Morocco Frequently Asked Questions

Is Morocco safe for travelers?

Yes—Morocco is a well-travelled destination with solid tourism infrastructure, especially on a guided route like ours. Use normal city common sense (keep gear discreet, don’t flash cash, stay aware in busy areas), and you’ll be fine moving through places like Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Ouarzazate, and Marrakech.

What’s the activity level—how much walking is involved?

This trip is rated Easy, but expect a lot of walking in cities. Medinas mean uneven cobblestones, narrow crowded lanes, and stairs—especially in Chefchaouen (it’s basically a staircase with good paint).
We also do short hikes up to ~3 km round trip, plus time walking in the dunes, and an optional camel ride/trek.

What’s the route—where do we actually go?

This workshop is a full cross-section of Morocco:

• Casablanca → Rabat → Chefchaouen (Blue Pearl) → Meknes + Volubilis → Fes
• Then south through the Ziz Valley to Merzouga / Erg Chebbi dunes
• Over to Todra Gorge, Dades (Monkey Fingers), Ouarzazate
• Through the Valley of Roses, Ait Ben Haddou, across the Tichka Pass / Atlas Mountains
• Finish in Marrakech (and fly home from Casablanca)

When is the best time to visit Morocco for this kind of photography?

Our dates (spring and fall) are there for a reason: comfortable temps, better light, and less “why is my camera sweating?”

• March tends to be mild in cities like Marrakech and Casablanca, cool at night, and still chilly in the Atlas.
• October is often warm-but-pleasant, with the desert and Marrakech generally much more comfortable than summer.

Desert note: dunes can be warm in the day and cool at night—pack layers either way.

What time should I arrive and depart?

• Arrive Day 1 in Casablanca (CMN) before 3:00 PM. Transfer is included.
• Depart Day 13 from Casablanca (CMN) no earlier than 3:00 PM. Transfer is included.

What kind of accommodations are we staying in?

A mix of quality hotels + traditional riads + a desert camp—chosen for comfort and proximity to where we’re shooting. Riads are a highlight: quiet oasis inside the medina chaos.
In the desert, we split time between a boutique hotel on the edge of the dunes and a desert camp (with a camel trek one night).

What will we photograph (realistically)?

This trip is built around three big “portfolios”:

• City + street life: souks, artisans, tanneries, musicians, daily life in Fes and Marrakech
• Color + architecture: Chefchaouen, medinas, gates, mosques, patterns, texture
• Desert + landscapes: Erg Chebbi dunes, camel silhouettes, sunrise/sunset lines, plus rugged scenery like Ziz Valley, Todra, Dades, and the Atlas crossings

Can I bring a drone?

Don’t. Morocco is one of those countries where a drone can go from “fun idea” to “customs souvenir” very quickly. Canada’s official travel advisory notes drones are prohibited and may be confiscated on entry.

What camera gear should I bring?

Morocco rewards a flexible kit—wide for architecture, midrange for street, and a bit of reach for details and candids.

• Wide: 16–35 (or 14–24) for medinas, mosques, riads, dunes
• Midrange: 24–70 for street storytelling and general work
• Short tele: 70–200 (or a small prime) for compressing scenes, portraits from respectful distance
• Fast lens (optional): for night markets / low light in Marrakech medina

Tripod is optional. If you love night work, bring a travel tripod—if you hate carrying tripods, Morocco won’t force you to change your personality.

Will you help with settings and editing?

Yes—daily coaching in the field plus image reviews/editing guidance are part of the workshop, so you’re not guessing your way through fast-moving street scenes or desert light.

Any photography “don’ts” we should know?

Yes: don’t photograph military/security installations. That’s not a “creative choice,” it’s a “let’s not.”
For people photography, we’ll coach you on respectful approach and storytelling—this trip is built for it.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes—travel medical/evac insurance is required for this tour (and trip cancellation is recommended).

Can a non-photographer join?

Usually yes—if they’re on board with a photography-first rhythm: walking, revisiting a scene when the light changes, lingering in markets, and the occasional “give me 30 seconds, this guy is about to step into the frame.” Morocco is a great place for a travel partner… as long as they don’t mind you stopping every 12 feet. 🙂

Lear more about our Morocco photo tour here.