Discover a unique eco-retreat in Douar Houmr, Morocco, just 25 min. drive from Assilah and the Atlantic Ocean. Wild Turtle is a vibrant community comprising various buildings, gardens, and shared spaces, each detailed on this page.
Please be aware that some structures are currently in maintenance, under construction or in the design phase. We appreciate your understanding as this development process is an integral part of our ongoing project.
If you wish information about staying here
The main house has 2 bedrooms, a living room with a firepit, a separate extension for the kitchen, dry toilet and bathroom. Its features include a natural pool with a pool bar, a barbecue and a brick oven that can be privatised on demand.
The house is made of adobe mud bricks and has a very good thermal inertia. It is chill in summer and warm in winter. The wood stove is a great addition to keep the winternights dry and warm. There is a natural water filtration system.
The terrace offers diverse seating and dining options, including a low table with outside sofas, chairs and a hammock – the perfect place to have your breakfast or enjoy late summer nights in harmony with nature.
Dive into the natural pool, a serene pond shaped by nature's touch. Filtered by two gravel basins, the water maintains its clarity while the papyrus plants and reef type flora contribute to the evolving ecosystem. Along the edges, a few algae add a subtle touch of nature's transformation.
This cozy space hosts a bar, barbecue, and a home made brick oven, creating the perfect setting for laid-back music and pizza parties. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing drink, a sizzling barbecue, or freshly baked pizzas, this is your go-to destination for easygoing gatherings and good times.
The Village is an evolving haven, featuring a cluster of buildings where some are still in development, promising a unique blend of nature and community. Among its elements are a cabin with seven beds, an outdoor kitchen, and a dedicated bathroom building. A bonfire area invites evening gatherings, while an open-air living space, complete with hammocks, offers the perfect spot to watch the sunset. The surroundings are adorned with a yoga temple, a bush garden, and a collection of cactus and succulent plants. Additionally, a camping site adds to the rustic charm.
The Village is designed to host groups seeking a nature-centric retreat, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the stunning panoramic views of fields and trees. Whether for a brief escape or a week-long retreat, visitors can engage in yoga sessions and workshops focused on ecological, sustainability, and transition topics. With its incomplete yet inviting structures, The Village embraces a sense of community and exploration in the embrace of nature.
Nestled in the heart of nature, our rustic cabin is a charming 30-sqm. mud house with a tin and thatch roof, offering a cozy retreat for nature lovers. Inside, you'll find a comfortable haven featuring one double bed and five single bunk beds, providing ample space for a tranquil stay. The cabin boasts panoramic views of the picturesque countryside, with rolling hills and flourishing trees creating a serene backdrop.
Immersed in a village environment, the cabin is surrounded by lush plantations of fresh herbs and exotic plants, infusing the air with fragrant scents and vibrant colors. Whether you're seeking a peaceful escape or a gathering with friends, our cabin provides a rustic yet comfortable atmosphere, inviting you to unwind and connect with the beauty of the natural surroundings.
The Canteen & Kitchen serves as the heart of community life, where project members, volunteers, and workshop participants gather to share meals and life moments. Accessible to guests and volunteers alike, the kitchen is a versatile space utilized not only for preparing meals but also for various farm productions such as essential oils, hydrolate distillation, ginger ale, kombucha, and kefir drinks.
The canteen, adorned with tables, provides a welcoming environment for individuals to enjoy their meals either in solitude or as part of the community. It is a space where countless memorable moments have unfolded, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie among those who come together to eat, share stories, and celebrate the joys of communal living.
The outside living room is a tranquil retreat, strategically facing to the southwest, offering an ideal setting to savor the breathtaking sunset. Built by low stonewalls with integrated seating, this space exudes a rustic charm and provides a cozy atmosphere.
Shaded by trees with conveniently placed rings for hammocks, it becomes the ultimate spot for relaxation. Whether you're looking to unwind, read a book, or simply enjoy the breeze, this outdoor sanctuary is the perfect choice. It invites you to chill, rejuvenate, and relish a cup of tea, especially after a evening yoga session, creating a harmonious blend of nature and comfort.
