Lunar escape

While you were likely nursing a hangover from welcoming in the New Year, I was unusually well-rested on the morning of 1 January and on my way to Gatwick Airport. Heading for Marrakech – the fourth largest city in Morocco famed for its vibrant and bustling culture, souks (markets), and architecture – within three and a half hours from sitting on the plane, I’d be swapping jeans and boots for shorts and sliders and sipping a sweet Moroccan tea over a good novel on my hotel terrace.

I have visited Morocco more than any country outside of the UK, and I absolutely love it. It’s quite the romantic, laid-back place with unmatched scenery. The traditional cuisine of tagines, baghrir pancakes, and brochettes (spiced kebabs) is outstanding, and I have found the people to be generally hospitable. The weather is normally glorious year-round – perfect for a winter hit of vitamin D. Plus, I have concluded after some research that while the wine is great and in abundance, there isn’t a better beer to be had anywhere in the world than a cold bottle of Casablanca; which may seem odd for some given the general abstinence of alcohol by the country’s 99% Muslim population.

But my visit wasn’t for bargain hunting in the maze-like medina, exploring palaces and gardens, nor hiking into the mountains to discover more of the history. Instead, it was to join a great team of Guns at William Powell Sporting’s latest addition to their exclusive portfolio of shoots, El Koudia. The very shoot that is establishing itself as the premier destination for driven shooting in Morocco, with guests traveling from all over the world to see what it is about.

And so, at 8 am the following morning, I was collected from my hotel in middle Gueliz (new town) by my private driver, Mounir, and taken north to the shoot for the first of two back-to-back days. Despite it being rush hour, the journey to the shooting lodge in the brand-new Land Cruiser only took 35 minutes, making it far enough out of the city to feel remote and be out of earshot of beeping traffic, while being close enough to be refreshingly convenient. Too often on overseas shooting trips does it feel like you’re spending the majority of important pool time sat in a car – which is certainly not my bag.

Upon arrival at the lodge, instead of bacon rolls or a full English, we were served with warm, freshly made pastries and Moroccan tea and were given time to enjoy soaking up the most incredible 360-degree views whilst waiting for the briefing. Keeping Moroccan time, too, said briefing to arrival on pegs was suitably relaxed. By 10 am, guns were unslipped and the line awaited the first of the partridge under a hazy blue sky.

Mornings in the mountains are quite cool, at around single figures, compared to the afternoon heat which can average 26°C even in winter. Rarely does one see a cloudy sky and rain is infrequent; in a bad month, Marrakech might see as much as 31mm of rainfall. And it looks like rock and shingle, and bar the thorns, the odd olive, and some hand-planted wheat in some areas, seemingly very little grows. Naturally, one would assume that such hot, dry, barren conditions are inhospitable for game and even songbirds, but that isn’t the case. Barbary partridge are native to North Africa, and this is their natural habitat.

“The drives are run much like that of a grouse moor, with the beaters taking in a vast expanse of land,” explains William Powell Sporting agent Ollie Severn, as the first of the partridge power over the line. “There are no large cover crops, just completely natural topography which also dictates where drives are positioned.”

Indeed, on the first two drives it was very similar to grouse or wild greys, in that the Barbary partridge flushed in waves of large coveys, supplemented by smaller coveys, single birds, and pairs. The natural ridgeline that the Guns and their loaders were concealed in also meant that they needed to be alert and move quickly with little time to see them out in front.

“I actually think Barbary fly much stronger than redlegs,” admits Ollie. “They are bigger in size, yet smaller than a pheasant, and seem more powerful and energetic. Our teams are always amazed by them.”

The third drive was totally different. Here the Guns were pegged mostly on the flat between two rocky mountains with views of desert-like peaks stretching all the way to Marrakech and the foot of the Atlas mountains far in the distance. While the birds unquestioningly took on the ridges at considerable height, it was this otherworldly setting that blew me away here and on the other drives. “One gun recently described shooting here like being on the Moon,” laughs Ollie. I think he was right.

Moroccan Elevenses is something to write home about too. Set up in the ‘field,’ like a perfect summer picnic, we were served chilled rosé, beautiful olives, nuts, cheeses, pickled onions, chilies, and more. Not forgetting plenty of water and a refreshing Coke, chilled sloe gin, or a bottle of Casablanca.

There was one more equally spectacular drive before lunch beckoned. Hand-built in a traditional Moroccan style, the lodge is equipped with important western facilities, such as a large commercial-style kitchen with pantries, nice loos, and so on. Inside and sat around a huge table, it was lovely and cool and was the perfect setting to enjoy the lemon, olive, and chicken terrine (phenomenal) with lentils, avocado, fresh tomatoes, rice, and salad, finished with a freshly made tart.

With such close proximity to the city and under an hour to the airport, there are few places that can cater so well for non-shooting partners like this one. Whether you want to shoot a single day or two, have a few days riding a camel, or just enjoy a romantic city, it is a proper winter holiday destination with outstanding shooting to be had too.

GETTING THERE

William Powell Sporting typically recommends teams fly into Marrakech airport from Gatwick or other airports. Private transfers are included, and guests are driven by trusted staff employed by the shoot.

ACCOMMODATION

Options range from a luxury private house owned by a shoot partner to hotels in the medina or new town.

GUNS & AMMO

Guns and ammunition are provided and included in the price, with options for 12-bore and 20-bore Eley cartridges.

OTHER GEAR

Bring good sunglasses, a peaked cap, sunscreen, and a camera. Boots are recommended for the terrain, though deck shoes are also common. A sweater or gilet is advisable for cool mornings.