Hidden Morocco rafting

We have just returned from a fantastic journey/experience/rafting down the Ahansal River. We (my husband, 15yr old daughter and I ) always try to pick an ‘adventure type’ of holiday and this didn’t disappoint. If you like the outdoor life, camping and the water, this is perfect. The rafting was fun and we always felt safe with a very professional, but fun team looking after us. The food was 5 star , plentiful and delicious (even for my very fussy daughter). The organisation of this trip was superb from start to finish, the only downside to this holiday was coming home. We are now saving for the next rafting experience.

My family and I rafted the Ahanssel River with Water By Nature earlier this year. It was my kids (age seven and nine) first experience of whitewater and they absolutely loved it. We spent two weeks in Morocco travelling and seeing the sights yet both kids say the rafting was easily the best part of our holiday.

From the moment we met up with the rest of the rafting party it was non-stop fun. Despite being strangers, all the families bonded within minutes; helped in no small part by meeting in the much welcome coolness of the pool at Le Meridien hotel, Marrakech. That night the party descended on Djeema-El-Fna to immerse ourselves in the smells, colours and bustle of the souqs before sitting down to a delicious banquet of local dishes in the open-air food market; all the while being serenaded by the highly entertaining vendors.

After a hearty hotel breakfast the following day we boarded our transport for the drive to the Ahanssel; stopping on the way to collect our rafts, safety equipment and supplies for the river. We had an adventurous journey through the mountains with a panoramic lunch spot on the way before pitching our first camp on the banks of the river itself. It was wonderful to wind down and drift to sleep to the sound of the river gurgling past. No electronic devices and no thoughts of work or any ‘to do’ list. Bliss!

The next day the adventure started in earnest with our first day on the water. I’m pleased to say the guides pitched the safety briefing just right. All the important points were covered without scaring the kids, or the grown-ups. Then after double-checking our personal safety equipment they launched the rafts and we were off. The rapids and excitement were soon coming thick and fast. Understandably my kids were a little apprehensive at first but at no time did we feel unsafe and everyone soon relaxed into the thrill of navigating the river under our own steam.

The Ahanssel canyon is stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole rafting experience. From the adrenaline rush of negotiating whitewater rapids to soaking up the beautiful scenery whilst drifting peacefully through flatter sections. From the cooked breakfasts to the lunch buffet to the evening Dutch Oven pizzas and chocolate cake dessert. From the water fights between rafts to the campfire conversations with beverage in hand. From forming strong friendships with our fellow rafters to the guides amusing ‘war stories’.

All too soon we found ourselves at the end of the Ahanssel and cruising across lake Bin El Ouidane to our post rafting accommodation. My kids were sad to come to the end of our raft trip and, were it feasible, would have happily driven back up to the put-in point to do it all again. Thankfully sumptuous dinner celebrations, luxurious beds and an all-you-can-eat breakfast at El Widiane went some way to placating them.

We enjoyed this rafting trip so much and made such good friends with our fellow rafters that we are arranging to meet up again next year on another rafting trip with Water By Nature.