17 Apr 2021
We booked this experience so that we could see more of Morocco than just the city of Marrakesh and the souks and it was exactly as we hoped it would be. As soon as we had placed the booking, we received a personal message from Mustapha. He arranged for us to be picked up from where we were staying. When we met, his friendliness and good humour put us immediately at ease. Throughout the day, Mustapha was attentive and considerate, making sure that everyone was comfortable and well catered for, with regular refreshment and loo breaks. Mustapha’s love of the area where he grew up is very evident. He was extremely informative and told us a great deal about local history, customs and the day to day way of life of the rural Berber communities in the foothills of Toubkal mountain. As it was Saturday, we visited the weekly farmers market where an astonishing array of things were available; from footwear to fruit, blacksmiths to butchers and the services of a local doctor. Mustapha explained how important the market is to the rural community, being an opportunity to stock up on essential items, socialise and swap news. We were invited to eat a delicious meal in his family home prepared by his mother. We were made very welcome and the gorgeous food was plentiful and beautifully presented. I would not hesitate to recommend Mustapha as a guide and host. We wished to see real Morocco and we ended the day feeling that we had done just that.