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Morocco
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This wonderful autumn birdwatching trip amidst the marshes, mountains, forests and coasts of this amazing corner of Africa is just too good to miss!Picture flocks of White Storks soaring gracefully overhead on migration... flights of hundreds of Glossy Ibis... the challenge of sifting through twenty or more different species of wader... and encounters with the likes of Squacco Heron, Bonelli's Eagle, Purple Swamphen, Red-knobbed Coot and Common Bulbul... All these have regularly been seen on the first full day of our autumn Morocco tour! Later it may be the turn of Barbary Partridge, Marbled Duck, Barbary Falcon, Lesser Crested and Royal Terns, House Bunting, Bluethroat and Black-crowned Tchagra to set our pulses racing.From Tangier we travel via the bird-rich estuaries and marshlands of northwest Morocco, inland to the beautiful Cork Oak woodlands and scrub-covered hills of the Zaërs. Continuing south to the grandeur of the High Atlas mountains and out along the rugged cliff-lined coast of Morocco's sunny southwest, this October tour offers some of the most exciting, varied and incredibly scenic autumn birding anywhere in the Western Palearctic. Our extended itinerary concludes with two nights in Marrakech plus two in Agadir, so as to incorporate visits to the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas and the glorious sea-cliffs and estuaries of southern Morocco's Atlantic shore. Here we will look for the endemic Levaillant's Woodpecker before driving up to more than 2500m above sea-level to enter the realm of Alpine Chough, 'Atlas' Shore Lark and the elusive 'African' Crimson-winged Finch. To the west, the arid coastal strip is home to the dazzling Moussier's Redstart. The critically-endangered Bald Ibis, one of the world's rarest (and weirdest-looking!) birds, has its one remaining stronghold here, too. For those that wish, there may be time for a brief sight-seeing trip to the bustling main square in Marrakech before we finish our journey at Agadir, with visits to two of the region's finest wetlands: the Oued Sous and Oued Massa. Wetland birds abound and we could encounter just about anything here, from Ruddy Shelduck and Black-winged Kite to Plain Martin and Laughing Dove. Over the years, this tour has produced so many memorable highlights: from North Africa's relict population of Marsh Owls leaving their daytime roost to quarter the swampy grassland, to cliff-top gatherings of supremely elegant Eleonora's Falcons performing breathtaking aerobatics right over our heads. With migrants on the move, Arnoud's excellent local contacts and the experience of some thirty Morocco tours behind us, this amazing tour is too good to miss! |
Prices:
The prices are per person and include return scheduled flights London-Tangier and Agadir-London, all accommodation, meals, coach/minibus transport, all entry fees, tips and gratuities, airport taxes, map, bird checklist and services of the leader/s.
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Accommodation: Hotels in Morocco do vary but, with the exception of the hotel at Moulay Bousselham (see following), the overall standard on this tour is good. All rooms are en suite. Because the only flights to Tangier arrive there in the late evening, we spend the first night at a hotel that lies within an easy drive of the airport, to give a more relaxed start to the tour. Note that Moulay Bousselham lies off the beaten track and our hotel for our one-night stay in the area has been chosen for its location - presently, it is the only accommodation convenient to the Marsh Owls; rooms are basic but the food is good. Meals: All included in the price. Dinner and breakfast at the hotels. Most lunches (and the occasional breakfast on this trip) will be picnics, but some meals taken at convenient restaurants along the way. Walking: Easy. Short walks over easy-moderate terrain. Maximum elevation: 2600-3000 metres in the High Atlas (for a few hours only). Sturdy waterproof walking shoes or lightweight boots with rugged, corrugated soles advised. Ground Transport: Coach/minibus with local driver. Insects: Mosquitoes may be present in low numbers at some wetland spots, chiefly at dusk.
Click here for a full, printable itinerary |
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