Grand Birding Tour — 2 Weeks in Morocco

Tour Highlights

• African Crimson-winged Finch on the snowline at Oukaimeden
• Merdja Zerga and the Zaers for African Marsh Owl and Double-spurred Francolin
• Dupont’s Lark on the Zaida plain — one of the hardest larks in the Western Palearctic
• Two full days in the Sahara around Erg Chebbi and Rissani
• Northern Bald Ibis at Tamri 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 Airport » High Atlas Mountains » Oukaimeden

   We meet you at Marrakech airport and drive straight up into the High Atlas to Oukaimeden at 2,600 m. The cultivated fields on the way up hold Southern Grey Shrike, Little Owl, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Moroccan Magpie, Moussier’s Redstart and House Bunting. Higher among the rocky slopes we look for Blue Rock Thrush and the endemic Levaillant’s Woodpecker, and at the ski station we check the snowline for African Crimson-winged Finch, alongside Rock Sparrow, Black and Seebohm’s Wheatears, Alpine Chough and Atlas Horned Lark.

   Overnight: High Atlas

2. Day 2 High Atlas » Marrakech » Casablanca » Rabat

   After an early breakfast we leave the mountains, pausing again for Levaillant’s Woodpecker if we still need it. We cross the plains of Marrakech and head north-west via Casablanca to Rabat, birding at stops along the way and searching the open farmland for Calandra Lark.

   Overnight: Rabat

3. Day 3 Merdja Zerga » Rabat

   A day at the Merdja Zerga lagoon, the classic Western Palearctic site for African Marsh Owl, which we watch for at dusk over the marsh edge. The lagoon and its surrounding wet grassland also hold good numbers of waders, terns and wintering wildfowl.

   Overnight: Rabat

4. Day 4 The Zaers » Sidi Bourhaba » Rabat

   An early start is essential for the Zaers, the King’s hunting forest south-east of Rabat, where Double-spurred Francolin calls from tree stumps at first light. Other woodland birds here include Black-crowned Tchagra, Black-shouldered Kite, Stock Dove, Serin, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Barbary Partridge. In the afternoon we work the coastal lagoons and the freshwater lake at Sidi Bourhaba for Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck, with Marsh Harriers quartering the reeds.

   Overnight: Rabat

5. Day 5 Rabat » Meknes » Cedar Forest, Azrou » Middle Atlas » Zaida

   Driving south-east to Zaida we stop first for Lesser Kestrel in Azrou town, then work the Middle Atlas cedar forest for Levaillant’s Woodpecker and Ruddy Shelduck. The cedars also hold Wood Lark, Firecrest and the distinctive North African races of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit — plus troops of Barbary Ape.

   Overnight: Zaida

6. Day 6 Zaida Plain » Ziz Valley » Merzouga

   We leave early to search the Zaida plain for Dupont’s Lark, a notoriously difficult high-plains species that disappears among the tussocks. Thekla and Short-toed Larks are usually easier. Afterwards we head south to the edge of the Sahara, picking up Eurasian Crag Martin, Desert Lark and Black and White-crowned Wheatears en route, with Rock Bunting and Blue Rock Thrush in the spectacular Ziz Valley.

   Overnight: Merzouga

7. Day 7 Merzouga » Erg Chebbi » Rissani

   A full day in the Sahara with time to work the area properly. Our main targets are Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, African Desert Warbler and Brown-necked Raven. Depending on the season there may be seasonal lakes holding wildfowl and waders — a remarkable sight in the desert. It is also worth scanning for visible migration: as the day warms, storks and raptors rise on the thermals heading north. Also here: Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse, Lanner Falcon, Bar-tailed Lark, Spectacled Warbler and Trumpeter Finch, with a chance of Egyptian Nightjar at a day roost.

   Overnight: Merzouga

8. Day 8 Merzouga » Goulmima » Todra Gorge » Tagdilt Track » Boumalne Dades

   After an early look at the desert near the hotel we head west, stopping for Scrub Warbler, Spectacled Warbler and Trumpeter Finch. At Todra Gorge we look for Tristram’s Warbler, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Dove, Crag Martin and possibly Bonelli’s Eagle. We finish on the Tagdilt Track, high stony desert where larks are well represented: Thekla, Desert, Short-toed, Thick-billed and Temminck’s, along with Desert and Red-rumped Wheatears.

   Overnight: Boumalne Dades

9. Day 9 Boumalne Dades » Tagdilt Track » Ouarzazate

   We begin on the Tagdilt Track again to catch up with anything missed, then head west searching the roadside stone deserts for the scarce Maghreb Wheatear. Before Ouarzazate we explore the Mansour Eddahabi barrage, which can hold Marbled Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt and Maghreb Lark, plus cormorants, herons and a good selection of waders.

   Overnight: Ouarzazate

10. Day 10 Ouarzazate » Anti-Atlas » Souss Valley » Taroudant » Agadir

    A long drive west over the Anti-Atlas into the Souss Valley and on to Agadir. We keep watch for larks and wheatears along the roadside, and in the Souss Valley look for Black-crowned Tchagra, Laughing Dove, Cirl Bunting and Spanish Sparrow. Over Taroudant there may be Little and Pallid Swifts.

    Overnight: Agadir

11. Day 11 Agadir » Cap Ghir » Tamri Estuary » Agadir

    North in the early morning to a beach holding Lesser Black-backed Gulls of two races, Audouin’s and Yellow-legged Gulls, then a seawatch at Cap Ghir. We continue north to Tamri to search the coastal scrub and fields for Northern Bald Ibis — the last truly wild population in the world.

    Overnight: Agadir

12. Day 12 Oued Massa » Oued Souss » Agadir

    South of Agadir lies the famous Oued Massa. Morning targets here are the secretive Black-crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck, Moussier’s Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl, Ruddy Shelduck, Laughing Dove and Brown-throated Martin. Later we visit the Oued Souss, excellent for flamingos, Eurasian Curlew, shorebirds and large roosts of gulls and terns.

    Overnight: Agadir

13. Day 13 Agadir » High Atlas Mountains » Marrakech

    A transfer day from Agadir to Marrakech over the Atlas, with birding stops along the road. We arrive late afternoon, leaving you a free evening to explore the old quarter and Jemaa el-Fnaa square if you wish.

    Overnight: Marrakech

14. Day 14 Marrakech » Airport

    If time allows, some final birding around Marrakech before your transfer to the airport, where 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), 13 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.