Ouzoud Waterfalls – The Monkey’s Waterfall

Departures are early in the morning, at sunrise. Meeting point is at Ouzoud Waterfalls, either on the main square or at the upper exit of the hotel overlooking them. The exact spot depends on the macaques’ habits and will be confirmed the day before.After a safety briefing, we begin the Monkey Watch: six hours of light walking, moving at the monkeys’ pace. The session is open to all, but for visitors with reduced mobility, adjustments may be needed due to the terrain, which can limit the experience.

With the transport option, your trip starts the day before in Marrakech. Coordinate with your driver for pickup, then travel 2.5 hours together to Ouzoud.

Plan an overnight stay on site (not included) so you’re rested for the morning start. After your visit, your driver will be available to bring you back to Marrakech whenever you’re ready.

The Ouzoud Waterfalls (Imuzar n’Ouzoud in Berber) are located in the foothills of the Central High Atlas, near the town of Azilal in Morocco. They are one of the emblematic geosites of the M’goun Geopark, supported by UNESCO. Formed by the Tissakht River and marked by several natural terraces, they rise into a majestic ensemble of cascades about a hundred meters high. The Ouzoud Waterfalls mark the point where this river gradually plunges into monumental gorges, where it joins the El Abid River.

Ouzoud; “the place where one grinds” (grain)

The Western world only discovered the Ouzoud Waterfalls between 1916 and 1920, during the so-called “pacification of Morocco.” The falls quickly became a popular tourist destination under the french colonial administration. With the rise of mass tourism in Marrakech, the Ouzoud Waterfalls are now regarded as a must-see site, attracting large numbers of visitors coming directly from the Red City.

Ouzoud literally means “the place where one grinds” (grain). At the top of the waterfall, right on the edge, a few traditional Berber mills still stand — many visitors pass by them without stopping. In the past, the Ouzoud Waterfalls were an essential place where local people came to grind the products of their harvests, especially barley for wedding celebrations. The presence of these mills, along with the nearby village of Tanaghmelt, bears witness to the cultural importance of this place. In fact, this village is also worth a visit — it once housed a renowned Zawiya with a large library.

The monkeys can be seen as far as the neighboring village of Tanaghmelt!

Few people take the time to linger and explore the area beyond the marked trails laid out for them. Some even see the waterfalls as just another stop to tick off on a pre-set list of tourist sites. Yet behind this façade, the Ouzoud Waterfalls hold a natural and historical richness that few truly know.

Even fewer visitors take the time to observe the monkeys living around the Ouzoud Waterfalls and their surroundings. These macaques remain far less known and often misunderstood. The best way to watch them without missing any part of their daily life is to be accompanied by an animal behavior expert and follow their guidance. These Monkey Watch sessions offer you that unique opportunity.

These experiences take place in the morning, a time that offers the best observation conditions. However, there is a price to pay to fully enjoy the experience: you have to get up early and be there on time. This means spending a night at the Ouzoud Waterfalls and waking up very early.

After a brief safety briefing, we will immerse ourselves in the world of Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus), an endangered species native to North Africa!

The Barbary macaque is a macaque species endemic to the Maghreb. The only macaque species found outside Asia!

Fantasized about since Antiquity and heir to a long history, these legendary animals appear in numerous books and films. Although deeply rooted in Western and North African cultures, their true nature remains largely unknown. This Monkey Watching session is designed to help you discover these fascinating primates.

You’ll only need a good pair of shoes and something to take photos with! Meet us at the designated meeting point — we’ll take care of the rest! The sessions are accessible to people with reduced mobility and are offered in both French and English. Guides and translators wishing to accompany their group must also reserve their spot.

We want to emphasize an important point: it is impossible to complete these observations in a single day if you’re coming from Marrakech. Doing so would involve a long overnight drive followed by a lengthy morning of observation, which would make the experience less enjoyable. Spending a night on site is essential!

To make the most of your visit, we offer a trusted private car service. This journey includes several stops at key sites, whether paleontological or archaeological, connected to the surrounding environment. To use this service, simply select the transport-from-Marrakech option when booking.

