Morocco

An eleven-day delight in North Africa covering the birdlife of desert, mountain, coast and wetlands, plus the spectacle of spring migration from Africa to Europe.

Morocco has specialities and near-endemics only found in the south of the Western Palearctic, and the country could have been designed purely for birding! The variety of habitats includes stony deserts (hammada), sand dunes, lakes, rivers, estuaries and the immense Atlas Mountains, where we drive to around 2600m to go birding, giving it extremely interesting avifauna.

The birdlife is complemented by amazing polychromatic rocky landscapes which makes driving a picturesque sequence of endless pleasure. Morocco still has a rural style of life lost in most European countries, which has helped birdlife for centuries.

In late March passerines are migrating to Europe and the beautiful Moroccan landscape explodes into bloom, helping birds such as Nightingale, warblers and buntings on northward migration, adding an extra dimension to the tour. By fully exploring all these habitats we should find a mouth-watering list of species.    

 

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1:  Marrakesh
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly from London to Marrakesh, where White Stork, Pallid and Little Swift are abundant. Before dinner we take a short walk around the nearby gardens, with interesting birdwatching. There is an optional visit to Marrakesh city (and the famous souk) after dinner. Overnight in Marrakesh.

Day 2:  The Atlas Mountains
This morning we drive up into the High Atlas Mountains and visit Oukaïmeden. As we drive along the cultivated valley floor we should find a good mix of resident and migrant species such as Woodchat Shrike, Common Crossbill, Hawfinch, Brambling, House , Rock and Cirl Bunting and we may see stunning Moussier's Redstart. Slightly higher up among the rocky slopes we will search for Barbary Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush and endemic Levaillant's Woodpecker. When we finally reach the ski resort of Oukaïmeden we take some time to admire the stunning scenery before beginning our search of the snowline for handsome Crimson-winged Finch. Other species here include Alpine Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Water Pipit, the seebohmi race of Northern Wheatear, Red-billed and Alpine Chough and Shore Lark. Raptors to keep an eye out for include Golden Eagle and possibly majestic Lammergeier. Overnight in Oukaïmeden.

Day 3:  From Marrakesh to Boumalne.
We will drive through the High Atlas Mountains where snowy peaks visible from miles away decorate the landscape through an unexpected series of different habitats. At a raptor watch point we search the blue Moroccan skies for resident and migrant  birds including Lanner, Barbary Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Black Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, Short-toed and Booted Eagle. We will stop at the scenic and impressive Tizi n' Tichka pass to admire its fabulous geological rock formations before continuing on our journey to the stony desert. The road through the mountains is extremely winding and we take our time, stopping at a few convenient locations for exciting birds such as Levaillant´s Woodpecker, Mourning Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch. We stay for two nights in Boumalne.

Day 4:  The Tagdilt Track
After a good night's sleep we make an early morning visit to the famous Tagdilt Track. Despite the nearby rubbish tip this is still an excellent area for some very special birds. Careful searching could reveal Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied & Crowned Sandgrouse, Thick-billed, Bar-tailed, Desert and Temminck's Horned Lark, as well as Red-rumped and Desert Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch. On a recent trip we saw Houbara Bustard ten metres from the vehicle here! We also keep searching overhead for Lanner, Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Montagu's Harrier and other migrants. In the afternoon we will head for spectacular Todra Gorge, where the towering pink rock walls are home to Crag Martin, Pale Crag Martin, Alpine Swift, Blue Rock Thrush, Barbary Partridge, Rock Bunting and Bonelli's Eagle. In the open areas are Mourning Wheatear and Desert Lark, and here we have our first chance of North-west African endemic Tristram's Warbler.

Day 5: From Boumalne to Merzouga.
After a last look at the Tagdilt Track we drive on towards our secluded auberge at Merzouga, situated right on the edge of the Sahara. The drive east will no doubt be punctuated with stops to check out the numerous wadis and palm-fringed oases, as we look for Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Lanner and migrants such as Subalpine Warbler, European Bee-eater amongst others. A short walk before Merzouga will give us a chance to see magnificent Pharoah Eagle Owl in one or two places. We stay for three nights in Merzouga.

Days 6 and 7:  Merzouga
Our auberge is set in attractive gardens with surrounding palm trees which attract a good variety of migrants, and the immediate area is worth checking at every opportunity for species such as Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrike, Wryneck, Rufous Bush Robin or Nightingale. We will spend a whole day checking various sites around the edge of the red sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi - the largest dune system in Morocco. Our major prize should be found around the various cafes that are dotted about the landscape, elusive Desert Sparrow. Other species include Fulvous Babbler, Hoopoe Lark, African Desert Warbler and Brown-necked Raven. There are sometimes seasonal lakes, which attract numerous wildfowl and waders - an amazing sight out here in the desert! It is also worth scanning the skies for migration, and 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 breeding grounds. We will also spend some time at dawn or dusk searching for the rather unpredictable Egyptian Nightjar, which sometimes breeds in nearby wadis. Other species in this area include Short-toed and Bar-tailed Desert Lark, Desert and Black-eared Wheatear, Dartford and Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, Southern Grey Shrike and possibly Spotted Sandgrouse. Early one morning we drive through the desert areas near the Algerian border in the search of scarce Houbara Bustard.

