6 Days Birding tours Atlas & Boumalne Dades and Sahara Desert
6-Days Birding Tour in Morocco Marrakech, High Atlas and the Sahara Desert
6 Days Birding Tour in Morocco Marrakech, High Atlas and the Sahara Desert
Price includes:
- Comfortable transport
- 5 Nights hotel accommodation with Half-board
- Guiding services and general assistance where and when required.
- Our Briding trip includes breakfasts & Dinners
Price excludes:
- Flight Tickets
- Lunches & drinks
- Travel insurance
- Item of a personal nature and tips
Overview
On this 6-day tour we will explore the southern half of Morocco, from Marrakech to the High Atlas and the Sahara.
We will look for most of the birding specialties of the region while enjoying the most varied and spectacular landscapes in the country.We’ll seek species like the Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, Egyptian Nightjar, Crowned Sandgrouse, Maghreb Wheatear, Streaked Scrub-Warbler, and African Crimson-winged Finch in this beloved birding destination.
The places we will visit are very welcoming and relaxed. Winter and spring are ideal for visiting this region due to the pleasant weather and the diversity of Maghreb endemic species.
Detailed Itinerary For 6- Days Birding Tour in Morocco Marrakech, High Atlas and the Sahara Desert
Day 1: Marrakech - Tiz-In-Tichka - Al Manssur reservoir - Boumalne Dades
Our driver will pick you up from Marrakech airport or your hotel the day before the tour. Our journey to Boumalne Dades includes stops as we cross the High Atlas mountains via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, the highest in Northern Africa at 2,260 meters above sea level.
Along the way, we’ll search for Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, African Blue Tit, and the African subspecies of Common Chaffinch. We’ll pause for lunch and local birding opportunities, where we may spot Moussier’s Redstart and Long-legged Buzzard.
Descending into the southern Atlas Mountains, the landscape becomes drier as we head towards the stony deserts near Ouarzazate. Before arriving at our hotel in Boumalne Dades, we’ll explore the Mansour Eddahbi barrage. Here, we hope to observe Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilts, Maghreb Lark, Cormorants, Herons, and various waders.
Enjoy dinner and accommodation in Boumalne Dades.
Day 2: Boumalne Dades - Tagdilt Track - Merzouga
First thing in the morning start early, to head to the Tagdilt Track . very close to our hotel, in search of: Cream-colored Courser, Thick-billed Lark, Greater Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Red-rumped Wheatear, etc.
Next, we will search for the majestic Desert Owl and the Lanner and Maghreb Wheatea. By the late morning we will continue heading to the East, towards the Sahara. Along the way, we will explore some of the numerous ouadis (seasonal dry rivers) and large palm groves to look for some emblematic species of the region such as the Streaked Scrub-Warbler and Brown-necked Raven. We will arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon and have dinner at the hotel with spectacular views of the desert dunes of the Sahara. Dinner and accommodation in Merzouga.
Day 3 : Merzouga - Erg Chebbi Dunes Excursion
Today we will dedicate the whole day exploring the sandy dunes and the nearby stony deserts of Erg Chebbi dunes , who will show us some of the most sought-after birds of this part of the world. Egyptian Nightjar, Brown-necked Raven, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Crowned and Spotted Sandgrouse and a selection of migrant passerines will be all possible. In addition, we might visit the Dajet Srj, better knwon as the Merzouga lake, where we could see Greater Flamingo, Ruddy Shelduck, Marbled Duck.
this later visit will depend on how much water the lake will have since it is usually dry after periods with no rain. By the end of the day we will be transferred back to our hotel In Merzouga .Dinner and accommodation in Merzouga
Day 4: Merzouga - Todra Gorges - Ouarzazate
After a relaxed breakfast, Next we will visit the spectacular palm grove of Rissani where we will look for the elusive Fulvous Babbler and the Maghreb Lark. At mid-morning we will start our return to the West, following a different road from our arrival in order to enjoy a greater variety of landscapes .During the second part of the day we will visit the famous Todra Gorge and admire the spectacular views of the traditional towns and huge walls where Tristram’s Warbler , Bonelli’s Eagles, Blue Rock-Thrushes and Crag Martin.After then a long journey back to Ouarzazate with some stops . Dinner and accommodation in Ouarzazate
Day 5 : Ouarzazate - Aïd Benhaddou - Ourika Valley
Following our customary lunch at Restaurant Tichka, we’ll descend into the picturesque L’Ourika valley in the Atlas foothills. Before dinner, we may go birdwatching around our hotel grounds, spotting Moussier’s Redstart and Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker.
Enjoy dinner and accommodation in the Atlas Mountains.
Day 6 : Ourika Valley - Oukaimeden - Marrakech
Our last full day in Morocco will focus on birding in the Atlas Mountains, particularly at Oukaimeden ski resort. This renowned site offers excellent chances to spot the elusive African Crimson-winged Finch. Other notable species include Seebohm’s Wheatear, Barbary Partridge, Horned Lark, Alpine and Red-billed Choughs, and Rock Sparrows.
Moussier’s Redstart and Mistle Thrush also breed in these mountainous regions. After a delightful lunch at Oukaimeden, we’ll explore the lower mountain areas for migrating birds. We’ll then return to Marrakech’s medina.
If our return flight schedule allows, we’ll visit prominent buildings in Marrakech’s medina before heading to the nearby international airport to conclude our trip.
NOTE: This is a flexible itinerary which may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions and other related
ORE INFORMATION
By reserving this tour, you can enjoy a hassle-free experience our experienced local guide will provide you with informative commentary and insight about the birds and their habitats, making it an enriching and educational experience
Some key species of this tour:
Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Marbled Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Barbary Falcon, Lanner Falcon, Cream-coloured Courser ,Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Laughing Dove, Egyptian Nightjar at daytime, Little Swift, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Thick-billed Lark, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Wheatear, Desert Sparrow, Red-rumped Wheatear, Maghreb Wheatear, White-crowned Wheatear, Scrub Warbler, Tristram’s Warbler, African Desert Warbler, Common Bulbul, Fulvous Babbler, Alpine Chough, Brown-necked Raven, Trumpeter Finch, Crimson-winged Finch, House Bunting, Temminck’s Lark, Atlas Horned Lark, Moussier’s redstart,…etc!
Accommodation:
We stay in a selection of comfortable hotel, all rooms are en-suite.
Food: All hotels provide a simple breakfast typical of Morocco, consisting of fresh bread, butter, honey and jam. Fruit juice and tea or coffee is also available. For lunch we will have picnic lunches when out in the field. Evening meals will be a mixture of local and international dishes.
Walking:The tour is not strenuous. Leisurely walking, very occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement on most days. Most birding is done close to our vehicle, though we will need to walk to see mountain species, and some exertion will be required in mountain environments. There will be the option to stay close to the vehicle, should anyone wish to go back.
Brief Itinerary
1st day :Marrakech » High Atlas Mountains » Boumalne
2nd day :Boumalne Dades »Tagdilt Track »Merzouga
3rd day :Merzouga » Erg chebbi
4th day :Merzouga » Todra Gorge » Warzazate
5th day :Warzazate » Ait Benhaddou» Ourika Valley
6th day :Ourika Valley »Oukaimeden » Marrakech
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