Grand Birding Tours 2 weeks in Morocco

14-Day Birding Morocco Tour

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 Airport, Morocco

Price includes:

Price excludes:

Overview: Grand Tours 2 weeks in Morocco

Grand Birding Tours 2 weeks in Morocco From the scenic Atlantic coast via the forested Atlas Mountains to the very edge of the great Sahara desert. Morocco is magnificent at any season. Blessed with the richest birdlife in northwest Africa, the country deservedly ranks as one of the Western Palearctic’s truly great birding destinations.

A long the history of settlement by an array of different peoples, including the Moors and Berbers, as well as strong French and Spanish influences, has produced a country that not only has a wonderfully diverse birdlife but an exciting and varied culture, too.

Morocco is not a wealthy country; hotels vary, but in the main they are good and come as a pleasant surprise to the most visitors. This coupled with the country’s often spectacular and ever-changing landscape, its distinctive Moorish cuisine, and a people noted for their traditions of hospitality and warmth, should make this a tour to remembe

Day 1 : Marrakech Airport - High Atlas Mountains - Oukaimden:

Today we meet you at your hotel, or we pick up you from local Marrakech airport the day before the tours starts. Meet and Welcome you at Marrakech airport. Following 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 Grey Shrike ,Little Owl,Sardinian Warbler,Spotles Startling, Moroccan Magpie,Moussiers’s Redstarts 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,Seebohm’s Wheatear,Alpin Chough and Atlas Horned Lark. Dinner and accommodation at the Atlas Mountains.

Day 2 : High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech - Casablanca – Rabat

Aftar an early breakfast we leave the mountains behind,perhaps pausing again en route for Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker.From the flat plains of Marrakech and then north-west via Casablanca to Rabat for 3 Nights en route we will make some birding stops and several stops to look for Calandra Lark .Dinner and accommodation in Rabat.

Day 3 :Merdja Zerga & African Marsh Owl

Day 4 :The Zaers - Sidi Bourhaba

An early start today is essential for a trip southeast of rabat into the King’s hunting forest,the zaers,to see and hear Double-Spurred francolin,a secretive game bird that calls from the tops of tree stumps.Other woodland species possible include Black Crowned Tchagra,Black-shouldered kite,Woodpigean,stock Dove,Greenfinsh,Serin,Pied Flycatcher,Redstart and Barbary Bartridge.We’ll spend the afternoon along the Atlantic coast,visiting lagoons and saltpans including and excellent freshwater lake,lac de sidi Bourhaba,Good numbers of Red-Knobbed Coots should be on the lake as well as Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck,while Western Marsh H arriers quarter the reed beds. Dinner and Accommodation in Rabat.

Day 5 : Rabat - Meknes - Cedar Forest - Middle Atlas Mountains – Zaida.

Driving south-east to Zaida,we will stop firstly to see lesser Kesterl in Azrou town and then at excellent sites in the Middle Atlas for Levaillant’s Woodpecker and Ruddy Shelduck.in the Cedar Forests we may also see Wood Lark,Firecrest and local races of Great Spotted Woodpecker,Coal Tit and Barbary Apes. Dinnes and accommodation in Zaida

Day 6 : Zaida Plain - ZiZ Valley – Merzouga :

We will leave early to search for Dupont’s Lark near Zaida this very dificult high-plains species disapearing amongst the Tussocks.during our walk we should see Thekla and Short-toed Larks,After breakfast we will head south to the edge of sahara desert.en route we may see Eurasian Crag- martin,Desert Lark,Black and White Crowned Wheatears while ,in spectacular Valley,Rock Bunting and Blue Rock_thrush can be found.Finally after another exciting stop we arrive at our Desert hotel for the two nights. Dinnes and Accommodation in Merzouga

Day 7 : Merzouga - Erg Chebbi Dunes - Rissani

We have full days dedicated to exploring the Sahara Desert. This area holds a number of key target birds and we’ll have plenty of time to search for them. Our target species will be the Desert Sparrow, the Fulvous Babbler,greater Hoopoe Lark, African Desert Warbler and Brown-necked Raven. Depending in the season, we might have lakes which attract wildfowl and waders. That gives an amazing sight in the desert.

It is also worth scanning the skies for visible migration. As the day warms up it is possible to see good numbers of storks and raptors rising on the thermals and heading north towards their breedings grounds. other species in this area include Spotted Sandgrouse, Crowned Sandgrouse, Lanner Falcon,Short-toed Larks, Bar-tailed Desert Larks , Spectacled Warblers,Trumpeter Finch and Southern Grey Shrike. We might have chance to see Egyptian Nightjar at the day roost. Dinner and Accommodation in Merzouga.

Day 8 : Merzouga - Goulmima - Todra gorge - Tagdilt track - Boumaln Dades.

After an early look at the desert around our hotel, we will head west and stop at a site to search for Scrub Warbler, Spectacled Warbler and Trumpeter Finch. Next we travel westwards and stop at todra Gorge for Tristram’s Warbler, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, Rock Dove, Crag Martin and possible Beneli’s Eagle ! then to Tagdilt Track.The stony desert here is at quite a high altitude . Larks are well Represented with Thekla, Desert Short-Toed, Thick-Billed and Temmink’s Larks, Desert and Red-Rumped Wheatears. Dinner and Accommodation in Boumalne Dades.

Day 9 : Boumaln Dades - tagdilt track - Ouarzazate

We will begin at the Tagdilt Track again, to look for any species we may have missed yesterday,then head west, searching the roadside stone-deserts for the rare wheatear « Maghreb Wheatear ». Before reaching our hotel in Ouarzazate we’ll stop to explore the Barrage at Mansour Eddahabi.here we have the chance of seeing Marbled Duck,Ruddy Shelduck,Black Winged Stilts and Maghreb Lark, as well as Cormorants and Herons and selection of waders. Dinner and Accommodation in Ouarzazate.

Day 10 : 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 11 : 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 12 : Oued massa - Oued Souss - Sous Massa 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 13: Agadir - High Atlas Mountains - Marrakech

Transfer Day from Agadir to Marrakech via Atlas mountains with some stops in the road. Late in the afternoon we arrive to Marrakech. You will have free evening to visit the old quarter of Marrakech and impressive Jema-El-Fna square. It is where most of the visitors have an unbelievable experience. Also it is a place where you will see snake charmers, water sellers and spice stalls. Plus the charm of bargaining in the souk (OPTIONAL). Dinner and accommodation in Marrakech

Day 14: Marrakech – airport

If time allows some more birding in the Marrakech area, then transfer to the airport where the private tour end.

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, Double-spurred Francolin, African Marsh Owl, Dupont’s Lark, Atlas Flycatcher, Marbled Duck, Northern Bald ibis, Lanner Falcon, Long-legged Buzzard, Bonelli’s Eagle, Barbary Falcon, 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, Seebohm’s 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, Trumpeter Finch, African Crimson-winged Finch, House Bunting, Black wheatear, 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