12 Days Birding MOROCCO – The endemics of the Maghreb from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara and the Atlantic Coast
12 Days Birding the Atlas Mountains & Sahara and Atlantic Coast
12 Days Birding the Atlas Mountains & Sahara and Atlantic Coast
Price includes:
- Comfortable transport (4×4 vehicle)
- 11 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
Detailed Itinerary For 12 Days Birding the Atlas Mountains & Sahara and Atlantic Coast
Day 1: Marrakech - High Atlas Mountains - Oukaimeden
Our Morocco birding tour begins this morning at Marrakech.We’ll drive a short distance to the base of the Atlas Mountains. From there, we’ll wind our way up to the small ski resort of Oukaimeden.Here we will be birding in the spectacular High Atlas below the towering peak of Jebel Toubkal (4167m).
the highest mountain in North Africa. Providing the weather is clear we will enjoy some truly magnificent scenery.with snow-capped summits looming over us and a fantastic panorama spread out below us to the north as we look for the attractive endemic African Crimson-winged Finch (nowadays treated as a species distinct from its Asian cousin).
The lovely Moussier’s Redstart, a North African endemic, thrives in the forested areas here. We’ll also spot two other endemics: Seebohm’s Wheatear (distinct from Northern Wheatear) and the striking African Blue Tit (endemic to the region if considered separately from Canary forms).
Look out for the endemic Barbary Partridge and Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker here, too. Common species include Horned Lark (possibly split as Atlas Horned Lark in the future), Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Great Spotted Woodpecker (an endemic subspecies), Black Redstart, Coal Tit, Northern Raven, Rock Sparrow, African Chaffinch (distinct from Eurasian), and Rock Bunting.
With luck, we might spot the rare and localized Lammergeier. The High Atlas will provide dinner and accommodation.
Day 2 :High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech - Ifrane
After birding in the High Atlas, we’ll descend and drive northeast to Ifrane for a two-night stay, with birding stops along the way.
crossing broad, rolling, cultivated plains that are the breadbasket of Morocco we will climb up into the Middle Atlas, stopping to explore the wooded foothills.
On the way we should see such species as White Stork, Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Common and Lesser Kestrels, Eurasian Collared and European Turtle Doves, Calandra and Crested Larks, Spotless Starling, the distinct Maghreb Magpie (now recognised as a full species), European Goldfinch and Corn Bunting.
Day 3 : Full Day Birding in Ifrane
Other fascinating species we may spot include Ferruginous Duck, Wood Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Cetti’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Hawfinch, and Cirl Bunting.
Additional widespread species in the area encompass Little and Great Crested Grebes, Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Sandpiper, Common Woodpigeon, Common Cuckoo, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Skylark, Common House Martin, Winter Wren, European Robin, Common Redstart, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Zitting Cisticola, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Eurasian Jay, European Greenfinch, European Serin, and Common Linnet.
With luck, we may also encounter a troop of Barbary Apes amidst the majestic cedar forests. Dinner and accommodation will be in Ifrane.
Day 4 : Ifrane - Zaida - Midelt
Today, we’ll journey south to Midelt for an overnight stay, descending into increasingly arid terrain as we depart the mountains. Along the way, we’ll pause to search for species like Ruddy Shelduck, the unique Atlas form of Long-legged Buzzard (cirtensis, potentially an endemic species), Thekla Lark, and Western Black-eared Wheatear.
The barren, semi-desert plains of the high plateau around Midelt host the elusive Dupont’s Lark, known for scurrying through low vegetation rather than flying when approached. Spotting this lesser-known bird can be challenging but rewarding.
Day 5 : Midelt - Errachidia - Erfoud - Merzouga
From Midelt, we continue south through increasingly stark yet stunning mountain scenery until we reach the edge of the Sahara. Crossing stony Hamada plains, we unexpectedly descend into the lush Ziz valley before arriving at our guesthouse in Merzouga for a two-night stay.
Along the journey, we’ll stop to search for Tristram’s Warbler, a North African endemic that migrates to the Atlas Mountains to breed this time of year. We’ll also encounter our first desert species, such as Desert Lark, Maghreb Lark (saharae form, a potential future split), and White-crowned Wheatear.
There’s also a decent chance to spot Saharan Scrub Warbler, now recognized separately from Streaked Scrub Warbler. In Merzouga, dinner and accommodation will be provided.
Day 6 : Merzouga - Erg Chebbi - Rissani
Day 7 : Merzouga - Goulmima - Todra gorge - Tagdilt track - Boumaln Dades
Early wake-up in Merzouga for sand dune photos near the hotel, followed by breakfast. Then, we’ll drive to Goulmima to spot Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, and Scrub Warbler.
