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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

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Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,100 (USD3,522 * GBP2,714 * AUD5,032)

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

Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Winter 2028

19 Feb 2028 - 29 Feb 2028 (11 days)

EUR3,200 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn

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Tour Leader: Mark Beevers

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Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,200 (USD3,636 * GBP2,801 * AUD5,195)

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

Morocco - Atlas to the Sahara in Winter 2029

18 Feb 2029 - 28 Feb 2029 (11 days)

EUR3,400 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

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Tour Price (Per person): EUR3,400 (USD3,863 * GBP2,976 * AUD5,519)

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

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

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.

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. Both the touring van and hotel accommodations were very comfortable, making the tour of Morocco delightful. A tour not to be missed.

Stephan Lorenz
JF, Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring 2026

This was my first birding trip ever – I filled in for a friend who was booked, but could not go due to a health concern a mere two months from the start of the trip. I was totally unprepared for the intensive focus on the birds however, Stephan and Paul and really the entire group were very gracious and accommodating, and really made an effort to include me and despite my naïveté I really did enjoy the entire experience and saw some pretty cool birds! I would highly recommend this trip to the experienced Birder; and to the beginner understand that it is all birds all the time. The main things you need are a good hat, plenty of sunblock, decent binoculars, hiking shoes are better than plain sneakers as the terrain can be rough and rocky, layers of jacket and shirts for cooler areas, and phone camera is OK but if you really want better pictures of the birds that are at a distance you might want to bring a larger camera. I purchased extra shampoo and shower gel at one of the gas station shops - some of the hotels did not supply all, and even soap was sometimes miniscule. In conclusion Stephan and Paul were not only the Bird Whisperers, making birds magically appear out of nowhere, making sure everyone could get a view, lugged those scopes all over for a “Birds Eye view for all”, expertly navigated every detail from travel to sites and hotels and food and rest stops. They are truly the entire package of a professional guide ! I also mention Ibrahim, our driver -I even told Stephan he should give him a part of his paycheck - he did such a great job of navigating the tiny roads and big highways and even spotted some of the birds as we were driving . He even stayed with those of us who were staying on at the Relax Airport hotel and made sure we all got properly checked in . All in all it was a fabulous experience .

Stephan Lorenz
SS, Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring 2026

Stephan and Paul Josop did a superb job guiding the group....I plan to travel with them again in the future!

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.

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