Maryem Kouna

I have been privileged to travel to many amazing places with my job (UK, Spain, France, Greece, Australia, Kenya, South Africa etc) and none compare to the experience we had in Morocco. From the first contact with Maryem and the full conversation with Sharon where I was able to ask any question I wanted to finalize the locations, the planning of the trip went smoothly. Together we came up with an itinerary that fit my two day conference into the planning and Maryem worked hard to ensure we could go to all of the places we wanted while suggesting other (amazing) stops to see along the way.This was my first guided tour and I was nervous about all of the unknowns, including spending 9 days with one specific tour guide with just me and my aunt. What if we didn't like him or understand him? 9 days is a long time!!! From the second Ahmed arrived at the airport to pick us up everything went smoothly and he just got better and better every day as we got to know each other a bit better. He was accommodating at every turn and our enjoyment was his biggest concern. Even when we weren't with him he was texting to make sure we were navigating fine, felt safe, and knew where to go to eat etc. Along the way Ahmed introduced us to other guides with context specific knowledge --each one was engaging, highly knowledgable and fun to spend time with. All of the guides we worked with were accommodating to our needs--if we wanted to cut a tour short to spend time at a pool or to add on something else in the vicinity they did so without batting an eye. Morocco is an amazing place from its breathtaking scenery to its people, culture and sense of community to its mouth watering food. I sincerely hope we are privileged enough to return and look forward to booking more trips with Kimkim

A really enjoyable trip. Well planned and well executed.

Maryem was fantastic during the planning process and always responded timely to my many questions questions and requests.

Omar was awesome. He was professional, friendly, communicative, knowledgeable, punctual, helpful yet easy going. Really enjoyed my time with him.

My guides in each city were great too. Particularly Said in Fes. Ikram in Rabat was amazing as well.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

Excellent location and staff. My only compliant is that it was a bit loud, but most riads are.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Farouzi Fes

Fes

I was the only one at the riad for my one night stay. The one man staff was amazing. Wasn't the best location but wasn't bad either.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Zyo

Rabat

Beautiful riad in an excellent location. Room was a little loud likely due to it's location within the riad.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

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Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

A few things were interesting, but overall not terribly exciting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Guided Tour of Rabat

Rabat

Ikram was outstanding. Really knowledgeable and communicative. I only wish the tour was longer, but we needed to cut it a bit short to make the next stop on time. Not Ikram or Omar's fault-- just the way things worked out with everything going on.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Said was phenomenal. His command of the English language is that of a native speaker and his knowledge and experience of the city shows you many hidden insights.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Rabat via Volubilis and Meknes

Morocco

Great guide in Volubilis, though I forget his name. Perfect amount of time aloted to see the sites. Meknes was largerly under construction, but Omar showed and explained enough to get a feel. We stopped to take some photos of what was possible to see.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Driving Tour of Casablanca

Casablanca

Again, Omar was great. It was stressful (for him) to get me to the Hassan II mosque on time to catch the tour, but we made it just in time, comfortably and safely.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Every aspect of the trip was carefully and beautifully curated. This was the first time that we took a trip organized by an agency.
Maryem was very responsive from the beginning of the planning and organized an amazing trip for our family of five. She planned an unforgettable trip beginning and ending in Marrakesh, with a 4 Day Loop across the Atlas mountains through Dades Valley into the desert. Every Riad and Kasbah we stayed at were great. The camel ride at sunset to the luxury camp under the stars was a highlight not only of this trip but of any trip we’ve taken.
Aside from the planning, the most valuable aspect of the trip was our driver and guide, Omar. He not only drove us safely from place to place and provided historical and cultural information on Morocco and the places we visited, but he exemplified the hospitality, sincerity and friendliness of the Moroccan people. He connected us with local guides in the specific places we visited, who were also great. We particularly enjoyed walking through some of the small villages and appreciating the local people, local food, local culture, music and economy.
During the trip, we were able to communicate with Maryem to tweak our itinerary, which we left flexible (purposefully) for the final day and a half. We spent a 1/2 day with Omar, appreciating the Jardin Majorelle, Berber Museum and Yves Saint Laurent museum.
Overall, it was an unforgettable eight days in Morocco and we are looking forward to returning again with the same agencies (Morocco Imersion) and Kim Kim.

