Situated in the heart of Morocco, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region is a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and administrative diversity. Spanning an area of 28,088 square kilometers, which represents nearly 4% of the national territory, this region is a testament to the country’s geographical and administrative richness.

Beni Mellal-Khenifra: Where the Heart of Morocco Beats Strong

Doha – Situated in the heart of Morocco, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region is a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and administrative diversity. Spanning an area of 28,088 square kilometers, which represents nearly 4% of the national territory, this region is a testament to the country’s geographical and administrative richness.

With over 65% of its territory classified as mountainous, Beni Mellal-Khenifra offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in a world of breathtaking landscapes and unique local governance.

The region is divided into five provinces: Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Khenifra, Azilal, and Khouribga. This administrative structure enables the region to effectively manage its resources and cater to the needs of its population, which stands at 2.52 million inhabitants, representing 7.4% of the national population. With a population density of 88.8 inhabitants per square kilometer, surpassing the national average of 47.6, Beni Mellal-Khenifra is a vibrant and thriving region.

Geographically, the region is characterized by four distinct ensembles: the mountains, the Tadla plain, the piedmont or Dir, and the Khouribga phosphate plateau. These diverse landscapes offer a wealth of complementary resources, particularly in agriculture and extensive livestock farming.

The mountain range extends across the entirety of Khenifra and Azilal provinces, as well as a significant portion of Beni Mellal and Khouribga. The Tadla plain, on the other hand, occupies a part of Beni Mellal province and the entire area of Fquih Ben Salah province. The piedmont, a narrow strip of land theoretically defined as the intersection between the mountains and the plain, serves as a buffer zone. Finally, the Khouribga phosphate plateau boasts significant mineral wealth but suffers from a scarcity of groundwater resources.

Beni Mellal-Khenifra is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that have the potential to strengthen its economic activity. The region’s climate is predominantly continental, with average annual temperatures ranging from a maximum of 40°C in Beni Mellal province to a minimum of 2°C in Azilal.

In terms of water resources, the region is located within the Oum Er Rbia (80%) and Bouregreg (20%) watersheds. It boasts an impressive array of hydraulic infrastructure, including 15 dams and 7 water transfer systems, with a capacity of 3.5 billion cubic meters. This allows for the irrigation of nearly 493,500 hectares and the production of approximately 350 million cubic meters per year for drinking and industrial water supply.

Moreover, the region’s hydroelectric power plants generate an average of 1,860 million KWH per year, accounting for more than 70% of the national production. The region’s forest resources are equally impressive, covering 37% of its total area, with Khenifra alone housing 443,500 hectares of forest, representing 47% of the region’s total forest cover.

Beni Mellal Province: Gateway to natural wonders

Just a 3-hour drive northeast of Marrakech, the province of Beni Mellal encompasses 4 urban communes and 18 rural communes. It is nestled in the heart of an immense orchard at the foot of the Middle Atlas mountains, between several major cities of the country. Its continental climate is relatively dry during the summer, while in winter, when precipitation falls, the city dons its white coat.

Endowed with marvelous riches, the city boasts an incredible abundance of magical places and breathtaking natural wonders. A mosaic of stunning mountain and ravishing landscapes, this sun-drenched land offers the perfect setting for exhilarating outdoor activities amidst a nature where orchards and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see.

The city of Beni Mellal, dominated by Mount Tassemit, is the capital of the province. It was populated in the 12th century by Masmouda tribes, great builders and founders of the Almohad and Hafsid dynasties.

The medina of Beni Mellal is a place steeped in history, with the Kasbah and the Moulay Ismail Bridge being two must-see landmarks for taking ultimate photos. Its most famous monument, the Kasbah, was built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century.

The Moulay Ismail Bridge, also built in the 17th century, was a stopover for summer transhumance. Finally, one has to discover the colorful souks of the medina of Beni Mellal which reflect the exchanges with the surrounding rural areas and the rest of the world, and spend a few hours admiring the textiles, spices, leather goods and more.

The Ain Asserdoune spring, accessible directly by a paved road called “tourist circuit” that starts from the city center, is a tree-lined area where the surrounding gardens exert a strong attraction on national and international tourists.

