Morocco in Spring
The deep desert, Atlas and the coast
Thursday 6 - Sunday 16 March 2008 (11 days)
A spring journey to the edge of the Sahara, that will take us from stony desert plains and rocky wadis to the huge golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, up through the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, and finishing at the superb coastal wetland of Oued Massa. All this, and some of the best spring birdwatching anywhere in our region!
© Keith Grant/Nature Portfolio
Mourning Wheatear
Morocco has the richest birdlife in North Africa, with several species that simply aren't found anywhere else in the Western Palaearctic. And the contrasts in scenery are simply stunning. Our spring journey takes us south of the Atlas Mountains, where nearly all the specialities can be found, at a time when migrants are streaming northwards after their stupendous crossing of the Sahara. Once again we are returning via Marrakech, with a day in the superb High Atlas. Previous tour participants have asked us to stress the stunning scenery enjoyed throughout the trip.
March is an excellent time to visit Morocco, with pleasant temperatures, migrants arriving thick and fast, desert birds more visible now than later in the season, and the flowers often spectacular. Please ask us for previous tour reports to see why this is such a favourite of ours.
© Jamie McMillan/Nature Portfolio
The dunes at Erg Chebbi
Prices: £ 1,745
Single supp.: £ 175 per person
Deposit: £ 400 per person
The price is per person and includes scheduled flights* from London-Ouarzazate, and Agadir-London, airport taxes, transportation as described above, accommodation on a full board basis, admissions, local taxes, incidental tips to hotels, and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes travel insurance, optional tip to the local driver, drinks, and other personal expenses.
*For an ex-flight cost (Ouarzazate-Agadir), please deduct £245 from the tour cost
Principal Leader: Tim Earl
Itinerary
Day 1
We fly from London to Ouarzazate via Casablanca. By starting in the desert oasis town of Ouarzazate, we will be right in place for some of the key bird specialities the following day.
Overnight Ouarzazate
Day 2
We start with an initial look at the River Draa close to the hotel. The area can be superb for migrants, both in the river and along its banks. Raptor-watching can also be worthwhile here, with Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle and harriers possible. Later we visit the El Mansour Eddahbi barrage, the only large and permanent body of water in this sub-desert area which should hold Ruddy Shelduck and a range of other waterfowl. Rocky areas near here are the haunts of the very local Mourning Wheatear, together with other desert birds such as Desert Lark, White-crowned Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch. We continue along the edge of the desert to Tinerhir.
Overnight Tinerhir
Day 3
Today we make for one of those areas of desert that, despite seeming to be exactly the same as other spots, is inexplicably productive. All the desert larks can be found here, including the dramatic Thick-billed and Temminck's Horned Larks - in fact, we've christened this area "Larksrise”! Red-rumped and Desert Wheatear can also be found here, while sandgrouse, some of the desert's more elusive birds, can sometimes be seen in good numbers. Cream-coloured Coursers can also appear here - we've seen over a dozen at once in the past - and we've also found Desert Eagle Owl here on more than one occasion.
Later we head for the Gorges du Todra, whose amazing pink rock walls give welcome shade during the heat of the day. Here Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow and Rock Bunting sing from the rocks, while Bonelli's Eagles soar overhead.
Overnight Tinerhir
Day 4
Today we continue east along the desert's edge, stopping at oases and wadis en route. After the winter rains, March can see the desert in bloom, and, on previous visits, several areas have been carpeted with flowers as far as the eye could see. We start to look for Hoopoe Larks with their strange display flight in the sandy areas, and watch for other desert species and a variety of migrants. We continue on to the bustling oasis of Erfoud.
Overnight Erfoud
Day 5
One of the highlights of the whole trip is today's Land Rover excursion into the deep desert. Erg Chebbi, at Merzouga, is the largest dune system in Morocco and makes a spectacular backdrop for some high quality birding. This is one of the most accessible places to see Desert Sparrow, which often can be found around the cafés here. The wadis boast a good variety of true desert species, including Fulvous Babbler, Bar-tailed Lark, Brown-necked Raven and both Tristram’s and Desert Warblers. As the day warms up, migrant storks and raptors can often be seen rising on the thermals, and both Barbary Falcon and Lanner can also be regular here.
