Birdwatching to Atlas Mountains & Tagdilt Track & Atlantic Coast

7 Day Birding to Atlas Mountains & Dades

NOTE: If you have a specific date please let us know your arrival and departure dates!

Tour Cost:The Birdwatching tour in Morocco depends on how many people travelling with you, the requested date and type of accommodation. Please contact us to get best tour pricing.

Starting/ending of the Tour: Marrakech or Agadir airport, Morocco

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Price excludes:

Overview

This 7-day birding tour in Morocco takes you on a journey through the country’s most beautiful natural habitats to discover a diverse range of bird species. Starting in Marrakech to you’ll travel through the Atlas Mountains to Boumalne Dades(Tagdilt Track) and visit the Souss-Massa National Park and the Oued Massa Nature Reserve on the Atlantic Coast.

We are excited to offer a comprehensive and exciting one-week birding tour in Morocco, taking you from the vibrant city of Marrakech to the beautiful Atlas Mountains and the stunning Atlantic coast.

This tour is perfect for birding enthusiasts looking to explore the diverse range of bird species in Morocco’s unique and varied habitats.

Detailed Itinerary For 7- Days Birding Morocco tour: Atlas Mountains & Tagdilt Track & Atlantic Coast

Day 1:Marrakech Airport – High Atlas Mountains – Oukaimeden

Meet and welcome you at Marrakech In your hotel then we will drive up to the High Atlas Mountains. As we drive along 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, Black Wheatear, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough and Atlas Horned Lark.Dinner and accommodation at the Atlas Mountains.

Day 2: High Atlas Mountains - Ouarzazate - Boumalne Dades

After an early breakfast we leave the mountains behind, perhaps pausing again en route for Levaillant’s 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 way we’ll try for yet another endemic, Tristram’s Warbler. This species has very specific habitat requirements away from its wintering grounds and 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 Ouarzazate 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.

Dinner and accommodation in Boumalne du dades.

Day 3 : Boumalne Dades – Tagdilt Track – Dades Gorge – Ouarzazate

Today we will start early, to head to the Tagdilt Track before sunrise. This is without doubt one of the top areas for birding in Southern Morocco. Excellent chances exist for seeing for Red-rumped Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Maghreb Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch, Thekla Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Short-toed Lark, Cream-coloured Courser and with luck the highly nomadic Thick-billed Lark. If the heat allows, we will dedicate most of our day to exploring this area, very good chances also exist for the Pharaoh Eagle Owl . Early in the afternoon we will visit the Dades gorges where Bonelli’s Eagle and Tristram’s Warbler breeds then we travel back to Ouarzazate.

Dinner and accommodation in Ouarzazate.

Day 4: 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 3 nights. Dinner and accommodation in Agadir

Day 5 : Agadir - Cap ghir - Tamri Estuary

Early in the morning we will head north, stopping at a beach where there will be Lesser Black-Backed Gulls of two races, Audouin’s gulls. In addition you will see some yellow-legged gulls, and at cap ghir for seewatch. Then we will continue north to tamri to search in the scrub and fields adjacent to the coast for the Northern Bald lbis. Late in the afternoon we travel back to Agadir . Dinner and accommodation in Agadir.

Day 6: Oued Massa - Oued Souss - National Park

South of Agadir is the famous Oued Massa and here at Atlantic Coast we target birds this morning : the secretive Black-Crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck,Moussier’s Redstart, Sardinian Warbler , Little Owl, Ruddy Shelduck,Laughing Dove and Brown-thoated Martin . Later we visit the Oued Souss_an excellent area for Flamingos,Eureussian Curlew, Shorebirds and large numbers of roosting gulls and terns. Dinner and accommodation in Agadir.

Day 7: Agadir – High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech

Transfer day from Agadir to Marrakech throught the High Atlas mountians 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 that may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions, and other related factors.

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,Northern Bald Ibis, Marbled duck, Black crowned Tchagra, Long-legged Buzzard, Little Swift, Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, African blue Tit, Moussier’s Redstar, Desert Lark, Thick-billed Lark, Hopooe Lark,Trumpeter Finch, Alpine Chough, Desert Wheatear, Red-rumped Wheatear, Maghreb Wheatear, White-crowned Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Tristram’s Warbler, House Bunting,Temminck’s Lark, Atlas Horned Lark, Moussier’s redstart, 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.

Weather: Typical temperatures. Changeable and sometimes cold, windy, or wet weather is very possible on the Atlantic and the Atlas Mountains, so bring a warm jacket, gloves, warm layers, and adequate rainwear.