4 days
Beni Mellal, Bin el Ouidane and Ouzoud in 4 days
A short loop from Beni Mellal: the Aïn Asserdoun spring, the turquoise Bin el Ouidane lake and the great Ouzoud falls.
- Beni MellalDay 1
- Bin el Ouidane LakeDay 2
- Ouzoud FallsDay 3–4
© Selina Bubendorfer / Unsplash
Overview
A 4-day, 3-night loop with short drives: about an hour from Beni Mellal to the lake, a little over an hour from the lake to Ouzoud, then about two hours back. A car is strongly recommended, as public transport is scarce on this road. Indicative budget per person, excluding car hire.
- 4 days · 3 nights
- Budget
- Relaxed
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Oct
The route
Day by day
Beni Mellal, springs and kasbahs
Plan for the day
- Walk at the Aïn Asserdoun spring and terraced gardens
- View over the Tadla plain from the Ras el Aïn kasbah
- Souk and Tadla produce: oranges, olives, figs
- Tagines and grills in a local restaurant
- Hotel in central Beni Mellal
Lake Bin el Ouidane
Travel Beni Mellal → Bin el Ouidane via Afourer, about 1 h · ≈ 1 h
Plan for the day
- Viewpoints over the lake along the Azilal road
- Kayak, paddleboard or boat trip, depending on the water level
- Quiet end of the day by the water
- Tagines and grills at the hotel or a lakeside restaurant
- Lakeside hotel, lodge or campsite
- The lake level varies from year to year: check before booking a water activity.
The Ouzoud falls
Travel Bin el Ouidane → Ouzoud via Azilal, about 55 km and 1 h 10 · ≈ 1 h 15
Plan for the day
- Walk down to the foot of the falls, about 110 metres over three tiers
- Boat ride close to the falls
- Watching Barbary macaques, without feeding them
- Lunch on a terrace facing the falls
- Inn or guesthouse in Ouzoud village
- Agree on the boat price before boarding, and wear good shoes: the steps are slippery near the water.
Early morning at the falls, then back
Travel Ouzoud → Beni Mellal via Azilal, about 2 h · ≈ 2 h
Plan for the day
- See the falls again early, before the visitors arrive
- Drive back to Beni Mellal via Azilal
- Breakfast at the inn, lunch on the way
- No night included: departure day
- The site is very busy at weekends: it is quieter on weekdays.
Where to stay on this route
The towns where you spend the night, each with a link to compare places to stay.
Best time
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr ✓
- May ✓
- Jun ✓
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep ✓
- Oct ✓
- Nov
- Dec
Practical tips
- A car is strongly recommended: shared taxis go as far as Azilal, then you have to negotiate a taxi.
- Book lakeside accommodation for summer weekends.
- Never swim alone in the lake, which is deep.
Where next?
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