Hakim ALIBOUCHE

I planned my trip to Morocco with the assistance of Hakim.  I found his help somewhat useful, but also sometimes not so useful.  In particular, he would (it seemed) cut and paste information and ideas about what to do for each place without actually considering things like drive time or daylight hours, and not until I enquired more closely about what I could actually do and how that would work would I discover that I couldn't do all the things I wanted on particular days.  For example, the trip started with me being picked up at the airport, and then "a self-guided tour of Rabat", which is described in four paragraphs of interesting detail.  However, given that my flight was only arriving in Casablanca at 16:00 (which he knew), and that the drive to Rabat takes at least 1.5 hours (and more at that time of day), that means that I wouldn't arrive in Rabat until at least 6pm, leaving just about all of that moot.

Hakim also did not warn me that visiting the Medina of Fes on a Friday was practically useless - everything was closed.  I might have chosen to visit there that day anyway, but it would have been good to know beforehand - and I wouldn't have chosen to book a guide for so long.  I also found the day descriptions confusing.  For example, for Fes I had "a private tour for 6 hours" and"Pottery & Mosaïc workshop" but it wasn't clear to me if (1) the guide was supposed to be with me for six hours separately from the workshop or (2) the guide was supposed to accompany me to the workshop for part of those six hours.  Also, the description of the workshop was very different from what actually happened there.

I see (now) that in the notes for the desert camp experience it says "You are being welcomed to get the necessary instructions to make sure any of your questions are answered and be ready by having your nomad scarf prepared over your head by one of the experienced staff. Trust me, it’s already a big challenge to do it on your own so make sure you ask one of the staff to help you!"  There was no nomad scarf.  I'm still not sure whether I was supposed to have brought one or they were supposed to have one for me.  For the nomad family visit the notes say "Your first break will be with a local nomadic family that calls the dunes home. Enjoy a cup of traditional tea and listen to their stories."  There was no talking with them, although they did serve me tea.

I did contact Hakim during the trip to arrange/change certain things, and that did seem to work out, but it felt almost like a game of telephone where I would contact him, then he would contact Orion Trek directly.

Thankfully, my driver for the trip, Hicham, was incredible, and was able to resolve almost all the issues and questions and help me throughout the journey.   He was also super friendly, and went out of his way to find me delicious food that was not on the typical itinerary.  I would definitely be happy to ride with him again.

I found most of the guides that I had to be adequate but not great, until Marrakech; Amine, who I had both for a six-hour city tour in Marrakech and then a food tour was fantastic and I would recommend him to anyone as a guide.  

The hammam in Marrakech that they arranged for me to visit (Les Bains de L'Alhambra) I would not recommend at all.  It was like being at a factory, and additionally all the rooms were cold so I was shivering a lot of the time.   Nobody cared.

Activity Reviews

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

Best food tour I've ever been on. We got to try a ton of things, including some extra things that I asked the guide about beforehand.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Traditional Hammam & Massage

Morocco

I nearly froze to death during this experience, and also it felt like a factory.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Driver Hicham was really great. Was a pleasure.

Didn't really want to do the cooking school but it was also really good, espeically the lady who ran the class, Souad.

Would have been useful to know that the Riad for New Year's Eve was dry, hence no NY Champagne available. Not personally that concerned but imagine if we were French and were denied a glass of wine at New Year ;)

You were right that 2 hours is sufficient in Chefchaouen!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

Beautiful hotel and rooms. Food was only okay, though.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Desert Luxury Camp Erg Chebbi

Merzouga

Great location and view. Electric blankets were a perfect addition. In room heater wasn't especially effective. Food was only okay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

It's a tent - albeit a luxury one - probably as good as it could be!

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Nice place, nodern, clean, good coffee.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms have just a little bit too much/too large furniture in them!

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Beautiful central courtyard. Rooms a little bit tired but huge.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The main guy worked so hard to keep everyone happy I was concerned the owner of the hotel was keeping his children hostage or something.

Cleanliness & Comfort

It's beautiful and spacious but maybe needs a spruce up in the rooms. Doesn't have an alcohol licence!

Activity Reviews

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was good. Driver, Hicham, excellent.

Transport

Hike in Ourika Valley

Morocco

Guide was very helpful for the walk. I would pribably skip the town if I were to do this again, though.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was good, driver great.

Transport

Cooking Workshop & Local Food

Morocco

I didn't really want to do this but we enjoyed it a lot. Mostly because of the personality of the teacher, Souad. Without her, it would probably have been pretty average.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Souad has a really engaging personality. She was really fun and made the experience what it was.