This building serves as a shared bathroom and dry toilet facility. It features a well-equipped bathroom with a shower and a sink providing hot water.
Designed for convenience, it includes shelves for guests' toiletries and utility items, along with drying racks to enhance practicality.
This compact and thoughtfully designed space caters to the comfort and needs of all visitors, ensuring a pleasant and functional experience.
The temple is a captivating open octagonal pavilion featuring a solid floor and an open-weave walls. Designed as a versatile gathering space, it welcomes a diverse array of events. From art workshops, music performances, and dance sessions to theater rehearsals, yoga classes, and meditation sessions, the temple is a haven for a wide spectrum of creative and contemplative activities.
Its open design allows a seamless connection with nature, surrounded by lush gardens, it offers the most picturesque view of the land and the gentle hills. This setting enhances the overall experience, providing a serene and inspiring backdrop for transformative practices and communal events.
The camping area, nestled in the north-west side of The Village, offers a unique outdoor experience with shared bathroom facilities and an adjacent outdoor kitchen. The ground boasts a comfortably dry and flat sandy flooring, providing a natural and cozy setting for camping enthusiasts.
Bathed in sunlight during the morning, the area transforms into a shaded retreat as the day progresses, ensuring an optimal sleeping experience for campers. With the convenience of shared amenities and the charm of changing natural light, the camping area invites guests to connect with nature in a comfortable and tranquil setting.
The bonfire area is a cherished space where project members gather for memorable nights filled with music, storytelling, and camaraderie. Particularly popular during winter, this cozy spot becomes a heartwarming haven, providing warmth not only to the bodies but also to the spirits of everyone present.
The Plant Nursery Garden is a carefully designed space with a series of dug-out beds for optimal plant growth, ensuring easy watering during the summer months. In winter, these beds can be covered with greenhouses to provide consistent warmth and protection. The garden is equipped with a dedicated plant workshop featuring desks and garden tools, facilitating activities such as plant reproduction, cuttings, seedlings, and organization.
Adjacent to the workshop is a compost area, featuring hot composting, worm composting, and natural fertilizer production. This sustainability hub emphasizes the importance of recycling organic materials, creating nutrient-rich compost to enhance the soil health and support the growth of a diverse range of plants. The Plant Nursery Garden serves as a dynamic and productive space, fostering the growth and care of various plant species while promoting eco-friendly practices.
The Keyhole Garden is an innovative raised bed, elegantly designed in an octagonal shape with a distinctive keyhole opening in the center. This unique feature allows for the direct composting of organic matter into the heart of the garden, promoting efficient nutrient recycling. The raised height of the bed not only provides convenience for tending to the garden but also serves as a protective measure against pests and potential damage from external factors.
This thoughtfully designed garden is particularly well-suited for cultivating fine herbs and delicate salads, ensuring their growth in a controlled and nurturing environment. The keyhole shape not only adds a touch of aesthetics but also enhances the garden's functionality, making it a sustainable and efficient space for growing valuable crops while minimizing waste and maximizing the use of organic resources.
The Vegetable Garden has been meticulously planned, featuring a variety of crop beds to cater to different plant production requirements. Digged-out beds, raised beds, and lasagna beds are strategically incorporated based on the specific needs of various plants. The garden layout includes both flat beds and sloped paths, creating an efficient and accessible system. The paths, designed with larger widths, accommodate easy access for carts and wheelbarrows, ensuring seamless navigation throughout the garden.
To address watering needs, a drip irrigation system is currently in development, promising efficient and targeted watering during dry seasons. Additionally, the garden hosts fig trees that provide a welcomed touch of shade during the hot summer months. This comprehensive and thoughtful design enhances the productivity of the Vegetable Garden while promoting accessibility, sustainability, and the well-being of the plants.
The Fresh Herbs Garden is a charming, fenced sanctuary adorned with a variety of aromatic plants used in essential oil preparations. Among the thriving greenery, discover rosemary, marjoram, sage, ginger, hibiscus, thyme, citrus thyme, citronella, myrtle, and more.
The garden features well-mulched raised beds, creating a visually appealing and accessible layout for easy exploration. This enchanting space invites you to immerse yourself in the fragrant world of fresh herbs, contributing to the natural and therapeutic essence of the surroundings.
