How to get to Dar Sidi Bounou
Getting to Dar Sidi Bounou by car
If you have a navigation system, simply enter our GPS : GPS: N 29.82473 W 005.67785 (click me!)
Without navigation system: Dar Sidi Bounou is located about 250 km. S.E. of Marrakesh, 4 km. before the end of the N9 Road at Mhamid El Ghizlane. The N9 crosses the High Atlas via the Tichka Pass and continues on to Ouarzazate, which is half way to Bounou … a logical place to stop if you want to do the journey over two days. The road continues through the Ait Chaoun Mountains on to Agdz … another possible overnight stopping place at the beginning of the Draa Valley of the Kasbahs. Zagora is the last large town with the last ATMs, Banks and Exchanges. The N9 crosses the Draa River by a causeway/bridge on the south side of Zagora to Amzrou, then on through open piste, the Hamada, past ancient Tamgroute, famous for Green Ceramics and Koranic Library. There is a major right bend in the road at Beni Ali, which then heads west into some substantial hills before reaching Tagounite, a small town, which is proceeded by the very visible last Petrol Station, located on a major left bend in the road, just beyond a large new Army Base. The road then climbs through the Jbel Beni Sliman Hills. The top of the Pass is marked by distinctive Tajine shaped mountain.
Coming down the other side of the hills you have the first sight of the open Desert and then cross an area of rocky terrain until you enter the Mhamid Palmerie. You pass the first quiet Village of Erg Gabi, then drive through the charming kasbah Village of Ouled Driss, where there is a small square and some modest shops… 3.75 km further along there is a new Mosque with a shop on the right side of the road. DAR SIDI BOUNOU is on the same side, about 200 meters beyond the Mosque …and 4km. BEFORE the very end of the road at M’HAMID. You do not have to drive all the way to M’Hamid to get to Dar Sidi Bounou. We have a sign on the left side of the road, opposite our gate. If you see a large HOTEL TABRAKAT on a big right side bend in the road, you have gone too far. Turn back and you will see us on the other side of the road.
Getting to DSB by CTM bus from Marrakesh
You can make an online booking and payment via credit card two weeks prior to your departure, but international card payments are not possible before 72 hours in advance of your travel date. For unknown reasons M’Hamid is listed on CTM schedules as “LAMHAMID GHOZLANE”
The CTM Bus leaves the Marrakesh Terminal at 11.15am. It is a good idea to purchase your tickets to MHAMID – 160 dirhams each way (about €16) as well as a luggage ticket (about 10 dirhams) for each bag in the hold – the day before you want to travel. However it is usually possible to buy the tickets at the CTM BUS STATION, if you arrive about one hour+ ahead of time. (attention !: The CTM BUS has it’s own Station near the Railway Station in the Gueliz, it does NOT leave from the Main Bus Station) Some Riads and Hotels in Marrakesh may be able to help you get tickets the day before by sending a messenger (a 20-50 dh tip?)
When you first get on the Bus, tell the Driver that you “want to get off in Bounou”… BOUNOU is a REQUEST STOP 4 km. before the end of the Road at Mhamid. Try to book a seat near the front of the Bus. The road is spectacular, climbing and winding through the mountains. It is a good idea to remind the Driver again toward the end of the Trip at the last major stop, Zagora, or at Tagounite which is 25 minutes before you reach Bounou. The Bus will stop near our Gate at about 9.30 to 9.45pm. If we know you are coming, we will be waiting by the gate with a torch… and your supper will be waiting as well.
There is no on board toilet, but the Bus makes several stops. The first one on the outward journey is a Lunch Stop of about 25 minutes, in the High Atlas just before the Tichka Pass. There is time to go into the nearby Restaurant if you are hungry and there are also basic toilet and washing facilities. You would not be left behind as the Driver always counts heads very carefully at each stop. There is another stop at about 4pm in the new CTM Terminus in Ouarzazate, where there is a coffee shop and toilets.
The next short stop of about 15 minutes is in Agdz, at the beginning of the Draa Valley, then a longer stop at the CTM Station in Zagora where there is a toilet… then some request stops before, and after Tagounite… then on to Ouled Driss, a request stop. After 4 km. you will be at DAR SIDI BOUNOU. There is no actual village on the road, so you have to pay attention after Ouled Driss, but we will be waiting by the road to greet, and help you with your bags.
One small problem, sometimes TOUTS IN TURBANS ride the CTM. If you are Female, they can be slightly irritating. A firm ʻLA CHUKRAN !ʻ, a necessary word to learn quickly, means ʻNO THANKS !
(This CTM bus starts it’s journey in Casablanca at 7.30 am and arriving in Marrakesh about 10.45 to continue on to Mhamid as above. Sometimes on busy holidays the Bus can be fully booked and there might be a second Bus… ask at the counter)
Other ways of getting to Bounou: There are other Buses (like Supra Tours), most of which go only as far as Zagora, where you can travel on by intercity Grande Taxis (shared) or mini bus. These depart from near to the new mosque. There are no fixed times of departure for the shared taxis and mini buses, but there are more options early in the day. The last regular departures are usually at about 6 pm. In shared taxis you can purchase additional un-occupied seats to speed up the departure, or to give yourself additional sitting space. For instance: 1 extra place between 2 people = 3 in the back seat, rather than 4, which is much more comfortable. The fare from Zagora to Dar Sidi Bounou is about 30 dirhams each.
Other Alternatives: Hired Car- €20 – €30 per day Car/4×4 and Driver €120 – €150 per day Grande Taxi (shared) – Marrakesh – Ouarzazate – Zagora - Tagounite – Bounou: about €15 – €20
If you are unsure, need some help, or just want to double check, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us! …
Email: darsidibounou@gmail.com
