01 May 2025 - 13 May 2025 (13 days)
EUR3,395 - 1 Space Available on this guaranteed departure
Tour Leader: David Hoddinott
Tour Leader: Robert Williams
Tour price (Per person): EUR3,395 * USD3,531 * GBP2,818 * AUD5,658
Single Supplement: EUR350 * USD364 * GBP291 * AUD583
30 Apr 2026 - 12 May 2026 (13 days)
EUR3,395 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop
Tour price (Per person): EUR3,395 * USD3,531 * GBP2,818 * AUD5,658
Single Supplement: EUR370 * USD385 * GBP307 * AUD617
Morocco, with its breathtaking scenery, delicious food, rich history and fabulous birding, is an essential destination for all birders and travellers. As an independent country after French rule, few Muslim countries offer the combination of such a friendly atmosphere complimented with strong cultural beliefs and few restrictions on visitors. Interesting habitats are found in the various geo-physical regions and vary from the high snow-covered Atlas Mountains to low lying woodlands and the red sand dunes of the great Sahara Desert. Cities and towns bustle with activity, where mud-walled buildings line souks (long narrow alleyways) that are filled with bazaars selling carpets and crafts, and laden with exotic spices.
What’s more, Morocco is also home to numerous special birds and several North African endemics including the beautiful Moussier’s Redstart, Tristram’s Warbler, Barbary Partridge, Levaillant’s Woodpecker, Fulvous Babbler, African Blue Tit and African Crimson-winged Finch. Our main target however is one of the world’s most endangered birds, the Northern Bald Ibis or Waldrapp, now restricted to only two colonies in Morocco and a recently introduced breeding colony in Spain. We take a pelagic trip off Agadir to see the Critically Endangered Balearic Shearwater before heading into central and eastern Morocco. Our time on the stony gravel plains and sandy deserts are liable to be rewarded with Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, dainty Cream-colored Courser, up to four species of sandgrouse, Desert Sparrow, African Desert Warbler, and numerous larks, including Temminck’s, Maghreb, Thick-billed and the Western Palearctic’s most difficult species Dupont’s. Heading further north, we stop in the pine and oak woodlands near Ifrane for Atlas Pied Flycatcher before continuing onwards to wetlands near Casablanca for the rare White-headed Duck and recently split Western Swamphen. We compete our tour with an early morning trip in search of Double-spurred Francolin.
Northern Bald Ibis; Atlas Pied Flycatcher; Double-spurred Spurfowl; Balearic Shearwater; Maghreb Owl; Marbled & White-headed Ducks; Barbary Partridge; Audouin’s Gull; Crowned, Spotted, Pin-tailed & Black-bellied Sandgrouse; Cream-colored Courser; Pharoah Eagle-Owl; Red-necked & chances for Egyptian Nightjars; Levaillant’s Woodpecker; Fulvous Babbler; Greater Hoopoe-Lark; Temminck’s, Calandra, Thick-billed, Desert & Dupont’s Larks; Moussier’s Redstart; Maghreb Magpie; African Blue Tit; African Crimson-winged Finch; Tristram’s, Spectacled, Streaked Scrub & African Desert Warblers; Red-rumped & Atlas Wheatears; Desert Sparrow; Western Swamphen; Marsh Owl; European Turtle Dove; Common Cuckoo; Eurasian Golden Oriole; Common Nightingale; chances for Houbara Bustard.
Gundi; Barbary Macaque; Fat Sand Rat; Red Fox; chances for Barbary Sheep.
mountains, woodlands, coastal lagoons, open ocean, wadis, stony & sandy deserts, wetlands
temperate and pleasant, cold in high mountains
8 with 1 Rockjumper Leader / 9 -12 with 2 Rockjumper Leaders
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate. Suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels.
Comfortable.
Moderate. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, but several target species that may require repeat efforts.
175 – 210
Atlas Mountains, medieval cities, Erg Chebbi dunes, great food
Good to very good. Lighting can be challenging. No dedicated hides or feeders
The tour leaders were fantastic. Their knowledge was amazing and they were very interested in making sure we all saw the birds. They also made sure all our needs were met. I would definitely tour again with Dave Hoddinott and Dusan Brinkhuizen!
Birding for the first time with the legendary David Hoddinott exceeded my very high expectations: he was phenomenal in every way! And having Dusan join us with the larger group was a double bonus! He was great!! Together they made a fantastic team!! And they delivered: with David leading the way, I spotted my elusive target bird, the Saharan Scrub Warbler (the LAST bird family in my 14-year Quest!!), in the first 10-15 minutes of our search!! David said it was the fastest he had ever found it! :-) Our lodging was lovely the Moroccan food really good, and the group the best group most of us agreed we had ever had on any tour.
The guides, Glen Valentine and Mark Beevers, were excellent and got us on nearly all the target birds for the trip. Their knowledge of North African birds added to the enjoyment. Both the touring van and hotel accommodations were very comfortable, making the tour of Morocco delightful. A tour not to be missed.
Mark’s depth and breadth of knowledge of European birds is amazing, but I was also impressed with his ability to adapt to changing local conditions. One particular incident, where a rarity showed up which required quickly redirecting the group, was handled directly and skillfully. Plus, as a Yank, I enjoyed his English humour.
The guides were excellent and worked well together. Mark Beevers and David Hoddinott were excellent at spotting and identifying the birds. They were also great company while not birding.
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring II 2024 - May 2024
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring I 2024 - May 2024
Morocco - Hoffman 2024 - March 2024
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Winter (Small Group) 2023 - November 2023
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring 2023 - May 2023
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring 2022 - May 2022
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2020 - February 2020
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara in Spring 2018 - May 2018
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2018 - February 2018
Morocco - Minkoff 2017 - April 2017
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara II 2017 - February 2017
Morocco - Chamberlain 2016 - April 2016
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2016 - February 2016
Morocco - Glendinning North & East 2015 - March 2015
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara I 2015 - February 2015
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2014 - February 2014
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2013 - February 2013
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara 2012 - February 2012
Sign up now and get the best deals straight in your inbox!
1-888-990-5552
info@rockjumper.com