Transport

Merzouga to Fes via Rissani, Midelt, & the Atlas Mountains

Morocco

It's a very long way. We were exhausted and we weren't the ones driving. Felt pretty sorry for Hicham.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Hicham did all the driving. He's a trooper!

Transport

See above.

Guided Walk in Skoura Oasis

Morocco

Doesn't really need a guide. Also, the guide was okay, but largely just pointed at things and described what they were. E.g. "camel"! Slightly strangely, two random people got added to our tour. Didn't particularly mind but it was a little odd.

Quality of Experience

There's not much to see.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide average, driver great.

Transport

Hicham was still great.

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Pretty decent tour. Got dropped off by the guide for shopping at the local tourist places... The guide himself was a pretty interesting fellow, liked him.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was good. Driver was great.

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen

Morocco

Hakim was correct, two hours here is sufficient. It's very pretty but pretty quiet. Guide was good.

Quality of Experience

Guide was good.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide was good, driver was great.

Transport

Our experience in Morocco was exceptional. Hakim did an amazing job finding us the right hotels and sites to visit. His driver/guide was so flexible and helpful throughout the trip, finding the right stops along the long drive. Everything was perfect - one more time kuddos to Kimkim and the local travel agency!

Hakim our travel agent in Morocco did an amazing job setting up our trip.

We can not say enough about our driver for 11 days named Said. He was our guardian angel. We felt well taken care of from the moment we stepped off the plane in Tangier, until we left Casablanca 11 days later. He anticipated our needs every step of the way. Always making sure where we needed to be. He was very professional and knowledgeable. He was a great tour guide.

Our lodging was fabulous. We chose COMFORT level which was great. We stayed in riads for the most part which were beautiful and colorful and always served a substantial breakfast and more.

Our city guides in Chefhouan/ Abdul and Fes were topnotch historians. Every city guide would take us around to visit the local artisans to learn about ceramics, leather, bakeries, rug making, woodworking and etc and learn about Moroccan customs.

We enjoyed learning about wine making in Morocco when we were in the Meknes area and experienced a tasting at Domaine de la Zounia. Very enjoyable.

We loved seeing the beautiful Sahara for the first time and riding a camel. Great adventure. On our way to Marrakech we saw so much beautiful land and met lovely people. Saw where date production occurs, desert oasis, gorges, the middle and the high Atlas and more. We learned so much.

Osam in Ait Ben Haddou was a very knowledgeable guide.

Hayden in Marrakech was our FoodTour guide and city guide. He was flexible and knowledgeable. Had good connections with locals.

Our guide in Casablanca was very knowledgeable of the Hassan II Mosque describing the intricacies of the mosque and the open hearted and kind king.

We were impressed with the interesting backgrounds and all of the guides multiple language skills.

Could have used a couple of respite days but that is my fault for not planning it in.

There are so many more good things that happened on our trip which would exhaust me to share. Fabulous trip! Morocco is a beautiful country.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Mokhtar Tanger

Tangier

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

lovely setting. be ready to climb the 100 steps to the entrance. Worth the climb.

Authenticity & Character

Location

fabulous views

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Everyone was very helpful. The first night of our stay there was entertainment and dinner was served. Fabulous. The attention and care from the staff was tops. Marcos is the perfect hotel manager aka hospitality manager.

Authenticity & Character

great restoration work done on the building

Location

near the market place

Staff

Marcos and his assistant

Cleanliness & Comfort

room was dark. our second floor window opened up to large dining area on first floor.

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

comfortable space. comfortable bed.

Authenticity & Character

attractive tent cabins positioned in the desert

Location

view of the sands of the Sahara

Staff

staff was attentive. food was delicious

Cleanliness & Comfort

comfortable beds.

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

gorgeous grounds, landscape.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Chergui

Marrakech

beautifully appointed. view from our window was the colorful landscape and pool. open dining area.

Authenticity & Character

Location

walking distance to restaurants and market

Staff

friendly owner. very gracious and lovely.

Cleanliness & Comfort

loved that our upstairs room windows opened out into the garden

Kenzi Basma Hotel

Casablanca

comfortable room. ate a great sandwich at the small local restaurant next door.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

room was clean. windows were filthy.

Activity Reviews

Private Transfer from Tangier Airport to your Accommodation in Tangier

Morocco

Said, our driver, picked us up at the airport in Tangier and drove us around to see the sights before reaching our hotel. He was amazingly thorough and accommodating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Said was the best!!

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen

Morocco

Abdul was an 83yo Moroccan gentleman who was authentic, charismatic and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our walk with him in the Blue City.

