Birdwatching Tours to the Atlas Mountains
Birdwatching Tours to the Atlas Mountains & Sahara Deserts & Middle Atlas
7 Days Birdwatching Tours to the Atlas Mountains & Sahara Deserts & Middle Atlas
Price includes:
- Comfortable transport
- 6 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
INTRODUCTION
Superb 7 Days Birdwatching tour. From the spectacular Atlas mountains to the barren Sahara Desert, and Zaida plain. This Trip goes further than a simple birdwatching tour,
how many wards are in this paragraph: the culture and history of the region will amaze you. The landscape will take your breath away. We will cover most of the country’s southern part, including all the most incredible birdwatching places: the Atlas Mountains, the dunes and oases of the Sahara Desert, and the Vast Plains.
All these places are of great importance to millions of birds during the spectacle of spring migration from Africa to Europe. Morocco has bird specialties and near-endemics found only in the southern part of the Western Palearctic. Our company provides amazing birding opportunities that seem to have been put together for this purpose alone.
Detailed Itinerary For 7- Days Birdwatching Morocco tour: Atlas Mountains & Sahara Deserts & Middle Atlas
Day 1: Marrakech - High Atlas Mountains - Oukaimeden
Meet and welcome you anywhere in Marrakech we will drive up into the High Atlas Mountains and visit Oukaimeden (2600m).
As we drive along the cultivated fields, we should find a good mix of resident species such as Southern Gray 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 African Crimson-winged Finch. Other species here include Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear, African Chaffinch, Alpine Chough and Atlas Horned Lark.seebohmi’ race of Northern Wheatear
Day 2: High Atlas Mountains - Ouarzazate - Boumalne du Dadès
After an early breakfast, we leave the mountains behind. From the flat plains of Marrakech, we drive to Boumalne du Dades via the Tizi-n-Tichka pass (2260 meters) a spectacular and long drive. On the pass, we’ll try to see the “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 the long-legged buzzard and Bonelli’s eagle, both possible. Before reaching Boumalne Dades, we’ll stop in Amerzgane to look for the rare “Maghreb Wheatear and Desert Lark . Before reaching our hotel in Boumalne Dades, we’ll stop to explore the barrage of Mansour Eddahbi. Here we have the chance to see Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Black Winged Stilts, and Maghreb Lark, as well as Cormorants and Herons and a selection of waders.
Dinner and accommodation in Boumalne du Dades.
Day 3 : Boumalne Dades - Tagdilt Track - Dades Gorge
Today, we’ll explore the renowned Tagdilt Track, one of Morocco’s top birding areas. Here, we’ll encounter various species, including the Red-rumped Wheatear, Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Short-toed Lark, Thekla Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Cream-coloured Courser, and Thick-billed Lark. We’ll visit a rocky canyon inhabited by people living in caves, where you may spot Maghreb Wheatear, Desert Lark, and Pharaoh Eagle Owl. dinner and accommodation in Boumalne Dades.
Day 4 : Boumalne du Dades - Todra Gorge - Goulmima - Merzouga
After an early breakfast we leave the First, we visit a Todra gorge for Tristram’s Warbler, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock- Thrush, Rock Dove, Crag Martin,, and possible Bonelli’s Eagle! Next we travel eastward and stop at a scrubby wadi to seek out the elusive scrub warbler, maybe also rewarded with a white-crowned Wheatear and a Trumpeter Finch. Finally after another exciting stop we arrive at our Desert Hotel for two nights.
Dinner and accommodation in Merzouga.
Day 5 : Merzouga - Erg Chebbi Dunes - Rissani
Today, we venture into the captivating sandy dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. Prepare to encounter Brown-necked Raven, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Barbary Falcon, Lanner Falcon, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, and Saharan Olivaceous Warbler. If the season allows, we may visit a nearby seasonal lake in Merzouga village, offering sightings of ducks, waders,Chances also exist for Egyptian Nightjar at daytime (March – September) . dinner and comfortable accommodation in Merzouga.
Day 6: Merzouga - Tizi N telghomt - Zaida
Today, we’ll transfer you through the desert and Tizi N Telghomt pass, offering opportunities to spot Tristram’s Warbler, Dupont Lark, Eared Wheatear, and Desert Wheatear. At the end of the day, dinner and accommodation at a local hotel in Zaida
Day 7: Zaida - Bni Mlal - Marrakech
We will leave early to search for Dupont’s Lark near Zaida. This very difficult high-plains species disappearing amongst the tussocks. During our walk we should see Thekla and Short-toed Larks. After breakfast in our hotel we travel back to Marrakech through the mesmerizing Middle Atlas Mountains. We’ll make several birding stops along the way before dropping you off at your Marrakech hotel or transfer to the airport where the trip ends.
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, 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 , Dupont’s Lark …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 » Oukaimeden
2nd day: Atlas Mountains » Ouarzazate » Boumalne Dades
3rd day: Boumalne Dades » Tagdilt Track » Boumalne Dades
4th day: Boumalne Dades » Tagdilt Track » Merzouga
5th day Merzouga » Erg Chebbi Dunes » Rissani » Merzouga
6th day: Merzouga » Tizi N telghomt » Zaida
7th day: Zaida » Bni Mlal » Marrakech
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