Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Live with a Berber family in the Moroccan Sahara, independent reviews
 Reviewed 12 May 2008 by Suzanne Lloyd |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This sort of holiday was a total first for me – definitely not in my usual comfort zone…. My normal holiday is in 5* hotels with swimming pools and uniformed staff at my beck and call so I really didn’t know what to expect! I needn’t have worried - the family were fantastic, nothing was too much trouble. I received more genuine care and attention here than I have in some very expensive hotels.
I think the most memorable and exciting part of the trip was the camel ride into the dunes. I was a bit nervous at first but after about 5 minutes of entertaining camel riding instruction (lean forward – lean backwards!) I was fine and had the best few hours getting deep into the dunes. As the sun was setting and we stopped for a cup of tea to watch the sun go down (if you like your tea on the go and in odd places I recommend taking a small flask!). When we got to the Berber/Nomad tent it was out of this world, I can’t put into words what I thought - it was just amazing. After dinner I went and sat on a dune and it was stunning, the amount of stars I could see in the sky was unbelievable. I saw my first shooting star.
There were so many memories in this holiday that it is hard to say which is the best – I could easily have chosen drawing water from a well for the first time, helping to feed the animals or teaching Mohammed and Youssef some silly party games after dinner – I’ve never laughed so hard! I felt as if I had a new family and they treated me as if I was another member of their family which was so nice. I have never felt so at home when not at home.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You do need to remember to take a few things with you like anti-bacterial hand gel. Water for washing is always available, but if you’re on the go, soap is not so easily accessible. Also, it’s a bit weird putting toilet paper in the basket rather than flushing it away – but their loo gets blocked by paper waste (as I found out much to my embarrassment!)
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I do feel that by staying with the family I have helped out the local people as all the food was sourced from the local markets rather than from large suppliers (they were happy for me to go shopping with them). So I feel I have done more than I would have if I had gone on holiday with a big hotel chain. I was also pleased that the family gave me boiled water for drinking as this cut down on the plastic rubbish that water bottles create.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would recommend this holiday to everyone from the posh traveller like me to the young back-packer. The facilities are basic but the service is first class. I have learnt so much about myself and what I can do when I put my mind to it. I would happily go back to this family for another holiday. Just to be able to have time with nothing to think about. I have never relaxed so much. You really do leave all your worries at home. I can truly say this was a holiday to remember and one I will never forget, it has given me a true travel bug and now I would think twice about booking in a posh hotel as I have found out that the world will not end without my hair dryer!
| Reviewed 11 Mar 2009 by Helen, Jo and Steffi | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Spending time with the children and teaching them new games, and just generally entertaining me. Seeing the look on their faces when they were jumping around and carrying each other. The little ones are surprisingly strong! - Helen
Sitting around the fire with all the family and playing with the children. - Jo
It was definitely being able to see shooting stars, whilst sat by the fire in the desert after our camel trip :) - Steffi
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Learn some French and some Berber so that you can communicate more them. It is easy enough to communicate through actions but if you want to learn more, speaking their language helps!! Oh and be prepared to have slight tinnitus after the silence in the desert. - Helen
Bring a warm coat to Risanni! (if traveling in Dec lol!) - Jo
Take head scarves, they are important to respect family beliefs, and be prepared to help out within the family... its a great experience. - Steffi
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. The money you pay them might not seem a lot to us in the western world, but it as a lot to them, and you can see why with the number of mouths to feed everyday! It was nice being secluded, and not relying on cars or fuel powered transport to get into the desert! - Helen
Yes. - Jo
Using solar power for the few electrical items the family own, and feeding all the scrap foods to the family’s animals :) We knew it was helping the environment, and the family :) - Steffi
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
10/10 Amazing! I really want to go again. - Helen
10/10! - Jo
8/10!! Really good, long bus journey and rain just took the edge off it. - Steffi
| Reviewed 23 Sep 2008 by Emma Thurbon | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable was walking up the sand dunes at night in the rain! The long drive from Marrakech to Erfourd, the camels, so many wonderful memories.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
I read a lot about the guides in the towns being very pushy with you. They were more than that, they got very aggressive if you said no and it was very uncomfortable. Beware not all the towns have seen blonde women and they seem to think it is their right to treat you with complete disrespect, we went covered up and respected their culture but they still were very aggressive. This was in Risanni. We went in September so Ramadan was on and it was very hard to eat during the day with the family, but it was so very hot and we needed to drink so make sure you still drink and eat as we were being polite and ended up ill.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Most definitely, at the time we went to stay with the family there was a big Hollywood film being made and it was really upsetting to see the film causing so much distress to the desert and local surroundings. The rubbish and the big 4x4's, they didn't involve the local people with whom all their noise, light pollution and litter affected them so much. We were really glad we were able to do it independently and help a family.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a fantastic experience and I am so glad we went, although we read lots of negative things about Morocco, the guides etc if you stay safe and use your head it would be a really good holiday for all ages.