Quality of Experience

He was authentic!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Fes, Volubilis & Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Our guide was authentic, sincere and delivered a lot history and culture

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guerrouane Region Winery Tour

Fes

We enjoyed learning and tasting the different wine varietals produced in Morocco. Our driver Said brought us to the winery. Our guide was very well educated in wine production.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

Hayden was great. very flexible and knowledgable. We arrived late and his was very accommodating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Casablanca

Morocco

Our guide was very well informed of the history and symbolism of the beautiful Hassan II Mosque. We enjoyed getting an overview of exciting Casablanca city, viewing Pigeon Square and touring the marina.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Said our driver was amazing at every turn

Transport

Do not use Hakim as a travel advisor for your trip to Morocco.

I have used Kim Kim to book two other trips and have been pleased with each of the travel advisors, who knew what they were doing and provided useful and actionable advice. In particular, if you are going to Iceland, Gummi is a great trip advisor.

Hakim was unable or unwilling to provide helpful advice for this trip. In answering questions, he would typically reply with flowery, formulaic messages that had no substance and didn’t answer the question. It’s like he didn’t know what he was doing or couldn’t think of suggestions. I got the sense that he didn’t care about making the trip for us; rather he wanted us to follow a set pattern. He didn’t listen. In the end, we did our own research and made our own decision without his help. Hakim was of little assistance.

Given my experience with Hakim, it is unlikely that I will use Kim Kim again.

We took a 7 day tour including Fes, Rabat, Marrakesh and Agafay with a dedicated car and driver. All accommodations were of very high quality. The Riad El Yacout in Fes, a restored 13th century residence, was exceptional in both architectural details and service. Touring the old city and souks of Fes was one of the highlights of our trip.
Rabat was a very clean more modern city on the Atlantic coast, but basically felt like a filler destination. I wouldn't go there again.
In Marrakesh, we enjoyed the very comfortable and beautiful Riad Chergui with the french influences of its owners, and had a fantastic small group food tour around the central square and in the souks and many more hours wandering through the markets the next day. Overall, we preferred Fes to the much larger, noisier, congested, and polluted Marrakesh.
Our final destination was a luxe tent "camp" in the Agafay Valley desert some 40 kilometers south of Marrakesh, with photo-op camel ride. All guests were well-heeled international tourists, if that's the kind of company you travel to Morocco to be with. The dinner meal was exceptional; I probably wouldn't do this again, ever.

The area that Kimkim should most consider upgrading is their advice on tipping. Tipping is basically expected everywhere. Kimkim's brief guide was not that helpful and in many cases was outdated. I fretted most about tipping our driver and guides. Apparently a 10% tip is standard and acceptable, but what we actually paid our driver and the various guides was buried in the overall fee paid to Kimkim. That information would have made our trip much more pleasant for me.

Thank you so much for facilitating our memorable trip to Morocco. We had a great time and appreciate the beautiful "riads' that you booked for us. Hakim, the local specialist did a fantastic job and Hakim, our driver/guide did a great job ensuring that no one is left behind and making sure everything was on track. They made our trip truly one for the road!

Everything is on schedule and the weather also cooperated. If there's any room for improvement, it was the Hamam. Perhaps, one can book where all the locals usually go. The Hamam we experienced looks like one meant for tourists. The food tour can also be suggested on the first day and not on the last day.

Overall, I am very happy with how our trip to Morocco was and I can only express my gratitude and that I look forward to having future trips curated by your organization. I will also recommend this to friends who like to visit Morocco. Thank you!

We are a group of 6 friends who have just concluded an 8-day trip to celebrate our 50th birthdays! Hakim Alibouche prepared a wonderful trip for us and we are so happy with how smooth the whole trip went. All the accommodations set up for us were superb and felt luxurious, especially Dar Jasmine, Riad, Norma, and Riad La Cle D’or.

The highlight of our trip was our overnight stay at Madu Luxury Desert Camp where we were able to see the sunset and sunrise. The camp was well-equipped and the staff took care of us very well.

We were also very lucky to have Hakim Hamzawi as our driver and guide for the whole week! Hakim took care of us, made sure we are comfortable and safe, and is very knowledgeable about the area. He communicated with our local guides and accommodations so that porters are present when we arrive to help us navigate the alleyways and to make sure we find our way to the riad. His friendliness and fun personality added to the fun of our whole trip and we appreciate him so much. We will very much request his service again if we come back with our families.

