Region
Béni Mellal-Khénifra
بني ملال خنيفرةⴱⵏⵉ ⵎⵍⵍⴰⵍ-ⵅⵏⵉⴼⵔⴰ
Cedar green and waterfall turquoise
At a glance
- Recommended stay
- 2 to 3 days
- Best season
- March to June and September to November
- Elevation
- 500 m
- Population
- 2,525,801 (2024)
- Best for
- Ouzoud waterfalls · Aït Bouguemez Happy Valley · Middle Atlas cedar forests & lakes
- Key landmarks
- Ouzoud Waterfalls (110 m three-tiered falls)Aït Bouguemez ('Happy Valley') and the Sidi Moussa collective granaryM'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark and the Imi-n-Ifri natural bridgeBin El Ouidane turquoise mountain reservoirAin Asserdoun springs and the Kasbah of Ras el Ain in Béni MellalSources of the Oum Er-Rbia and Aguelmam Azigza crater lake near Khénifra
The Middle Atlas: the Ouzoud waterfalls, mountain lakes and Amazigh villages.
Getting there
Highway A4 from Casablanca or scenic N8 mountain road and grand taxis from Marrakech
The Emerald Water Towers of the Atlas
Béni Mellal-Khénifra is the green, water-rich heart of central Morocco, nestled between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges. Known as the agricultural breadbasket and water tower of the nation, the region is celebrated for roaring waterfalls, limestone karst springs like Aïn Asserdoun, and the dramatic 110-meter cascades of Ouzoud.
Cedar Forests and Mountain Lakes
Dense forests of Atlas cedar around Khénifra and the sources of the Oum Er-Rbia River shelter troops of wild Barbary macaques and brown trout streams. The tranquil reservoir lakes of Bin El Ouidane offer kayaking and freshwater fishing against a backdrop of steep red-rock mountain walls.
Weather and climate
Climate by month
Average low and highRainy days
| Month | Average low and high | Rainy days | Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5°C – 18°C41°F – 64°F | 6 | — |
| Feb | 7°C – 20°C44°F – 67°F | 6 | — |
| Mar | 9°C – 23°C49°F – 74°F | 6 | — |
| Apr | 11°C – 25°C53°F – 78°F | 5 | — |
| May | 15°C – 30°C59°F – 86°F | 3 | — |
| Jun | 19°C – 35°C67°F – 95°F | 1 | — |
| Jul | 23°C – 39°C73°F – 103°F | 0 | — |
| Aug | 23°C – 39°C73°F – 102°F | 1 | — |
| Sep | 19°C – 33°C66°F – 92°F | 2 | — |
| Oct | 15°C – 28°C58°F – 83°F | 4 | — |
| Nov | 9°C – 22°C49°F – 71°F | 6 | — |
| Dec | 6°C – 18°C43°F – 65°F | 6 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI / WMO 1991-2020 climate normals for Béni Mellal (station 60191). Updated November 7, 2026. www.ncei.noaa.gov
Suggested itinerary
Checked by Morocco Insider Tips on November 7, 2026
Day 1 Ouzoud Waterfalls and Bin El Ouidane
- Morning
- Walk the shaded olive-grove trail to the base of the 110-metre Ouzoud Waterfalls early before day-trip buses arrive, watching for wild Barbary macaques in the trees.
- Afternoon
- Drive across the winding Atlas ridge via Ouaouizeght to the turquoise waters of Bin El Ouidane lake, framed by red limestone cliffs.
- Evening
- Sunset over the reservoir and dinner at a lakeside guesthouse in Bin El Ouidane or Azilal.
Day 2 Azilal, M'Goun Geopark and the Aït Bouguemez valley
- Morning
- Stop in Azilal to visit the M'Goun UNESCO Global Geopark museum, known for its dinosaur footprints and High Atlas geology, then climb the mountain road into Aït Bouguemez.
- Afternoon
- Walk through the irrigated walnut and apple orchards between Tabant and Timit, then hike up the conical hill to the circular earthen granary of Sidi Moussa.
- Evening
- Stay in an Amazigh family gîte in Timit or Agouti over home-cooked tagine and mint tea.
Day 3 Béni Mellal and the cedar lakes of Khénifra
- Morning
- Descend to Béni Mellal and climb to the small hilltop fort of Kasbah Ras el Ain above the terraced gardens and springs of Ain Asserdoun.
- Afternoon
- Drive northeast along the Middle Atlas piedmont through Kasba Tadla to Khénifra, continuing into the cedar forest around Aguelmam Azigza lake and the Sources of the Oum Er-Rbia.
- Evening
- Return down to Béni Mellal for the motorway back to Casablanca or continue north toward Ifrane and Fès.
Tips
- Do not feed or touch the Barbary macaques at Ouzoud Waterfalls: feeding makes them aggressive and harms their health.
- Bring sturdy walking shoes for the muddy paths at the bottom of Ouzoud and the stony tracks in Aït Bouguemez.
- At 1,800 metres, nights in the Aït Bouguemez valley are cold from October through April — ask whether your gîte has heated rooms or extra blankets.
- Carry cash (dirhams) before heading up into Azilal province or Aït Bouguemez, where ATMs are scarce.
Getting around
- The A4 motorway connects Casablanca (via Berrechid and Khouribga) directly to Béni Mellal in about 2.5 hours.
- CTM and Supratours buses connect Béni Mellal and Khénifra with Casablanca, Rabat, Fès and Marrakech.
- To reach Ouzoud Waterfalls without a car, take a bus or grand taxi to Azilal (or a shared taxi from Marrakech) and switch to a local grand taxi.
- Into Aït Bouguemez, shared grand taxis and minibuses leave from Azilal, particularly on market days (Sunday in Tabant, Thursday in Azilal); a rental car gives much more flexibility.
Etiquette
- In High Atlas villages like Aït Bouguemez, dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees) and stick to paths around irrigated family plots.
- The Sidi Moussa shrine and granary are cared for by a local guardian; leave a small customary tip if the guardian unlocks the building and explains its history.
- Always ask before photographing villagers or shepherds along mountain trails.
Places in Béni Mellal-Khénifra
Aït Bouguemezأيت بوكمازⴰⵢⵜ ⴱⵓⴳⵎⵎⴰⵣThe Happy Valley of the High Atlas: hut-to-hut backpacker trekking, dinosaur tracks, and conical hill granaries.Village · 3 to 5 days · 1,800 m
Béni Mellalبني ملالⴱⵏⵉ ⵎⵍⵍⴰⵍMiddle Atlas mountain foothill city famous for Ain Asserdoun spring, Kasbah Ras El Ain, and lush orchards.City · 1 to 2 days · 620 m
Bin El Ouidaneبين الويدانⴱⵉⵏ ⵍⵡⵉⴷⴰⵏDeep turquoise mountain lake framed by red limestone cliffs, pine forests, and water sports.Site · 2 to 3 days · 820 m
Cascades d'Ouzoudشلالات أوزودⵉⵎⵛⵛⴰⵚⵏ ⵏ ⵓⵥⵓⴹMorocco's highest multi-tiered waterfalls tumbling 110 meters through red cliffs and olive groves.Site · 1 to 2 days · 1,060 m