We'll also drive out to Merzouga Lake, a temporary wetland that, given good rains during the winter, can be teeming with wildfowl, waders, terns, and other waterbirds including flamingoes and a variety of herons - an amazing sight in the desert! Barbary Falcon is one of the regular raptors seen here chasing the wader flocks.
Overnight Erfoud
Day 6
We travel all the way back to Ouarzazate today via the beautiful Draa Valley, amidst spectacular desert scenery, stopping at any likely-looking wadis and other points of interest for migrants and typical desert birds.
Overnight Ouarzazate
Day 7
We head over the Atlas on the spectacular Tizi ‘n Tichka pass today. We’ll stop amidst the cool pine forests for our first chance of Atlas specialities including the endemic Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker. We continue on to Marrakech for the night. In the evening it may be possible to arrange an excursion to the bustling square of Djemaa el Fna, with its water-sellers, fire-eaters, herbalists and fortune-tellers, and the bewildering maze of the souk nearby.
Overnight Marrakech
Day 8
We travel above 2,500m in the Atlas Mountains today, to see some of Morocco's most unexpected scenery. Amidst snowcapped peaks, and the superb and dramatic views around the ski-resort of Oukaimeden, we look for mountain birds including both Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Shore Lark, and a really high mountain bird, Crimson-winged Finch. In the pines on the way we have a chance of seeing the endemic North African races of Blue and Coal Tits, Jay, and Great Spotted Woodpecker, whilst over the crags Golden Eagle is a possibility.
Overnight Marrakech
Day 9
We take the road south towards Agadir, aiming for the mouth of the Oued Sous. The relatively small estuary here can hold an excellent variety of waders, gulls and terns, which could include both Slender-billed and Audouin's Gull, together with Caspian and Gull-billed Terns.
We will then head west to the rocky coast of Cap Rhir, and fishing village of Tamri, where the critically-endangered Bald Ibis has one of its very last toe-holds. Now thankfully receiving more conservation attention, there are still only around 300 of these extraordinary-looking birds left alive in the world. We hope to encounter at least a few of the survivors, as well as the startlingly attractive endemic Moussier's Redstart, with Barbary Partridge to be looked for on the dry slopes. In the evening we shall return to the Oued Sous for a chance of hearing Red-necked Nightjar.
Overnight Agadir
Day 10
The coastal lagoon of Oued Massa is one of the best birdwatching spots in the whole of North Africa. We'll see an abundance of water birds here, including various herons, waders, and, with luck, Glossy Ibis. With patience, crakes can be found and can include both Little and Baillon's. This is a good spot for the sometimes hard-to-see but striking Black-crowned Tchagra, and the easier but very local Brown-throated Sand Martin. Mammals are also attracted to the water, and can include Egyptian Mongoose and Wild Boar.
Overnight Agadir
Day 11
We fly back to London from Agadir via Casablanca.
Accommodation: 3- or 4-star hotels with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be mostly picnics.
Transport is by small coach or minibus with 4WD vehicles at Merzouga.
Walking: Mainly short walks (1-3 miles) over easy-moderate terrain
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Day 1
We fly from London to Ouarzazate via Casablanca. By starting in the desert oasis town of Ouarzazate, we will be right in place for some of the key bird specialities the following day.
Overnight Ouarzazate
Day 2
We start with an initial look at the River Draa close to the hotel. The area can be superb for migrants, both in the river and along its banks. Raptor-watching can also be worthwhile here, with Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle and harriers possible. Later we visit the El Mansour Eddahbi barrage, the only large and permanent body of water in this sub-desert area which should hold Ruddy Shelduck and a range of other waterfowl. Rocky areas near here are the haunts of the very local Mourning Wheatear, together with other desert birds such as Desert Lark, White-crowned Wheatear and Trumpeter Finch. We continue along the edge of the desert to Tinerhir.
Overnight Tinerhir
Day 3
Today we make for one of those areas of desert that, despite seeming to be exactly the same as other spots, is inexplicably productive. All the desert larks can be found here, including the dramatic Thick-billed and Temminck's Horned Larks - in fact, we've christened this area "Larksrise”! Red-rumped and Desert Wheatear can also be found here, while sandgrouse, some of the desert's more elusive birds, can sometimes be seen in good numbers. Cream-coloured Coursers can also appear here - we've seen over a dozen at once in the past - and we've also found Desert Eagle Owl here on more than one occasion.
