Birds of Morocco: 16 Day Private Birdwatching Tour

Day 1

Arrival in Marrakech

Marrakech

I meet you at Marrakech airport and take you to your riad. If time allows, I take you on a first walk in the Menara or Agdal gardens for House Bunting, Common Bulbul, Moussier’s Redstart and the first North African subspecies of familiar birds.

Overnight: Riad or hotel in Marrakech

Day 2

Oukaimeden in the High Atlas

Marrakech To Oukaimeden

An early drive up the Ourika Valley to the ski station of Oukaimeden, at about 2,600 metres. On the high meadows and screes I help you look for Crimson winged Finch, Alpine Accentor, the Atlas form of Horned Lark, Seebohm’s Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, and Red billed and Alpine Choughs.

On the way down, the juniper and holm oak slopes hold Levaillant’s Woodpecker, African Blue Tit and Rock Bunting.

Overnight: Mountain lodge in the High Atlas, dinner included

Day 3

Over the Tizi n’Test to Taroudant

High Atlas To Tizi N’Test To Taroudant

I drive you across the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Test pass, one of the most spectacular roads in Morocco, stopping for raptors, Barbary Partridge, Tristram’s Warbler and Moussier’s Redstart.

I bring you down into the argan plains of the Souss, and you reach the walled town of Taroudant in the afternoon.

Overnight: Riad in Taroudant

Day 4

Souss Massa National Park

Taroudant To Souss Massa National Park

A full day in Souss Massa National Park. The scrub along the Oued Massa holds Black crowned Tchagra, Moroccan Cetti’s and Sardinian Warblers and Barbary Partridge, while the river mouth and reed beds bring Marbled Duck, herons, Plain Martin and passing waders and terns.

Overnight: Hotel near Souss Massa or Agadir, dinner included

Day 5

Northern Bald Ibis at Tamri

Agadir To Tamri And Cap Rhir And Back

This morning I drive you north along the coast to Tamri and Cap Rhir, home of the last wild breeding colony of the Northern Bald Ibis. You watch the ibises feeding on the clifftops and fields, with Barbary Falcon and seabirds offshore.

In the afternoon I take you to check the Oued Souss estuary in Agadir for Audouin’s Gull, Slender billed Gull, flamingos and waders.

Overnight: Hotel in Agadir

Day 6

Across the Anti Atlas to Ouarzazate

Agadir To Taliouine To Ouarzazate

A long but scenic drive east through the saffron country of Taliouine, with stops in rocky wadis for Desert Lark, White crowned Wheatear and Long legged Buzzard.

In the late afternoon I take you to the Mansour Eddahbi reservoir near Ouarzazate for Ruddy Shelduck and gathering waders.

Overnight: Hotel in Ouarzazate

Day 7

The Tagdilt Track

Ouarzazate To Boumalne Dades

I drive you along the Valley of Roses to Boumalne Dades, and you spend the afternoon on the Tagdilt Track, the stony plain that is one of the classic birding sites of North Africa. I help you search for Thick billed, Temminck’s, Bar tailed and Greater Short toed Larks, Red rumped and Desert Wheatears, and Cream coloured Courser.

Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades, dinner included

Day 8

Tagdilt at dawn and the Dades Gorge

Boumalne Dades And The Dades Gorge

I take you back to the Tagdilt at first light, the best time for larks and sandgrouse, then drive you up the Dades Gorge, where the cliffs and gardens hold Bonelli’s Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin and Tristram’s Warbler.

Overnight: Hotel in Boumalne Dades, dinner included

Day 9

Todra Gorge and on to Merzouga

Boumalne Dades To Todra Gorge To Rissani To Merzouga

I stop with you in the Todra Gorge for Pallid Swift, Rock Martin and Bonelli’s Eagle, then drive you across the open desert towards the Tafilalt, watching for Maghreb Lark, Hoopoe Lark and Brown necked Raven.

You reach Merzouga at the foot of the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the afternoon.

Overnight: Hotel or auberge at Merzouga, dinner included

Day 10

Desert birds of Erg Chebbi

Merzouga and Erg Chebbi

A full day around the dunes and oases, with a local desert guide where needed. Your targets include Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, African Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear and Hoopoe Lark.

After dark, and in season, I take you to search for Egyptian Nightjar and Pharaoh Eagle Owl.

Overnight: Hotel or auberge at Merzouga, dinner included

Day 11

Hamada, sandgrouse and Dayet Srij

Merzouga

I take you to explore the hamada around Merzouga and Rissani for Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse, Cream coloured Courser and Lanner Falcon. When it holds water, the seasonal lake of Dayet Srij attracts flamingos, ducks and migrant waders.

For those who wish, the evening is free for a camel ride and the sunset over the dunes.

Overnight: Hotel or auberge at Merzouga, dinner included

Day 12

The Ziz Valley to Midelt

Merzouga To Ziz Valley To Midelt

I drive you north through the palm groves of the Ziz Valley, stopping at the oasis gardens and the Ziz gorges for migrants, Blue Rock Thrush and wheatears, and reach Midelt at the foot of the Eastern High Atlas.

Overnight: Hotel in Midelt

Day 13

Dupont’s Lark and the cedar forest

Midelt To Zeida To Azrou To Ifrane

At dawn I take you to the Zeida plain, one of the best places to hear and see Dupont’s Lark, together with Thekla’s Lark and Red rumped Wheatear.

I take you on to the cedar forests around Azrou, where Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Atlas Flycatcher, Firecrest, Short toed Treecreeper and Hawfinch live alongside the Barbary macaques.

Overnight: Hotel in Ifrane

Day 14

The Middle Atlas lakes to Merja Zerga

Ifrane To Dayet Aoua To Moulay Bousselham

A morning on the lakes of the Middle Atlas, such as Dayet Aoua and Dayet Ifrah, for Red knobbed Coot, Ferruginous Duck, Black necked Grebe and Marbled Duck.

I then drive you towards the Atlantic and Moulay Bousselham, on the edge of the great lagoon of Merja Zerga. At dusk I help you look for Marsh Owl hunting over the marshes.

Overnight: Guesthouse in Moulay Bousselham, dinner included

Day 15

Merja Zerga to Casablanca

Moulay Bousselham To Casablanca

An early boat trip on Merja Zerga, one of the most important wetlands in North Africa, for flamingos, gulls, terns and large flocks of waders.

I then drive you south along the coast to Casablanca for the last night of the tour.

Overnight: Hotel in Casablanca

Day 16

Departure

Casablanca

After breakfast I take you to Mohammed V airport for your flight home.