Hotel Reviews

Riad al Rimal

Marrakech

Wonderful Riad. Well appointed rooms. Our three older kids stayed in one room and my husband and I stayed in another. Breakfast was amazing. The employees were very friendly and professional. The location was very well situated within the Medina.

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Kasbah Tiziri

Kelaat Mgouna

Michelle runs an incredible Kasbah in the mountains. Rooms were very comfortable, the layout of the property was authentic and allowed for room enjoy the property from various perspectives. A wonderful place to go after a busy day touring. We only wish we could’ve stayed longer.

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Staff

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Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Everything about this particular stay was so memorable from start to finish from the camel ride across the Sahara into the camp at sunset, to sand boarding down the dunes, followed by dinner and drumming.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Chamaa

Ouarzazate

We were very pleased with our stay here. It was a more western style hotel. Very nice pool and dining set up near the pool was also lovely. Staff were very professional and friendly.

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Staff

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Activity Reviews

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marrakech to Dades Valley via Ouarzazate

Morocco

We toured Atlas Studios, and our local guide there, Mohammed, made a couple of movie trailers starring our family! We had such a blast there. We could appreciate many of the sets from gladiator one at gladiator two at this studio. I got to be Cleopatra in a movie trailer.

Quality of Experience

The Atlas studio tour was so unique and fun, highly recommend.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our tour guide at Atlas Studios, Mohammed, was super knowledgeable and made a couple of fun movie trailers for our family as souvenirs.

Transport

Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Draa Valley

Morocco

Return trip to Marrakesh via Atlas mountains. New landscape to enjoy.

Dades Valley to Merzouga Camel Trek via Todgha Gorge & Tinghir

Morocco

Spectacular landscape. Riding the camels at sunset into the luxury stars camp, and the entire stay at the camp was the highlight of the trip if there had to be one highlight. This is a do not miss experience.

Ouarzazate to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Unique environment and you will recognize it from the movie, Gladiator. Our driver/guide, Omar, brought us to meet an elderly lady who lives in the settlement. She gave us a tour of her home, complete with courtyard full of goats and sheep. It gave us a glimpse into the life of a local woman who makes this famous old city her home.

Our guide Samud, was fantastic and really made the trip memorable. I really liked all the accommodations and food. Glamping was fun once - best part was seeing all the French, Brazilian and non-American tourists there.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

Great location and atmosphere. Good service. Room a little small for my 6"5" husband.

Authenticity & Character

Opened onto courtyard, could hear birds in the AM.

Location

Near souk.

Staff

Very responsive and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bed was made every day.

Riad Al Makan

Fès

Lovely building, very atmospheric.

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

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Relaxing Desert Camp - Royal Bivouac

Merzouga

I'm glad I did it once but the drive to was long and exhausting.

Authenticity & Character

I didn't expect a score of tents lined up.

Location

Seven hour drive was bone-jarring and exhausting. By the time we got there it was already sundown.

Staff

Attentive, helpful and happy.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Inside tent was rather sterile so easy to clean.

Kasbah Tiziri

Kelaat Mgouna

Who would expect a riad owned by a Canadian in Morocco? Fantastic views, service, interesting other guests, manicured room, delicious food, great hospitality.

Authenticity & Character

Elegantly restored building combined Moroccan motifs with Western comforts.

Location

Great to have an overnight stop between the desert and Marrakech. Beautiful rooftop. Who would expect a riad owned by a Canadian in Morocco? Fantastic views, service, interesting other guests, manicured room, delicious food, great hospitality.

Staff

The owner herself chatted with us for several minutes - intriguing and hospitable lady!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything was delightful.

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

It's well located, just a few steps from the souk. Rooftop breakfast was nice. Room was a little small but expected in a big city. Staff very helpful in giving directions for dinner, sites.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

A little hard to walk up and down spiral staircase. Hot and cold water in shower was challenging to operate. Otherwise, great.

Activity Reviews

Rabat to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

Morocco

A long drive but interesting.

Quality of Experience

Volubilis was a good stop; a shame it's not maintained better.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

good to have a guide to direct us through the ruins.

