29/06/2023
Tucked into the natural landscape of Sidi Kaouki, amidst an abundance of argan forest, lies the uniquely designed, eco-friendly stone cottage, Wild Garden Casita.
A one bedroomed, self-contained studio, that has been hand-built with love, from locally sourced stone and natural materials – all reclaimed, re-used and up-cycled. Wild Garden Casita was created to evoke tranquility and the feeling of being supported by nature, as it integrates into the landscape in pure harmony.
Slow down like the tortoise, take life easy, and wake up to the sounds of distant waves and birdsong. Enjoy seeing the sea from the comfort of a large double bed. The beach is only 2 km away with surfing and other beach activities available. And there are many local walks to take in the stunning scenery. At the end of the day, absorb the phenomenal colors of the sky on our beautiful sunset terrace, and quietly meditate or rest underneath the stars.
We are 2 km from Sidi Kaouki, 18 km from Ghazoua, 25 km from Essaouira – so far enough away to experience the sanctuary of nature, in its secluded, cocooned setting, yet close enough to access local shops or nearby supermarkets for vegetables, basic groceries and other amenities, so you can feed your soul and nourish your body!
About Us:
Wild Garden Casita has been made with the creativity and vision of the owner, Nadine. She is a holistic chef, dedicated to mindfulness practices, bringing conscious awareness not only to her food and cooking but also to her way of life. As a result, these practices connect her to the food she prepares and also to her buildings and the garden’s plants and trees:
“They speak to me, and I communicate with them. It is a co-creative space, a collaboration with nature. We are learning to adapt to the land, to respect the land, live in harmony with the land, so that it is a regenerative space.”
She is in love with nature and is dedicated to the sacred and the beauty of life. All her creations – food, garden, house – are made with love; love and beauty are her inspiration. She and her creations are unique. She is someone deeply connected to her Spirit. “I like to share,” and so as you enter the threshold you are greeted with:
“Welcome home”
When Nadine is away with her work, the space is managed by David and Amanda, two Somatic Educators and Trainers. They will be in the main house and be available to answer any questions or help out if needed.
Wild Garden Casita is intended to accommodate people who appreciate this natural living, tranquility and peacefulness. It is for you if you want to let go of the modern fast-paced living and have a dip into a mindful, natural life, connecting to the elements, to nature, to your soul, so that you can leave fully rejuvenated.
We are not 100% an eco-living space, but we have the intention and the aim to live more consciously and mindfully with minimum impact, learning as we go, by collaborating with nature and the environment. As such, our Casita has a dry toilet. It is comfortable and easy to use, and we are here to explain the process. No water, electricity, plumbing or chemicals are used; and it is odor free when used as instructed (instructions are easy). The design is simple and has been used around the world for many years: it consists of a large bucket with a sawdust covering after each use, which eliminates odor and helps the composting process.
We are surrounded by the natural beauty of an argan forest and our wild garden (some of which is in its infancy). You may be lucky to bump in to a visiting tortoise or a chameleon or two, as well as small lizards and birds, and possibly a fairy beneath the fairy tree! The wood that you see used within and around the building is repurposed from the camel shed that was originally on the land.
Wild Garden Casita stands independently, tucked into the corner of the land, open to the north and west with a west facing terrace. It is surrounded by garden plants and stone decoration. We are in the opposite corner, nearby. We are here if you need us, but we leave you in peace if you don’t.
Feel free to wander around the garden, to enjoy its beauty and peacefulness.
Practicalities:
Parking is available. The terrain isn’t suitable for wheeled luggage, but you can park near to the Casita.
There is WiFi, but no TV.
You can cook your meals in the kitchenette, with a two ring gas stove and a separate gas oven. You may also use a charcoal grill outside (you will need to provide the charcoal!). There is a small fridge for your convenience.
Enjoy a large double bed (on request two single beds) and a small sitting area to chill out inside.
The bathroom has a hot shower and hand basin, and a dry toilet.
(See separate pdf for instructions)
The outside terrace provides a sofa, two chairs and a low table, as well as a sun lounger.
Important considerations:
The water, here, is brought in by a water truck and so we are mindful of how much we use in the house (both in the kitchen and in the shower). The water from the kitchen and the bathroom is fed back into the earth, feeding the plants and the trees. Therefore, we use eco-friendly cleaning products , both for the house (provided) and for ourselves. We would appreciate it if you could also do the same while you are here.
Our aim and intention is to live more consciously. For this reason we avoid plastic as much as possible.
Because of the rural location, you may experience a visit from some friendly local cats and dogs over the wall. We don’t encourage them to spend time here, so we request that you don’t feed them.
We recycle and reuse as much as possible (uncooked food is used in the garden; excess cooked food can be placed outside the gates for passing animals to eat; paper/cardboard can be saved for our fires, etc). We would appreciate, and only if it is possible, that you take any remaining rubbish away with you after your stay.
A taxi from the airport can be arranged, with a driver who knows exactly where we are.
The access road from the beach is a stony and bumpy track and requires slow and patient driving. There has been very little intervention from the natural surroundings here, which is part of its charm! A detailed map is provided after payment has been received.
Booking:
Maximum 2 people (for two single beds request on booking).
2 nights minimum.
€60 per night (Book for 7 days, get one day free!)
€60 deposit required to secure the booking.
(payments can be made through ‘Wise’ or direct bank Transfers – details provided when booking)
Sidi Kaouki is a small town located 25 km south of Essaouira. It is a rural commune in Essaouira Province of the Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz region of Morocco. Sidi Kaouki is fast becoming one of the most popular surf and wind surfing destinations in Morocco. There are a number of surf sports including beach breaks and reef breaks that produce punchy peaks and nice shaped waves. It is also a great spot for kitesurfing as the wind is stronger than some other nearby spots including Essaouira. (Wikipedia)
Sidi Kaouki has been described as “a town of white-washed walls, a strong wind and a delightful bohemian vibe” and as a “sleepy little village” offering “surf and solitude”(alongdustyroads.com).
Apart from the surf shops, there are a handful of small, local shops where you can buy vegetables and groceries.
Surfing is one of the most popular activities here: kite surfing, windsurfing, SUP-ing or wave riding. You can easily source equipment for single or multi-day rental. Or if you want, you can hire a boogie board for the afternoon from one of the surf shops. If surfing isn’t your thing, you can always have a horse or a camel ride, either an hour long or for a day trip.
For the more sedentary visitors, there’s plenty of walking and relaxing opportunities. A large abandoned building stands at the northern end of the beach, which has become Sidi Kaouki’s signature sight. This is actually the shrine and pilgrimage site of Sidi Kaouki, a 19th-century marabout (a Muslim religious leader and teacher), and who this Berber village is named after. To the north of this building are rock pools to explore, but you can only get around to the other side at low tide. To the south is the long sandy crescent beach, with plenty of walking possibilities. There are sun loungers and parasols on the beach to hire. But if you want to lay your towel out on the sand, it’s free. If you need to find a quieter spot, just keep walking away from the car park.
At the main entrance to the beach, apart from the surf shops, are a handful of basic cafes & little restaurants serving the standard Moroccan and Western dishes, as well as seafood specialities. So it’s worthwhile combining your Sidi Kaouki beach time with lunch, and making a day of it. (Thanks to exploreessaouira.com for some of this information)