Later we head for the Gorges du Todra, whose amazing pink rock walls give welcome shade during the heat of the day. Here Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow and Rock Bunting sing from the rocks, while Bonelli's Eagles soar overhead.
Overnight Tinerhir
Day 4
Today we continue east along the desert's edge, stopping at oases and wadis en route. After the winter rains, March can see the desert in bloom, and, on previous visits, several areas have been carpeted with flowers as far as the eye could see. We start to look for Hoopoe Larks with their strange display flight in the sandy areas, and watch for other desert species and a variety of migrants. We continue on to the bustling oasis of Erfoud.
Overnight Erfoud
Day 5
One of the highlights of the whole trip is today's Land Rover excursion into the deep desert. Erg Chebbi, at Merzouga, is the largest dune system in Morocco and makes a spectacular backdrop for some high quality birding. This is one of the most accessible places to see Desert Sparrow, which often can be found around the cafés here. The wadis boast a good variety of true desert species, including Fulvous Babbler, Bar-tailed Lark, Brown-necked Raven and both Tristram’s and Desert Warblers. As the day warms up, migrant storks and raptors can often be seen rising on the thermals, and both Barbary Falcon and Lanner can also be regular here.
We'll also drive out to Merzouga Lake, a temporary wetland that, given good rains during the winter, can be teeming with wildfowl, waders, terns, and other waterbirds including flamingoes and a variety of herons - an amazing sight in the desert! Barbary Falcon is one of the regular raptors seen here chasing the wader flocks.
Overnight Erfoud
Day 6
We travel all the way back to Ouarzazate today via the beautiful Draa Valley, amidst spectacular desert scenery, stopping at any likely-looking wadis and other points of interest for migrants and typical desert birds.
Overnight Ouarzazate
Day 7
We head over the Atlas on the spectacular Tizi ‘n Tichka pass today. We’ll stop amidst the cool pine forests for our first chance of Atlas specialities including the endemic Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker. We continue on to Marrakech for the night. In the evening it may be possible to arrange an excursion to the bustling square of Djemaa el Fna, with its water-sellers, fire-eaters, herbalists and fortune-tellers, and the bewildering maze of the souk nearby.
Overnight Marrakech
Day 8
We travel above 2,500m in the Atlas Mountains today, to see some of Morocco's most unexpected scenery. Amidst snowcapped peaks, and the superb and dramatic views around the ski-resort of Oukaimeden, we look for mountain birds including both Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Shore Lark, and a really high mountain bird, Crimson-winged Finch. In the pines on the way we have a chance of seeing the endemic North African races of Blue and Coal Tits, Jay, and Great Spotted Woodpecker, whilst over the crags Golden Eagle is a possibility.
Overnight Marrakech
Day 9
We take the road south towards Agadir, aiming for the mouth of the Oued Sous. The relatively small estuary here can hold an excellent variety of waders, gulls and terns, which could include both Slender-billed and Audouin's Gull, together with Caspian and Gull-billed Terns.
We will then head west to the rocky coast of Cap Rhir, and fishing village of Tamri, where the critically-endangered Bald Ibis has one of its very last toe-holds. Now thankfully receiving more conservation attention, there are still only around 300 of these extraordinary-looking birds left alive in the world. We hope to encounter at least a few of the survivors, as well as the startlingly attractive endemic Moussier's Redstart, with Barbary Partridge to be looked for on the dry slopes. In the evening we shall return to the Oued Sous for a chance of hearing Red-necked Nightjar.
Overnight Agadir
Day 10
The coastal lagoon of Oued Massa is one of the best birdwatching spots in the whole of North Africa. We'll see an abundance of water birds here, including various herons, waders, and, with luck, Glossy Ibis. With patience, crakes can be found and can include both Little and Baillon's. This is a good spot for the sometimes hard-to-see but striking Black-crowned Tchagra, and the easier but very local Brown-throated Sand Martin. Mammals are also attracted to the water, and can include Egyptian Mongoose and Wild Boar.
Overnight Agadir
Day 11
We fly back to London from Agadir via Casablanca.
Accommodation: 3- or 4-star hotels with all rooms en suite. Lunches will be mostly picnics.
Transport is by small coach or minibus with 4WD vehicles at Merzouga.
Walking: Mainly short walks (1-3 miles) over easy-moderate terrain
Numbers: Max. 14 clients