Great South Ranch, Morocco
Reviews
“A great experience where I met a lot of different people and had not only the chance to improve my riding skills but grow through my fears. It was amazing and at times challenging. My favourite memory was cantering over the beach which felt like I was floating, Quite frankly this is the best service I have ever received, prompt feedback and a very personal service and approach. I felt like being in good hands.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Barb Arab Crosses
Nature of horses:
Fit and elegant with great stamina, tough and energetic
Height of horses:
Approx 15hh on average (1m50)
Weight limit:
90kg
Tack type:
English
Weather
Current Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy, 24 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 27 Low: 18
Sat - Mostly Sunny. High: 27 Low: 18
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Week Training Programme
The price for this programme is £577 per person.
This includes full board accommodation and all riding.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Week Trail
This price for this trail programme is £618 per person.
This includes full board accommodation and riding. Prices are based on the sharing of a double room.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
This beautiful Moroccan ranch is owned and run by two french ladies, Caroline and Caroline, and is set between the Anti Atlas Mountains and the ocean. It offers fascinating trail rides and basic tuition on their Arab-Barbs as well as providing comfortable accommodation and traditional Moroccan meals. The horses are cared for by several experienced staff and a local Moroccan team. Lessons here are designed to give guests a good basis of riding, so as to be comfortable and competent when trail riding, and usually have a maximum of 2 or 3 riders in at a time.
Just ten minutes walk from the white sands of "chinese boat beach", the ranch is a fabulous setting in which to improve your riding. It provides lessons which cater for the needs of beginners and the more experienced with horses to match. There are seven horses here and each one has their own characteristics - Aicha and Tafoukt are the favourites for beginners whereas Ayour is more energetic and Ifoulki is handsome and strong. They are all Arab-Barbs and these horses are famed for being hardy, fit and flexible. They are also the perfect mounts for endurance.
Guests share traditional Moroccan meals in the evenings, sometimes accompanied by music, and the sitting and dining areas are warm and bright. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and there is a terrace on the roof from which you can watch the sunset or admire the horses as they relax. Trail rides set out from the ranch and include stays in guesthouses and camping under the stars. If you would like to visit this destination but are unsure whether the provided programmes (below) would suit you, don't hesitate to contact us so that we can arrange your perfect Moroccan riding holiday. Riding on the beach at moonlight is an experience not to be missed!
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is on the ranch, situated between the ocean and mountains and just a 10 minute walk from the beach. There are 7 comfortable double bedrooms each with their own bathroom and a terrace on the roof (from where you can enjoy views of the horses). There is also a warm living room where guests enjoy meals, unless they prefer to eat on the terrace.
The ranch has great views of the landscapes and the nearby beach is called "Chinese Boat Beach" - it is 8km in length and a beautiful area. The terrace on the ranch roof is lovely for enjoying sunrises or sunsets and the rooms are colourful and attractive.
Food is traditional Moroccan style including tagines, cous cous, grilled meat and fish. The chef makes these delicious meals for you and brews the Moroccan style tea. Bottled water is included in the price but other drinks cost extra.
Activities
During the evenings most guests are tired from their riding day and enjoy relaxing and sharing a meal with their fellow guests, sometimes with music. However, for those that are anxious to do more, the hosts can help you to organise surfing, paragliding, swimming, massages, bike rides and visits to local areas of interest.
Also available (some at extra cost) are evenings on the beach where you can enjoy the sunset and some Moroccan music, riding on the beach at moonlight, camel riding, visits to Tiznit and Mirleft, lunch under the palm trees, henna tattoos and Moroccan cooking lessons.
Further Details
Languages: French and English - the Moroccan guides are very responsible and speak some English but are not fluent. English guests usually have no problems with communication.
Health requirements: Fit & Healthy
Age limit: 10+ (16+ for trails)
Tuition: Dependent on programme
Included: Full board accommodation and riding, bottled water
Not included: Flights, insurance, transfers, drinks other than bottled water
Travel Information
The nearest airport is Agadir (120km, 1h45). From here, a return transfer to the ranch can be arranged for 90€ and if there is more than one guest, sharing the taxi means that you share the price.
There are many low cost airlines flying into Agadir from regional airports.
From Liverpool (LPL) with Ryanair
London Gatwick (LGW) with Thomsonfly.com ,Easyjet, First Choice, flythomascook.
