Morocco Birding Tour: 14 Days From Casablanca

Arrival In Casablanca

We meet you at Mohammed V International Airport and transfer you to your hotel, with the night free to settle in before the birding begins.

Casablanca → Merdja Zerga → Rabat

We start at Lac Sidi Bourghaba, scanning for terns, gulls, and Balearic Shearwater, then continue to Merdja Zerga, the "Blue Lagoon," for godwits, Greenshank, Redshank, and resident flamingos.

The marshes are one of only two North African sites for the endemic African Marsh Owl. We overnight in Rabat.

Rabat → The Zaers → Azrou

An early start gives us the best chance at the elusive Double-spurred Francolin in the Zaers' cork-oak woodland, alongside Black-shouldered Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, and African Blue Tit.

We overnight in Azrou.

Azrou → Middle Atlas → Zaida

We search cedar woodland for Levaillant's Green Woodpecker, Firecrest, and Atlas Flycatcher, alongside wild Barbary Apes, before reaching the Zaida Plain, renowned worldwide for Dupont's Lark.

We overnight in Zaida.

Zaida → Ziz Valley → Merzouga

We follow the Oued Ziz through earth-walled towns and date palm plantations, watching for Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and Lanner and Barbary Falcons, arriving in Merzouga for a two-night stay at a Kasbah hotel on the edge of Erg Chebbi.

Day Trip At Erg Chebbi Dunes

A 4x4 excursion into the dunes at dawn to search for the rare, unpredictable Egyptian Nightjar, alongside Hoopoe Lark, African Desert Warbler, and the declining Desert Sparrow. With luck, we may spot Houbara Bustard.

In the afternoon we visit nearby cliffs known for Pharaoh Eagle Owl and Barbary Falcon.

Merzouga → Goulmima → Todra Gorge → Tagdilt Track → Boumalne du Dades

We stop at local birding spots near Goulmima for Streaked Scrub Warbler and Fulvous Babbler, then the Todra Gorge for Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, and Bonelli's Eagle.

The Tagdilt Track, a high desert plateau, is prime ground for Thick-billed Lark, Cream-colored Courser, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. We overnight in Boumalne du Dades.

Boumalne du Dades → Rose Valley → Ouarzazate → Ourika Valley

We drive west through the Rose Valley, watching for migrating wagtails and wading birds, then near Ouarzazate search for Trumpeter Finch and White-crowned Black Wheatear before ascending toward the High Atlas.

We overnight in the Ourika Valley.

Ourika Valley → Oukaimeden → Taroudant

We climb to the ski resort of Oukaimeden at 2,600 meters for Moussier's Redstart, the endemic Levaillant's Green Woodpecker, and near the snowline, the vivid African Crimson-winged Finch and Golden Eagle.

We overnight in Taroudant.

Taroudant → Souss Valley → Agadir

We watch Little and Pallid Swifts over Taroudant before a scenic drive through the fertile Souss Valley, stopping for European Rollers, Black-shouldered Kites, and European Bee-eaters. We overnight in Agadir.

Day Trip To Oued Massa

Sous-Massa National Park is a critical habitat for the Northern Bald Ibis, one of the world's rarest birds; BirdLife International notes its Moroccan colonies hold the world's last viable wild population.

We also search for Marbled Duck, Osprey, Glossy Ibis, and a range of warblers along the water's edge. We overnight again in Agadir.

Agadir → Oued Tamri → Essaouira

We scan the sea from Cap Rhir for shearwaters and skuas before Oued Tamri, home to one of the largest Northern Bald Ibis colonies in the world, often approachable at close range for photography.

We continue along the coast, watching for Audouin's and Yellow-legged Gulls, to Essaouira.

Essaouira → Casablanca

The Mogador Islands off Essaouira hold Rough Guides' described "the only non-Mediterranean breeding site of Eleonora's falcon", best seen (April to October) along the coastline toward the Oued Ksob.

We conclude the day's birding with Moussier's Redstart and Barbary Partridge before driving to Casablanca for the night.

Departure From Casablanca

We transfer you to Mohammed V International Airport for your departure flight — fourteen days across Morocco's wetlands, forests, desert, mountains, and coast.