Zagora to Merzouga by the Southern Road: N’Kob, Tazzarine, Alnif

The southern road from Zagora to Merzouga runs east along the south side of the Jbel Saghro, through Tansikht, N’Kob, Tazzarine, Alnif and Rissani. The full drive covers about 335 km. It takes roughly 6 to 7 hours of driving, before any stops. A direct road from Zagora to Tazzarine shortens the trip to about 290 km and roughly 5 to 6 hours. The whole route is paved.

Which way does the southern road go?

From Zagora, the route first heads north up the Drâa Valley to the junction at Tansikht. There it leaves the Drâa and turns east. The road then runs east past N’Kob and Tazzarine, northeast to Alnif, and east again to Rissani in the Tafilalt oasis. From Rissani, a short road runs southeast to Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes.

The road is generally known as the N12. Some recent maps show other road numbers for parts of it, so it is simpler to navigate by town names: Tansikht, N’Kob, Tazzarine, Alnif, Rissani.

This road is the natural continuation for travellers who reach Zagora on a 4-day desert tour from Marrakech to Zagora and want to add Erg Chebbi before heading north. For the first stretch, from Ouarzazate and Agdz down to Zagora, see our Drâa Valley road guide.

How far is each stage of the road?

The Tansikht junction lies about 62 km north of Zagora on the Drâa Valley road. N’Kob lies about 39 km east of the Tansikht junction. Tazzarine lies about 37 km east of N’Kob, under an hour by road. Alnif lies about 63 km northeast of Tazzarine, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by road. Rissani lies about 95 km east of Alnif. Merzouga lies about 39 km southeast of Rissani, about 45 minutes by road.

Is there a shorter road from Zagora to Tazzarine?

Yes. A direct paved road links Zagora and Tazzarine, skipping Tansikht and N’Kob. Zagora lies southwest of Tazzarine, about 95 to 100 km away by the direct paved road. Using it brings the whole Zagora to Merzouga drive down to about 290 km.

The trade-off is simple. The direct road saves around 40 km, but it misses N’Kob and its kasbahs. The longer road through Tansikht and N’Kob follows the foot of the Jbel Saghro for more of the way.

What is the road like to drive?

The whole route from Zagora to Merzouga is paved. Surfaces vary from smooth new asphalt to rougher, older sections. The terrain is mostly flat or gently rolling, with long straight stretches across open stony plains.

The road crosses many dry riverbeds. After heavy rain, these crossings can carry water, mud or sand for a short time. Between Alnif and Rissani there are very few villages, so it is the emptiest part of the drive.

Cafés, small shops and fuel stations are found in the larger towns along the way, such as N’Kob, Tazzarine and Rissani. It is sensible to carry water and to fill up before the Alnif to Rissani stretch. With a private vehicle and driver, these stops are planned in advance.

What is there to see in N’Kob?

N’Kob sits at the southern foot of the Jbel Saghro, at an altitude of about 1,045 m. The village is known for its 45 kasbahs, the fortified earthen family houses of the area. Many of them have been restored and converted into guesthouses. A short walk through the old village shows the tall towers and decorated upper walls typical of this part of southern Morocco.

N’Kob is also a common starting point for walks into the Jbel Saghro.

What is the Jbel Saghro?

The Jbel Saghro is a mountain range south of the High Atlas. It is usually described as the eastern extension of the Anti-Atlas. Its highest point is Amalou n’Mansour, at about 2,712 m.

The Jbel Saghro is the traditional home of the Aït Atta, an Amazigh (Berber) tribal confederation whose families have long moved their flocks between the range and the High Atlas. In 1933 the range was the scene of the Battle of Bougafer, where Aït Atta fighters led by Assou Oubasslam resisted French colonial forces.

From the road, the range appears as bare, rocky ridges to the north between Tansikht and Alnif. The mountain interior is reached only on foot or by rough tracks.

Are there rock engravings near Tazzarine?

Yes. The rock-engraving site of Aït Ouazik lies about 13 km southwest of Tazzarine. Its engravings show animals such as antelopes, ostriches, giraffes, elephants and rhinoceroses, along with trap designs and a few spirals. Several of these animals no longer live anywhere in the region.

The site lies off the main road. A visit adds extra time and needs local directions.

Why is Alnif known for fossils?

Alnif is known for its trilobite fossils. Jbel Issoumour, near Alnif, contains Devonian rock layers rich in trilobites. Fossil shops line the main road through town, and some sellers offer short visits to nearby fossil beds.

Alnif lies at about 880 m in Tinghir Province. A road also runs north from Alnif towards Tinghir and the Todra area.

What is Rissani known for?

Rissani lies at about 760 m in the Tafilalt oasis. It stands beside the ruins of Sijilmasa, a medieval caravan city on the trans-Saharan trade routes. After the fall of Sijilmasa in the 14th century, Rissani became the main trading centre of the area.

The Rissani market is busiest on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. From Rissani, the Ziz Valley and Erfoud lie a short drive to the north. Our Ziz Valley and Erfoud guide covers that road.

Why do travellers take the southern road?

The southern road lets travellers combine two desert areas in one trip: the Drâa Valley desert around Zagora and Erg Chigaga, and the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga. Without it, the usual way between the two runs back north through Ouarzazate and Tinghir, a drive of about 520 km.

The southern road is about 335 km, or about 290 km with the direct Zagora to Tazzarine road. It also passes kasbah villages, the Jbel Saghro and the fossil area of Alnif, which the northern road does not.

The Erg Chebbi dunes rise up to about 150 m above the surrounding stony plain. If you are still choosing between the two desert areas, our comparison of Zagora vs Merzouga explains how they differ.

When is the best time to drive the southern road?

The best time to drive from Zagora to Merzouga is from October to April. In Zagora, average daytime highs are around 20°C in January and around 31°C in April and October. In July, average daytime highs in Zagora pass 40°C.

In summer, it is better to start early and stop through the hottest part of the day. In winter, desert nights can be cold. After heavy rain, it is worth checking the riverbed crossings before setting off.

Key facts

Is the southern road worth it?

For travellers who want both Zagora and Merzouga in one trip, the southern road is a much shorter paved link than the northern road. It turns a long return loop into a single day’s drive, with kasbahs, mountains and fossils along the way. You can browse all our Morocco desert tours, or ask us anything about planning the route.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Zagora from Merzouga by the southern road?

Zagora is about 335 km from Merzouga by the southern road through Tansikht, N’Kob, Tazzarine, Alnif and Rissani. Using the direct road from Zagora to Tazzarine shortens the trip to about 290 km.

How long does the drive from Zagora to Merzouga take?

The drive takes roughly 6 to 7 hours via N’Kob, or roughly 5 to 6 hours via the direct Zagora to Tazzarine road, before stops. Most travellers plan a full day.

Is the road from Zagora to Merzouga paved?

Yes. The whole route is paved. Some sections are rougher than others, and riverbed crossings can carry water or sand after heavy rain.

In which direction is Zagora from Tazzarine?

Zagora lies southwest of Tazzarine, about 95 to 100 km away by the direct paved road. The longer road via N’Kob and Tansikht first heads west, then south down the Drâa Valley.

Can I see Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi on the same trip?

Yes. The southern road links Zagora, on the road south to M’Hamid and Erg Chigaga, with Merzouga and Erg Chebbi. It avoids the much longer return through Ouarzazate and Tinghir.