Day 8:  From Merzouga to Ouarzazate
We will drive through the Anti-Atlas, the second Moroccan mountain range in importance; a series of rocky hills, cliffs and deep gorges of volcanic geological formations. Roadside birding will produce migrants and lots of wheatears, and perhaps Bonelli´s Eagle. We walk around Ouarzazate reservoir with a tremendous selection of birds which may  include Moussier's Redstart, Wryneck, Western Bonelli´s, Western Orphean, Subalpine & Olivaceous Warbler, Desert, Northern and Black-eared Wheatear,  Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Rock and House Bunting among other migrants. Birding around Ouarzazate gives chances of water birds as Osprey, Black Stork, Night Heron, Little & Cattle Egret, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, and White Wagtail of the subpersonata Moroccan race. Overnight in Ouarzazate.

Day 9: From Ouarzazate to Agadir
After breakfast we head towards Agadir on the Atlantic coast. We stop in the famous medieval Kasbah Aït Benhaddou, where birding is first class, and may include local specialities Desert Lark, Trumpeter Finch and Mourning Wheatear. After lunch in the scenic Tzin Izhsane we continue to the fertile Souss Valley, through scrub thickets and citrus groves where we could find European Roller, Black-shouldered Kite and Western Orphean Warbler. We could find anything from Black Kite migrating overhead, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater resting on roadside wires, to skulking Subalpine Warblers or a Lanner in a roadside promontory. Several stops will produce interesting migrant passerines, raptors, waders and storks. Two nights in Agadir.

Day 10:  Agadir
An early start sees us head to the Atlantic coast where we spend the morning in the Souss-Massa National Park. We walk to see endangered Bald Ibis, one of the rarest birds in the planet, with an important population here. We search the vegetation along the water's edge for skulking Squacco Heron, whilst the distinctive call of Black-crowned Tchagra rings out from dense cover. More easily observed birds can include Marbled Duck, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, Glossy Ibis, Squacco and Purple Heron, Ruddy Shelduck, Plain Martin and possibly Tawny Eagle. Other possibilities include Savi's, Western Olivaceous and Moustached Warblers, Zitting Cisticola, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Common Bulbul, and Spotless Starling. After lunch we drive along the semi-arid steppes of the Souss valley with good chances for Lesser Short-toed Lark, Cream-coloured Courser, Stone Curlew or sandgrouse. Later in the afternoon we will visit the Oued Souss - a delightful area very good for waders, terns and large flocks of roosting gulls, including Slender-billed, Audouin's and Mediterranean. Other species here include Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian Warbler. At dusk we will check a nearby site for Red-necked Nightjar.

Day 11: Marrakesh
Time permitting, we head to Tamri, to look again for Bald Ibis. We may also see Audouin's Gull, Zitting Cisticola, Barbary Partridge, Moussier's Redstart and Sardinian Warbler, before returning to the airport in Marrakesh for our flight to London.

Please note: This is a flexible itinerary which may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions and other related factors.

What's included in your holiday price:

• Scheduled return flights between London and Marrakech, airport taxes.
• Accommodation in en-suite rooms, Meals included in your holiday price are lunch on the day of arrival, to breakfast on the day of departure inclusive.
• Entrance fees
• Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
• The services of your leaders and local guides.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included subject to terms and conditions. Read more...

What's not included in your holiday price:

• Personal insurance.
• Drinks/water with meals and other personal expenses.
• optional tips to driver, and any other costs not specified as 'included'.
• Field Guide. The 'Collins Bird Guide to Britain and Europe' covers Morocco, and we consider this the most suitable for this holiday. 

More holiday information:

Accommodation We stay in a selection of comfortable hotels, all rooms are ensuite.
Food All hotels provide international breakfast. In the Merzouga Desert we will have 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 stop en-route in local restaurants where we will order a variety of simple but good fresh local produce and soft drinks. Some days we will have picnic lunches when out in the field. Evening meals will be a mixture of local and international dishes.
Walking The holiday 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 high mountain species, and some exertion will be required in mountain environments. There will be the option to stay close to the minibus, should anyone wish to go back.
Weather Typical temperatures will be around 20 - 25°C. Changeable and sometimes cold, windy or wet weather is very possible on the Atlantic coast and the Atlas Mountains, so bring a warm jacket, gloves, warm layers and adequate rainwear.
Insects There are biting insects, precautions are advised.
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are by scheduled airline, from London. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another airport and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Your Leaders

John Muddeman (holiday commencing 23 March 2025)
John has lived in the mountains near Madrid since 1997, and has led numerous birding tours throughout Spain and particularly in Extremadura throughout the seasons. A very experienced Leader with over 300 group tours worldwide to his name, John also has a keen interest in the field identification and conservation of reptiles and amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies and moths, mammals and flora.  We are delighted to welcome him to this tour! John will be joined by expert local guides and a driver.

John Muddeman

Mark Warren (holiday commencing 25 March 2025)

Mark is a senior member of the team here at Heatherlea and is a dedicated and very experienced birder and tour leader, with extensive wildlife knowledge and boundless enthusiasm. Busy guiding around the world, but with a particular passion for migratory birds. Mark is very much looking forward to leading this tour and will be joined by expert local guide and driver on this tour. 

Mark Warren