At the Ouzoud Waterfalls, the falls themselves, along with the surrounding gorges and natural landscapes, provide food and shelter for several groups of Barbary macaques. This Monkey Watching experience invites you to go and meet them!

Each season has its own unique atmosphere and characteristics, which strongly influence what you can observe and the experience you will have. You might find yourself in a t‑shirt under the intense summer heat, with the waterfall revealing its most beautiful rainbow thanks to the refreshing spray it sends out. But it is just as possible to witness a winter observation, in biting cold or even rain. The waterfall can then be shrouded in a thick, mystical fog, or transform into a powerful cascade of “milk chocolate” color. And although now much rarer due to climate change, the waterfall can even sometimes be covered in snow!

In the world of Barbary macaques, autumn and early winter mark their Valentine’s Day: it is the breeding season! This is when you can observe up close their reproductive interactions and social conflicts. A few months later, in spring, the birthing season begins. This is the perfect time to discover not only the adorable newborn monkeys but also their curious fascination with infants…

During the breeding season, it is not uncommon to see some pairs isolating themselves…

Thus, each Monkey Watching session offers a unique atmosphere and an ideal setting to observe at least one of the fascinating behaviors of Barbary macaques.

You will discover how these primates communicate, and together we will decode their language. Their play, feeding habits, as well as their solidarity in the face of predators and conflicts with humans, will reveal a complex society. Their way of engaging in politics is sure to amaze you! And by observing their cultural behaviors, you will inevitably perceive them in a surprisingly human and touching light.

But the experience goes far beyond that… The ecosystem surrounding the Barbary macaques is also remarkably rich. This allows us to explore the close connections between the macaques and their environment. The exceptional biodiversity of the Ouzoud Waterfalls will also delight enthusiasts of botany, ornithology, entomology, and even amateur geology!

Strange structures tell us the story of the waterfall…

There is so much to see that you cannot observe everything in a single session. Each Monkey Watching session is unique. If you wish, it is also possible to focus the visit on the themes that interest you (feeding, play, reproduction…), and to repeat the experience the following day on a different theme.

With a bit of luck, you may witness incredible, breathtaking, and even rare scenes! Barbary macaques sometimes engage in spectacular and ruthless confrontations, whether against other groups of their own species or certain predators. At times, you could see them performing dramatic crossings of the Ouzoud Waterfalls, testing their agility and determination. And if you are really fortunate, you might even witness the funniest and most amusing behaviors of their breeding season!

Some unique cultural behaviors, found nowhere else in the world or rarely observed, could also unfold before your eyes. We have recently discovered a few of them! These astonishing moments alone are worth the visit, offering you a glimpse into the world of animal behavior research as it happens!

Most tourists visiting the site miss these fascinating scenes without even suspecting them. This is precisely where we come in! We are here to make these observations easier for you. Our valuable guidance will lead you to the right places at the right time, drawing your attention to these unique behaviors so that you don’t miss a single detail. It is rare to benefit from such expertise—don’t miss this opportunity!

However, be aware: you may witness scenes that are less joyful, yet no less striking, from the daily life of Barbary macaques. Life for wild macaques is not always easy. Monkey Watching sessions can sometimes reveal dramas, difficult moments, or heartbreaking scenes. This is the raw reality of wildlife, with its joys and sorrows.

It is therefore a powerful experience that awaits you!

Warning!! For your safety, here are the golden rules to follow:

– Do not feed the monkeys, or show them food! This exposes you to the risk of bites and health hazards. You can transmit diseases to them, and they can transmit diseases to you. This practice is even completely prohibited at some sites, including here at the Ouzoud Waterfalls.

– Do not eat in front of monkeys, and do not let them think you have food! This is one of the best ways to frustrate them and provoke their anger.

– Do not stare them in the eyes! Avoid direct eye contact. Among macaques, staring is a sign of challenge. Looking at them, especially with your mouth open, can be interpreted as hostile behavior. Adult macaques carefully avoid eye contact to prevent conflicts. Insisting could irritate them and lead to an attack or bites.

