Erfoud is a desert town in the Tafilalt region of southeastern Morocco, about an hour from the dunes of Merzouga. It is known for two things: dates and fossils. Many tours stop here for lunch or a night on the way to the Sahara. This Erfoud travel guide explains what is worth seeing and how the town fits into a desert itinerary.
Erfoud at a Glance
- Best for: fossils, palm groves and a comfortable stop before the dunes.
- How long: a few hours, or one night.
- Best time: October to April; the date harvest is in October.
- Good to know: the town itself is modern and laid out on a grid; the interest lies around it.
Fossils
Hundreds of millions of years ago this region lay under a shallow sea, and the black and brown limestone around Erfoud is packed with the remains of marine animals: coiled ammonites, straight-shelled orthoceras and trilobites. Quarries cut the stone into slabs, and workshops in town polish it into tabletops, basins, plates and ornaments.
Several workshops welcome visitors and show the cutting and polishing. There is no charge, but the visit ends in a showroom. Good pieces are real and can be shipped; be more careful with small “perfect” trilobites sold at roadside stalls, which are sometimes restored or cast.
The Ziz Valley and the Palm Groves
North of Erfoud, the Ziz River has cut a canyon through the plateau, filled from wall to wall with date palms. The viewpoints along the road from Errachidia look down on a river of green winding through bare rock, and are among the best photo stops in the south. In October, Erfoud celebrates the date harvest with a festival of music and markets.
More to See Nearby
- The viewpoint above town: a small hill fort to the east gives a wide view over the oasis, best at sunset.
- Khettaras: on the road west toward Tinghir, lines of earth mounds mark old underground channels dug to bring water to the fields. Some can be entered.
- Rissani: a traditional market town 20 kilometers south.
- Erg Chebbi: the great dunes at Merzouga, about an hour away.
Getting There and Where to Stay
Erfoud is on the main road from Fes to Merzouga, via Midelt and Errachidia, and is also reached from the west through Tinghir. Buses serve the town, and the nearest airport is at Errachidia.
Erfoud has more hotels with pools and air conditioning than Merzouga, many built in kasbah style on the edge of town. They suit travelers who want a comfortable night before or after a simpler one in a desert camp.
Practical Tips
- Compare prices in two or three fossil workshops and bargain before buying.
- Ask for shipping costs and insurance in writing for heavy items.
- Use the banks and pharmacies here; services thin out further south.
- Sand and wind are common in spring. Keep a scarf handy.
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