Rafting is perhaps not the first thing that people associate with the Kingdom of Morocco. Most people will associate it with the vast Sahara Desert, camels and the vibrant and fascinating cities like Marrakech. Around 5 hours north east of Marrakech lies the picturesque and fun Ahansel River. It has many of the qualities of a European Alps style river, but without the crowds. Starting beneath the imposing La Cathedrale and traveling via a series of stunning campsites littered with cedar trees and rhododendrons down to the lake of Bin El Ouidane offers those wanting to explore this wonderful region, time to walk to ancient Kasbahs, meet people and sample wonderful food prepared along the way by our guides. A recent group visiting from the USA, many of whom had done the Grand Canyon, felt this trip was even more impressive in it’s beauty. Advertising agency executive Duncan Shaw, celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Marybeth, was blown away by the food on the trip. Canapes, wine and cheese, cake made on the river and pizzas made from scratch individually for all guests was something that was unique for them all. On the Deserts & Rivers option of this … Continue reading
13 “Wet Dreams” For 2013
Like many of us, we all make resolutions at New Year to “do something new” or try something different this year. With January almost gone, how is your adventure planning going for 2013? We hope that this list of the world’s greatest river based adventures will stir you into action. 1: The Big One – The Mighty Zambezi: Simply the most fun, big water river trip in the world. The season to run the multi-day section of the Zambezi is from late July until November. The Zambezi, has the best and warmest whitewater on the planet. Trips range from 4-7 days and start under the magnificent Victoria Falls and conclude with a flight over them by helicopter before you are dropped at your hotel. Add a multitude of activities from luxury safari to relaxing in the Devils Pool. Stunning beaches to camp on, great weather… 2: The Classic – The Grand Canyon: It IS the most famous river trip in the world. And with good reason. Our rafts allow us access to this stunning place, where time feels like it stands still and you float beneath the canyon walls, with it’s shadows and “moods”. A trip down the Colorado River … Continue reading
Motivating Kids To “Get Out There”
In this digital age in which we live in on Facebook and Twitter, is it little wonder our kids get dragged into that indoor world of playing on the X Box or the PS3 and not getting out into nature as we did when we were kids? The outdoors is the world’s biggest Playstation and X Box. Real life experiences that can change lives for the better. Not only does travel open our minds, it allows us to meet other great people and challenge perceptions we form about people, places and activities. We love to share river trips with families. No matter what age the kids are, we have seen and been told by parents what incredible changes children go through after experiencing a river trip. But how can this be so? Are these the same kids who ignore us, grunt, need to shop, text their friends in the playground? How can a river trip and adventure holiday change these habits (at least for a while!) The kids enjoy hanging out with the guides. These inspiration characters making cooking cool, helping load the rafts, pack up your gear (noting a theme here?) and tell funny stories and jokes around the … Continue reading
Morocco Whitewater Rafting – Ahansel River
Whitewater rafting was only pioneered in Morocco less than 15 years ago, by Water By Nature. The Atlas Mountains hold the hidden secrets of the spectacular valleys and rapids of the Ahansel River. Home to turtles and monkeys as well, the Ahansel is a perfect getaway from the UK and Europe for a long weekend. The trip is frequented by families, school groups, scout groups, stag and hen weekends. Starting from the picturesque Tilouguite the season is at its best from February until June, with warmer temperature generally experienced later in the season. With spectacular camps set up on the riverside, groups get the chance to relax and explore the area led by a team of international river guides from New Zealand, USA, South Africa, Australia and the UK. We paddle past ancient Casbahs high on the hillsides above us while tackling the best whitewater Morocco has to offer. On the final day of the trip, we raft through spectacular canyons 100’s of metres high, taking the only mode of transport to see this spectacular part of the Morocco. Rafting trips need not be “hardcore” This whitewater experience on the Ahansel River is one of the best on offer and … Continue reading
Whitewater Rafting With Your Family In Morocco & Turkey
With a whole world of adventure activities out there for you and your family, what makes a family rafting adventure so special? So often, trips are planned with adults in mind and don’t cater as much for what the children want and perhaps you want for your children, a learning experience. Water By Nature has family friendly trips on offer on the Ahansel River in Morocco over the Easter School Holidays. Far from being just a rafting trip, we’ll teach your kids about the outdoors. How to respect it, how to live off it and how to work with it. We always have an extra guide on the trips dedicated to teaching the kids new skills. They may get to bivouac out for the night (not too far from camp, but it will certainly feel like an adventure) with materials just found in the area. They’ll be able to try their hand at fishing and even learning to gut and fillet the fish. Take a visit to the local school and as well as teaching the local children English, yours will get to try French, or even funnier for them, Arabic! They’ll be inspired by our team of family friendly … Continue reading
Rafting In Morocco – Who Can Do It?
Our team is now well and truly in the midst of our Morocco rafting season. But who rafts in Morocco and what different trips are on offer there? When many people picture Morocco, they think Sahara Desert and lets face it, the rafting wont be very good there! However Morocco is home to the Atlas Mountains and the wonderful rivers that feed from it. The best time to go to Morocco is in fact now in the spring when the run off is at it’s best, however rafting and kayaking can be done until late May when the Ahansel River gets too low to run. The Ahansel River is a perfect Grade 3 river, suitable for both first timers, families wanting to go rafting and seasoned rafters just wanting to go and explore a river off the beaten track. The river trips in Morocco are all of different lengths. Go for a “quick fix” and stay in our Berber Camps for just £210 for 3 days including a stop at Cascade D’Ouzoud, or take your time to raft the entire river from Cathedral to the lake on our Hidden Morocco trip. Water By Nature also offers kayaking trips for Grade … Continue reading
Futaleufu Rafting – A Week In Paradise
I have just been fortunate enough to spend a couple of weeks at our stunning camp in the heart of Patagonia near the town of Futaleufu. The Rio Futaleufu itself has a wonderful name in the world for its stunning big water rapids, crystal clear water all framed by pristine forest reaching all the way to the river. But its the other activities that are lesser known in the area. Amazing horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and sea kayaking are just a few of the activities on offer in the area. There are few places in the world that offer more stunning views in the morning as you wake up to the gentle sound of the river running beneath your riverside cabanas and the smell of coffee delivered to your room. In the afternoon after your whitewater rafting, why not kick back and relax in our riverside hot tub? This is far from “roughing it” adventure travel. As with all our trips though, we think it is important, to meet and interact with the locals. Our neighbours Carlos and Alicia come over and prepare Asado (barbequed sheep cowboy style) for us one night and we in fact get fresh eggs, … Continue reading