Read the operator's response here:
We are so happy that Emma had a wonderful time with our family. It makes us happy to make our guests happy. Unfortunately we have to agree with Emma that 'guides' from local tours and hotels are very pushy. To help our guests deal with this situation we do several things: At the time of booking we provide our guests with our local mobile phone number - this can be used in case of emergency or if you need help getting rid of unwanted attention in Risanni (our local town). This number can also be used to help you identify us and confirm we are who we say; We arrange to meet our guests away from busy taxi and bus stations, this means you can just walk away from these places rather than searching for us in a crowd; We advise our guests that we are the only guides who know your name - this also helps you to identify a friend.Our advice is be firm with these 'guides'. Do not enter into conversation with them other than to advise them that you have a reservation and do not need their help. Do not tell them who your reservation is with - they may claim to be us! Remain calm and walk away. We will meet you as arranged. Be assured that when you get to our corner of the desert you can relax and laugh.
We thank Emma for her respect of Ramadan, but we would never want any guest to become ill. Regular eating and drinking is vital or those who are not used to our climate and culture. Future guests - please do not become ill because you are worried about being polite. Finally, we would like to thank Emma for recommending our family home to other visitors.
| Reviewed 9 May 2008 by Christopher Nott | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
That's a very difficult question to answer... It's going to have to be a combination of things – From my lovely warm welcome from the whole family, to my wonderful camel ride into the desert and dunes, to the scaling of the tallest mountain of sand I had ever seen, to the breathtaking views from the top of the sunset over the Moroccan Sahara, to the lying out by the Nomad tent and gazing up at a carpet of stars, so near you could almost touch them…
The whole experience was totally amazing and will remain with me forever.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Come with an open mind, if you like remote – you will love this… And if this is your first trip into the back and beyond – you are in for a treat… My tips would be to read all the literature they send you and to learn as much Berber as you can – the more you know the better the experience will be. If you show willing you will be more than rewarded… Travel light, if you want fresh water bring your own, bring a good pair of sunglasses – the glare is big out there, pack some high factor sunscreen, bring an extra layer of clothes for the chilly nights, and if you are a bookworm – don’t forget the torch... If you like to travel with music – prepare to share your earpiece with one of the kids – my music was a great after supper success with Fatima and Mohammed… Do a lot of wandering and chat to the locals, especially the kids, who are always happy to meet new faces and play… If you have any old clothes you don’t need, they will be gratefully received - I left a pair of trainers which went down a storm... And if you arrive by car – ask them to take you to one of the neighbouring villages or better still to one of their relatives – I am sure they would oblige but be prepared for a full car load…
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
From my point of view the answer has to be yes… As a family they are definitely working closely with the local community and trying their best to make a difference. With the little resources they have, they lead by example which is awe inspiring…
This is a very small set up so don’t have too many expectations… For the Dirham’s they charge, you definitely get great value for money and a very genuine hands-on Berber experience. What you do while you are there is very much up to you – there are no clocks just the sun rising and setting, so you are sure to catch up on sleep. Each day, your meals are lovingly prepared with traditional food which is locally sourced – such delights include yummy tagine or couscous with homemade bread and there’s always a good variety of fruit… If you want to get involved just ask Bedda (Mum) – she will be more than happy for an extra pair of hands in the kitchen… The cooking is powered by natural gas which is stored in refillable gas bottles. Nothing is left to waste as any leftovers are gobbled up by the donkey, goat and camel – what a handsome fella! All electric lights (they need some more renewable bulbs) are powered by solar panels on the roof. To be honest, it a very impressive set up for such a small operation…
