Camp Adounia is an Anglo, Berber partnership owned by Emma and Samir. Emma grew up in Africa and loves this continent. She moved to Morocco 14 years ago and bought an old Fortune Teller’s riad in Marrakech Medina which was renovated and transformed into Zamzam Riad & Spa, an exquisite boutique hotel. It is from here that her first retreats were run and the Riad Hotel is where you will begin and end your retreat experience.
Samir’s family are Berber, both from this area of Sahara and Ourzazate. His extended family still reside in these areas and the desert is in his blood.
Emma and Samir have a profound interest in enhancing life experiences through combining ancient holistic practices with an energetic experience of the natural world. The combination of these elements makes up the foundation for your holiday.
As soon as they started to take people into the Sahara the depth of experience felt by the guests has lead to the formation of a diverse and rich family team and the birth of Camp Adounia. This consists of the caring and knowledgeable Berbers, professional drivers with astonishing skill who take you through the mountains, into ravines and through the sands and dunes of Sahara
Emma Joyston-Bechal
Founder & Client Logistics
After my birth in Mbale, Uganda my family moved to Nigeria. I had a wonderful free childhood, traveling into the country with my father whilst he helped set up local schools. I have travelled the globe extensively searching for adventure and life experience. In 1996 I embarked on a year’s trip across Africa from London to Harare. We camped the whole year and I was in charge of the camp kitchen sourcing local produce and creating special dinners on our camp fire. I have always loved cuisine and especially outdoor cooking.
After returning to London I became a Client Director in Corporate Branding at WPP and eventually moved to Marrakech. We have created a luxurious fun riad with our wonderful Zamzam Team.
My love and enthusiasm of Africa, its culture and natural environment have inspired me to create Morocco Retreats so that these wonderful experiences can be shared within a nurturing environment. I understand the need for busy people to have real time out and catch their breath, to take time to reflect and remember who we really are.
Samir Ait Ahmad
producer & Camp Logistics
Samir is in charge of the camp logistics, personal and transport logistics. His family are originally from M’hamid, the famous “last desert town of Sahara”, but Samir grew up on the coast of Africa in the town of Tiznit. His heritage is both Amazighr (Berber) and Saharoui (the people of the Sahara Desert). He speaks many languages including Arabic, English, Berber, Tamashek and Hassani, and is an incredible musician, a master of the Gambri (a unique 5-string African guitar). Samir is a knowledge of the Sahara and having travelled extensively in the UK and Europe he understands both cultures, and makes many friends. Samir manages the set up and care of the camp each year (which is quite a job in the extreme conditions) and produces the details of events and retreats for both Camp Adounia and Morocco Retreats. He has a wealth of knowledge on the area and the culture of Morocco, so feel free to have a chat.
Nourdine & Ahmed
The Sahara team
Our wonderful and kind team of Sahara nomads who look after your every need in this harsh environment. Taking care of your tents, meals and talking about life and culture in the Sahara. Noureddine grew up as a camel herder, has a love for animals and a compassion for the nature he grew up in. When you leave Adounia, you will leave feeling like you are leaving best friends behind.
Nicole Aboulanouar
Web & Marketing
Nicole manages the website and marketing for Camp Adounia. Working with the Camp for over 5 years with Emma, Nicole moved to Morocco in 2015 to work with Emma, run retreats and explore the country. Nicole ended up immediately falling in love (at Camp Adounia) with Emma’s manager and retreat guide Faysal, and Faysal and Nicole ran the Morocco retreats and festivals together for 3 years, until Baby Youssef came into their lives. Nicole, Faysal and Youssef now live in California, USA, but the love and work for Adounia still lives on.
The Team in Action
