Youssef Ettaghlaoui
Youssef Ettaghlaoui is the founder of Moroccotourspackage and a licensed local guide. He was born near the Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga, started leading camels in the desert at 16, and has organized private tours across Morocco since 2016.
He writes our travel guides from his own trips: what travelers ask, what surprises them, and what he would tell a friend.
- Based in
- Merzouga
- Organizing tours
- Since 2016
- First job
- Camel leader at 16
- Languages
- Tamazight, Arabic, English, Italian
From the Dunes to Tours Across Morocco
Youssef’s family lived as nomads, in tents, before settling in a village at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes when he was a child, so that the children could go to school. They later moved to Erfoud for his studies, and the family still lives between the two.
Growing up by the dunes, he watched travelers from all over the world arrive to see them, and that is where his interest in tourism began. At 16 he started leading camels in the desert. He went on to study English literature at university in Meknes, then accompanied travelers on desert trips from Marrakech for other agencies, before organizing longer private tours around Morocco.
In 2016 he started Moroccotourspackage with his family. Many of the first trips came from travelers who recommended him to friends, long before the company had a website.
Languages and Travelers
Youssef’s first language is Tamazight. He also speaks Arabic, English and Italian, and some Spanish and French. He is a licensed local guide, authorized to organize tours in Morocco.
Our drivers speak English, French, Italian and Spanish, and sometimes German or Hebrew, so we match the driver to your group. See our drivers and guides and more about the company.
Plan a Trip with Youssef’s Team.
Tell us where you would like to go and how many days you have. We reply within 24 hours with a plan and a price.
