Group Photography Tour in Morocco with Toby Savage
Dates: On request
Venue: Marrakech and Southern Morocco
Course Leader: Toby Savage
£1695 per person
We are pleased to offer a week-long bespoke trip for photography groups in Morocco led by adventurous travel photographer Toby Savage. Countless photographic opportunities are presented as the group travel by 4×4 from the vibrance of the city to mountain villages and desert wilderness. Highlights of the week include the souks of Marrakech, the spectacular Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, set of many Hollywood films, a night in a nomad tent under the desert stars and and a camel ride across the dunes. Under Toby’s expert guidance participants learn about the elements of a good photograph and hone their skills immersed in spectacular scenery.
Catering for all levels of photography from beginners to advanced, participants receive tailored support and guidance from our experienced course leader Toby Savage to help get the most out of the holiday and the exceptional photographic opportunities that present themselves. During the week, participants have the chance to try their hands at street photography, architecture, landscape and portraits.
One of the many highlights is photographing the Chegaga Dunes at sunset, and if the night is clear, the spectacular Milky Way in the desert!
In order to see the very best of this exciting country, this trip does involve some travelling. However, time is allocated for group tuition and there will always be opportunities for participants to have 1-1 feedback with Toby on any aspect of their work. On evenings where time allows, participants share their images for discussion with the rest of the group.
Morocco is a diverse and extraordinary country – such a wide range of desert landscape, mountains, palaces, villages and souks is a feast for any lens! To do justice to this remarkable place we offer an exciting journey across the southern region to give us a taste of all these aspects. We travel in 4×4 vehicles, with experienced and knowledgeable guides.
Late afternoon: Arrival
Participants are met at Marrakech airport and transferred to a Riad hotel. Toby leads an introductory presentation before dinner.
A trip to Morocco would not be complete without a visit to the souks of Marrakech. The group will explore the Medina in the morning followed by lunch at the Photography Museum. After lunch, there is free time in the city before returning to the hotel to review and discuss images.
An early start takes the group up into the Atlas mountains. After exploring Telouet Kasbah, they reach the impressive Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, UNESCO World Heritage site made famous by many Hollywood films. The group continues to Ourazazate, to spend the night at the beautiful Fint oasis.
After breakfast the group sets off on the ancient caravan road between the river and the mountains, past villages and gardens along the oases. After a lunch stop at M’hamid, the gateway to the desert, there is a camel ride to the dunes of Erg Lihoudi. The group ventures further into the Sahara desert for sunset at the beautiful Erg Chagaga dunes accessible only by four wheel drive. The night is spent in a bivouac of nomad tents under the stars.
After breakfast the safari continues across the Sahara over the stony desert and the now dried-up Lake Iriqui. From the edge of the desert at Foum Zguid, the group travels north to Taznakht, famous for its Berber gelims and carpets, for a lunch stop. After crossing the Tizi-n-Ikhsane and Tizi-n-Tighatine passes, the group reaches Taliouine, the heart of the saffron growing region. The journey continues to Taroudant, for an overnight stay in a riad.
This day dawns with the sounds and smells of Taroudant, known as “the little Marrakesh”, celebrated for its ramparts and medina. From here the group travels along the argane groves of the Souss river valley to Agadir, then up the coast along the Paradise Valley. Traversing through the mountains, for the night’s destination, the vibrant town of Essaouira with its medina, many shops and fish restaurants.
After exploring Essaouira in the morning, the group travels through a forest of argane trees to return to Marrakech, passing many Berber villages on the way. The final evening provides an opportunity for participants to relive and discuss their experiences over dinner in one of Marrakech’s many excellent restaurants.
Transfer to Marrakech airport.
Here is a map showing the principal locations we will visit – Marrakech, Ourazazate, M’hamid (Sahara desert), Taroudant and Essaouira. Click the + and – buttons to zoom.
Accommodation is in small comfortable hotels and riads; for the night in the desert there is a bivouac of nomad tents. Although on a room-share basis of two people, single occupancy is available for a supplement of £225 on request. Double rooms are also available for couples.
Moroccan cuisine is world-renowned for its wonderful aromatic flavours and delicious, fresh ingredients. Meals are cooked in the traditional way and participants enjoy fragrant tagines, hand-made bread, and freshly-harvested vegetables and fruit. In Essaouira, fish from that day’s catch is also on the menu.
We are able to cater for most special dietary requirements which must be notified in advance.
Participants are required to book their own flights to Morocco; we can assist with recommending suitable times for interested groups. Participants will be met at Marrakech Menara airport and transferred to our accommodation.
The total cost of the holiday is £1695 per person and includes the following:
Flights, visas, vaccinations, drinks and some tips are not included in the price of the holiday.
This trip is available for groups of 3 or more participants; please contact us to discuss your requirements. It is helpful to have potential dates in mind so that we can investigate available options. This trip usually runs Saturday-Saturday but this can be flexible.
Please refer to the Find out more section for booking details, terms and conditions and frequently-asked questions.
We’d love to hear from you, so do contact us or you can request a ringback and we’ll call you as soon as possible.
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"I have recommended this trip to a number of my photography friends - great organisation, fantastic practical advice that will benefit photographers of all standards. I learnt so much and advice I received changed the way I look at things and widened my skills and perspectives. Difficult to imagine how it could have been better... may be an extra week!"
"A great trip which pushed my photography skills and an opportunity to see some amazing places. The locally-recruited guides took us to places most would miss, giving us chances to capture unique landscapes and aspects of Moroccan life. Toby gives individual support and guidance when you need it. I really got hooked on ”street photography” in Marrakech there is so much happening day or night… so many crazy things happening… so many interesting faces… so much colour and texture… you never know what is around the next corner. The landscapes are dramatic and constantly changing, the experience of the guides and Toby made sure we were in the right place at just the right time to get the best shots. We were a mixed ability group but we all learnt from each other and I think every one of us went home with some great pictures, new skills and a new group of friends"
"The whole trip was something special, for me watching the sunset and sunrise in the middle of the Sahara and then photographing the Milky way late into the night has to be a highlight."
"Prepare to have an amazing time"
