Overview

Our Moroccan birding tour begins in fabulous Marrakech, from where we will soon find ourselves winding up the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains away from the hustle and bustle of human activity. Woodland-cloaked slopes and alpine areas support North African endemics that include Moussier’s Redstart, African Crimson-winged Finch and Levaillant’s Woodpecker. After dropping down incredible mountain passes we then reach the coast at Agadir, where we will search the nearby lagoons and estuaries teeming with waterfowl, waders and gulls. However, our main target is one of the world’s most critically endangered birds, the Northern Bald Ibis or Waldrapp, now restricted to two colonies in Morocco and a recently introduced breeding colony in Spain. Moving inland, the countryside gradually becomes drier until we reach the spectacular red sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, near the Algerian border. Along the way we will search for specials including the rare Houbara Bustard, dainty Cream-coloured Courser, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler and larks including Temminck’s, Thick-billed and Dupont’s.


*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts Top Birds
Northern Bald Ibis, chances for Houbara Bustard, Balearic Shearwater, Barbary Falcon, Marbled Duck, Barbary Partridge, Audouin’s Gull, Crowned, Spotted & Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Cream-colored Courser, Pharoah Eagle-Owl, Red-necked & chances for Egyptian Nightjar, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Fulvous Babbler, Greater Hoopoe-Lark, Temminck’s, Thick-billed, Desert & Dupont’s Lark, Moussier’s Redstart, African Blue Tit, African Crimson-winged Finch, Tristram’s & Spectacled Warbler, Streaked Scrub Warbler, African Desert Warbler, Red-rumped Wheatear, Desert Sparrow
Top Mammals
Gundi, chances for Barbary Sheep
Habitats Covered
mountains, woodlands, coastal lagoons, open ocean, wadis, stony & sandy deserts, wetlands
Expected Climate
temperate and pleasant, cold in high mountains
Max Group Size
8 with 1 Rockjumper Leader / 9 -12 with 2 Rockjumper Leaders
Tour Pace & Walking
relaxed pace, some long drives, undemanding walking
Accommodation
comfortable hotels
Ease of Birding
easy open country birding
Number of Species Expected
170 – 200
Other Attractions
Atlas Mountains, medieval cities, Erg Chebbi dunes, shopping, great food
Photographic Opportunities
excellent
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials
Mark Beevers
SH, Morocco 2018

It was a great trip and I thought that Mark Beevers and Glen Valentine did a wonderful job of finding the birds and helping me get on them.

David Hoddinott
MF, Morocco 2018

The guides were excellent and worked well together. Mark Beevers and David Hoddinott were excellent at spotting and identifying the birds. They were also great company while not birding.

David Hoddinott
GE, Morocco 2018

David Hoddinott is an excellent birding tour guide. He has an ease with him that makes him enjoyable at all times. On this tour he was indefatigable, knowledgeable, even-keeled, and receptive to ideas and suggestions. He faces the birding with enthusiasm--- No signs of burnout. Morocco itself exceeded my expectations in the quality and quantity of birds/birding. Overall, the tour exceeded expectations.

Glen Valentine
LG, Morocco 2018

Another wonderful Rockjumper tour. My sister and I were happy to reconnect with Glen Valentine, with whom we'd been on 2 tours before, and enjoyed meeting Mark Beevers who certainly knows the ins and outs of Morocco birding as well as anyone could. Both guides are excellent birders, of course, and very hard working, making sure we all had the best chance possible of seeing every bird. For the first time ever, though I always try to keep my expectations realistic, I came away with 30 of my 25 targets! This was a great trip, I would gladly travel with either Glen or Mark again. I should mention the food and accommodations were terrific too!

Clayton Burne
TT, Morocco

As would be expected, Clayton is a skilled and amazingly knowledgeable guide, and a fun person who I enjoyed talking with. I particularly appreciated his patience and understanding in helping me deal with a personal issue that arose.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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