Luxury camping accommodation in Morocco

Inhabitants settled down in this area several generations ago, some are still living in a nomadic and pastoral manner. One can meet numerous shepherds leading their goats and sheep in the surrounding areas. Nevertheless, this traditional way of living is endangered by modernity, forcing some men to stop this activity to the benefit of sedentary life.

By developing an environment-friendly accommodation, we act for the prosperity of the valley and provide new revenues to the local communities, through direct and indirect jobs. Our staff are employed on a local basis, we use mostly local products to cook all meals, and develop partnerships with local families to offer guests the opportunity to experience the Berber way of life while benefiting the social welfare in the valley. We employ 3 salary earners over the year, which are declared and paid social insurance. They originate from the valley.

For our clients we have created roadbooks which help to follow walking & hiking itineraries as well as cultural itineraries while exploring the Berber culture. Some of the itineraries guide our guests to local craft shops in the villages where they can buy handicraft from locals. If our guests would need a taxi or guided tour, we only call for local people.

By promoting environmentally responsible practices we work for the preservation of the Roses Valley and its culture and peoples. The Roses Valley is a beautiful spot with magnificent landscapes and Berber villages. In coming to this camp, our guests want to explore these landscapes and the villages. We provide our guests with information about Berber culture and educate them about best ecological practice in and around the camp. For example, they find the ethical charter for travellers in their tents.

A contribution of €3 per person per night is asked from every guest and distributed via our program “your participation, our commitment” to local development projects, e.g. waste management. Most of the money which has been collected has been invested in the Ait Bougmez valley, where our ecolodge is located (waste management in the village: waste separation and transfer of non biodegradable waste to Marrakech). For a project in the Roses valley we are in contact with a local association (NGO) of women’s weaving mill. They need support for the marketing of their products.

As well as waste separation we buy food locally, educate our clients about water consumption and have not installed any electricity. The camp is lit by candles and gas is used for heating the water (shower) and for cooking. We also have limited the access of hot water to a certain amount per day per person as we have to heat the water. All guests are informed that towels and linen are not changed during their stay, except upon special request.

We only use local guides. The manager of the camp is also a local inhabitant of the valley. We provide training for our staff. Our cook is now ready to welcome our guests with a special “hikers diet”. The land, where the camp is settled down is owned by a local of the Roses Valley. We signed a contract for 5 years and pay a rent. As the camp is limited to 5 living/sleeping tents, we only can welcome 10 persons maximum at one time reducing the social and environmental impacts.