Between Foum Zguid and M'Hamid extends the Iriki National Park, a natural area to preserve for its natural diversity but also for its cultural heritage. We invite you to these places to make you discover the culture of nomads, to make it known to continue to make it live. This culture is associated with a whole state of mind, the philosophy of desert men, in close connection with nature. Let yourself be carried away for a stay in this wisdom that upsets hearts and minds. We welcome you in new places in Morocco and in the region of Foum Zguid to live this magical parenthesis.
Guest house in the village of nomads, Foum Zguid region
Our guest house is an absolutely unique place that surprises travelers every time.
Located about 60 km from Foum Zguid, you have to take the track, formerly used by the Paris Dakar. Count about 2 hours to reach the house because you can not drive very fast on these paths alternating stony passages then sand. But this road has a scent of adventure and unfolds beautiful landscapes. First the panorama on the tabular mountains and then the vast plains dotted with acacia trees that give an air of savannah.
Then in the distance, we begin to see the village Zaouait Sidi Abdenabi, a small village in the middle of nowhere that backs away from the mountains of Jebel Bani. What an enchantment to arrive there and suddenly find palm trees, small houses and their inhabitants who are quietly busy in the oasis.
The house is located a few meters from the village, on a small hill. From here, you have a 360° view of the entire plain and the dunes in the distance that undulate in the heat of sunny days.
An unusual accommodation in the desert
Our guest house is not like the others, it is our travelers who say it! When you walk through the doors of the house it is like entering a small palace with a thousand colors. Here you immediately feel good, everyone feels at home. Despite the simplicity we feel that the essential is there. And it is true, because we welcome you with our heart and this is the most important.
Even a few pairs of birds have taken up residence and move freely in the inner courtyards, turning into skilful insect hunters at nightfall.
This house is like a cocoon of well-being facing the difficult living conditions that the desert can impose. You feel protected and at the same time turned towards the outside because everyone is welcome.
When you enter, the charm of carpets of all colors and walls in pink shades create a joyful and warm atmosphere. You will find two internal courtyards including a small lounge comfortable and shaded as well as a courtyard that serves the different rooms and a basin where the water is reused to water a small indoor vegetable garden.
The rooms are made of thick walls in traditional adobe that has the advantage of keeping the heat of the day in winter and staying cool in summer.
A large indoor lounge allows you to be cool when the sun hits, it is ideal for napping or to spend the evenings in warm music from November to February. As soon as the nights are mild we appreciate to meet outside, in front of the house, on the «place of fire». Located by the campfire, it is the perfect place to contemplate the stars at night and sunsets on the plains.
In this haven of peace, we like to take our time, live to the rhythm of the sun and appreciate the ambient calm.
Restaurant at Iriki Lake
If you are visiting Iriki National Park, we can offer you our catering service thanks to our cook who is there on site. Simply contact us 48h before to book at +212 611 069 843. We can then offer you couscous, tagines or skewers, always accompanied by a Moroccan salad or soup depending on the season and fresh fruit.
Activities in the desert from our guest house
The heart of our activity is to offer excursions and outings to discover the region and the life of nomads. We also have several new activities to offer:
- Visit of the village of Zaouiat Sidi Abdenabi
- Hikes to see the rock engravings and paintings that are an exceptional historical heritage
- Camel rides
- A 4x4 trip to the nomadic school to visit the small classroom under a large tent
- A bivouac in the dunes
A bivouac with nomads at Iriki lake, Foum Zguid region,
Our guest house is the ideal starting point to bivouac with nomads in Iriki and in the dunes of the Sahara and live like nomads for a few days in the region of Foum Zguid.
We offer different bivouac experiences:
- The fixed bivouac where you will sleep under large tents with real beds. On the camp you have access to showers and toilets. This is the comfortable version of the bivouac. You can access it on foot or dromedary for the nearest bivouac, or 4x4 to go to erg Chegaga.
- The wild bivouac where the camp is set up for the night in the dunes. You can sleep in small Canadian tents or even under the stars. It is a complete immersion in nature, as close as possible to the life of the nomads. This is also what we propose during the trekkings. The camp will be moved every day and the daily hiking times will allow you to reach different dune areas.
During our bivouacs, we will share our nomadic traditions. The evenings around the fire are perfect moments for this, times of exchanges where we talk about the life of yesteryear and what it is now, the incredible experiences that our team of nomads has already lived in the desert. We especially like to share with you our music. Dancing and singing around the fire is the best way to get together after a busy day. We usually play music together in the evening to find the energy and courage of the next day.
We can also show you the baking of sand bread, it is the art of the men of the desert: know how to do everything with the environment that surrounds them, know how to settle for little to give the best.
Hikes and trekkings also allow you to learn about the specificities of the desert, the importance of water and how we manage it. Every moment is a learning experience.
You will understand, what we seek above all during our stays and in our guest house is to transmit our philosophy of life, to welcome you as in a large family to make you live an absolutely unforgettable experience with the nomads.