"driving to Merzouga from Risanni" Top 5 Page for this destination Merzouga Transportation Tip by angiebabe

Its definitely good tar sealed road all the way from Risanni to Merzouga - though maps still have the road as coming from Erfoud down the back way to Merzouga this road is not correct as it is really for those that know the way or for well skilled at driving in sandy conditions or have a 4x4.

The actual tar sealed road, which has been insitu for almost the past 10 years! runs from Rissani and goes all the way down to Merzouga and actually goes on down to Khamlia and Taoz - Ive noticed even the latest Michelen map 2009 edition and the map that is in the Footprints guidebook has the road still marked as a piste road and the main road as coming from Erfoud - but this is definitely not correct! The latest 2012 map is correct though.

At the cafe at the entrance to Risanni - Cafe Salaam - the faux guides congregate to rush out and catch tourists, or down at the main intersection where you have to slow down to turn left to head out to Merzouga or right to park near the souk - and plague you with taking a guided tour of the souk with them - which is actually not a bad idea to see what there is to see in a more time effective way - including being guided to the old kasbah and mausoeum and old palace which is now a museum - or to get out to Merzouga for the sunset.

If they tell you its only piste road to get out to the desert then they are trying to lead you astray as its tarseal all the way to Merzouga.

The numerous auberges are spread out along the 25km or so chain of dunes and are all sign posted along the way many with their own roads off the tar sealed road into the desert towards the dunes.

Although the individual roads to the auberges are piste these roads are generally fine for normal cars and you can therefore do your own getting about but you might find it reassuring to allow a faux guide to accompany you if you are running late or getting close to nightfall - they all have their own auberges that they are generally attached to and therefore will try to steer you to that one
....otherwise ring the auberge that you are heading for to let them know you are on the way so if you have any problems they will come looking for you or meet you at their turnoff.

As much as there is little employment opportunity in Risanni and the resourceful look for ways to earn an income, eg from commission received from guiding and taking to hotels and generating further services with camel trips and carpet purchases a lot of them lie to you and will try to get you to pay far too much.
Strongly recommend preparing yourself by finding out acceptable prices for goods and services - eg for products check out artisanal ensembles when you first arrive in morocco.

and also bear in mind that these guys are very promiscuous - though they dont call it that - its basically a mutual agreement.....

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