My camel ride into the desert - a wonderful experience – was lead by another Mohammed - their next door neighbour. Mohammed is quite a character – he cuts quite a look in his traditional outfit and his desert stories will keep you amused for hours. To make a bit of extra money the family will hire out the camel to ferry tourists to and fro to the dunes but when you live in the middle of nowhere, needs must. Although, there are few local hotels and Kasbahs – they are far enough away not to intrude… Litter is an issue but hopefully in time with a little education and everybody working together, this problem will disappear… With everything said, I have to take my hat off to the family for being the first in the area to start the sustainable ball rolling. Their hard work and enterprise is a wonderful testimony to what can be achieved if you put your mind to it - I am sure on my next visit – many other families will have been suitably inspired to follow their example, lets hope so…4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
For me this was the perfect holiday – it was exactly what I was looking for, so I would happily give it 4* If you want to get away from the maddening crowd, are happy in your own space and want to learn a little bit more about another culture – this is for you. You can do as much as you want, for as long as you want – the decision is yours…
I stayed for 3 days but in retrospect I would have loved to have stayed for longer. Next time I am going to go way into the desert – there’s something magical about the silence, the views and the stars. For others 3 days will do the trick but as I said at the beginning – keep an open mind, a couple of days extra on your itinerary and you might find yourself staying longer than you think…
In a world where everybody is so concerned with the now - the family is a refreshing reminder of what can be achieved with a little bit ingenuity. If I have gone a little way to helping them fulfill their dream of becoming a sustainable family – I’m a happy man…
I went in with no expectations and came away with a million memories – thank you!
| Reviewed 31 Dec 2007 by Nadia Padrutt | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sunset over the dunes on Christmas Day!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't expect any luxuries like a loo out in the desert! If you go in winter, bring your own sleeping bag, its very cold at night! Expect sand to get into everything! However, Mohammed makes a mean Tajine!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Not really, too many massive hotels already set up in and around the area. They are using the same oasis used by the family. It seems like they are being muscled out a bit. My main concern is the large number of tourists from the hotels using the dunes as a loo, the natural spring water in the oasis may be at risk of *eventually* becoming polluted... Also, the hotels supply 4x4 vehicles and quads which blast around the dunes around the oasis pretty much all day long. However, the family themselves are very much in line with their environment, shame they have to compete against the big hotels.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It's not bad, however, unfortunately due to the big hotels taking over the oasis with their infinitely superior tents and the sheer number of tourists they bring to it, there is a bit of rubbish about, plastic bags, empty coke bottles, discarded tins and such like. However, overall, I think Mohammed did a fantastic job, this holiday is pretty much a one man show as you don't really get to meet the rest of the family, they seem to prefer to stay out of sight! All things considered, as a 19 year old lad, Mohammed cared for us incredibly well with the limited facilities he has. The boy is worth his weight in gold!
Read the operator's response here:
We agree with Nadia that Mohammed is definitely worth his weight in gold and that his tagine is delicious! He (along with the rest of our family) works very hard to ensure that good service is provided to all guests. Unfortunately at the time of Nadia’s visit my mother and one of my sisters were looking after a sick family member and were very disappointed not to have been around as much as they would have liked. We apologise for this - this is not normal. Normally my family loves to spend time with the guests.We would also like to say that the points made about the other hotels and tour companies are not a reflection of us or how we behave. Nadia came to the oasis at the busiest time of year when many hotels in the area are fully booked. We wish we could reserve a piece of the desert just for our guests, but all are welcome at the oasis. Guests should consider what they want from their visit and then consider the time of year they travel; at Christmas time many people have large parties and the desert is not always quiet. However, there are many other times when there is nothing to hear but the wind blowing the sand.
We offer an opportunity for people to live our simple life with all the fun, laughter, problems and difficulties. We cannot change how the large hotels act, but can offer choice to people who come to the desert. The more people who choose the environmentally friendly option of a small scale no frills holiday the less pollution there will be in the desert. We are the first people in our area to provide this service - we hope many more will follow to compete with the large hotels. We also hope many more people will choose the option that is best for the desert and the people who live in it.