Ouzoud Waterfalls: Private or Small-Group daytrip from Marrakech

I would like to start off by thanking our driver Omar, seemed like a nice enough guy and drove us there and back safely. Firstly the pick up from our hotel was almost 1 hour late. So we were left waiting for ages. The drive there was fine although the 20 minute stops were too long. Once we arrived, we were allocated a group tour guide that we didn't ask for as we thought it was a self guided trip. This guide told us straight away that we had to pay him 40 Mad each, so the two of us had to pay each. The tour was too long, in the boiling sun, too much time standing around in the heat (36 degrees). Much of the tour was walking through a building site. We were hurried along and told to rush whenever we wanted to take photos of the waterfall & monkeys. Our free time was on their terms. They then took us down to the waterfall where most of us just wanted to chill and take in the views and swim. However, we were then practically ushered onto a boat to have a 5 minute boat trip around the waterfall at another 20 Mad each. We both refused to do this and both tour guides were very rude and dismissive of us. After this we then got ushered into their friends restaurant (Restaurant chez Rachid) for lunch (which was never mentioned in the excursion description) which then cost us another 240 Mad. We didn't get to choose where we ate, we had to eat at this place, again on their terms. I have left the restuarant a Google review of that experience. We refused to have dessert and left so we could actually have 30 minutes free time. The waitress was rude and dismissive of us and again tried to get her male friend to usher us to the taxi area where he would then ask for money. Absolute disgraceful behavior and conduct from the guides and their 'group of friends' in surrounding restaurants and shops. It's almost like gang behaviour. We overall spent an extra 340 Mad that we weren't expecting. To sum it up, the tour guides are presumptuous, rude, pushy, demanding and dismissive. Constantly after more money. It ruined the whole aspect of the day. This is not a self guided day so don't expect any free time to actually take in the sights, unless you do what we did and just walk off. Would 100% not recommend this, not tourist friendly. Best to book a private driver for the day and tell the peasants posing as tour guides when you arrive exactly where to go.

The waterfalls are worth the visit but an 8 hour day is actually a 12 hour day so very long. Also you are farmed by the guide who is great via every shop and also to a particular restaurant who tries to get every dirham out of you, sadly.

Walking to a viewing platform to see the waterfalls. A very helpful guide who assisted in my not being able to negotiate the usual route and took us to a more accessible area.