Day 1 / 12 April: Airport – Marrakech
Arrival and hotel check-in, if time allows, we can meet and discuss the itinerary.
Staying in Marrakech at Hotel Farah Marrakech
Day 2 / 13 April: Marrakech – Atlas mountains – Amerzgane – Ouarzazate
After a relaxed breakfast we will begin our journey across the Atlas Mountains south towards Ouarzazate, our first destination of the tour. But we will have time for many stops before that, especially up in the mountains where we will keep our eyes open for Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Barbary Partridge, Tristram’s Warbler and Moussier’s Redstart. Raptors to look out for are Barbary Falcon and Golden Eagle, but since it´s migration time, anything can be possible. We will do stops above 1,000 meters, so warm clothes can be good to have ready. We recommend you bring a warm sweater, and a wind stopping jacket & trousers, even if we only spend the first and the last days at this elevation. Pretty soon we will start to see the first exotic Wheatears; Mourning Wheatear, Black Wheatear, White-crowned Wheatear and eventually perhaps the first Desert Wheatears. Our base hotel lies surrounded by palm trees with the Atlas Mountains in the backdrop. There’s a pool and a nice terrace embed with trees and bushes. The weather varies a lot here between cool or balmy, mainly depending on the wind. Northerly winds will produce cold weather, but normally days are pleasant, and nights are cooler this time of the year. (Today’s transfer is 198 km, effective travel time estimated to 3 hours without stops).
Staying in Ouarzazate at Dar Alfourssane Farmstay
Day 3 / 14 April: Ouarzazate – Agdez – Draa valley – Zagora – Foum Zguid
A long journey awaits us today, but there are several stops planned with chances to see some great birds including Blue-cheeked Bee Eater, Roller, Lanner Falcon and a host of other possibles, at the early stages of our journey we should look carefully at the rocky roadside for possible sightings of Barbary Partridge. The scenery along the way changes and some of the geological features are spectacular. Of course, spring migration is still happening and some later migrants such as Ortolan Bunting are likely.
Staying in Foum Zguid/Tissint at Hotel Bab Rimal or Kasbah Tissint
Day 4 / 15 April: Full day birding in Foum Zguid/Tissint area
An early morning 4*4 excursion into the sand dunes is a magical experience. We look for Spotted & Crowned Sandgrouse and we also can find Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, but of course we are hoping to find our target for the day Lichenstein’s Sandgrouse! Desert Wheatear and possibly Fulvous Babbler might entertain us along with others such as Desert Warbler, Bar-tailed Desert Lark, Hoope Lark, other wheatears, birds of prey and Brown-necked Raven.
Staying in Foum Zguid/Tissint at Hotel Bab Rimal or Kasbah Tissint
Day 5 / 16 April: Foum Zguid – Tata – Anti Atlas mountains – Taroudant – Agadir
Today’s long journey will take us through some amazing habitats and several stops will allow us to explore these varied areas for localised birds. We will approach the Anti Atlas Mountains and here we should see some raptor species and hopefully Honey Buzzard as flocks make their way northwards. Again, as we pass over the Anti Atlas Mountains, we hope to spot Barbary Partridge, and wooded areas can be good for Crossbill and the colourful Moussier’s Redstart. Bonelli’s Eagle are resident throughout the areas we travel today, so we need to look up as well as scan the roadside habitats.
Staying in Agadir at Hôtel Club Al Moggar or Hotel Tildi
Day 6 / 17 April: Oued Massa – Oued Souss
The Oued Massa flows from southeast to northwest across the Souss, reaching the Ocean between Agadir and Tiznit. We hope to see here Plain Martin, Northern Bald Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, several duck species, Stone Curlew, Cream-colored Courser, Little Owl, Moussier’s Redstart. Oued Massa is probably the best place in Morocco to see the enigmatic Black-crowned Tchagra. Hopefully, we will have time to visit the Oued Souss and find several waders, terns and Osprey.
Staying in Agadir at Hôtel Club Al Moggar or Hotel Tildi
Day 7 / 18 April: Agadir – Tamri – Essaouira
Essaouira is an old fishermen’s harbour on the Atlantic Ocean coast, home to the maim Sardine Fleet in Morocco. There is a large breeding colony of Eleonora’ Falcon on the islands offshore. During the day this will certainly give good views of Falcon’s hunting migrating birds. An inlet to the bay on the southern beach area is a great place to bird and many waders and terns make use of this area together with Plain Martin and migrants. The Souk in the old town is amazing and a must visit area during the evening.
Staying in Essaouira at Hotel Al Jasira
Day 8 / 19 April: Essaouira – Marrakech
A chance to bird the area around Essaouira before we make our way to our hotel in Marrakech, we will have time to stop at various places to bird during the journey.
Staying in Marrakech at Hotel Farah Marrakech
Day 9 / 20 April: Day trip to Oukaimeden from Marrakech
We will do as much birding as we can around Oukaimeden. Here we will see Red-billed and Alpine Chough, Atlas Wheatear, Rock Sparrow and search for African Crimson-winged Finch and Atlas Horned Lark. On our departure we will look for Dipper, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear to name but a few of the common species before we set off on our drive of the last 80 km to Marrakech to get our hotel in Marrakech, we will also bird our journey to Marrakech and look for such birds as Tristram’s Warbler.
Staying in Marrakech at Hotel Farah Marrakech
Day 10 / 21 April: Free day in Marrakech. Sightseeing tour and visit to the Souk (optional), lunch not included this day.
Staying in Marrakech at Hotel Farah Marrakech
Day 11 / 22 April: Departure