Overall the service was great and we made so many precious memories from this adventure. I would highly recommend Kimkim to friends and family who would prefer a hassle-free planning and customized trip. It made a difference to have this platform do all the research, planning, booking, coordinating and organizing with local specialists especially with a group like ours.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad la Clé d'Or

Marrakech

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

GuestHouse Bagdad Café

Ait Ben Haddou

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Traditional Hammam & Massage

Morocco

We were disappointed with our experience in Les Bains de L’alhambra. It seemed like there was too much booking for the size of the place to have an intimate and relaxing experience. From the moment we arrived through the whole process, the staff was disorganized and rushing back and forth between rooms. It was like a factory assembly line with clients seated and waiting for their turn for the next step of the process. We received wet towels and complained about it. They gave us new ones after much buzzing around by the staff trying to figure out what the deal was. Our massage room had 3 tables but the room is small so moving around between them with 3 clients and 3 massage therapists is very tight. As a result, I had a cut on my thigh from a sharp metal edge sticking out one of the massage tables as I was trying to move to my assigned table. Overall it was not relaxing and quite disappointing to be a first hammam experience. We thought it would feel luxurious but it’s the complete opposite.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our driver Hakim Hamzawi is the best!

Transport

Nice comfortable van provided for us.

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

This walking food tour was our last activity of the whole trip and felt anti-climatic because at that point, we have already tasted many of the food through our week of traveling around Morocco. Our local guide is very knowledgeable and the tour is informative, however, this tour would be great at the start of the trip as an introduction to Morocco and not at the end. We didn’t finish the whole tour because it dragged on and we were too full from trying different street food and physically tired (it’s past 8:30 pm) that we declined the dinner part which would have been a good ending of the day.

Quality of Experience

Exploring the madness and chaos of Jemaa el fna with a guide is exciting and made it more manageable!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide and driver made us feel safe and taken cared of all the time.

Transport

Hakim and the rest of the local tour guides were very nice and accommodating.

Hotel Reviews

Riad la Clé d'Or

Marrakech

Everyone was easy to talk to and seek assistance. I love the ambiance, the aesthetic, and the location of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

The décor and ambiance felt very authentic, cultural, and comfortable.

Location

It is just a few kilometers away from everything you'd like to visit in Marrakesh.

Staff

Our needs were easily addressed and accommodated.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The cleanliness and comfort was maintained all throughout our stay.

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

The hotel was absolutely spectacular! From the view of Chefchaouen, to the amenities', as well as the service were amazing.

Authenticity & Character

The décor and ambiance was authentically fabulous and beautiful.

Location

The view of the place was top-notched.

Staff

Everyone was very accommodating and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The amenities were consistently clean and comfortable.

Riad Semlalia

Fès

The hotel's aesthetic is absolutely stunning and authentic while the service is friendly and accommodating. I loved the breakfasts served. Thank you.

Authenticity & Character

Décor is fabulous and aesthetic is culturally authentic.

Location

Accessible location with gorgeous views.

Staff

Everyone was friendly and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cleanliness was maintained and it felt very comforting all throughout our stay.

Riad Madu Desert Camps

Merzouga

The experience was amazing! The facilities were clean and comfortable to think that we were in the middle of the desert. We enjoyed the ambiance as well as the program after dinner. Thank you.

Authenticity & Character

The authenticity of being in the desert while being comfortable and safe.

Location

We loved the sunrise and sunset! The location provided everything we expected.

Staff

Everyone was friendly, patient, and considerate.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The facilities were clean and comfortable throughout our stay.

GuestHouse Bagdad Café

Ait Ben Haddou

The hotel was an oasis after a long travel. Thank you.

Authenticity & Character

The décor kept with the Moroccan theme and felt very authentic.

Location

The hotel's location was accessible and easy to get to.

Staff

Everyone was friendly and accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

The hotel was clean and comfortable all throughout our stay.

Activity Reviews

Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat

Morocco

We enjoyed the scenery and the assistance provided by the assigned guides.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen

Morocco

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

Transfer to Fes, Volubilis & Meknes

Morocco

Guided Tour of Volubilis

Morocco

Guided tour of Meknes

Meknes

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Fes to Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Desert) - Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud (No Camel Rides)

Morocco

Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains

Morocco

Traditional Hammam & Massage

Morocco

The hammam was a bit disorganized and felt the place was not equip to handle all six of us in the group. Only 5 of us were given beds immediately after the hammam. Although this was later rectified, I was already almost dry before I was given a bed (I replaced one of my companions and did not know were she was taken after accommodating me). The massage was great. The masseuse did a good job at relaxing my muscles. Sadly, when we were about to leave, the hammam and massage place lost my companion's personal slippers. She had to borrow their lent slippers as we went back to our Riyad. Later, her personal slippers were returned but were still wet.