The province of Smara is one of Morocco’s main rock art regions. Across the Saguia el Hamra basin, people pecked and scraped figures into the dark desert varnish, from giraffes, elephants, antelopes, ostriches and long-horned cattle of a wetter Sahara to later Libyco-Berber (Tifinagh) signs. Our expeditions are led by Said Legbouri, a licensed guide, and follow a strict protection code.
How the engravings were made
Over thousands of years, the rocks of the hamada have been coated with desert varnish, a thin dark skin of iron and manganese. When a hunter or herder struck or scraped the surface, the pale stone underneath appeared, and the line stayed visible. That is why engravings here read so clearly: light drawings on almost black rock.
A typical expedition day
We leave the camp by 4x4 after breakfast, then walk between groups of engraved rocks at an easy pace. Lunch is a picnic in a wadi, in the shade of acacias. The best light for reading and photographing engravings is early morning and late afternoon, so we plan the day around it and return to camp for sunset.
Protecting the sites
- No touching, wetting, chalking or tracing engravings
- No site coordinates are published or shared online
- Every visit is led by a licensed local guide
- We walk around sites, never across decorated surfaces
Read more about the rock heritage of the province on Visit Smara.
What to bring
Closed walking shoes for stony ground, sun protection, a hat and a light warm layer for the morning. We provide water, lunch and tea.
Questions travellers ask
How old is the rock art of Smara?
Dating varies by site and style. The animal engravings reflect a wetter prehistoric Sahara, while Tifinagh inscriptions are much more recent. Archaeological finds in the province range from Lower Palaeolithic stone tools to the Neolithic.
Can I visit the rock art of Smara without a guide?
It is strongly discouraged. Sites are hard to find, fragile and sometimes on sensitive ground. A licensed guide protects both you and the engravings.
How much walking does a rock art expedition involve?
Usually two to four hours spread across the day, on stony ground and at an easy pace. Tell us about any mobility needs when you book.