Night 1
Oukaimeden
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
7-Day High Atlas & Middle Atlas Birding Tour: Marrakech to Fes
A mountain and forest week for birders who prefer cool air to desert heat.
- Private Tour
Only - Local
Driver-Guides - Comfortable
Vehicles - Handpicked
Accommodation - Fully
Customisable
Tour overview
From Marrakech to Fes in Seven Days
A mountain and forest week for birders who prefer cool air to desert heat. From Marrakech you climb to Oukaimeden, visit the Ouzoud waterfalls, cross the Middle Atlas by its lakes and spend three nights in Azrou among the cedars, then finish on the Zeida plains for Dupont's Lark before the tour ends in Fes.
Our 7 Day High Atlas and Middle Atlas Birding Tour begins in Marrakech and ends in Fes, covering about 1,100 km by road over seven days. Along the way you will experience the cedar forests and Barbary macaques of the Middle Atlas, the high-mountain birds of Oukaimeden in the High Atlas and the steppe larks of the Zeida plains. Each stop is a real visit on foot, with your driver-guide explaining what you are looking at and local people adding their own stories.
Accommodation is chosen for character and location rather than size: one night in a comfortable hotel in Oukaimeden, one night in a comfortable hotel in Ouzoud, three nights in a comfortable hotel in Azrou and one night in a comfortable hotel in Midelt. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, a 4x4 or a minibus depending on the size of your party, with an English-speaking driver-guide who knows these roads well. Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese-speaking guides are available on request.
It is planned for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers, from keen beginners to experienced listers, and for their travelling companions: days start early and follow the rhythm of the birds, with long stops at the best sites and time to rest in the heat of the day. The longest day on the road is day 3, with 5.5 hours plus birding stops of driving; every other day is shorter, and all of them are broken up by visits and stops. Like all our tours it is fully private, so the plan below can be lengthened, shortened or rearranged to fit your dates.
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- StartMarrakech
- EndFes
- Tour typePrivate tour
- GroupJust your own party
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese
- TransportPrivate 4x4 or minibus with A/C
- AccommodationComfortable hotel
Highlights
Tour Highlights
- Watch high-mountain birds at Oukaimeden
- Listen for Dupont's Lark on the Zeida plains
- See the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas
Detailed itinerary
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Marrakech – Ourika Valley – Oukaimeden
Leaving Marrakech, you follow the Ourika river into the High Atlas, stopping in the orchards and walnut groves for Moussier's Redstart, African Chaffinch and Cirl Bunting.
At Oukaimeden the plateau opens up beneath the peaks, and the afternoon is spent watching Alpine and Red-billed Choughs, Rock Sparrows and larks.
You stay overnight on the plateau.
- From Marrakech to the mountains
- Moussier's Redstart in the Ourika
- Choughs over the plateau
- Night at Oukaimeden
Day 2
Day 2: Oukaimeden – Haouz Plain – Ouzoud Waterfalls
Sunrise at Oukaimeden is the moment for Crimson-winged Finch and Atlas Horned Lark, before you descend to the plain.
Crossing the farmland of the Haouz towards the north-east, you reach the Ouzoud waterfalls, where the river plunges over red cliffs into a wooded gorge.
Around the falls, Barbary macaques, Grey Wagtails, Blue Rock Thrushes and Crag Martins keep you company. You spend the night near Ouzoud.
- Crimson-winged Finch at sunrise
- Across the Haouz plain
- Barbary macaques at Ouzoud
- Birds of the waterfalls
Day 3
Day 3: Ouzoud – Bin el Ouidane – Khenifra – Aguelmame Azigza – Azrou
The day crosses the heart of the Middle Atlas. You stop first at the Bin el Ouidane reservoir, a long lake in the mountains with gulls, cormorants and waterbirds.
Beyond Khenifra you reach Aguelmame Azigza, a deep lake surrounded by cedar and oak, good for Ruddy Shelduck, Red-knobbed Coot and forest birds on its shores.
In the evening you arrive in Azrou, your base for three nights.
- Bin el Ouidane reservoir
- Into the Middle Atlas
- Aguelmame Azigza lake
- Arrival in Azrou
Day 4
Day 4: Azrou – Cedar Forest – Azrou
A full day in the great cedar forest around Azrou, among the finest woodland birding in North Africa. From April to August, Atlas Pied Flycatchers sing from the tall trees.
Walking the forest tracks, you also look for Levaillant's and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Firecrest, Short-toed Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Hawfinch, while Booted Eagles circle above the canopy.
Barbary macaques are often seen in the clearings. You return to Azrou in the evening.
- Atlas Pied Flycatcher
- Levaillant's and Great Spotted Woodpeckers
- Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreeper
- Booted Eagle over the canopy
Day 5
Day 5: Azrou – Dayet Aoua – Dayet Ifrah – Aguelmame Afenourir – Azrou
A day for the lakes of the Middle Atlas. Dayet Aoua, Dayet Ifrah and the marshy Aguelmame Afenourir each have a different character, and between them they hold Ruddy Shelduck, Red-knobbed Coot, Black-necked Grebe and Ferruginous Duck.
Marsh Harriers quarter the reedbeds, and the surrounding grasslands of the volcanic plateau are good for larks, Northern Wheatear and Long-legged Buzzard.
You spend a third night in Azrou.
