Zagoura

San Franciscans have passionate perspectives on every subject, especially their signature landmark.

Zagoura

Zagora refers to the Berber word “Tazagart” which means the short tree that has dense leaves and thorns. The town was established by the French authorities during the protectorate, Zagora seems unpromising at first sights: a drawn-out modern market town with a big crop of hotels and government buildings and few sights of specific interest. But still the most convenient base for exploring the region. The sign signifying “Tombouktou, 52 days by camel” evokes the great age of the trans-Saharan caravans. Unfortunately Tombouktou road sign has been removed in an overzealous bout of the city council tidying. Zagora is the region’s main staging post for trips to the fringes of the Sahara.