Along with Mount Tassemit, the Ighergher plateau, the Boukari source in Foum El Anser, the Amzar waterfalls and the Tagzirt gorges, it forms a highly valuable tourist circuit, suitable for hiking, horse riding and mule riding.

Other points of interest include the Ahmed El Hansali lake, the Taâdlounte cedar forest, with its spectacular and fabulous natural environment, the Aven des Ours chasm, the Ifri N Majghoul and El Ksiba caves, and the Jewish cemeteries and sanctuaries scattered throughout the province.

Just a short drive away, the Ahmed El Hansali lake provides a refreshing escape for swimming and relaxation, surrounded by natural beauty. The Taâdlounte cedar forest, located at an altitude of 1800-2500m, is a hiker’s paradise with its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. The valley of Assif n’Ouirine and its beautiful Aleppo pine stands are an appealing area, favorable for hiking, located at an altitude of about 2500 m.

The Tagzirt gorges, located 20 km from Beni Mellal, are the starting point for a fascinating hiking or mule ride (about 5 hours) up the Aqqa-n-Ouhansal to the village of the same name. The return to Tagzirt is via the enchanting valley of Oued Derna. Its gorges, wooded with holm oaks and populated by Barbary macaques, contain many caves and rock shelters still used today by shepherds during transhumance periods.

Fquih Ben Salah Province: Authentic traditions and equestrian arts

Renowned for the authenticity of its tangible and intangible heritage, the province of Fquih Ben Salah offers visitors a dual journey through both space and time.

Its colorful souks allow travelers to appreciate the full richness of the civilizational heritage of this territory rooted in its ancestral traditions.

You can discover an assortment of scents, colors, and sounds that dazzle the senses. The hustle and bustle that reigns between the cries of merchants, tales of storytellers, folk dances and songs give the souks an atmosphere of a thousand and one nights.

Moreover, the “Thousand and One Horses” festival, a great showcase of the “fantasia” heritage, is an annual event not to be missed for equestrian enthusiasts eager to discover and appreciate, through the scheduled shows and competitions, the splendor of this cultural and artistic heritage.

Notable historic monuments in the province include the Zidania Kasbah, a witness to an authentic history, and the Sucrerie Souk Sebt Des Oulad Nemâa, a remnant of Morocco’s sugar industry. In the spring, Fquih Ben Salah comes alive with joyous celebrations and traditional moussems.

Khenifra Province: Nature’s untouched beauty

The province of Khenifra, located on the very old route of the sultans or the Fès-Azrou-Tadla-Marrakech caravan route, seems to be a distinct universe. A mosaic of archaeological remains, forest lands, and mountain formations calls out to us as soon as we set foot there. These diverse natural landscapes serve as a backdrop to some of the emblematic attractions that embody what is most distinctive and characteristic of the province.

A visit to Khenifra National Park offers visitors an exceptional experience thanks to the richness of the flora and fauna and the various sites of high tourist interest that it abounds with. The park’s representative ecosystems, including Aghbalou Laârbi, Jbel Talaghine, Aguelmame Sidi Ali, Aguelmame Azegza, Aguelmame Ouiwane, Aguelmame Abekhan, and Aguelmame Miami, each provide an opportunity to live where the essential is to look, feel, listen, share and protect – to be in harmony with nature, people, and spirituality.

Several tourist offers will make you love these true havens of biodiversity during your eco-citizen and responsible stay where hiking in the great outdoors makes you more aware of everything that is happening and how vital it is for us to cherish and protect it.

The historical monuments of the province, secular places that bear witness to an authentic history, are also curiosities that are worth the detour and discovery. The Kasbah of Mouha ou Hammou Zayani symbolizes the commitment of “Khénifra la zaïne” to the country’s independence and testifies to an architectural art.

The famous bridge over the Oum Errabia river, known as the “Portuguese Bridge,” was built in the 17th century and was a stopover for summer transhumance. The sublime Kasbah of Adekhssal is an old fort that is part of the region’s history.

