The Ouzoud Falls are one of the top sights in Morocco and easily visited from Marrakech. You'll head into the Middle Atlas Mountains to see North Africa's highest waterfalls as well as a natural travertine bridge. Hamza, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘I've been guiding this excursion for many years, but I still love seeing the falls. They drop 110m down craggy red cliffs, and there are various places to view the cascading water, from above and below. Ouzoud means “olive” in the Berber language, and the falls are named after the ancient olive trees that thrive around this valley.'
You'll cross palm groves, pass by typical Berber villages and weave through mountain passes en route to Ouzoud. Reaching the falls, you'll have plenty of time to take photos and marvel at the succession of tiered cascades. There's a permanent rainbow created by the mist thrown up from the natural power of the water, which is at peak flow during the spring.
Your guide will point out the best viewpoints, and with luck you might even spot the Barbary apes that call this dazzling place home. Hamza says, ‘Many people think of Morocco as arid. Yet the Ouzoud Falls and the green surroundings bring a sense of vitality and life-force to the landscape.' After your visit, it's time to relax over a meal in a Berber restaurant where you'll tuck into a freshly-prepared local lunch including a typical dish of the region. And there's a photo stop at the nearby Imi-n-Ifri natural bridge on the way back to Marrakech.
