Marrakesh Sports Travel Tips by khalid_2

Theme: Golfing

Built in the 1920s by the pasha of Marrakech, the Royal Golf Club of Marrakech (pictured) is one of the longest established in Morocco. Constantly renovated and improved, it is also one of King Hassan II's favourite courses. Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and General Eisenhower have also played here. It is a course of extreme beauty. Located at the feet of the Atlas mountains, the course has cypress, eucalyptus, palm, olive, orange and apricot trees.

* Rated number 3 in Morocco by Golf Digest (USA), April 2005

No handicap restriction

Equipment: 18 holes, 6,200 m, par 72, round at 400dh

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Phone: 024-444341
Address: BP 634, Ancienne Route de Ouarzazate
Directions: From the UK, try: Exclusive Golf Tours, T 0870-8704700, http://www.exclusivegolf.co.uk, for packages to Marrakech.
See also http://www.morocco.golf.co.uk.

Theme: Golfing

This is a new Cabell Robinson design course located next to the Marrakech Royal Golf Club, with wonderful views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains. Although fairly open, this is a challenging course with plenty of water hazards, bunkers and mounds.

* Rated number 10 in Morocco by Golf Digest (USA), April 2005
* Rated Number 3 in Morocco by Golf Digest Magazine (USA), October 2003

Equipment: 18 holes, par 72, 6657 m
No handicap restriction.
Caddies are mandatory.

A round costs around 500dh

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Phone: 024-404414
Directions: From the UK, try: Exclusive Golf Tours, T 0870-8704700, http://www.exclusivegolf.co.uk, for packages to Marrakech. See also http://www.morocco.golf.co.uk.

Theme: Golfing

This 18 hole course, located in a lush oasis 15 minutes north of Marrakesh, was designed by Robert Trent Jones. It has views of the majestic Atlas mountains and a horizon dotted with white medinas. The American-style course runs through a valley and there are thousands of palm trees and 7 lakes as well as numerous sand hazards to contend with. The ochre walls of the Moorish-style clubhouse forms a striking centrepiece to the course design.

Rated number 9 in Morocco by Golf Digest (USA), April 2005

Equipment: 18 holes, par 72,6214 metres

Pro Shop, Restaurant, Bar; Club rental, buggies, caddies; Driving range, putting green, chipping green, lessons.

Cost of round, 550DH

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Phone: 024-301010
Address: Marrakech, Les Jardins de la Palmeraie, PB 1488

Theme: Skiing/Snowboarding

Oukaimeden, is North Africa's largest ski resort and has the continent's highest lift.

"Meaning valley of four winds, it is set to become the ultimate four season mountain destination for recreation, entertainment, relaxation and residence as well as becoming the Middle East and Africa's only golf and ski resort." These are the words of Emaar, who, in March 2006 announced a multi-billion dollar investment in Oukaimeden.

Currently the season is short. Mid January to mid February is usually the best time for good snow. When conditions are good, there are up to 20 km (13 miles) of runs, the longest being 3 km (nearly 2 miles) in length, and you can hire a mule to access terrain not served by lifts, opening up some impressive steeps and chutes.

Emaar has big plans to make Oukaimeden a far more reliable ski resort, with a season prolonged by artificial snow and, in keeping with Berber design and architecture of the great Atlas Mountains, Oukaimeden village will combine commercial, office, retail, entertainment and dining amenities with a full range of residential options to choose from. With 2,000 hotel rooms, more than 300 retail units and 25,000 sq. metres of business and conference facilities planned, Oukaimeden will be a year round hive of activity.

Equipment: Vertical Drop: 3325 ft
Top Elevation: 10742 ft
Trails: 20
Lifts: 7 ( 1 chair lifts 6 surface lifts )
Restaurants: 3

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Directions: Oukaimeden is located 74 km (46 miles) from Marrakech (50Min Drive)

Theme: Other

Has 8 courts (4 floodlit), a club-house with restaurant and a small pool. This is a club, so they may require you to take out membership for a small fee. Lessons with good coaches are available in the evenings.

Daily 07:00-22:00.
Price: 100dh/hour


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Phone: 024-431902
Address: Rue Oued el Makhazine, Jenane el Harti

Theme: Surfing

Essaouira has surfing and windsurfing facilities. The surfers are around in the winter months, while from April to October the alizé winds bring the windsurfers in. A few kilometres south, Sidi Kaouki is popular with windsurfers due to persistently strong winds. To the north of Essaouira, Oualidia is ideal for beginners. Try http://www.purevacations.co.uk for a week’s surf-schooling.

L’Océan Vagabond is a qualified instruction in windsurfing, surfing and kite-surfing with recent equipment. Can put you in touch with surf equipment repairers.

oceanvagabond@hotmail.com


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Phone: +21261103777 or +21224783934
Directions: On Essaouira Beach
Website: http://www.purevacations.co.uk;http://www.oceanvagabond.com

Theme: Other

Ciel d’Afrique"African Sky":
This small Marrakech-based company runs hot-air balloon flights almost anywhere in the country – at a price. The basic excursion involves leaving Marrakech very early for a flight over the Jebilet, the hills north of Marrakech. Four-wheel drive necessary to get to take-off point. Only an option from Oct to May when the balloon can ride on the thermals. Prices around 2,000dh for 1 hr. You can’t fly over Marrakech, but will get some good views of the surrounding area


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Phone: +21224432843
Address: 15, Rue Mauritanie, Guéliz- Marrakech
Website: http://www.cieldafrique.info