste mais c'était sec, donc facile. Pas de problèmes pour rejoindre la route d'Azilal mais c'est long et ça tourne serré. La carte Michelin ne donne pas les kilométrages et dessine un circuit symétrique, c'est une erreur.
Au total, juste pour la boucle, sans remonter la Vallée, il faut compter 3 heures.
Conclusion : très content d'avoir fait la boucle complète mais j'ai bien conscience d'avoir été chanceux d'y arriver avec une voiture de tourisme => la prochaine fois en 4x4 ou bien aller et retour par l'Ouest ou encore plus tard en saison.
BONJOUR
je compte me rendre au senegal via l espagne le maroc sahara occidental mauritanie et senegal destination finale saly bord de mer (ou dakar sur demande )
Cherche un co voiturier H ou F avec les frais de route ; traversee , a partager .
DATE PREVUE a convenir (apres noel 2026 ou debut janvier 27)
Vehicule dacia gris 2022 correct ayant son carnet ATA de voyage valide jusqu en juin 2027 DESTINATION FINALE SENEGAL
si vous voyagez léger et cool pour un si long voyage . prevoir minimum 4 jours
2 pax maximum pour le voyage
vous pourrez me contacter en privé.
cordialement a vous .
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Russia and Mongolia, starting from France.
Crossing the border at Poland/Belarus or Georgia/Russia—other borders seem either closed or complicated.
Tourist visas for 3 months with multiple entries.
Do you have any info on Russian companies that cover a 4x4 vehicle for 3 months, and what prices in rubles or euros you’ve paid?
Which bank did you use for expenses? (EuroMastercard and Visa cards no longer work.)
Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Hi,
we’re planning to visit a park again.
Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park?
>We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently.
We love wildlife.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
JP
Hi there, we’ll be in Mozambique in early December 2026 and we’d like to travel from Vilanculos to Beira by car or bus to reach Beira airport. After that, we’re planning to visit Gorongosa National Park before flying back to France from Beira. From what we’ve heard, the road to Beira is tricky, especially at this time of year (start of the rainy season). Could anyone share their thoughts or suggest a solution? Thanks so much for your help!
Anne
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lesotho in a few days and I’m struggling to find info on the best route between Katse Dam and Sehlathebe National Park. There’s a fairly "direct" route from Thaba Tseka, but the roads seem rough, and we’re not exactly 4x4 pros. Anyone have any tips to share? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Mozambique in October and are looking for either a 4x4 or 4x2 rental in Maputo, or a driver transfer option to reach:
- Ponta Do Ouro
- Tofo
- Vilankulos
The idea is to be self-sufficient for sightseeing and stops while still being able to access certain lodges or beaches that require a 4x2.
Do you have any contacts, addresses, or ideas to share?
Thanks in advance,
Hello,
We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures.
Could anyone give me some tips on driving from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal and the route to take?
Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!
We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.
Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.
When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?
Hi,
For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle?
Were they All Terrain tires or more "standard" ones like all-season tires, for example?
Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?
Thanks so much for any info you can share.
Best,
Marc
Hi there,
I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026.
I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it?
Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets).
What do you recommend?
Do I need a permit?
My rough itinerary looks like this:
Darwin - Kakadu
Kakadu - Nitmiluk
Nitmiluk - Kununurra
Kununurra - Purnululu
Purnululu - El Questro
El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites.
From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent.
Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip in the Middle Atlas, starting and ending in Fez and heading down to the south of Midelt, the Assoul Massif.... We’ll be traveling with two small 4x4s.
I’m looking for detailed maps of this region that include small roads and tracks.
Last year, we had a fantastic road trip in the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas using Erfahren maps, but unfortunately, they don’t cover the area we’re interested in this year.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Dominique
We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech).
We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.
Here’s the planned route (in this order):
Marrakech
→ Ouarzazate
→ Draa Valley
→ Zagora
→ Erg Chegaga
→ Lake Iriki
→ Foum Zguid
→ Tata
→ Tafraoute
→ Aït Mansour
→ Tiznit
→ Mirleft
→ Taroudant
→ Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline.
We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area
Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day)
Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)?
Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki?
Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing?
Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route?
The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
Good evening
I could use some advice 🙂
Our trip to Namibia is planned for June/July 2026.
We’re struggling a bit with timing and choosing activities for the part of the trip between Sesriem and Brandberg.
Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib
Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund
Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hélix
My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4.
However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti).
Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?
Hi everyone,
I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region?
For the parks along the Zambezi River, is it better to visit Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi on the Zambia side?
Thanks in advance for any tips on the parks in these two countries.
Have a great day, everyone.
We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND.
Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights?
Thanks.
For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi.
Do you have any rental companies to recommend?
The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?
Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?
Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?
Hi everyone,
A well-prepped 4x4, a travel plan across Africa in stages since I’ve got kids to see regularly and work to earn a living.
I’m leaving in November for about a month with the goal of reaching Senegal via Mauritania. I’d love to share this trip with someone who wants to discover Mauritania and a bit of Senegal... and also experience life on board a 4x4 in the desert or bush, sometimes sleeping in the vehicle or in hostels/small hotels for comfort. I want to share this rediscovery because two’s better than one!
Just traveling, exploring, and living! !
I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.
I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;)
So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.
While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals?
Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.
I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries?
I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode?
If that happens, what should I do?
Hi there,
Can you tell me if the road between Zagora and M'Gouna is easy or difficult for a 4x4? How much time and how many kilometers should I plan for? I’m traveling in May.
Thanks!
Hi there,
My trip to South Africa is starting to take shape.
However, I'm struggling to figure out the route through Kruger Park. I can't seem to find the information I need about getting around.
Coming from the south, I plan to arrive on Day 1 in the early afternoon at Malelane or Crocodile Bridge.
Do some shopping in Malelane (or Crocodile Bridge main area) and stay overnight outside the park.
Leave on Day 2 at 5 AM for the park. Explore the southern part of the park.
Stay overnight around Skukuza or Lower Sabie. (We don’t want to stay in one of the park’s big camps. We’re looking for a lodge around 200 €.
Head out on Day 3 for a self-drive safari, maybe as far as Orpen.
We’d like to stay in a private reserve on nights 4 and 5.
We’re not sure which one or how to get into a private reserve. Do we need to exit Kruger Park?
On Day 5, we’d like to leave to visit Blyde Canyon (on Day 6).
I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla).
Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place?
Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport?
Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?...
How do I get there easily, etc. etc.
hello! I’d like to go to Kazakhstan and rent a fitted 4x4 locally so I can drive off-road trails and sleep inside the vehicle... could anyone share some local rental company addresses, please? Thanks! !
I'm about to rent a self-drive 4x4 in Mongolia. Has anyone heard of GOBI.RENT?
Otherwise, do you have any tips for checking this company since there's no info on their website (e.g., registration number on the RCS)?
I’m finalizing my trip starting from Namibia.
When I arrive in Divundu, I’d like to head straight to the Khwai area early in the morning to one of the campsites in the Khwai Development Trust. Is the drive doable with a good 4x4 in a day?
We’ll spend 2 nights in Khwai, then 2 or maybe 3 nights in the Moremi area (Third Bridge/Xakanaxa/Mboma) before heading back to Maun to wrap up our journey.
Is that too much time to spend in each place?
We’d also like to do one or two boat excursions in the delta. Any suggestions for the best options and operators?
Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
Best,
Patrick