Last night after a failed attempt at wild camping, we woke up in front of a small town’s police station and got a early-ish start on our day.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Our next stop would be Tafraoute, Morocco. We talked to a Dutch couple here who told us about their trip here 30 years ago when only a small 4×4 dirt road existed. Now there are 300 vans here during the peak of winter. Most of them French retirees. The government allows the villagers to operate here and charge campers 1.5 euros per night with no services but a 10 meter well with water only good enough for washing. But because of all the campers here, vendors that come by each day to sell bread, argan oil, honey, laundry services and even home cooked meals don’t need to be pushy like we’ve experience in other places. Everyone wins.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

We parked next to a little cluster of palm trees that would provide some extra shade and the perfect place to hang our hammocks.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

It’s quiet warm during the middle of day, some refreshing fruit salad was in order.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

And supposedly a magic show as well. Haha. Thanks, Luka.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Having access to water, even if it’s not potable, is a treat when you are wild camping (boondocking). We used it for washing dishes, doing laundry and showering.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

This is our set-up when it’s not too windy outside.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Our Roadshower is full of drinking water and we don’t want to waste that for washing while camping in spots like this, so a collapsible bucket full of non-potable well water it is. One of the ways we shower on the road.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

This camp spot was good for our kids. Plenty of room between campers and rocks to scramble onto. At times, it reminded us of Joshua Tree National Park.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Can you spot the kids here?

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Hope you found them 🙂

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Our nightly receipt for our stay here. 15 dirhams. About 1.5 euros while we were there in March of 2020.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

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Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

The bread lady stops by every day with her goods. We can’t say no.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

This is one of the local cats.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

He can’t say no either.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Mila relaxing with the cat in the palm trees. Hehe.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

And then in our camping chair.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

And then he eventually decided that taking naps inside away from other people and animals was a better idea. We don’t mind.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Mila has allergies to cats but that doesn’t stop her. Snuggles are worth itchy eyes and a runny nose.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Luka has been under the weather here in Tafaroute with a stomach bug and fever. Actually he’s been fighting something off and on while we’ve been in Morocco. It started back at the Cedar Forest when we stopped to see the monkeys and came back again. Ava felt under the weather for bit too. Dan and I felt strangely tired during our stay at this spot as well. We attributed it to the heat but thinking back, could it have been the coronavirus? We have no idea. It was here that news of the virus was getting more real and we started to social distance ourselves from others.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Lots of movies in the bunk for out little guy as he recovered.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

All three kids sleep on the upstairs bunk, north to south. Thinking long term, when they outgrow the space, , we’ve thought about creating an extra bed over the factory bench seat for one of the kids. 

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Who will volunteer to sleep on their very own bed in the future? Not sure. They all think it’s a horrible idea because sleeping without someone on your side sounds unimaginable at the moment.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Thought there was a stray puppy visiting us. Ends up being a loose dog from one of our French neighbors but a previous stray from another Moroccan village.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

What do you do when it starts raining down in Africa? Blast some Toto, of course!

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

And embarrass your teenage daughter. Haha. “Too loud, daddy!!!”

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Don’t worry. Dan made it up to her by baking some brownies.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Baking in a van with no oven?!?! Yes. Dan made it work by turning them in brownie pancakes. Genius!

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

I got distracted by the puppy and forgot to take a proper photo of the final result.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Look at this face!

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

The youngest one is is still in bed with a stomach bug while our chef is rolling out pizza dough with a multi-use rolling pin. 

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Girls always creating art.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Watercolors today.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Look who felt well enough to go outside today?!?!

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Watch out for sneaky puppies, Luka.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Because we don’t have enough dust in our van from this camp spot, the puppies thought they could create more dust clouds for us. Lol.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

And while I’m washing clothes too. Muddy paws. Yeah.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Bug screen has been deployed. But instead of it just keeping bugs out, we are hoping it will also keeps out the dust, stray cats, the neighbor’s loose puppy and that one kid who keeps insisting on climbing inside and freaking us all out.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

All the friends needed a wash today as well.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

Plenty of sunshine here to dry them on the line.

Camping in Tafraout, Morocco, Africa.

I’m going to stop this blog post here but our time here is not done. In the next post, I will share a story of an abandoned box of day old puppies and how we ended up them in our van.

Until then, please enjoy Dan’s video from our stay here:

Thanks for reading,
Marlene

 


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