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Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Winter

© Northern Bald Ibis by Adam Riley
Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Winter 2027

05 Feb 2027 - 15 Feb 2027 (11 days)

EUR3,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Glen Valentine

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Tour Leader: Mark Beevers

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated, and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): EUR3,100 * USD3,611 * GBP2,686 * AUD5,541

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 and African Blue Tit. 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 Marrakech, from where we head up and over the Atlas Mountains, exploring the productive woodlands of the Tizi n’Tichka Pass before enjoying our first taste of gravel desert birding en route to Boumalne-du-Dades. We’ll 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), several wheatears, Trumpeter Finch, and multiple sandgrouse.

Heading further east, we’ll enter the spectacular Sahara Desert near Merzouga and Erg Chebbi. We’ll be searching for desert specialists including Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, Egyptian Nightjar, Cream-colored Courser, Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, and up to four species of sandgrouse.

Leaving the sand dunes behind, we set out west for Atlantic coast, visiting the seaside city of Agadir and the famous Oued Massa wetland, 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 Choughs, as well as opportunities for Levaillant’s Woodpecker and Moussier’s Redstart.

Top Birds

Northern Bald Ibis; Levaillant’s Woodpecker; Fulvous Babbler; Moussier’s Redstart; African Blue Tit; Maghreb Magpie; (Maghreb) Tawny Owl; Marbled Duck; Barbary Partridge; Audouin’s Gull; Crowned, Spotted, Pin-tailed & Black-bellied Sandgrouse; Cream-colored Courser; Pharoah Eagle-Owl; Red-necked & Egyptian Nightjars; Greater Hoopoe-Lark; Temminck’s, Horned, Thick-billed, Desert & (Maghreb) Crested Larks; (African) Crimson-winged Finch; Tristram’s, Spectacled, Streaked Scrub & African Desert Warblers; Desert, Red-rumped & Atlas Wheatears; 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

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

Moderate. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, but several target species that may require repeat efforts.

Number of Species Expected

170 – 200

Other Attractions

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

Photographic Opportunities

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

What our clients say about us

Dušan Brinkhuizen
EW, Morocco 2024

David and Dusan were outstanding leaders who continually impressed with their ability to find even the most elusive species. We could not have asked for a better team of leaders. They not only located the birds, they went to great lengths to make sure everyone in the group got good views. The tour was very well planned and allowed us to visit a variety of interesting habitats.

David Hoddinott
MA, Morocco 2024

The tour leaders were fantastic. Their knowledge was amazing and they were very interested in making sure we all saw the birds. They also made sure all our needs were met. I would definitely tour again with Dave Hoddinott and Dusan Brinkhuizen!

Mark Beevers
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.

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!

David Hoddinott
MN, Morocco

Morocco was a fun and thoroughly enjoyable tour. How could it not be with David Hoddinott and Mark Beevers as leaders!!! They just make me want to go on more Rockjumper tours to see as many birds as I can. You have no idea how appreciative I am of them. They are great and generous and fun and so focused. I love that. They have an intensity that makes birding fun.

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