10 Day Birding Tour to the Atlas Mountains & the Sahara

Tour Highlights

• Oukaimeden at 2,600 m for African Crimson-winged Finch and Atlas Horned Lark
• Two nights in the Sahara at Merzouga
• Egyptian Nightjar at a daytime roost
• Northern Bald Ibis on the Atlantic coast

Itinerary

Day-by-day route, habitats and the birds we look for. Open any day for the detail.

1. Day 1 Marrakech » High Atlas Mountains » Oukaimeden

   We collect you in Marrakech and climb into the High Atlas. The cultivated valleys on the way up hold Little Owl, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Moroccan Magpie, Moussier’s Redstart and House Bunting, with Blue Rock Thrush and Levaillant’s Woodpecker on the rockier slopes. At Oukaimeden we check the snowline for African Crimson-winged Finch, plus Rock Sparrow, Black and Seebohm’s Wheatears, Alpine Chough and Atlas Horned Lark.

   Overnight: High Atlas

2. Day 2 High Atlas » Ouarzazate » Boumalne Dades

   Over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and south to the Dades valley. We stop at the Mansour Eddahabi barrage near Ouarzazate for Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, cormorants, herons and waders, with Long-legged Buzzard and Bonelli’s Eagle overhead and Tristram’s Warbler and Maghreb Wheatear in the scrub.

   Overnight: Boumalne Dades

3. Day 3 Boumalne Dades » Tagdilt Track » Dades Gorge

   A full day on the Tagdilt Track, the stony steppe that is one of Morocco’s most famous birding sites. Larks dominate: Thekla, Desert, Short-toed, Thick-billed and Temminck’s. Red-rumped and Maghreb Wheatears, Cream-coloured Courser and Trumpeter Finch are all regular, and we look for Pharaoh Eagle-Owl at a known site.

   Overnight: Boumalne Dades

4. Day 4 Boumalne Dades » Todra Gorge » Goulmima » Merzouga

   We work Todra Gorge for Black Wheatear, Crag Martin, Rock Dove, Tristram’s Warbler, Trumpeter Finch and possibly Bonelli’s Eagle, then continue east through Goulmima, picking up White-crowned Wheatear and Scrub Warbler as the desert opens up.

   Overnight: Merzouga

5. Day 5 Merzouga » Erg Chebbi Dunes » Rissani

   A full day in the Sahara. Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, African Desert Warbler, Bar-tailed and Desert Larks and Brown-necked Raven are the main targets, with Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse coming to drink and Lanner Falcon over the dunes. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is possible in season.

   Overnight: Merzouga

6. Day 6 Merzouga » Tazzarine » Draa Valley » Anti-Atlas » Ouarzazate

   A scenic drive west through Tazzarine and the Draa Valley, with roadside stops in the stone desert for White-crowned Wheatear and any remaining desert species.

   Overnight: Ouarzazate

7. Day 7 Ouarzazate » Anti-Atlas » Souss Valley » Taroudant » Agadir

   West over the Anti-Atlas into the Souss Valley, watching for larks and wheatears along the road. In the valley we look for Black-crowned Tchagra, Laughing Dove, Cirl Bunting and Spanish Sparrow, with Little and Pallid Swifts over Taroudant.

   Overnight: Agadir

8. Day 8 Agadir » Oued Massa » Souss-Massa National Park

   A full day in the national park. Targets include Black-crowned Tchagra, Black-shouldered Kite, Marbled Duck, Marsh Harrier, Ruddy Shelduck, Sardinian Warbler and Short-toed Lark, with flamingos, curlews, herons and Audouin’s Gulls on the estuary.

   Overnight: Agadir

9. Day 9 Agadir » Cap Ghir » Tamri Estuary

   North along the coast for a seawatch at Cap Ghir and a search of the fields and scrub at Tamri for Northern Bald Ibis, alongside Lesser Black-backed, Audouin’s and Yellow-legged Gulls.

   Overnight: Agadir

10. Day 10 Agadir » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech

    A transfer day back over the Atlas to Marrakech, with birding stops along the way before the tour ends.

This is a flexible itinerary and may be adjusted for arrival and departure times, weather and bird activity.

Frequently Asked

Questions Before You Book

Anything not covered here — just ask. We reply to enquiries within 24 hours.

• How much does this tour cost?

  We quote each trip individually, because the price depends on how many of you are travelling, the dates you want and the standard of accommodation you prefer. Send us your dates and group size and we will come back with a firm price — there is no deposit needed to ask.

• When is the best time to do this tour?

  This itinerary runs September – May. Spring and autumn migration are the busiest periods for numbers, but the resident desert and mountain specialities are present throughout the season.

• How many people will be in the group?

  All our tours are private or small-group. You travel with your own guide and vehicle, which means we can change the plan on the day if the birds ask us to.

• How much walking is involved?

  Not much. The birding is not strenuous — most of it is done close to the vehicle, with leisurely walking and occasionally some rougher ground. Mountain sites need a little more effort, and there is always the option to stay near the vehicle if you would rather.

• What is included in the price?

  Comfortable transport (4×4 vehicle), 9 Nights hotel accommodation, Guiding services, Breakfasts & Dinners. Not included: international flights, lunches and drinks, travel insurance, items of a personal nature and tips.

• Where does the tour start and finish?

  Marrakech or Agadir Airport, Morocco. If you are arriving the day before, tell us and we will arrange the pick-up from your hotel instead.

• Can you tailor this itinerary?

  Yes — this is a starting point, not a fixed package. Tell us your target species, how long you have and which regions matter most, and we will rework the route around them.

• What should I bring?

  Binoculars, and a telescope if you own one. Sun protection and layers matter more than people expect: desert mornings can be cold and the middle of the day hot. Comfortable walking shoes are enough — no specialist boots needed.

• Is this trip good for photography?

  Yes. Our guides are photographers themselves and will position the vehicle for the light rather than just for the view. Tell us in advance if photography is your priority and we will pace the days accordingly.