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Oxford University Explorers Club have supported a huge number of expeditions about which books are written - I must have read a dozen or more, all dating from the 1950's & 60's. What an excellent use of funds - to support those keen enough to travel and learn about the world, rather than dull academics with no practical ambition.
In 1955 this group of five university students - two zoologists, a geographer, a botanist and an ethnologist determine that southern Morocco is the place they can best explore. Morocco at that time is still a French Protectorate (in part, the rest a Spanish Protectorate), but this was to end within a year, when Morocco gained full independence. This is a regular point of analysis in the book, and the groups interactions with the French are interesting in this context.
There is the inevitable preparation and sourcing of funds and equipment, including a truck, (which throughout the book provides many reasons to stop at inopportune times for repairs), before setting off on the outward journey. Once in Morocco, they find their feet, establish some relationships with the people in power and obtain letters of introduction and the like.
The majority of their time, they spent in the region around Idirh, south east of Marrakesh, although the five did split into smaller groups and move around. Interestingly they ran in Wilfred Thesiger, and twice, one of the members of the group undertook hikes through the mountains for weeks accompanying him. Although I have read a number of Thesiger's books, I am not sure any of them cover Morocco in any depth - perhaps it is in some of his more general autobiographical works which I haven't read (yet).
As their time in Morocco comes to an end, and the University term has started, they make a mad rush back to the UK, complete with truck breakdowns and the like. There is an epilogue where the author makes a summary of the research work and discoveries - although these are perhaps less interesting that the adventure in the undertaking of the research.
Well written, even handed and includes a lot more historical and current (or the time) information on the political situation, culture of the Berbers, the Arabs and the French, and of course plenty about the animals in the area - the author was one of the zoologists.
4 stars - perhaps 4.5 stars.
