After assisting on the Paris – Dakar rally for years, brothers Paul and Phillipe decided that it was about time to settle down and have a place of their own, yet retain some of the dusty ruggedness and camarederie of the rally. A 3 hour drive inland from Agadir or south from Taroudant, Borj Biramane is certainly not on anyone’s beaten track. But step out of your bungalow, have a look around and you’d think you’re on a safari in Eastern Africa , not holidaying in southern Morocco, were it not for the Berber rugs spread around the premises. 14 air- conditioned en suite rooms and 7 Berber bungalows are on offer, spread around the vast grounds.
And the swimming pool comes quite handy, when you think temperatures can easily reach 100 Fahrenheit even in April or May. You’ll have to try the local couscous ( made with barley instead of semolina) and signature gateau au chocolat as the restaurant fills up with quite an interesting crowd in the evenings, the place attracting both camping cars, rally aficionados, Moroccan travelers and overseas tourists. Spend more than an overnight and you can ask Paul to show you around: sand waterfalls, prehistoric rock engravings, fauna ( eagles, hares, gazelles), Biblical villages are but some of the hidden gems. Best enjoyed from September through June. Beer and wine are available on site.