- Lakes of the Middle Atlas
- Black-necked Grebe and Ferruginous Duck
- Marsh Harrier over the reeds
- Volcanic plateau scenery
Day 6
Day 6: Azrou – Timahdite – Zeida Plains – Midelt
Driving south over the volcanic plateau of Timahdite, you reach the open steppe of the Zeida plains, the classic site for Dupont's Lark.
The afternoon and early evening, when the larks become active again, are spent searching the plains for Dupont's, Thekla and Lesser Short-toed Larks and Red-rumped Wheatear.
Dinner and the night are in Midelt, the apple-growing town that serves as a base for the steppe.
- Across the Timahdite plateau
- Dupont's Lark on the Zeida plains
- Lesser Short-toed and Thekla Larks
- Evening in Midelt
Day 7
Day 7: Midelt – Zeida Plains – Ifrane – Fes
One more dawn on the Zeida plains, when Dupont's Lark sings most freely, before the drive north.
On the way to Fes you stop near Ifrane for any forest species still missing from your list.
The tour ends in Fes in the afternoon, at your riad, the railway station or Fes-Saïss Airport.
- A dawn chorus on the steppe
- Last forest stops
- Ifrane in the Middle Atlas
- End of the tour in Fes
Good to know
What’s Included
Included in the tour
- Private air-conditioned vehicle (4x4 or minibus, depending on your group size) for the whole tour
- English-speaking driver-guide; Spanish, Italian, French or Portuguese-speaking guides on request
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel, riad, airport or port
- 6 nights of accommodation with breakfast
- Dinner on the nights shown in the itinerary
- Free stops for photographs, tea and walks whenever you wish
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments, museums and film studios
- Tips for your driver-guide, local guides and camp staff
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and optional activities
Optional activities
Before you go
Practical Information
Pickup and drop-off
We collect you from your riad or hotel in Marrakech, or from Menara Airport, at around 8:00 am. In the medina, where cars cannot reach every door, your driver meets you at the nearest gate and helps with luggage.
You are dropped at your riad or hotel in Fes, or at Fes-Saïss Airport. If the tour arrives in the evening, plan your flight for the next morning or later.
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.
What to bring
- 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
- 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
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant seasons for travelling in Morocco, with warm days, cool evenings and long hours of light for sightseeing.
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.
Important information before booking
- 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.
- 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.
Questions and answers
7 Day High Atlas and Middle Atlas Birding Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 7-day tour from Marrakech private?
Yes. You travel only with the people in your own party, in a private vehicle with your own driver-guide. That means you choose the departure date, set the pace and can stop wherever you like along the way.
How much driving is there each day?
It varies from day to day. The longest stretch is on day 3, with 5.5 hours plus birding stops on the road, and the other days are noticeably shorter. In total the tour covers about 1,100 km. All times are approximate and broken up by visits, lunch and photo stops.
Can I change the itinerary or the start and end point?
Yes. The programme on this page is a starting point. We can add nights, swap stops, upgrade accommodation or finish somewhere other than Fes. Tell us what you have in mind and we will adjust the route and send a new quote.
Is a specialist bird guide included?
Our birding tours are private trips with an experienced driver-guide who knows the routes and the classic birding sites. A specialist ornithologist guide is not included in the itinerary. If you would like one for the whole tour or for certain sites, tell us when you enquire and we will tell you honestly what we can arrange.
Will we see the species listed on this page?
No one can promise wild birds, but the itinerary is built around the habitats and seasons where these species are regularly found, and we adapt the timing on the ground to give you the best chances.
Can a non-birding partner come along?
Yes. The pace includes rests in the middle of the day, and many birding sites are also beautiful places to walk, photograph or simply enjoy. We can add a visit or two for non-birders on request.
What is the best time of year for this tour?
March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winter is cooler and can be rainy in the north; summer is hot inland but pleasant on the coast.
How much does it cost and how do I book?
Prices are always quoted on request: the price depends on the number of travellers, the season and the accommodation category, so we quote each request individually. Send us your dates and group size by WhatsApp or email and we will reply with a detailed quote. You can ask for as many changes as you need before confirming.
Accommodation
Where You’ll Stay
Carefully selected riads, guesthouses, hotels and desert camps. The exact properties are confirmed with your quote, in the category you choose.
Night 2
Ouzoud
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
Nights 3, 4 and 5
Azrou
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
Night 6
Midelt
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
Gallery
Moments from the Journey
The places you will stand in on this route, in the order you reach them.
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Ready for Your Moroccan Adventure?
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will send you this itinerary with a personal quote. You can change anything you like before confirming.
Plan Your 7 Day High Atlas and Middle Atlas Birding Tour
Quick answers for planning your 7 day High Atlas and Middle Atlas birding tour with Magic Morocco Tours.
Middle Atlas
For Middle Atlas, the key day is day 3: Ouzoud – Bin el Ouidane – Khenifra – Aguelmame Azigza – Azrou. The day crosses the heart of the Middle Atlas.
Oukaimeden
For Oukaimeden, the key day is day 1: Marrakech – Ourika Valley – Oukaimeden. At Oukaimeden the plateau opens up beneath the peaks, and the afternoon is spent watching Alpine and Red-billed Choughs, Rock Sparrows and larks.
Azrou
For Azrou, the key day is day 3: Ouzoud – Bin el Ouidane – Khenifra – Aguelmame Azigza – Azrou. In the evening you arrive in Azrou, your base for three nights.