The project structures have been thoughtfully crafted to seamlessly integrate with the natural environment while serving as functional hubs for the development of the project and daily life on the land.
Designed for versatility, it accommodates woodworking, metalworking, and all project-related tasks.
This central hub serves as the focal point for volunteer gatherings, briefings, and the organization of tools. Additionally, it provides a perfect space for organising craft workshops.
The workshop is a durable structure constructed from concrete blocks and covered with natural plastering.
The Woodworking Shed is a versatile structure designed for processing firewood, including chopping and storage. In addition to its primary function, it serves as a storage facility for garden tools and appliances. Moreover, it houses the central electric system and water pump, centralizing essential utilities for the project. This practical and multi-functional space is dedicated to various aspects of woodworking and utility storage.
Storage serves as an essential component in our project in organizing and repurposing second-hand and scrap materials. These materials, collected for their potential reuse, are systematically stored to support various project realizations.
This space is designed to keep materials organized and easily accessible, fostering a culture of resourcefulness and creativity within our project while contributing to our commitment to eco-friendly practices.
The Water Filtration System operates through a three-basin process, ensuring efficient purification. In the initial basin, solid waste is collected with dry matter like straw, separating it from the water. The second basin is filled with various types of gravel and features water filtration plants, such as papyrus, contributing to the natural cleansing process. The third basin is the outlet, delivering purified water suitable for irrigating plantations. This sustainable system not only effectively filters water but also repurposes it, promoting environmental consciousness and resource efficiency.
The Water Castle stands tall as an octagonal structure atop the land, ensuring a steady flow of high-pressure water to all project buildings. With a generous 2000L capacity, it automatically refills when empty, guaranteeing a continuous water supply. Equipped with a small pump to enhance water pressure, this reliable and efficient system plays a crucial role in meeting the water needs of the entire project.
These structures are in the process of being designed and built, feel free to ask us about the techniques and ideas behind it, you can also check the Tasks & Milestones page where you will find information about their ongoing develompent.
Three rooms, each equipped with a double bed and a single bed. Guests can enjoy the unique feature of roof access, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of the sunset. Designed for both groups and solo travelers, this mud house-style accommodation in The Village will offer a cozy and inviting space for a comfortable stay.
The Treehouse is an elevated wooden cabin situated 6 meters high on a sturdy eucalyptus tree. Offering a unique and adventurous experience, it features a hammock double bed and a well-equipped space with a sink and bathroom. Nestled amidst nature, it provides the ideal setting for a comfortable yet adventurous outback night, combining the thrill of elevated heights with the comforts of a cozy retreat.
The Tree-Top structure consists of five suspended platforms, accessible by a hanging bridge, firmly anchored to sturdy eucalyptus trees.
Three of these platforms serve as unique rooms, offering an unforgettable stay surrounded by nature. Another platform features a central terrace adorned with low seating and tables, while the last one serves as a utility platform with simple sinks and toilet.
This extraordinary accommodation promises an unparalleled experience, with stunning countryside views and the soothing ambiance of gentle tree rustling in the night breeze. Immerse yourself in the magic of nature with this elevated and serene stay.
The Reception, Market & Laundry building is a multifunctional place where guests check in, buy essential items and farm-produced goods. Additionally, it serves as a laundry facility. This versatile space not only caters to practical needs but also acts the night guardian house.
The Underground Sanctuary is a unique hut designed for hosting ceremonies, music parties, and sacred gatherings. Accessible through a secret underground tunnel, this mystical space offers an immersive and intimate setting. Legend has it that once inside, you can partake in festivities for up to seven consecutive days, creating an enchanting and unforgettable experience for those seeking a truly immersive celebration.
The Underground Hammam is a secluded retreat designed for the ultimate pleasure of a steam bath in perfect harmony with nature. Fueled by a natural wood fire and enriched with spring water, this unique space is adorned with freshly cut herbs from our gardens, including rosemary, sage, and geranium rose. Immerse yourself in the soothing aromas, and let the gentle scents carry you into a realm of deep wellness and relaxation, making it a truly rejuvenating experience.