Cedar Forest of Azrou
Hours
Daylight hours
Entry
Free
Duration
90 minutes
Location
Cèdre Gouraud Forest, south of Azrou, Middle Atlas
Ancient Atlas cedars and the last wild Barbary macaques in Morocco.
01
The Last Macaques
The cedar forest around Azrou harbours the last significant population of wild Barbary macaques in Africa. The species — the only macaque outside Asia — once ranged across North Africa. Now it is restricted to pockets of cedar forest in Morocco's Middle Atlas and a small population in Algeria. The forest itself is magnificent: Atlas cedar, some trees over 800 years old, at altitudes around 1,800 metres.
02
The Forest
Giant cedars, dappled light, undergrowth of ferns and wildflowers in spring. The most famous individual tree — the Gouraud Cedar — is over 800 years old and was named after a French general. The macaques are most visible at the roadside near Azrou, where they have learned that tourists carry food.
03
Visiting
The forest starts south of Azrou on the road to Midelt. The macaques are most reliably seen near the Cèdre Gouraud. Do not feed them — it alters their behaviour and diet. A half-day excursion from Fes (about 1.5 hours each way).
Best Time to Visit
Spring for wildflowers. Autumn for colour. Winter for snow on the cedars.
Getting There
South of Azrou on the N13 toward Midelt. About 1.5 hours from Fes.
Local Tip
Cedar forest south of Azrou with resident Barbary macaques. The monkeys are wild — do not feed them. Best in morning when they are active. Cedar trees are some of the oldest in Morocco. Combine with Ifrane.
Common Questions
Very likely near the Cèdre Gouraud. They are habituated to tourists. Do not feed them.
Walking Distance
Nearby
The cedar forest is a morning stop between Fes and the Middle Atlas. We go early when the macaques are feeding and the light filters through eight-hundred-year-old trees.
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Sources: IUCN Red List: Macaca sylvanus;;Moroccan High Commission for Water and Forests