An authentic and original shopping experience awaits at the “Amazigh auction” or “carpet auction” at the carpet souk of Khenifra. It remains the showcase of a variety of regional carpets (Beni Ourain, Azilan, Handira, Zemmour and Zaiane).

The village of El Hammam, located 11 km from M’rirt, is an ideal place for amateur hikers, allowing them to reach certain tourist sites (Zaouïa d’Ifrane waterfall or the sources of Oum Rabia) by following easy trails at the foot of the mountain.

Located 38 km from Khenifra and at an altitude of 1700 m in the high mountains, Lake Aguelmame Abakhane is one of the main lakes of tourist interest in the province of Khenifra. Oval in shape, it constitutes a favorable wintering area for waterfowl.

Other notable natural sites in the province include Lake Ouiouane (SIBE), Lake Tiguelmamine, Lake Aguelmam Miami (SIBE), the sources of Oum Er-Rbia, and Oued Chbouka.

With its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, historical monuments, and opportunities for eco-responsible tourism, Khenifra province is a true gem waiting to be discovered.

Azilal Province: Stunning waterfalls and Amazigh villages

Renowned for its numerous breathtaking postcards, notably the Ouzoud waterfalls, the Bin El Ouidane lake, the happy valley of Ait Bouguemaz… the splendid province of Azilal will amaze you with its exceptional landscape and environmental quality. Its majestic rivers, magnificent lakes, mysterious forests, dreamy plateaus and valleys are an invitation to dazzle the senses.

This extraordinary natural potential constitutes the main asset of Azilal’s touristic appeal and the true lever for its future as a flagship destination for holidays and nature tourism, thanks to the richness of its product portfolio in terms of outdoor activities: trekking, walks and circuits, mountain biking, climbing, hunting, fishing… To this is added a rich and diversified accommodation offer combined with generous local hospitality allowing national and international visitors to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing nature stay.

The Ouzoud waterfalls, located about 36 km from the city of Azilal in the rural commune of Ait Tagulla, are considered one of the most beautiful sites in the Middle Atlas. These sumptuous waterfalls, where water gushes out all year round from a height of 100 m, flow into a basin of limestone rocks in the middle of lush vegetation.

At the top of the fall, just a stone’s throw from the impressive chasm, are a dozen ancient small grain mills, still in operation thanks to the water from the torrent. This site is favorable for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, climbing and paragliding. The Ouzoud waterfalls, together with the gorges of the Oued El Abid (7 km from the site) and the famous Zaouiat of Tanaghmalte, form a tourist circuit of great ecological, cultural, and artistic importance.

Other notable sites in the province include the village of Megdaz, considered the most beautiful Amazigh village in Morocco; the Tamga reserve with its impressive “cathedral” of rocks; the village of Zaouiat Ahansal, a hub for outdoor sports activities; the Imri-n-Fri bridge which offers a nature hike to the ends of the earth; the Bin El Ouidane dam, a pearl for water sports; and the happy valley of Ait Bouguemez, extending over 35 km and bringing together 25 douars, known for its verdant vegetation, preserved architectural heritage, deeply rooted Amazigh culture, proximity to the prestigious peaks of the High Atlas, and the presence of rock paintings and traces of dinosaurs.

The province also boasts a rich artisanal heritage, with cooperatives and workshops producing traditional carpets, pottery, jewelry, wood sculpture, and more. Visiting these spaces allows for a direct experience with the artisans, observing the transformation of raw materials and the techniques and aesthetics of their crafts.

Khouribga Province: Phosphate plateaus and cultural crossroads

The province of Khouribga boasts a generous and verdant nature, with lakes, mountain landscapes in the north, fields of cereals dotted with poppies, rivers, forests, hills and dams. This diversity makes Khouribga an exceptional territory to admire unique landscapes.

The rich and preserved nature of the province provides great potential for activities for all ages, with impressive itineraries and views, 4×4 excursions, and horseback riding. The plateau of Khouribga where the province is established extends over a hinterland and natural spaces that call for adventure.

Some of the key natural and cultural attractions in Khouribga province include: The Bouassila gazelle reserve, a 250-hectare natural reserve classified as a Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE). It presents a remarkable educational, recreational and relaxation potential.

