Alternative Morocco: Go Off-The-Beaten Path This Year

Located in North Africa, Morocco is a fascinating and exotic country to visit. Its major cities draw visitors each year, including Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez. While exploring the souks, looking for a bargain is fun, sometimes it is better to go off-the-beaten tourist track to see lesser-known but amazing sights. Here, we take a peek at the famous tree goats of Morocco and why they climb them. We also explore a former Hollywood film set for the 2006 horror film, The Hills Have Eyes. In a similar vein, we look at what remains of the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate.

The Tree Goats of Morocco

When it comes to the argan tree, it isn’t much to look at; however, it is a protected species, due to over-farming and clear-cutting. The reason why the tree is important is its annual fruit crop, which isn’t just enjoyed by humans.

On an annual basis, an amazing sight can be seen in the Sous Valley of Southwestern Morocco when the argan tree bears fruit. When this happens during June, farmers try their best to keep the local goats from climbing up on the branches until the fruit fully ripens. However, at that point, they do nothing to keep the animals out of the trees and have their annual feast.

There is a method in the farmers’ plans, as having all those tree goats in the tree dumps lovely manure on its roots. Not only is this good for the tree, but the farmers then collect the clumps of seeds in the goats’ leavings, which they press to create argan oil, leaving the rest to feed the roots.

Taking photos of the goats up in the trees is loads of fun, but the process of making argan oil does tend to put you off from using the product. However, according to WebMD, the high concentration of vitamin E in the oil makes it effective at boosting the immune system. Meanwhile, the fatty acids in the oil help boost levels of good cholesterol, while lowering bad cholesterol, making it good for your heart. It does all that and also makes for fun photos to post on Instagram.

The Hills Have Eyes gas station, Ouarzazate

Next, we look at a little bit of Hollywood out in the desert in Morocco. The 2006 horror film, The Hills Have Eyes, was partly filmed out on the highway outside Quarzazate. Part of the set still remains, in the form of an American gas station right in the middle of nowhere. In the movie, anyone stopping at this gas station was encouraged to take a horrifying “shortcut.”

Driving up to the gas station is eerie, as at first, it looks like the real thing. However, on closer inspection, the sign is weather-worn and battered, and there are abandoned and rusting cars on the site. For an extra touch, creepy puppets have been left to give inquisitive visitors a fright. Meanwhile, there is even a diner, but you won’t find any (real) food available, just a lot of discarded film props.

Have a look at the gas station in the video below.

Atlas Film Studios, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Staying with the movies, Atlas Film Studios has been said to be the largest of its kind in the world. The studio was aptly named for its location in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. Meanwhile, the remains of the film studio stand around five miles from Ouarzazate along the Marrakesh Road. While the film studios and movie sets are in disrepair, the site has become a popular attraction.

Morocco is a popular filming location, where the 1962 film, Lawrence of Arabia was filmed in Ouarzazate. However, Atlas Studios came later, in 1983. Due to the popularity of the country for filming movies, a local entrepreneur, Mohamed Belghmi, saw the need for a permanent studio to be built in Morocco. In fact, many films in a desert setting were filmed there. Among them were Alexander the Great, Black Hawk Down, The Mummy, Kingdoms of Heaven, Star Wars, Babel, and more.

On arrival at the Atlas Film Studios, the first thing you will see is a prop jet plane. This was used in the movie, Jewel of the Nile. Inside one of the studio’s buildings, you can explore a replica “Kasbah”, complete with winding alleys. Further out in the desert is the Colosseum, where Russell Crow fought in the movie Gladiator. Moreover, at the entrance to the studios, a replica Egyptian tomb stands tall. On either side, 12 ft statues guard the entrance (pictured above).

Like the gas station, the studios look a little neglected and dusty, but both attractions are worth a visit during a vacation in Morocco.