11 Days Morocco Birdwatching Tour

Upon arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, you’ll be welcomed by your local guide and begin the journey straight to Rabat, Morocco’s laid-back capital nestled on the Atlantic coast. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the chance for a brief introduction to Morocco’s birdlife along the way, spotting common species such as Common Bulbul or Cattle Egret on the roadside. Once in Rabat, you’ll settle into your hotel and prepare for the days of exploration ahead.

Today, you’ll enjoy a scenic day trip to the Zaïr Forest, a vast stretch of Mediterranean oak and pine woodlands located just inland from Rabat. This region offers a fantastic introduction to Morocco’s forest birds. While walking through quiet trails beneath ancient cork oaks, you may encounter Levaillant’s Woodpecker tapping on tree trunks or African Blue Tit flitting among branches.

Booted Eagles often soar above the canopy, and keen eyes might spot the shy Barbary Partridge weaving through the underbrush. After a peaceful field picnic in the forest, you return to Rabat in the evening, with opportunities for more birdwatching near the Bouregreg River estuary.

Leaving the coast behind, the route takes you southeast into the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Along the way, you’ll stop at the scenic Dayet Aoua Lake, where freshwater attracts Great Crested Grebe, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-knobbed Coot, and various herons. The landscape shifts dramatically as you ascend toward Azrou, surrounded by cedar forests and alpine meadows. In these woods, the songs of Hawfinches echo, while Common Crossbill and African Chaffinch may be seen feeding in the treetops. The Middle Atlas is also home to the only wild monkey in North Africa the Barbary macaque, which is often spotted near forest clearings.

Today’s journey is an unforgettable transition from the green heart of the Middle Atlas to the dramatic golden sands of the Sahara. As you travel south, birding stops through the Ziz Valley and palm groves offer sightings of Blue Rock Thrush, White-crowned Wheatear, and possibly Lanner Falcon riding thermals above the cliffs. The terrain flattens as you approach the great dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga. By sunset, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the vast silence of the desert, where Desert Larks and Trumpeter Finches become part of the background melody.

The morning begins early with a walk among the sparse vegetation near the dunes, where desert-adapted birds thrive. You’ll scan for Bar-tailed Lark, Desert Sparrow, and the elusive African Desert Warbler weaving through tamarisk bushes.

Hoopoe Lark and Cream-coloured Courser are likely encounters as they patrol the sand plains. If the seasonal lake Dayet Srji holds water, it becomes a magnet for waterbirds such as Ruddy Shelduck, Little Grebe, and Black-winged Stilt. The soft desert light makes for ideal viewing and photography. As evening falls, an optional camel ride may offer glimpses of Egyptian Nightjar or desert owls just before twilight.

Another full day in the Sahara allows you to focus on key targets. Early morning is prime time to observe Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse flying to their drinking spots in loose flocks. Fulvous Babbler chatter through acacia stands, and Desert Wheatears perch atop dunes, catching insects.

A quiet drive along dry wadis might reveal the chunky Thick-billed Lark or the sharp profile of a hunting Long-legged Buzzard. The stillness and vastness of the environment is matched by the precise adaptations of its avian inhabitants. You return to your lodge in Merzouga with a deepened sense of desert ecology.

Today you head west, climbing out of the Sahara into Morocco’s dry interior plateau. En route, you pass the dramatic cliffs of the Todra Gorge, where you may spot Bonelli’s Eagle gliding overhead or Tristram’s Warbler hidden in arid scrub. The scenery changes again as you reach the Dades Valley near Boumalne, a hub for high-desert birding. Here the rocky plains and barren slopes of the nearby Tagdilt Track await tomorrow’s exploration. As the sun sets, the cries of Stone Curlews and the rhythmic call of Red-rumped Wheatear fill the air.

This morning is dedicated to the Tagdilt Track, a legendary birding route for desert specialists. You’ll traverse gravel plains and semi-arid steppe in search of some of Morocco’s most sought-after species. Thick-billed Lark, with its massive bill and low profile, is often found alongside Temminck’s Lark and Bar-tailed Desert Lark. Desert Wheatears abound, while the shy Maghreb Lark can be detected with patience. Raptors such as Lanner Falcon and Long-legged Buzzard may be spotted soaring or perched on rocky outcrops. The landscape is stark yet rich with life, and every sighting feels like a reward for those willing to look closely.

The road turns northwest today as you ascend into the High Atlas, the final and highest region of your tour. From desert flats to alpine heights, the diversity of habitats within a few hours is extraordinary. By afternoon, you reach Oukaïmeden, a peaceful high-altitude village surrounded by craggy peaks and wide-open skies. Even before nightfall, you may see Rock Bunting, Seebohm’s Wheatear, and Red-billed Chough foraging near the pastures. The cool mountain air and open landscapes mark a dramatic change, and an exciting new chapter in the tour.

Oukaïmeden is one of Morocco’s best spots for high-altitude and endemic bird species. The day is spent exploring rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and snow-patched trails in search of the elusive Crimson-winged Finch, a true jewel of the region. Alpine Accentor may be seen feeding near shepherd huts, while Rock Sparrow and Horned Lark (Atlas race) patrol the high ridges. You’ll also have good chances to spot Barbary Partridge moving along the terraces and Black Redstarts darting between stones. The scenery is spectacular, with every bird sighting framed by panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains.

On your final morning, you begin the descent toward Marrakech, crossing scenic valleys and Berber hamlets. Time permitting, a short birding detour through the Ourika Valley or the Menara Gardens near Marrakech can offer last glimpses of Little Swift, House Bunting, and Common Bulbul. By midday, you’ll arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport for your international departure, concluding a 11 days Morocco birdwatching tour that has taken you from sea to Sahara, forest to snow, with unforgettable birds and landscapes at every step.