7-Day Fes to Marrakech Birding Tour via Merzouga & the Tagdilt Track

Pickup is from your riad or hotel in Fes, or from Fes-Saïss Airport, at around 8:00 am. For riads inside the medina, your driver meets you at the closest gate.

The tour ends at your accommodation in Marrakech or at Menara Airport. On tours that arrive in the evening, we recommend booking a flight for the following day.

A different start or end point is rarely a problem. Because every tour is private, we can begin in one city and finish in another; tell us where you are staying and we will adapt the route and the quote.

• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers, plus sandals for the camp
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
• Light, loose clothing for the day and a warm layer for the evening
• A small overnight bag for the desert; your main luggage stays safely in the vehicle or at the hotel in Merzouga
• A scarf or cheche for the camel ride (you can buy one on the way)
• A warm jacket from November to March, when desert nights can drop close to freezing
• Head torch or phone light for the camp
• Passport and a copy of your travel insurance
• Cash in Moroccan dirhams for lunches, tips and small purchases; ATMs are scarce between the main towns
• Camera, spare battery and a power bank
• Any personal medication, and motion-sickness tablets if mountain roads affect you

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for this route. Days are warm and clear, nights are mild, and in April and May the valleys of the south are green and the roses of Kalaat M'Gouna are in bloom.

Winter is a good time for the desert if you bring warm clothes: skies are bright and the dunes are quiet, but temperatures after dark can fall to around freezing and the High Atlas passes occasionally close for a few hours after snow. In July and August the Sahara is very hot in the afternoon, so we shift the camel trek later, start driving earlier and can recommend a camp with air-cooled tents.

During Ramadan the tour runs as normal. Some restaurants close during the day in smaller towns, your driver-guide will know where to stop, and evenings are especially lively after sunset.

• This is a private tour. The vehicle, the driver-guide and the departure date are yours alone, and the itinerary can be changed before or during the trip.
• Driving times are approximate and do not include stops. We stop often, so expect each day to take longer than the hours shown.
• Prices depend on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category you choose. Tell us these three things and we will send an exact quote.
• The camel ride to the camp takes about an hour to an hour and a half. If you would rather not ride, or are travelling with small children or have back problems, we take you to the camp by 4x4 at no extra cost.
• We offer two desert camp options, both with private tents, en-suite bathrooms and hot showers: a mid-range luxury camp, and a luxury camp with more spacious tents, air conditioning and heating. Please say which you prefer when booking.
• Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal meals are easy to arrange; let us know about allergies or dietary needs in advance.
• Roads in the mountains are winding. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit in the front and bring medication.
• Most nationalities do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but please check the entry requirements for your passport before travelling.
• Birds are wild and move with the seasons, the weather and the water levels. The species named on this page are realistic opportunities at the right time of year, never guaranteed sightings.
• Bring your own binoculars and, if you have one, a telescope and tripod; a field guide to the birds of Morocco or the Western Palearctic is very useful. Your vehicle has room for camera and optical equipment.
• Many birding sites are walked on uneven, stony ground. Comfortable boots, sun protection, layers for cold mornings in the mountains and the desert, and plenty of water are recommended.
• Please respect the birds and the protected areas: keep a good distance from the Northern Bald Ibis and from nests and roosts, follow the rules of the Souss-Massa National Park and avoid using recorded calls at breeding sites.