10 Day Birding Tour to Atlas Mountains and the Sahara

10 Day Birding Tour in Morocco

Tour dates: Any dates from September till May, please let us know your specific dates for the trip!

Price of the tour: The price depends on the number of participants on the tour; for the price, please contact us!

Starting/ending of the Tour: Marrakech or Agadir Airport Morocco

Price includes:

Price excludes:

INTRODUCTION

Superb 10 days Birdwatching tour Imagine birding in an oasis of date palms or an orchard of blossoming almond trees, surrounded by a warm desert, and beneath a clear blue sky and the spectacular snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, rising as high as the Alps. The temperature is perfect. At home it is dank and grey!

This is the dramatic Kasbah country of southern Morocco and the region on which we will focus during our quest for some of northern Africa’s most exciting species.

This comprehensive birding tour of southern Morocco, finely tuned over , heads south from Marrakech, out into the Sahara at Merzouga before wending its way back west to Morocco’s dramatic Atlantic seaboard at Agadir.

Detailed Itinerary For 10- Days Birdwatching Morocco tour: Atlas Mountains & Tagdilt Track & Sahara Desert & Atlantic Cosasts

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 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 the long-legged buzzard and Bonelli’s eagle, both possible. Before reaching Boumalne du Dades, we’ll stop in Amerzgane to look for the rare “Maghreb Wheatear and Desert Lrak .Before reaching our hotel in Boumalne Dades, we’ll stop to explore the barrage at 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 Dades.

Day 3 : Boumalne du Dades - Tagdilt Track & Ddaes Gorgee

Today we will start early, to head to the Tagdilt Track. This is without doubt one of the top areas for birding in the Southern of Morocco. Excellent chances exist for seeing Red-rumped Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Trumpeter Finch, 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 Pharaoh Eagle .

Dinner and accommodation in Boumalne du Dades.

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 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

Itinerary ContentToday we will dedicate the whole day to exploring the sandy dunes and the nearby stony desert of Erg Chebbi -Excellent chances exist for seeing : Brown-necked Raven, Hoopoe Lark, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Fulvous Babbler, Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Lanner Falcon,Dinner and accommodation in Merzouga.

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 Wheatear and Southern Gray Shrikes.

Dinner and accommodation in Ouarzazate.

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 there nights.Dinner and accommodation in Agadir

Day 8-9: Agadir – Sous Massa National Park - Oude Massa

The Atlantic Coast -An early start will get us to the Atlantic coast in time. The morning will be spent in the Sous Massa National Park. We will walk all along this important spot for the endangered Bald Ibis, one of the world’s rarest birds with a significant bird population, and we will search the vegetation along the water’s edge for skulking Squacco Heron, while the distinctive call of Black-crowned Tchagras ring out from dense cover. Marbled Duck, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, Glossy Ibis, Squacco and Purple Herons, Ruddy Shelduck, Plain Martin, and potentially Tawny Eagle are among the more easily observed birds. Savi’s, Western Olivaceous, and Moustached Warblers, Zitting Cisticola, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Common Bulbul, and Spotless Starling are all possibilities.

After lunch we’ll drive into the Souss valley’s semi-arid steppes, looking for Lesser Short-toed Lark, Cream-colored Courser, Stone Curlew, or sandgrouse. Later in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Oued Sous, a lovely region known for waders, terns, and enormous flocks of roosting gulls such as Slender-billed, Audouin’s, and Mediterranean.Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola, and Sardinian Warbler Dinner and accommodation in Agadir.

Day 10: Agadir – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Transfer day from Agadir to Marrakech throught the Atlas mountains with some birding stops in the road. Late in the afternoon we arrive to 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) and 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, Northern Bald Ibis, Egyptian Nightjar at daytime, Lanner Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Cream-coloured Courser, Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Laughing Dove, 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, African Crimson-winged Finch, House Bunting, Temminck’s Lark, Atlas Horned Lark, Black-crowned Tchagra, Audouin’s Gulls,…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.