Details
Description
Hi, I’m Sofia. I’m from Brazil, but I spent the past decade sailing around the Mediterranean before deciding to head in the complete opposite direction. In 2024 I landed in the Sahara and found my home in the desert.
I look after a 6000 sqm property in the Bounou oasis, just outside M’Hamid El Ghizlane, the last village before the open desert. The land has been in the owner’s family for generations. It’s home to 200-year-old date palms, olive and pomegranate trees, a herb garden, and a small potager.
I live here with my friend Sara, an incredibly talented Italian musician, and my young pet donkey, Tenere.
The owner is a close friend who cares deeply about this land. He no longer lives here, but it’s his ancestral home and also a place severely threatened by desertification. When I arrived, the garden was nearly abandoned. Over the past year, out of sheer love for this place, I’ve made it my mission to bring it back to life.
Learning how to maintain a desert garden isn’t easy. There is no manual or shortcuts; only knowledge passed down from master to apprentice. Salah, our master gardener, is a wise elder and one of the few remaining keepers of this tradition. Partially blind, mostly deaf, and speaking neither English nor French, he’s the kind of teacher who won’t let you sit quietly in the back of the class. If you come here, you’ll be working alongside him and learning a lot in the process.
My passion for the local culture and history brought me here, but now, after a year of living and learning, I want to share this experience with others.
From making mud bricks to picking dates, choosing the best firewood, caring for palm trees, and managing scarce resources sustainably, life in the desert offers a unique kind of education.
The rhythm here is slow and peaceful, but we also bring out the fun and adventurous side: hikes, tea in the dunes, and big fires under the stars.
The property is as comfortable as a desert house can be, with running water, electricity, and cozy rooms. This is not a bivouac but a private home, so we don’t offer desert tours or camel rides. We’re 6km from the village, easily reached on foot, by bike, or simply by hitchhiking along the road.
I look forward to hosting people who want to learn the local ways of life and share their own ideas with us. Any knowledge in agriculture, animal care, or house repairs is welcome—but genuine interest and curiosity matter most.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Farming
Pets
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Plant care
Writing
Photography
Music
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Carpentry
Astronomy
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Sailing / Boating
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Camping
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
At our place, the cultural exchange is all about sharing experiences, skills, and a love for local life. Workawayers can connect with us and the community through music—exploring the local scene, joining jam sessions, or playing in our garden. We also enjoy simple moments together, like sipping tea while watching sunsets in the dunes or by the river, making bonfires in some of the many beautiful spots nearby, or wandering through the souq and the town.
You’re welcome to join us on hikes whenever we go out, learn some of the local language, or simply relax, make tea, and soak in the peaceful desert atmosphere. We hope to share our knowledge and daily life with you, and in turn, learn about your culture, stories, and perspectives. Every guest brings something unique, making the experience enriching for everyone.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I’m excited to welcome guests who are eager to experience local life and share their own skills and perspectives with us. While expertise in farming, animal care, or home maintenance is appreciated, what we value most is interest and a can-do attitude.
Depending on the season and the needs of the place, tasks may include:
* Trimming and taking care of trees
* Raking and general garden cleaning
* Date picking (seasonal)
* Making mud bricks
* Animal care — including looking after baby donkey Tenere
* Maintaining the irrigation system
* General house and garden repairs or small fixing jobs
There’s always something to do, and you can learn a lot along the way!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
* You’ll stay in a cozy 4-bed dormitory in the garden. Most of the time you’ll have it all to yourself, unless we have other guests.
* The kitchen and living room are shared spaces with Sara and any guests staying with us.
* In the garden, you’ll find two toilets: one with a standard WC and one with a squat toilet. Those are also shared.
* We have electricity and running water.
* Hot showers are available, but the water is heated by lighting a small fire to warm up the boiler — a simple desert ritual.
* No air conditioning or heating is available. No washing machine (everything’s washed by hand).
* The garden is 6,000 m² and offers many relaxing, peaceful spots: hammocks under towering palm trees, shaded nomad tents perfect for yoga, playing music, reading, or simply unwinding.
* We provide ingredients for you to prepare your own breakfast and one additional shared meal per day.
* We take turns cooking, and everything is shared within the house.
* If you prefer to eat in town, that will be at your own expense.
What else ...
Transportation
* A rather “shitty bike” is available if you want to use it — functional, but don’t expect luxury!
* The town is 6 km away, and hitchhiking is very easy and common here.
* We also drive there often, and you’re welcome to join when we go with Sara’s van.
How to Get Here
* From Marrakech, take a CTM bus directly to M’Hamid. We can help you with local directions from there.
Weather Notes
* December to February: nights (and even days) can be very cold — bring proper warm clothes.
* Summer months: extremely hot, with temperatures reaching up to 50°C. Be prepared for real desert heat.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Tenere (1 year)
In his mind he's a stallion, but he's actually a gigantic donkey. I call him my little pony. He's a naughty boy, but he's full of love.
Photos