– Do not touch them! Ever! They are not pets. Just as we would not want to be touched by strangers or imposing beings, Barbary macaques do not appreciate being harassed or handled. This could provoke an attack. Even if they are close to you, avoid any physical contact with the monkeys.

– Do not let them climb on you! Allowing this encourages dominant and aggressive behavior toward you. In macaque society, only dominant individuals climb on others. If anyone suggests letting a monkey climb on you, refuse firmly. Encouraging this behavior is not only risky but also contributes to the decline of Barbary macaques.

– Do not shout, startle, or frighten the monkeys! More generally, avoid making them nervous or scared, as this can trigger a defensive reaction. Be particularly careful with young monkeys, who are easily frightened and may call adults for help. Adults may then attack to protect the young.

– Do not run or make sudden movements! Do not flee in case of an attack! Macaques react strongly to fast or sudden movements, which they often interpret as threats. They also see fleeing as an opportunity to bite. If a Barbary macaque attacks, do not run!

– No dogs, cats, or pets! Although many want to share these visits with their four-legged companions, it is crucial to know that dogs are seen as predators by Barbary macaques. They will flee from them or, in groups, may attack them. Additionally, this is a protected natural site where pets are not allowed.

– Do not smoke! Smoking does more than annoy or disturb the monkeys—it makes them flee! More broadly, it affects observation and respect for the natural site.

– Do not get too close to the monkeys! Keep a safe distance. They are still wild animals, even if accustomed to human presence. If curious monkeys approach you too closely, calmly move away as soon as possible.

– No camera flashes! Photography and video are allowed, but without flash. Use your equipment carefully, do not place it directly in front of the monkeys’ faces, and do not get too close when taking pictures with them. You have been warned. We cannot be held responsible for loss or damage.

– Do not use a selfie stick! Waving a stick in front of a monkey is interpreted as a threat and may provoke an attack or bites. These accessories are prohibited during our Monkey Watching sessions.

– If someone breaks any of these rules, move away immediately and inform our expert.

– Remember to respect the animals, the environment, other participants, and local communities.

This list is not exhaustive and is detailed in full in the Code of Conduct of our Terms and Conditions. It is essential to read it entirely before booking. By booking, you agree to follow this Code and to comply with the instructions of our experts.

Failure to follow these rules may result in your removal from the group or the immediate end of the observation session. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Once your observation session is over, we offer you the opportunity to receive images of the best scenes we were able to capture.

If we have succeeded in convincing you of the importance of preserving Barbary macaques, you can contribute to their conservation. We offer a few items for sale to support this cause. If you wish to bring back an authentic souvenir from the Ouzoud Waterfalls, related to the monkeys or local culture, this is the perfect opportunity! And what could be nicer than having a keepsake delivered directly to your home without taking up space in your luggage?

You can also make your journey from Marrakech easier and turn it into a road trip! By selecting the transport option at the time of booking, our private driver will take you to the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Along the way, he will stop at several unmissable archaeological and paleontological sites in the Central High Atlas: rock engravings, dinosaur footprints, and much more.

You can extend your experience with a visit to the M’Goun Geopark Museum, located in the nearby town of Azilal.

Need advice for the rest of your trip? Don’t hesitate to ask! The area around the Ouzoud Waterfalls and the Azilal region offer many other wonders to discover. Very few people will be able to give you accurate information!

Not far away are the village of Tanaghmelt and the “sources” of the Tissakht River. Quad or bike tours are available there. In the region, the mountain village of Aït Bouguemez and the surroundings of Lake Bin El Ouidane await you for a variety of activities: hiking, water sports, quad biking, mountain biking, kayaking… For climbers and mountaineering enthusiasts, the cirque near the village of Taghia is a real playground, which you have probably already heard of!

I can also pay a visit to Beni Mellal ! It worth it. It is one of the few places in Morocco where, in certain seasons, you can enjoy a unique experience with a scenic flight or parachute jumps!