Birding full Tour: Deserts, Mountains & Coasts

1. NOTE: If you have a specific date please let us know your arrival and departure dates!
2. Tour Cost: The price is depends on number of participants, for the price please contact us
3. Group Size: Max 8 people, if you are a tour company or big group please contact us

Description:

Superb 11 days birdwatching tour in Morocco, from the spectacular Atlas mountains to the barren Sahara Desert then to the Atlantic wetlands. This holiday goes further than a simple birdwatching tour; the culture and history of the region will amaze you, and the landscape will take your breath away. We will be covering most of the southern part of the country, including all the most amazing and incredible birdwatching places: the Atlantic wetlands, the dunes and oases of the Sahara, and the Atlas Mountains. All these places are of great importance to millions of birds during the spectacle of spring migration from Africa to Europe.

Itinerary

Day 1 Marrakech Airport – High Atlas Mountains – Oukaimeden

Meet and welcome you at Marrakech airport or your hotel in Marrakech, we will drive up into the High Atlas Mountains and visit Oukaimeden (2600m). As we drive along with the cultivated fields, we should find a good mix of resident species such as Southern Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Moroccan Magpie, Moussier’s Redstart, and House Bunting. Slightly higher up, among the rocky slopes, we will search for Blue Rock Thrush and the endemic Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker. When we reach the ski resort at Oukaimeden, we will check the snowline for the handsome Crimson-winged Finch. Other species here include Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough, and Atlas Horned Lark.

Day 2 High Atlas Mountains – Ouarzazate – Boumalne du Dades

After an early breakfast, we leave the mountains behind, perhaps pausing again en route for Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker. From the flat plains of Marrakech, we turn back uphill and drive to Boumalne du Dades via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260 meters), a spectacular and long drive. On the Pass, we’ll try for yet another endemic “Tristram’s Warbler”. This species has very specific habitat requirements away from its wintering grounds and is not always easy to find. As the road climbs into the hills, we may start to see some raptors such as Long-legged Buzzard and Bonelli’s Eagle both possible. Before reaching Boumalne du Dades we’ll stop in Amerzgane to look for the rare Wheatear “Maghreb Wheatear”.

Day 3 Boumalne du Dades – Tagdilt Track

Today we will start early, to head to the Tagdilt Track. This is, without doubt, one of the top areas for birding in the south of Morocco. Excellent chances exist for seeing Red-rumped Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Short-toed Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, and the highly nomadic Thick-billed Lark. If the heat allows, we will dedicate most of our day to exploring this area, then we visit a rocky canyon searching for Maghreb Wheatear, Desert Lark, and our first chance of Pharaoh Eagle Owl where the people live in caves here with flocks of sheep and goats.

Day 4 Boumalne du Dades – Todra Gorge – Goulmima – Merzouga

First, we visit a Todra gorge for Tristram’s Warbler, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock-thrush, Rock Dove, Crag Martin, and possibly Bonelli’s Eagle! Next, we travel eastwards and stop at a scrubby wadi to seek out the elusive Scrub Warbler, maybe also rewarded with Thick-billed Lark and Trumpeter Finch. Finally, after another exciting stop, we arrive at our Desert Hotel for two nights.

Day 5 Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Dunes – Rissani

Today we will dedicate the whole day to exploring the sandy dunes and the nearby stony desert of Erg Chebbi – the largest dune system in Morocco by 4×4 vehicles. Brown-necked Raven, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Fulvous Babbler, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Barbary, and Lanner Falcon and different migrant passerines are all possible. In addition, If rains have been plentiful a seasonal lake near Merzouga can be very interesting, with ducks, waders, and their attendant raptors. Chances also exist for Egyptian Nightjar at daytime (March – September).

Day 6 Merzouga – Tazzarine – Draa Valley – Anti Atlas Mountains – Ouarzazate

Transfer day from Merzouga to Ouarzazate. Drive through the Anti-Atlas Mountains, a series of rocky hills, cliffs, and deep gorges of volcanic formations. Roadside birding could produce plenty of White-crowned Wheatears and Southern Grey Shrike. Before reaching our hotel in Ouarzazate we’ll stop to explore the Barrage at Mansour Eddahbi. Here we have the chance of seeing Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilts, and Maghreb Lark, as well as Cormorants and Herons and a selection of waders.

Day 7 Ouarzazate – Anti Atlas Mountains – Souss Valley – Taroudant – Agadir

A long drive to the west will take us over the Anti Atlas mountains, into the Souss Valley, and on to Agadir. Initially, we will keep our eyes open for various larks by the roadside and for wheatears. In the Souss Valley, we could see Black-crowned Tchagra, Laughing Dove, Cirl Bunting, Spanish Sparrow. Over the town of Taroudant, there may be Little and Pallid Swifts. Finally, after another exciting stop, we arrive at our Hotel in Agadir for three nights.

Day 8 Agadir – Cap Rhir – Tamri Estuary

Early in the morning We will head north, stopping firstly at a beach where there will be Lesser Black-backed Gulls of two races, Audouin’s Gulls and a few Yellow-legged Gulls, and at Cap Rhir for a Seawatch, primarily for shearwaters and skuas. We will continue north to Tamri to search in the scrub and fields adjacent to the coast for the Northern Bald Ibis. Late in the afternoon, we travel back to Agadir.

Day 9 Oued Massa – Oued Souss

South of Agadir is the famous Oued Massa. We have an early start to Oued Massa on the Atlantic Coast. Target birds: the secretive Black-crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck, Moussier’s Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl, Stone Curlew, Glossy Ibis, Moroccan Cormorant, Laughing Dove, and Brown-throated Martin. Later we visit the Oued Souss – an excellent area for Flamingos, shorebirds, and large numbers of roosting gulls and terns.

Day 10 Agadir – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Transfer day from Agadir to Marrakech through the Atlas mountains with some birding stops in the road. Late in the afternoon, we arrive in Marrakech. Free evening to visit the old quarter of Marrakech and the impressive Jema-el-Fna square which is an unbelievable experience for any visitor – snake charmers, water sellers, and spice stalls plus the charm of bargaining in the Souk (OPTIONAL).

Day 11 Marrakech – Airport

If time allows some more birding in the Marrakech area, then transfer to the airport where the trip ends.

1. NOTE: This is a flexible itinerary that may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions, and other related factors.