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Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Spring

© Greater Hoopoe-Lark by Clayton Burne
Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Spring I 2027

15 Apr 2027 - 28 Apr 2027 (14 days)

EUR3,695 - Spaces Available

Book Now

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

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Tour Leader: Mark Beevers

Tour price (Per person): EUR3,695 * USD4,230 * GBP3,190 * AUD6,543

Single Supplement: EUR370 * USD424 * GBP319 * AUD655

Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Spring II 2027

30 Apr 2027 - 13 May 2027 (14 days)

EUR3,695 - Spaces Available

Book Now

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): EUR3,695 * USD4,230 * GBP3,190 * AUD6,543

Single Supplement: EUR370 * USD424 * GBP319 * AUD655

Morocco, with its breathtaking scenery, rich history, mouthwatering cuisine, and superb birding, is an essential destination for both birders and travellers. As a former French protectorate, it stands out among Muslim countries for its warm hospitality, strong cultural identity, and relatively relaxed approach to tourism. The country’s diverse geography supports a wide range of habitats—from the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and red sand dunes of the Sahara to lowland woodlands, wetlands, and productive agricultural regions.

Bustling cities and towns provide a cultural feast, where mud-walled buildings flank winding souks brimming with handmade carpets, crafts, and aromatic spices. Birders are equally rewarded: Morocco is home to a remarkable range of North African endemics and regional specialties, including Moussier’s Redstart, Tristram’s Warbler, Barbary Partridge, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Fulvous Babbler, Maghreb Magpie, Atlas Wheatear, African Blue Tit, and Atlas Pied Flycatcher. One of the tour’s primary targets is the Endangered Northern Bald Ibis, now surviving in just two wild colonies in Morocco and a reintroduced population in Spain.

Our journey begins in Casablanca, exploring the productive scrub, wetlands, and fields of Zaër, Sidi Boughaba, Larache, and Merja Zerga, where we search for specialties such as Great Bustard, Double-spurred Francolin and White-headed Duck.

From there, we head inland to the scenic Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Midelt, where we target Atlas Pied Flycatcher, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Houbara Bustard, Moussier’s Redstart, and the elusive Dupont’s Lark. Entering the spectacular Sahara Desert near Merzouga and Erg Chebbi, we seek desert specialists including Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Egyptian Nightjar, Cream-colored Courser, Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, and up to four species of sandgrouse.

Continuing west, we bird the famed Tagdilt Track, set against the backdrop of snowcapped High Atlas, in search of desert larks (including Thick-billed and Greater Hoopoe-Lark), wheatears, Trumpeter Finch, and more sandgrouse.

Reaching the Atlantic coast, we visit Agadir and Oued Massa, key areas for the Northern Bald Ibis, as well as the range-restricted Marbled Duck and a variety of wetland and estuarine species. The tour concludes in the High Atlas Mountains at Oukaimeden, where we’ll search for high-altitude species such as (African) Crimson-winged Finch, Alpine and Red-billed Chough, as well as further opportunities for Levaillant’s Woodpecker and Moussier’s Redstart.

Top Birds

Northern Bald Ibis; Atlas Pied Flycatcher; Double-spurred Spurfowl; Levaillant’s Woodpecker; Fulvous Babbler; Moussier’s Redstart; African Blue Tit; Maghreb Magpie; (Maghreb) Tawny Owl; Marbled & White-headed Ducks; Barbary Partridge; Audouin’s Gull; Crowned, Spotted, Pin-tailed & Black-bellied Sandgrouse; Cream-colored Courser; Pharoah Eagle-Owl; Red-necked & chances for Egyptian Nightjars; Greater Hoopoe-Lark; Temminck’s, Calandra, Thick-billed, Desert, (Maghreb) Crested & Dupont’s Larks; (African) Crimson-winged Finch; Tristram’s, Spectacled, Streaked Scrub & African Desert Warblers; Desert, Red-rumped & Atlas Wheatears; Desert Sparrow; (Western) Purple Swamphen; Marsh Owl; European Turtle Dove; Common Cuckoo; Eurasian Golden Oriole; Common Nightingale; chances for Great & Houbara Bustards.

Top Mammals

Gundi; Barbary Macaque; Fat Sand Rat; Red Fox; Barbary Ground Squirrel; 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

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate. Suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels.

Accommodation

Comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Fairly easy. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, but several target species may require repeat efforts. Others are low density (ie: Great Bustard)

Number of Species Expected

175 – 210

Other Attractions

Atlas Mountains, medieval cities, Erg Chebbi dunes, great food

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good. Lighting can be challenging. No dedicated hides or feeders.

What our clients say about us

Mark Beevers
TT, Morocco

Mark’s depth and breadth of knowledge of European birds is amazing, but I was also impressed with his ability to adapt to changing local conditions. One particular incident, where a rarity showed up which required quickly redirecting the group, was handled directly and skillfully. Plus, as a Yank, I enjoyed his English humour.

Mark Beevers
SP, Morocco

This tour (Morocco) more than met my expectations, which I must admit were rather lukewarm. I knew there were not a lot of new birds for me but I signed up for the tour because Mark kept telling me how wonderful Morocco was. Well Mark, you were certainly right. The birds were fantastic, the scenery spectacular, the food way too good, and the geology unbelievable. I'm actually taking an online geology course because of this tour. This tour is truly a special one and I will spread the word to all my birding contacts. Thanks again for such a special experience.

Glen Valentine
TD, Morocco 2018

The guides, Glen Valentine and Mark Beevers, were excellent and got us on nearly all the target birds for the trip. Their knowledge of North African birds added to the enjoyment. A tour not to be missed.

David Hoddinott
LE, Morocco 2024

Birding for the first time with the legendary David Hoddinott exceeded my very high expectations: he was phenomenal in every way! And having Dusan join us with the larger group was a double bonus! He was great!! Together they made a fantastic team!! And they delivered: with David leading the way, I spotted my elusive target bird, the Saharan Scrub Warbler (the LAST bird family in my 14-year Quest!!), in the first 10-15 minutes of our search!! David said it was the fastest he had ever found it! :-) Our lodging was lovely the Moroccan food really good, and the group the best group most of us agreed we had ever had on any tour.

Glen Valentine
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.

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