8 Day Morocco Birdwatching Itinerary

Arrival in Casablanca and drive south to El Jadida, a relaxed coastal town with Portuguese history. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a gentle birding walk along saltpans and the coastal strip where you may spot Zitting Cisticola, European Serin, Common Kestrel, and Yellow-legged Gull. Dinner and overnight in El Jadida.

Travel south along the scenic Atlantic coast. Stop for extensive birding at the Oualidia lagoon, one of Morocco’s most important wetlands. Look for Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Harrier, and many migrant waders and terns. Continue through farmlands and dunes to Essaouira, a breezy coastal town. Late afternoon birding near saltpans and beach areas.

Begin the day birding just outside Essaouira in the thuya and argan woodlands, where you might see Moussier’s Redstart, Moroccan Magpie, and Spectacled Warbler. Then drive south to Tamri, a vital stronghold for the endangered Northern Bald Ibis, often seen near the cliffs or feeding in nearby fields. Reach Agadir in the evening with a possible sunset stop at Oued Souss estuary.

Spend a full day at Oued Massa National Park, one of Morocco’s richest birding areas. Explore reedbeds, dunes, and cultivated fields for Black-crowned Tchagra, Marbled Duck, Stone-curlew, Sardinian Warbler, and Plain Martin. This is also a stronghold for Northern Bald Ibis. Return to Agadir for a relaxed evening.

Head inland through the changing landscapes of the Souss Valley. Bird along the route for Long-legged Buzzard, Black Wheatear, and early signs of desert species. Reach Boumalne Dades by late afternoon. Evening birding near the rocky plateaus offers a first chance at Red-rumped Wheatear or Bar-tailed Lark.

Spend the day exploring the famous Tagdilt Track and surrounding desert plains. Target species include Thick-billed Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Trumpeter Finch, Crowned Sandgrouse, and possibly Lanner Falcon or Bonelli’s Eagle. Picnic or café lunch in the field. Return for a second night in Dades.

Travel from Dades across the scenic High Atlas Mountains, stopping for landscape photography and opportunistic birding en route. Arrive at Oukaïmeden, a high-altitude birding hotspot at 2,600 meters. Depending on time, look for Seebohm’s Wheatear, African Chaffinch, and Rock Bunting on arrival.

Early morning birding for Crimson-winged Finch, Alpine Accentor, and Horned Lark in the alpine meadows and rock outcrops. After breakfast, descend to Marrakech for either hotel drop-off or transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport, depending on your flight schedule.