Morocco

Strategy

For photography light is very important, therefore we planned to be on sites in the morning and afternoon. Mid-day was used for traveling, sleeping or sorting photos. 

Smaller birds were also less active / visible later in the day. Therefore focus on songbirds was in the morning and larger or species of open land (wheatears) scheduled to visit in the afternoon.

Practical info

Language: with English you will get around, especially with the younger generation. But if you know some French it will open doors (for tea with the family if you’re not careful). Some people did also speak a bit of German.

Money: bring cash, only petrol stations accept cards and some (modern) hotels do. Dirham is the local currency and it’s 10:1 ratio to the Euro. Best to withdraw a (larger) amount at the start to avoid bank surcharges with every withdrawal. We got around the 10 days with 600 euros (6000 Dirham) for meals, hotels, etc. Full 10-day trip cost us 1.000 euros pp (including flight, car rental, hotels and food).

People: In both trips I only came across very friendly people and were helpful. In the cities and on tourist sites people do see you as a source of income. Be wary but not suspicious. Don’t take photos of people without asking for permission. Respect their culture and traditions.

We did have some police checkpoints where they only asked where we’re heading, glimpsed at our passport and bid a safe journey.