Magical Morocco 2 to 9 October, 2012
8 Places Available Price: US$1860
Species of Interest
Tour Gallery
Species of Interest
- Barbary Partridge
- Ferruginous Shelduck
- Marbled Duck
- Squacco Heron
- Glossy Ibis
- Bald Ibis
- Long-legged Buzzard
- Black-shouldered Kite
- Eleonora’s Falcon
- Lanner Falcon
- Barbary Falcon
- Cream-colored Courser
- Audouin’s Gull
- Lesser Crested Tern
- Caspian Tern
- Black-bellied Sandgrouse
- Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
- Spotted Sandgrouse
- Crowned Sandgrouse
- Laughing Dove
- Red-necked Nightjar
- Little Swift
- Maghreb Lark
- Thekla Lark
- Lesser Short-toed Lark
- Desert Lark
- Bar-tailed Lark
- Temminck’s Lark
- Greater Hoopoe Lark
- Thick-billed Lark
- Brown-throated Martin
- White-crowned Wheatear
- Black Wheatear
- Desert Wheatear
- Red-rumped Wheatear
- Blue Rock Thrush
- Streaked Scrub Warbler
- Spectacled Warbler
- Dartford Warbler
- Tristram’s Warbler
- Moustached Warbler
- African Blue Tit
- Black-crowned Tchagra
- Common Bulbul
- Fulvous Babbler
- Maghreb Magpie
- Brown-necked Raven
- Trumpeter Finch
- Cirl Bunting
- House Bunting
Morocco is steeped in ancient culture and stunning natural beauty. It is a treat for the senses, spiced with some of the most emblematic species of the region, such as the Bald Ibis, one of the world's most endangered birds, whose last stronghold is in Morocco. The great wetlands of the Moroccan coast combined with the sublime desert, and the sands of the Sahara offer a wide variety of species and a huge contrast of landscapes.
Our itinerary takes you through all of these environments in the early fall, when temperatures are milder. This is an especially interesting season because of the high number of passing migrants, whether waterfowl, songbirds or raptors.
Starting in Agadir, our focal point during this trip, we will arrive at the gates of the Sahara in southern Guemim, pass through the National Park Souss-Massa, and arrive at the beautiful Essaouira, whose historic center is considered a World Heritage Site. A complete tour full of special moments: the Greater Hoopoe Lark running over the red sand, the incessant activity of the Streaked Scrub Warbler jumping from one bush to another; our visit to the largest colony of Eleonora's Falcon on the island of Mogador, and from there the opportunity to see a flock of Bald Ibis, are just some of the highlights of this trip.
Adding to the the fantastic birds and beautiful scenery, there will be wonderful photographic opportunities and exotic and delicious cuisine. This makes for a trip that is hard to resist!
Itinerary
Day 1
Our journey begins in Agadir, Morocco a major city near the Souss-Massa National Park. We will begin birding in the afternoon, when we visit the mouth of the Souss River. We will be paying special attention to the gulls, terns and waders. Some of the interesting species are the Audouin’s Gull and the Lesser Crested Tern. Overnight in Agadir.
Day 2
Early in the morning, we will drive to Guelmim, stopping along the way for birding. We will visit the desert areas of southern Guelmim, including the famous Km 100 Tan-tan Post. This is an excellent place with the potential to see a large number of species of larks and wheatears, and also Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Cream-colored Courser, Trumpeter Finch, Spotted and Crowned Sandgrouse, among others. Overnight in Guelmim.
Day 3
We will begin birding earling in the morning, visiting the Oued Boukila in search of the Streaked Scrub Warbler and the Fulvous Babbler. We will continue our voyage across the desert throughout the day. Some species characteristic of the zone are the Greater Hoopoe Lark, Temminck’s Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, Desert Lark, Desert Wheatear, Tristram’s Warbler and the nomadic Thick-billed Lark. Overnight in Guelmim.
Day 4
This will be our last morning in Guelmim, and we will spend it enjoying the amazing birds the desert gifts to us. We will then head north to reach the Oued Massa in the afternoon. This will be our first opportunity to see the rare Bald Ibis. We may also have the opportunity to see a small group feeding in the light of dusk, before they return to their colony for the night. Overnight in Agadir.
Day 5
In the early morning we will continue visiting Oued Massa and the surrounding areas. This is a magnificent estuary within the Souss-Massa National Park, and an excellent place, in fact the best in Morocco, to see birds. We can expect a variety of waterfowl, waders and passerines. Some highlights include the Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-throated Martin, Moussier’s Redstart, Moustached Warbler, Cirl Bunting and many birds in migration. In the afternoon we will head to the Oued Souss, closer to the city. In the evening, we will search for the Red-necked Nightjar found here throughout the year. Overnight in Agadir.
Day 6
In the early morning we will head north toward Tamri, where will see the Bald Ibis and the Barbary Falcon in the open areas around the town and also near the river and the surrounding banana plantations, which at this time of the year will still have migrants. We will continue to Essaouira, where we will see the Eleonora's falcons drinking in the river Igrounzar at dusk and the Brown-throated Martin as well. Hopefully we will catch a glimpse of the Western Reef Heron that has been seen for several years at the mouth of this river. Overnight in Essaouira.
Day 7
Mogador Island is home to over 600 pairs of Eleanora’s Falcon. You can see them from the city or from the shores of the beach. Nearby, we will visit an area with potential for seeing Marble Ducks and other waterfowl. On the way we will enjoy the famous forest of argan (Argania spinosa) – a tree native to this area of Morocco and whose oil is attributed to many properties. Most importantly, the forest serves as a refuge for populations of such interesting raptors as the Black-shouldered Kite, Long-legged Buzzard, Barbary Falcon and Lanner Falcon. Overnight in Agadir.
Day 8
After our final morning of birding in Souss-Massa, especially interesting in this time of year, or doing some shopping and visiting the souk we will head to the Agadir airport, where our trip will end.