Morocco's Stunning National Parks

There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Morocco, from hiking arid desert, basking on beautiful beaches, trekking through the mountains, cycling through diverse terrain and enjoying various water sports. Add more to your Moroccan adventures by visiting some of the kingdom’s most glorious national parks.

Book Culture Trip’s six-day group adventure where you’ll get to hike the Atlas Mountains and stop off at a traditional Berber village.

1. Toubkal National Park

Park, Natural Feature

Amazing Berber village located high in Atlas mountains, Aroumd, Morocco

Located in the High Atlas Mountains and within easy reach of Marrakech, Toubkal National Park is home to the highest mountain in North Africa: the soaring Jbel Toubkal. Other mountains within the undulating park include Le Tichki, L’Aksoual, Bou Iguenouane, and Ouanoukrim. Founded in 1942, it is the oldest national park in Morocco. It is also the nation’s most-visited national park. The cooler temperatures and fresh mountain air make it a popular retreat from the thronging crowds of the city. There are several hiking trails through the park, including the challenging Toubkal Circuit.

2. Ifrane National Park

Park

Portrait barbary macaque monkey on a stub, Ifrane, Morocco

Situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Ifrane National Park is known for its cool temperatures, Barbary macaques and aromatic cedar forests. Within easy reach of the heart of Ifrane town, the park is home to a rich array of flora and fauna. In addition to cedar trees, more than 1,000 other plant species grow in the area – these include pines, junipers, maples, yews and oaks. Various species of birds flit through the branches and fly through the skies, while animals that call the park home include different reptiles, barbary boars and rodents.

4. Al Hoceima National Park

Park

A fairly small and remote national park, Al Hoceima National Park includes coastal lands and sections of the sea. The rough terrain is best explored in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. A top place for cycling and hiking, visitors can see several rare and endangered plant and animal species, including fish eagles and thuya forests. There are a number of Berber villages sprinkled throughout the park.

5. Souss-Massa National Park

Park

Located close to the popular beach resort of Agadir, Souss-Massa National Park is another top spot for keen bird watchers. The estuary attracts many feathered creatures – spotting an endangered northern bald ibis is a highlight for many visitors. Breeding programs for creatures such as gazelle and oryx are undertaken in the park, where its landscapes include beaches, dunes, and wetlands.

6. Iriqui National Park

Park

Rock formation in the Sahara, near the salt lake Iriki, Morocco, Africa.

If you’re keen to experience the rugged splendour of the desert, be sure to add Iriqui National Park to your Moroccan bucket list. The national park is located in the provinces of Tata and Zagora, between the Anti Atlas Mountains and the Draa River. There are rolling sand dunes, an acacia-studded savanna and a woodland-covered steppe. Lake Iriqui is a haven for diverse bird species, attracting a number of migratory birds like flamingoes and geese. Other creatures that visitors may spot in the park include lizards, barbary sheep, ostriches, snakes, gazelles and striped hyenas.

7. Khnifiss National Park

Park

Situated close to the Atlantic coast, Khnifiss National Park’s terrain includes sand dunes, wetlands, limestone flats and patches of arid desert. The impressive Khnifiss Lagoon is the biggest lagoon along Morocco’s coastline. A great place for avid ornithologists, the lagoon is home to ducks, gulls and other bird species – and plans are afoot to develop and promote the area for ecotourism.

8. Khenifra National Park

Park

hikers in countryside Khenifra region, Middle Atlas, Morocco, North Africa

Located in the central part of Morocco, Khenifra National Park is also sometimes known as Aguelmame Azigza National Park. Home to diverse flora and fauna, it’s especially known for its two large and beautiful lakes: Lake Aguelmame Sidi Ali and Lake Aguelmame Aziza. The park attracts relatively few international visitors but is a wonder to see if you adore nature.

9. Tazekka National Park

Park

Situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Tazekka National Park contains a number of interesting natural and geological attractions, including canyons, caves, rock formations and waterfalls. The main mountain in the park is Jbel Tazekka, whose peak is often enveloped by thick clouds. Dense forests include magnificent oak trees and cork trees. Red foxes, porcupines, North African boars, wolves and barbary stags live in the forests.

10. Haut Atlas Oriental National Park

Park

Barbary Sheep, a goat/antelope genus found across North Africa.

Haut Atlas Oriental National Park is located in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains – also known as the Western High Atlas National Park. There are several cultural sites within the park, along with small villages and areas of natural interest. The park’s highest point is Jbel Tanrhourt and there are two lovely lakes also within the park’s boundaries: Tislit and Isli. Cedar, oak, pine and juniper are among the tree species – and animal life includes gazelles, barbary sheep, and various rodents, reptiles and birds.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.