Let’s start with the fact that there is not much to do in Akhfennir and it’s well off the beaten track. You probably won’t come here unless you head south to Western Sahara.
If you do come over to this coastal town, try the seafood and check out natural spots in the area: Khnifiss National Park and Grotte d’Akhfennir Ajeb Lah.
When to go?
The best time to visit Khnifiss National Park is during the cooler months, typically from October to April. During this time, temperatures are milder, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. Additionally, this period coincides with the winter months when migratory bird populations are at their peak, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching.
Where to stay?
There are not too many options for accommodation and don’t expect luxury. I stayed in Hotel La Corniche and the room was basic and a bit humid but acceptable for a short stay. It is facing the beach so I could hear the waves of the ocean.
What to see?
You can walk around the town in a few minutes and the beach is something you would like to forget as soon as possible due to the amount of rubbish there.
However, walk along the coastline to the north and soon you will see dramatic cliffs and the edge of the Sahara Desert. The highlight of the cliff walk is Grotte d’Akhfennir Ajeb Lah, also called the Devil’s Hole. It’s a natural cave created by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. A bit similar to Benagil Cave in the Algarve region of Portugal with the difference that there are no other tourists here!
The second spot that I wanted to visit in that area was Khnifiss National Park. It’s known for its unique coastal and desert ecosystems, featuring diverse wildlife and landscapes. The park encompasses a variety of habitats, including sandy beaches, dunes, wetlands, and rocky cliffs. It’s located about 25 kilometers from Akhfennir. As I didn’t have a car, the only option was to hitchhike. It didn’t take me long to get a ride as two young guys stopped. They said they were only going a short distance but in fact, they did a special detour to drop me off at the park. How nice of them!
I went down to the small pier and soon a fisherman approached me offering a boat trip. I negotiated the price of 300 MAD to take me on a nearly 2 hours trip around the lagoon but then I came up with the idea to invite those two guys that gave me the ride to join me. They agreed! Therefore, in the end, I paid 400 MAD for the 3 of us. They seemed very happy and I was also satisfied that I could return the favour. Only one of them spoke English but we were able to communicate quite well. We saw plenty of birds, including flamingos but the best part was the stop on the dunes. Really impressive place!
After we came back to the pier, the guys gave me a ride to the main road from where I caught an old Land Rover taxi to the next town – Tarfaya.
