12 Days Birding Morocco — Endemics of the Maghreb

Tour Highlights

• Full day birding the cedar forest and lakes around Ifrane
• Erg Chebbi and Rissani for Desert Sparrow and Fulvous Babbler
• The Tagdilt Track for Thick-billed and Temminck’s Larks
• Cap Ghir and Tamri for Northern Bald Ibis and Audouin’s Gull

Itinerary

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

1. Day 1 Marrakech Airport » High Atlas Mountains » Oukaimeden

   Straight from the airport up into the High Atlas. The fields and orchards on the ascent hold Moussier’s Redstart, Barbary Partridge, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit, and higher up we work the rocky slopes for Levaillant’s Woodpecker and Rock Bunting. At Oukaimeden we check the snowline for African Crimson-winged Finch, with Rock Sparrow, Seebohm’s Wheatear, Alpine Chough and Atlas Horned Lark.

   Overnight: High Atlas

2. Day 2 High Atlas » Marrakech » Ifrane

   We descend from the mountains and drive north to Ifrane in the Middle Atlas, birding at stops along the way. Spotless Starling is common around the towns, and we watch for Lesser Kestrel as we go.

   Overnight: Ifrane

3. Day 3 Full day birding in Ifrane

   A full day in the cedar forest and around the lakes of the Ifrane national park. The cedars hold Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Wood Lark, Firecrest, Atlas Flycatcher and the local races of Great Spotted Woodpecker — plus Barbary Ape. Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Serin, Redstart, Barbary Partridge, Cirl Bunting and Bonelli’s Eagle are all possible.

   Overnight: Ifrane

4. Day 4 Ifrane » Zaida » Midelt

   We leave the mountains for the high plains at Zaida, the best site in the country for Dupont’s Lark. Thekla Lark and Long-legged Buzzard are regular here, and the wetlands en route can hold Ruddy Shelduck.

   Overnight: Midelt

5. Day 5 Midelt » Errachidia » Erfoud » Merzouga

   South through the Ziz Valley to the edge of the Sahara. Roadside stops produce Desert Lark, White-crowned Wheatear, Scrub Warbler and Tristram’s Warbler as the landscape opens out into true desert.

   Overnight: Merzouga

6. Day 6 Merzouga » Erg Chebbi » Rissani

   A full day working the dunes, hammada and palm groves. Targets are Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, African Desert Warbler, Brown-necked Raven, Crowned Sandgrouse and Spectacled Warbler, with House Bunting around the villages and a chance of Egyptian Nightjar at a day roost. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is possible in season.

   Overnight: Merzouga

7. Day 7 Merzouga » Goulmima » Todra Gorge » Tagdilt Track » Boumalne Dades

   West across the desert with stops for Scrub Warbler, Spectacled Warbler and Trumpeter Finch. Todra Gorge offers Tristram’s Warbler, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Dove, Crag Martin and possibly Bonelli’s Eagle. We finish on the Tagdilt Track for Thick-billed and Temminck’s Larks and Red-rumped Wheatear.

   Overnight: Boumalne Dades

8. Day 8 Boumalne Dades » Tagdilt Track » Ouarzazate

   A second crack at the Tagdilt Track at first light for anything still missing — Cream-coloured Courser and Black-bellied Sandgrouse among them. Later we stop at the Mansour Eddahabi barrage near Ouarzazate for Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, cormorants, herons and waders.

   Overnight: Ouarzazate

9. Day 9 Ouarzazate » Anti-Atlas » Souss Valley » Taroudant » Agadir

   Over the Anti-Atlas and down into the Souss Valley. Black-crowned Tchagra, Laughing Dove, Cirl Bunting and Spanish Sparrow are the targets, with Pallid Swift over the towns.

   Overnight: Agadir

10. Day 10 Agadir » Oued Massa » Souss-Massa National Park

    A full day in the national park and along the Oued Massa. Little Owl, Sardinian Warbler, Moussier’s Redstart, Black-crowned Tchagra, Serin, Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck and Short-toed Lark are all on the cards, with herons, Lesser Black-backed, Audouin’s and Yellow-legged Gulls on the estuary.

    Overnight: Agadir

11. Day 11 Agadir » Cap Ghir » Tamri

    North along the coast for a seawatch at Cap Ghir, then to Tamri for Northern Bald Ibis in the coastal fields. Also here: Audouin’s Gull, Brown-throated Martin, Black Wheatear and Bee-eaters in season.

    Overnight: Agadir

12. Day 12 Agadir » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech » Airport

    A transfer day back to Marrakech over the Atlas with birding stops on the road, ending at the airport.

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), 11 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 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.