The El Khatouat forest in the rural commune of Gnadiz and the Boughardane forest in the rural commune of Beni Bettaou.

The Boubagra hill dam is located about 12 km from the city of Boujaâd and the Zamrine dam in the commune of Beni Yakhlef.

The Sidi el Ghazouani forest, the Hunting Reserves, the Oued Zem pleasure lake, and the vast phosphate plateaus attract the curiosity of paleontologists.

The Oued Zem lake, located 30 km from Khouribga, is a “site of memory” linked to the history of the French protectorate in this locality. Built in the form of a map of Paris and surrounded by a public garden, this lake was an important water supply source for the French military. Today it has become a pleasure lake where people come to enjoy the pleasant setting and take a refreshing walk.

The sedimentary basin of Ouled Abdoun in Boujniba or Khouribga basin contains the world’s largest open-pit phosphate reserves. This basin, located west of the Middle Atlas mountains, covers more than 10,000 km2. These phosphate deposits are also a fantastic museum of fossilized animal bones preserved for millions of years.

The oldest fossil mammal, about 60 million years old, was discovered in a phosphate deposit in Ouled Abdoun. Today, the O.C.P. has begun an approach that aims to increase the regional tourist offer by proposing an integrated scientific tourism around these deposits called “Green Mine”.

Khouribga, a mining town created in 1917 under the French protectorate following the discovery of phosphates, has since become a unique cultural jewel prized by paleontologists interested in visiting the national museum of phosphate mines.

Khouribga is also an art crossroads attracting the cinematographic elite of the black continent on the occasion of the international festival of African cinema. The city also invites you to dive into history by visiting the Church of Sainte Barbe in Khouribga. Its construction was the result of a mixture of Moroccan building traditions, Gothic aesthetics and Art Deco (Duhon, Chassagne, Fleurant, Marchisio…). Now deconsecrated, it hosts exhibitions and cultural events in the city.

The Zamrine dam lake, located upstream of the El Malleh wadi and one of its 9 sub-watersheds, is a cherished spot for locals who love to go there for a friendly picnic in the fresh air. With friends or family, one can enjoy moments of peace and tranquility. The Zamrine dam lake is a place that offers a unique landscape and breathtaking views.

The Sidi Mhamed Cherki Moussem is a major event in Moroccan cultural, religious and spiritual life. It is an opportunity for you to contemplate the impressive processions that parade through the streets, the presentation of a fantasia horse parade and the craft exhibitions of the region. The success and impact of this event has made it a bearer of a message of brotherhood and spirituality, contributing to the radiance of secular and heritage traditions by creating economic and cultural dynamics in the city of Bejaad.

In terms of historical and cultural heritage, the ancient medina of Bejaâd, created in the 15th century by Sîdî Bouabîd al-Sharqî, was known at the time for the abundance of madrasas attracting scholars, intellectuals, imams, and travelers from all over the world in search of religious education.

Today, Bejaâd still opens its doors to visitors wishing to discover the ancient knowledge of the city. Many pilgrims come to visit the Zaouia Charkaouia on the occasion of the moussem, as well as Jewish families from the region who come to visit the medina of Bejaâd. The moussem of Sîdî Bouabîd al-Sharqî is an important religious festival that gives visitors the opportunity to experience a spiritual journey to the confines of local history and culture.

A land of wonders waiting to be explored

From its snow-capped peaks and lush forests to its desert expanses and traditional villages, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region is a microcosm of Morocco’s diverse natural and cultural wonders. Whether you seek outdoor adventure, cultural immersion, or simply a peaceful retreat in stunning surroundings, this hidden gem in the heart of the kingdom has something to offer every traveler.

With its commitment to preserving its rich heritage and investing in sustainable tourism infrastructure, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region is poised to become one of Morocco’s most sought-after destinations. As you embark on your journey through this captivating land, take the time to connect with its warm-hearted people, savor its delicious cuisine, and lose yourself in its timeless beauty. The treasures of Beni Mellal-Khenifra await, ready to be discovered and cherished.