Birding trip to the Atlas & Sahara 8 Days/7 Night

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:

Fantastic 8 days birdwatching tour to Morocco. From the spectacular Atlas mountains to the barren Sahara Desert, but this Trip 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 Atlas Mountains, the dunes, and oases of the Sahara Desert. 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 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, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough, Black Wheatear, 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 Full day birding Tagdilt Track and around

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 “GAYUIN” 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 Warblers, 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. Brown-necked Raven, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Fulvous Babbler, Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Barbary, and Lanner Falcon, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Saharan Olivaceous Warbler 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. Good chances also exist for Egyptian Nightjar at daylight (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 – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

A long journey back from Ouarzazate to Marrakech. We will drive through the High Atlas Mountains, stopping at the scenic and impressive Tizi `n’ Tichka Pass (2260 Meters) to admire its fabulous geological rock formations, We will do some birding stops on 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 – musicians, water sellers, and spice stalls plus the charm of bargaining in the Souk (OPTIONAL)..

Day 8 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.