Maryem Kouna
I’m a Moroccan travel specialist born and raised in a small village in the historic Draa Valley; once part of the ancient trans-Saharan salt caravan route. Growing up in a family that valued education and hard work, I developed a deep appreciation for culture, history, and connection. My passion for languages led me to Marrakech, where I earned a Bachelor's degree. Today, I combine my local insight with a love for Moroccan cuisine, traditions, and hidden gems to craft personalized, travel experiences for visitors from around the world.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"One of my greatest passions is Moroccan cuisine, both cooking and savoring it! I love introducing guests to our beloved local dishes, while also guiding them to hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences beyond the typical tourist path. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deep dive into Moroccan traditions, I’m here to craft a personalized itinerary that reflects your unique travel style and interests."
How did you get involved in travel?
"My passion for tourism began in childhood. Growing up in a region renowned for its historic Kasbahs and million palms, I frequently encountered travelers and was inspired. I always dreamed of being part of the travel industry, sharing the beauty and culture of Morocco with others. That dream began to take shape when I was offered a role as a sales assistant through a connection with a travel company, an important early opportunity that allowed me to turn my passion into a career."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"One of the finest and most satisfying trips that I’ve had so far was the time I visited Essaouira. It was an amazing place for quiet wanderings and strolling alongside the city’s high battlements and its calm tight-fitting alleys in the old medina while also discovering its historical and cultural background. Essaouira is still one of my favorite destinations in Morocco even though it is always windy there!"
Maryem's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Discover the best of Morocco with this 10-day loop, featuring the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, as well as several days in the desert. You'll navigate...
Discover Morocco's highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and...
Compact Morocco offers plenty to see and experience. In seven days, there's enough time to explore imperial cities in-depth as well as tack on an extra day for desert...
Family itineraries
Discover Morocco's highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and...
This 8-day itinerary starts in Marrakech and combines culture, adventure, and relaxation. Wander Marrakech's souks and fondouks, discover the ornate mosques and madrasas, and...
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries
Favorite experiences
Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride & Desert Overnight
One of the most quintessential Moroccan experiences is a sunset camel ride through Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, combined with an overnight in the desert. Most visitors enjoy this experience when traveling to the Sahara from one of the country's imperial cities, such as between Merzouga and Marrakech...
Explore the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech
Discover the natural beauty and culture of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains. As you zip into the scenic hills, you'll make several stops to enjoy impressive panoramas of small villages, enchanting scenery, and interesting landscapes. After leaving Marrakech, you'll head toward the Atlas Mountains...
Recent trip reviews for Maryem
12 days of amazing adventures and friendships
Morocco
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May 18 - May 30, 2026
It all started when I stumbled across the Kim Kim site while attempting to... Read more
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience with us! I’m super grateful to hear that we exceeded your expectations and created such a memorable trip for you and your daughter! And I’m so happy to hear that you had such an amazing time with your driver Ziad and other local guides.
Thanks again for trusting us with your trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future, you and your friends/family who may wish to visit Morocco!
Keep in touch,
Maryem
Mohamed, our driver/guide became like a fami...
Morocco
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May 16 - May 27, 2026
Hi Jeff,
Thank you so much for sharing this. We’re thrilled to hear how much Mohamed meant to your journey. His care and attention truly make a difference, and I’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to him.
Best,
Maryem
Had a great tour, driver Housanie was great, ...
Morocco
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May 25 - May 31, 2026
Had a great tour, driver Housanie was great, saw many new sites and enjoyed my time in Morroco.
Hi Stephen,
I’m delighted to hear you had a great tour and enjoyed your time in Morocco. I’m also glad Housaine took such good care of you. We truly appreciate you choosing to travel with us and would be happy to welcome you back anytime.
Warm regards,
Maryem
Absolutely fantastic trip made all the more m...
Morocco
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May 15 - May 24, 2026
And Kim Kim highly enough for this trip. Read more
Hi Jez,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review of your experience with us. It truly means a lot to hear that your trip was made so memorable by our fantastic driver and host, Ismail.
Thanks again for trusting us with your travels. We look forward to welcoming you back to Morocco for more discoveries and unforgettable experiences in the future!
Thanks,
Maryem
What a wonderful trip of lifetime
Morocco
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Apr 6 - Apr 13, 2026
Dear Wendy,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in Morocco and that the itinerary, experiences, and accommodations all came together beautifully.
I’m especially happy to know how much you appreciated Chefchaouen, the Fez food tour, Volubilis, and Agafay — such special places. And your kind words about Hamid truly mean a lot; he embodies the hospitality we strive for.
We’re honored you chose to travel with Under Moroccan Sun and would love to welcome you back for another tailored adventure.
Warm regards,
Maryem
Our guide Mohammad was the best!!!! He took g...
Morocco
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Mar 27 - Apr 10, 2026
Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We’re thrilled to hear that Mohammad took such great care of you and helped make your 15‑day journey unforgettable. It means a lot to know you enjoyed the comfort, the landscapes, and the accommodations. We truly appreciate you traveling with us and hope to welcome you back again.
Best,
Maryem
We had the most wonderful experience in Moroc...
Morocco
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Feb 10 - Feb 18, 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience with us. It truly means a lot to hear that you had an amazing time with Zaid and Mohamed. It was an absolute pleasure working with you to plan this journey, and we’re delighted that the desert camp and camel ride stood out as highlights, and that you enjoyed all of your accommodations and activities.
Thanks again for trusting us with your trip. We look forward to welcoming you... Read more
Excellent Transportation and Tours!
Morocco
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Jan 30 - Feb 3, 2026
It was a pleasure planning your journey, and I’m glad it all came together smoothly. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you again.
I’m sorry to hear that the Casablanca guide did not meet your expectations. Please note that the tour of the Hassan II Mosque is arranged directly by the mosque, and the guides there are appointed by the mosque administration. Unfortunately, this is outside of our control.
That said, I’m delighted the rest of your trip was... Read more
Outstanding Morocco trip with KIMKIM
Morocco
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Jan 30 - Feb 5, 2026
Hi Amer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your experience with us. It truly means a lot to hear that you and your family had an amazing time with Ismail.
It was an absolute pleasure working with you to plan this adventure, and I’m so happy that the experience turned out to be everything you had hoped for!
Thanks again for trusting us with your trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Morocco in the future.
Keep in touch.
Maryem, Ismail, and the rest of the Under Moroccan Sun Team
We had a wonderful time
Morocco
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Jan 30 - Feb 3, 2026
We had a wonderful time and had excellent guides throughout. The only exception was our guide, Mohamed, in Casablanca. I’m glad that Casablanca was the end of our trip because at that point we had a better understanding of life in Morocco so his cursory remarks were less important.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time overall and enjoyed the excellent guides throughout your journey. We truly appreciate your honesty regarding your experience with Mohamed in Casablanca. Your comments help us ensure that every part of the trip meets the same high standard, and we’ll address this with our team. We’re glad Casablanca was at the end of your itinerary, so it didn’t affect your overall impression, and... Read more