From Goulmima, we head to Toudra Gorges to observe Rock Dove, Tristram’s Warbler, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black Wheatear, Crag Martin, and Blue Rock Thrush.
Next, we’ll visit Tagdilt stony desert for Thick-billed Larks, Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Maghreb Wheatear, Temminck’s Lark, Thekla Lark, Red-rumped Wheatear, and Desert Short-toed Lark.
when we spot this species we will drive to Boumaln Dades . Dinner and accommodation in Boumalne Ddaes
Day 8 : Boumaln Dades - tagdilt track - Ouarzazate
The desert near Boumalne boasts special bird species like Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied Sandgrouse.Temminck’s Lark, Thick-billed Lark (almost endemic to North Africa), Red-rumped Wheatear, and Trumpeter Finch.
Day 9 : Ouarzazate - Anti Atlas Mountains - Souss valley - 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 3 nights. Dinner and accommodation in Agadir
Day 10 : Oued Massa - National Park
Today we will explore the fantastic coastal wetlands of the Oued Massa National Park. This highly productive area is home to an incredible mix of resident and migrant species, with significant numbers of shorebirds (waders), wildfowl, gulls, terns, herons, egrets, birds of prey, and passerines possible.
Like other areas on our tour, Oued Massa has several key target species, including Black-crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck, Moussier’s Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Laughing Dove, and Brown-throated Martin.
Other notable species here include Garganey, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Kentish Plover, Cream-colored Courser, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, and much more.
Later in the day we will visit the Oued Souss, the mouth of the Oued Massa River. This is yet another excellent birding site, especially for shorebirds (waders), gulls, and terns.
It is here we should get our first sightings of the Vulnerable (BirdLife International) Audouin’s Gull. This stunning species is often seen in small numbers among the much larger numbers of Yellow-legged Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Other interesting species we should come across here include Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola, Western Subalpine Warbler, Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Lesser Kestrel, Whiskered Tern, and Maghreb Magpie.
Day 11. Birding the Cap ghir - Tamri
After breakfast, we’ll return to explore the Atlantic coast near Agadir. Our first stop will be a local beach, where we can observe Audouin’s Gull and witness hundreds of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Yellow-legged Gulls roosting. Among the Lesser Black-backed Gulls, we’ll find a mix of two subspecies: graellsii from northwest Europe and intermedius from northern Europe and Scandinavia.
Following lunch, we’ll travel north to the remote coastal areas around Tamri. While encountering species we’ve seen before, our main goal is to find the peculiar Northern Bald Ibis. This endangered species, with Morocco hosting 95% of the global wild population (approximately 700 birds), is one of the rarest birds worldwide.
We’ll explore coastal scrub and fields around Tamri in search of other captivating species such as European Bee-eater, Sardinian Warbler, Moussier’s Redstart, Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-throated Martin, Common Bulbul, Black Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, and European Serin. Offshore, we might spot passing seabirds like Northern Gannet, Great Skua, Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua), and Balearic Shearwater.
Day 12: Transfer from Agadir to Marrakesh
Today we will journey back from Agadir, across the Atlas Mountains, to Marrakesh. En route, we will make several stops to look for any interesting species and also enjoy stunning Moroccan scenery for the final time. In the evening we have the option of visiting the old quarter of Marrakesh after we will transfer you to the airport at the time you would like
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(12 Days Birding the Atlas Mountains & Sahara and Atlantic Coast)
Book this tour for a hassle-free experience. Our local guide will offer informative commentary on birds and their habitats, enriching your journey with valuable insights.
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, Saharan Olivaceous Warbler, Common Bulbul, Fulvous Babbler, Alpine Chough, Brown-necked Raven, Alpine Accentor, 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 Airport » High Atlas Mountains » Oukaimden
2nd day: High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech » Ifrane
3rd day: Full Day Birding In Ifrane
4th Day: Ifarne » Zaida » Midelt
5th day: Midelt » Errachidia » Erfoud » Merzouga
6th day: Merzouga » Erg Chebbi » Rissani
7th day: Merzouga » Goulmima » Todra Gorge »Tagdilt Track »Boumalne Dades
8th day: Boumaln Dades » tagdilt track » Ouarzazate
9th day: Ouarzazate » Anti Atlas Mountains » Souss valley » Taroudant » Agadir
10th day: Agadir » Oud Massa » National Park
11th day: Agadir » Cap Ghir» Tamri
12th day: Agadir » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech » airport
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