A sanctuary, horses,
the Sahara as our playground.
A French-Moroccan couple united by their love of horses. A ranch built in their image, at the edge of the world.
Sarah & Bicha
Sarah and Bicha have always shared the same passion: horses, and animals in general. Together, this French-Moroccan couple set out to create a place that reflects who they are -- a sanctuary for nature lovers, where every visitor gets to experience what they themselves live every day.
Initially based in Essaouira since 2018, a visit to Dakhla in December 2022 changed everything. It was love at first sight: the endless desert, wild and deserted beaches, wind-sculpted dunes, lunar cliffs shaped by the gusts, a lagoon dotted with colourful kite sails. The dream playground for their horses, virtually the only ones in Dakhla.
A silent and
powerful connection.
Their passion shows as much in the hours spent caring for, cherishing and training their horses as in the rides through the wild landscapes surrounding the Ranch. The deep bond that forms between a person and their horse -- that intimate, silent connection -- is truly unmatched.
In their presence, you learn trust, patience and respect. It becomes possible to feel rare emotions, to live suspended moments. Simply to be in the moment, intensely. Sharing this passion was a natural choice -- hence this Ranch, with their Arab-Barb horses, their dromedaries and their ponies, set in a landscape that nature made incomparable.
A family project,
eco-friendly at heart.
Lea, Sarah's sister, joined the adventure to handle the behind-the-scenes work: bookings, communications, partnerships. Around this family trio, a close-knit and caring team of passionate, multilingual guides completes the picture.
But the Ranch is also a refuge. Rescued donkeys, dogs and cats live here in complete freedom. Most of the buildings were constructed using reclaimed wood. Electricity is 100% solar. No motorised vehicles are used on site. The manure feeds their own vegetable garden, and the rest is shared with local hotels and residents. A peaceful place, free from any pollution.
Our animals are not our tools -- they are our partners.
Ranch des Dunes raises Arab-Barb horses, an iconic Moroccan breed, as well as dromedaries and ponies. Every animal is cherished, cared for and trained with patience. The dromedaries roam free between rides, at liberty to wander the desert as they please.
Here, animal welfare is not a marketing claim. It is a daily commitment. Every horse is groomed, well-fed and limited to three hours of activity per day. All the animals you will meet on site -- donkeys, dogs, cats -- have been rescued and live in a calm, protected environment.
Every ride offers a fresh perspective, in complete harmony with this spectacular environment. The animals are happy in body and mind: get in the saddle, and you will feel it straight away.
Our values.
Animal welfare
Cherished horses, rescued animals, free-roaming dromedaries. Here, every living being is respected and loved, just like people.
Ecology
Reclaimed wood, 100% solar energy, zero engines on site. A ranch built with complete respect for the desert.
Sharing
Sharing their passion was a given. All levels, all ages, all languages. FR, EN, ES, AR.
Authenticity
No staging. A calm, unspoiled, warm place. The landscapes are real, and so are the emotions.
The faces of the Ranch.
Mohamed "Bicha"
Founder and lead guide
Trained by a master rider from the Saumur school, equestrian stuntman, Cossack vaulting specialist.
Sarah
Founder and manager
Guest welcome, horse care, daily operations.
Lea
Booking manager
Organisation, communications and partnerships.
Our guides
Passionate, multilingual guides
FR, EN, ES, AR. They guide you and capture your souvenir photos.