A Nomadic Amazigh Family, a Found Land, and a Dream.
Ali was only five when his parents Zahra and Youssef decided to settle on a piece of land they fell in love with in the Draa Valley, on the southern edge of the Jbel Saghro mountains.
Ali’s Story
I was born into a nomadic family in the Moroccan mountains, where my father herded goats for a living. Our home was a tent beneath endless skies, surrounded by mountains that seemed to stretch forever. Life was simple, but even as a child, I dreamed of discovering a world beyond the horizon.
When I was five, my family moved to the small village of Ait Ouzzine. There I discovered something that would change my life: school. Thanks to the generosity of local villagers, I was given the chance to learn, and from the first day, education became my gateway to a different future.
Continuing my studies was not easy. To attend university, I had to move to Ouarzazate, more than 150 kilometres from my family. Many of my friends left school to work in tourism or construction, but I held onto my dream. I lived on little money and faced many challenges, but I stayed convinced that education was the key, not only to changing my own life, but to helping my family and community.
The Family
Land of Dreams is a family business in the truest sense. Everyone has their role.
The women share most of the daily cooking and cleaning, while Ali’s father, Youssef, and the men tend the land, run errands and stock supplies. Everyone joins in together for bigger missions. The guesthouse runs on the warmth between them, and the harmony is palpable. It is a home first, and a guesthouse second.
Aunts, uncles and cousins live close by, and the land itself is divided into plots, with large undeveloped areas shared between Ali’s father, Youssef, and Ali’s uncle. Everyone has their own work: one of Ali’s female cousins herds goats, Daoud lovingly keeps bees.
The Land
The guesthouse sits among gardens, date palms and olive trees, with mountains behind. We are growing: more rooms are planned, set apart from each other and surrounded by more gardens and palms, and a simple area for tents with its own shared kitchen and bathrooms.
Here, the common good is a value we hold strongly. Any new development is considered first by how it can benefit everyone, not only one household.
The Community
We are part of the Amazigh community of N’Kob. We work with other local families, buy, trade and share with them. We want the guesthouse to be good for the place it is part of. The more connection we can create the better.
Volunteers & Friends
We are beginning to welcome volunteers who want to help us grow the gardens and the guesthouse. If that sounds like you, write to us.
When you come to Land of Dreams, you are not simply booking a stay. You are joining a family, becoming part of a meaningful journey, and helping write the next chapter of a story built on dreams, resilience, friendship, and hope.
Ali
Help Us Grow an Oasis
Purchase a Palm for €50 and we will plant it in your honour.
You can visit it anytime.