London Stansted with Ryanair
Manchester with Thomsonfly.com, First Choice, flythomascook
Airport: Agadir (Al Massira)
Programmes
Week Training Programme
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Please note: tuition at this destination is designed to improve a rider's competence for trail riding (such as balance, confidence etc.). This is not a destination where you will learn dressage or jumping. However, you will be able to improve your riding in order to fully enjoy the trails. This programme is a combination of trail rides on the beach and in the mountains with afternoon lessons in the menage. Guests ride 2 to 3 hours in the morning, enjoying the landscapes, before having lunch and a nap. Then the afternoon lessons (2-3 hours) will see you ride several of the horses there, according to your ability. This is a great programme for all riders and even beginners are welcome, though they may not be suitable for the trail riding. The Arab-Barb horses will appeal to the most experienced riders but there are also more quiet mounts for the novices. There are 6 days of actual riding and this is quite flexible and can be combined with a trail programme or further tuition. There is no strict schedule as the hosts appreciate that this is your holiday and you will be able to talk about what you want to gain from the week. Rough guide to the week: Day 1: You are welcomed to the ranch (with transfer from airport if applicable) and introduced to the team and their horses. You will also get to see the ranch and your accommodation before discussing your riding level and wishes for the week. Days 2 - 7: You will ride twice a day for each of these days. In the mornings you will enjoy trail rides on the beach or in the mountains, usually 2 to 3 hours, and then you will have afternoon lessons after lunch and a rest. You will have the chance to ride a few of the horses there (dependent on your ability) as each will present you with their own characteristics. If you prefer, you can choose to ride only in the morning or the afternoon. Day 8: Departure. At some time during the training week there will be a whole day ride with a picnic BBQ. Your hosts advise that guests get involved in caring for the horses and contributing to ranch life for the full experience, though they recognise that this is your holiday time and you are equally as welcome to relax! Beginner riders will probably not be suitable for trail rides but don't be put off - this destination is flexible and something can be arranged to suit. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 6 |
| Ability description: | Beginner - Experienced |
| Type of ride: | Based with short trails |
| Total riding time: | 4 - 6 hours a day |
| Departure dates: | Please contact office for departure dates. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Week Trail
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This is a week of trail riding which starts out at the ranch and takes you across beautiful landscapes of Morocco, including mountains and beaches. Some nights are spent in guesthouses with others camping in the mountains and riders will encounter typical Berber villages, old market places and other fascinating Moroccan spots. Food is traditional Moroccan style and the last night is spent back at the ranch for relaxation before departure. Sample Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival at the ranch. Guests meet the staff and horses, see their accommodation and then discuss their riding level and their wishes for the week. A nice Moroccan style dinner before bed. Day 2: A test in the outdoor menage before departing for the trail ride. Day 2 - 6: During these days you will be riding for about 3 hours in the morning before stopping for lunch and a good nap. Then you will ride for around another 3 hours to the guesthouse or campsite. Some days are longer or shorter, depending on the distance needing to be covered, and each day the three main gaits are assured. Usually during these trails, the first night is spent in a typical berber house where you will eat a tasty meal. The next two overnight points are campsites in the mountains and riders will cross villages, old marketplaces and mosques. These nights the Moroccan meals are cooked by the ranch's chef who can also play some traditional style music. After this, the group will head back to the north to visit a friendly Berber family in a typical village. The last trail day takes you back in the direction of the sea where you stay in a cave... with a real bed! Day 7: Return to the ranch in the afternoon for dinner and a good night's sleep. Day 8: Departure. During the trail guests are responsible for their horse. This includes grooming, tacking up and feeding the horses. There is a professional guide accompanying the group at all times and camps are prepared ahead of your arrival. Please note, the itineraries are not exact and are subject to change. Different routes can be planned if there is something you would particularly like. |
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| Accommodation: | Accommodation includes staying at the ranch, in guesthouses, caves and at campsites. |
| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 6 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above - riders on the trails must be happy to walk and canter in wide, open spaces, keeping control of their horse. Trails are not recommended for riders under the age of 16. |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Up to 6 hours each riding day. |
| Departure dates: | Please contact office for departure dates. We now have a confirmed trail date 18 - 25th September! |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |