Ouzoud Waterfalls: The Complete Guide (Getting There, Prices, Monkeys, Swimming)
North Africa's tallest waterfalls, 2.5 hours from Marrakech: how to get there, when to go, where to find the Barbary macaques and where you can actually swim.
At 110 metres high, the Ouzoud Waterfalls are the tallest in North Africa — and the finest day trip you can make from Marrakech. Between the rainbows that hang permanently in the spray, the wild Barbary macaques in the olive trees and the pools you can swim in at the bottom, it is easy to spend a full day here. Here is everything worth knowing before you go.
Where are the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
The falls sit beside the village of Ouzoud in the Middle Atlas, in Azilal province — roughly 150 km north-east of Marrakech and 190 km south of Beni Mellal. "Ouzoud" means "olive" in Amazigh, and the name fits: the whole valley is covered in olive groves, and old stone oil mills still line the footpath down to the pools.
How to get to the Ouzoud Waterfalls from Marrakech
Allow about 2.5 hours each way from Marrakech (150 km). The route runs towards Azilal via Demnate; the road surface is good for most of the drive, with a few winding mountain sections near the end.
- By rental car — the most flexible option: leave early, stay as long as you like, and stop at Demnate or the Imi n'Ifri natural bridge on the way.
- On an organised day trip — transport and a guide included, ideal if you would rather not drive mountain roads.
- By grand taxi — possible from Azilal, but you have to reach Azilal first, which adds considerably to the journey.
The drive and the stops along the way
The road from Marrakech crosses the Haouz plain before climbing into the Middle Atlas. Two stops genuinely justify the detour and turn a there-and-back drive into a proper day out:
- Demnate — a small town of olive groves and pottery at roughly the halfway point; a good place for coffee or supplies.
- The Imi n'Ifri natural bridge — a limestone arch carved out by the river, a few kilometres from Demnate. You can walk down into the gorge in about twenty minutes; colonies of jackdaws nest in the vault above.
- Olive oil cooperatives — plenty of them line the Azilal road, and most will let you taste before you buy.
If you are driving, allow more time than the distance suggests: the mountain section is a 40–50 km/h road, and you will meet livestock and slow vehicles. Fill up in Marrakech or Demnate — petrol stations thin out after that.
What to see and do at Ouzoud
Walking down to the foot of the falls
A made-up path leaves the car park and drops to the main pool in about twenty minutes. The descent is shaded by olive trees, with several viewing terraces on the way down. At the bottom the air is thick with spray, and a rainbow forms almost permanently once the sun is high.
The boats at the foot of the falls
Small painted boats take you right up to the curtain of water — a few minutes on the water for a handful of dirhams, negotiated on the spot. It is the best view there is of the main drop.
The Barbary macaques
Ouzoud is home to a troop of Barbary macaques, an endangered species native to Morocco and Algeria. You will most often meet them on the upper path and among the olive trees, towards the end of the morning.
Can you swim at Ouzoud?
Yes — you can swim in the pools at the base of the falls, where the water stays cold even in high summer. The bottom is rocky and often slippery, so water shoes or sandals with real grip are strongly advised. Stay well clear of the main drop itself, where the current and undertow are strong.
Hiking and the surrounding area
Beyond the falls, a path follows the river downstream towards the so-called "monkey canyon": about 90 minutes of easy walking through olive groves and shallow crossings, and far quieter than the main site. On the way back, the Imi n'Ifri natural bridge near Demnate is worth an hour of anyone's time.
Visiting Ouzoud on a guided day trip
If you would rather not drive, the organised day trip from Marrakech is the simplest formula: return transport, a guide on site and free time to swim. It is also a sensible choice in high season, when parking in the village becomes difficult.
See day trips departing from MarrakechWhen is the best time to visit Ouzoud?
- Spring (March–May): the best window — peak flow after the Atlas snowmelt, green vegetation and mild temperatures.
- Summer (June–August): very hot during the day but ideal for swimming; arrive early to beat both the heat and the crowds.
- Autumn (September–October): pleasant, with warm light and a lower flow.
- Winter (November–February): quieter and dramatic after rain, but the water is too cold for swimming and the path can be slippery.
Prices and practical information
- Site access: entry to the falls themselves is free; parking in the village costs a few dirhams.
- Boat ride: negotiated on site, a few tens of dirhams per person.
- Local guide: optional, agree the price before you set off down the path.
- Time needed: half a day minimum, a full day with swimming and a hike.
- What to bring: closed shoes or walking sandals, swimwear, a towel, water, sunscreen and some cash.
How much does a day at Ouzoud cost?
This is one of the cheapest excursions in Morocco, especially with a few people. The rough cost breakdown:
- Parking: a few dirhams for the day.
- Boat ride at the foot of the falls: a few tens of dirhams per person, negotiable.
- Local guide (optional): agreed before you start walking.
- Lunch on a terrace: the price of a tagine in a Moroccan tourist restaurant.
- Fuel from Marrakech: roughly 300 km there and back.
With two or more people, a rental car works out well below the per-person price of an organised tour — and you keep the car for the rest of your trip.
Where to eat and where to stay
A string of terrace cafés and restaurants overlook the falls from the viewpoint side: tagines, grills and mint tea with a view. The lower tables, closest to the water, are the most pleasant in summer. For an overnight stay, Ouzoud village has a handful of guesthouses and small hotels; staying the night lets you see the site at first light, almost deserted. Most visitors, though, drive back to sleep in Marrakech.
Find a place to stay in MarrakechRiads in the medina and apartments in Gueliz, from verified hosts.Frequently asked questions
How long do you need at the Ouzoud Waterfalls?
Allow 2 to 3 hours on site to walk down to the foot of the falls, take a boat and climb back up. Add swimming, lunch and the downstream hike and it becomes a full day — around 10 hours door to door from Marrakech.
Are the Ouzoud Waterfalls worth it?
Yes. It is the finest day trip from Marrakech, and the only one that combines waterfalls, swimming and wildlife. The site is busy, but the crowd concentrates on the viewpoint and the main pool: walk twenty minutes downstream and you have it largely to yourself.
Can you visit Ouzoud with children?
Yes. The descent is made up but fairly steep and stony: fine for children who walk well, not for a pushchair. Keep them close near the water and around the monkeys.
Is there water all year round?
Yes — unlike many natural sites in Morocco, Ouzoud flows year-round. The volume is simply far more spectacular in spring, after the Atlas snowmelt.
Do you need a guide?
Not really: the main path is obvious and well worn. A local guide is most useful for the downstream hike, or for understanding village life and the old oil mills.
In summary
The Ouzoud Waterfalls are an easy day trip from Marrakech, best in spring and best started early. With a car you gain the freedom to stop at Imi n'Ifri, to stay after the tour groups leave, and to drive home at your own pace.
Rent a car in Marrakech with Orid