Transport

Samad was cheerful, prompt and professional, as always.

Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat

Morocco

Our driver was enthusiastic, prompt and knowledgeable. Airport arrivals and tranfers are never great, so as well as could be expected.

Quality of Experience

Not sure how to improve what is always a confusing and exhausting process.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver, Samud, was enthusiastic, prompt, knowledgeable and cheerful during the entire trip. Give him a raise.

Transport

see above.

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Fantastic views.

Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat

Rabat

Knowledgeable guide with excellent English.

Quality of Experience

see above

Guides, Drivers and Staff

See comments above

Transport

Samud was reliable, personable and professional, as always.

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

This was the best experience of the trip, for me. Crowded, complex alleyways crammed with shops of all kinds, tourists, locals and omnipresent motorbikes; diverse and distinctive smells (incense, bakery, fruit, motorbike exhaust, screaming kids and bleating animals. Reminded me of India, but less crowded and fewer people.

Quality of Experience

See above.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was really knowledgeable and exceptional at directing us around the hamster maze. I would have been utterly lost on my own.

Transport

Samud was professional, prompt and cheerful, as always.

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Guide was knowledgeable and easy to understand. Marrakech - especially main market - is an exotic swirl of color, sounds, smells, clash of eastern/western.

Quality of Experience

See above.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Samud was professional, prompt and cheerful, as always.

Transport

See above.

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

We arrived later than expected so didn't take camel trek. No problem - I've ridden camels before.

Quality of Experience

Glad I went once but not sure it's worth the drive. I was exhausted from drive to the site and slept through the sunrise.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Energy and enthusiasm.

Transport

Samud was prompt, professional ad cheerful as always.

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

Wonderful views and good road negotiation by driver.

Day Excursion to Ourika Valley

Morocco

Great views! Climbing to the top without tripping over vendors was a little challenging but worth it.

Quality of Experience

See above.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Samud prompt, professional and cheery as usual.

Transport

See above.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip in Morocco. Morocco is an amazing country with amazing people. Our experience with KimKim was fairly seamless and the trip planning was simple and customizable to our wants and needs. Similarly, our local guide Hicham was knowledgable, kind, punctual, and cared deeply about his country. We traveled around nearly the entire country in 10 days and even with a fair amount of time spent in the car, it was an adventure we will never forget.

A few issues to be aware of that negatively affected our experience. Our hotel in Fes was outside of the medina and felt a little disconnected from the city. It's our understanding this was due to the first choice hotel being overbooked, but if we could go back, we would choose to stay in the medina.

Our last day and night also did not go as expected based on the itinerary. Our guide had a personal emergency that left us on our own in Essaouria for about 5-6 hours. This was not necessarily Hicham's fault, but a little more communication regarding the timeline and plan of action would have been appreciated. We ultimately made the best of it, but a lot of that was due to our own initiative.

Our hotel on the last night in Cassablanca was different from the hotel listed on our itinerary and seemed to be a drastic step down in quality and location. We ended up in an airport hotel when our itinerary was booked for a city center hotel. Convenient for our flight the next day, but totally disconnected to Casablanca, a city we only got a few hours in due to the issue that occurred during the day in Essaouira.

Something to keep in mind that would have been helpful to know beforehand- ATMs only give out large bills (100s and 200s). You are going to need small denominations for tipping and using the bathroom. Many businesses also asked for smaller bills, but we did not have them, and the businesses did not have small denominations for change. Some hotels had small bills on hand to exchange, but many did not.

Hotel Reviews

Eden Boutique Hotel

Boumalne-Dadès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel & Ryads Barrière Le Naoura

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Euphoriad

Rabat

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Madu Premium Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Chbanate

Essaouira

Authenticity & Character

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Staff

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Activity Review

Seafood Lunch from the Wharf

Essaouira

While seeing the fish market was a good experience, we would not recommend eating there. The setting is picnic tables inside the market. There was construction going on and the overall cleanliness was extremely poor. We did not enjoy this meal, as we were concerned about the hygiene and cleanliness of the surroundings. Throughout our trip, this is the only time we had this concern.

Quality of Experience