Night 1
Oukaimeden
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
8-Day Atlas, Atlantic & Guelmim Birding Tour from Marrakech
Eight days from Marrakech to Agadir that reach further south than most birding trips.
- Private Tour
Only - Local
Driver-Guides - Comfortable
Vehicles - Handpicked
Accommodation - Fully
Customisable
Tour overview
From Marrakech to Agadir in Eight Days
Eight days from Marrakech to Agadir that reach further south than most birding trips. After the High Atlas at Oukaimeden and the larks of the Tagdilt track, you cross the Anti-Atlas to the Souss-Massa National Park, then spend two nights in Guelmim, on the edge of the Sahara, exploring its desert plains and wadis, before ending with the Northern Bald Ibis at Tamri.
Our 8 Day Atlas Atlantic and Guelmim Birding Tour begins in Marrakech and ends in Agadir, covering about 1,620 km by road over eight days. Along the way you will experience the Tizi n'Tichka pass over the High Atlas, Taroudant and the saffron country of Taliouine, the Northern Bald Ibis of Tamri and the Souss-Massa National Park, the larks and wheatears of the Tagdilt track, the high-mountain birds of Oukaimeden in the High Atlas and the Atlantic wetlands of the Souss estuary and Merja Zerga. 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: 7 nights in all, in kasbah-style guesthouses in the southern valleys and comfortable hotels where they suit the route better. 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 2, with 6 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.
- Duration8 days / 7 nights
- StartMarrakech
- EndAgadir
- Tour typePrivate tour
- GroupJust your own party
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese
- TransportPrivate 4x4 or minibus with A/C
- AccommodationComfortable hotel and Kasbah-style guesthouse
Highlights
Tour Highlights
- Look for the Northern Bald Ibis at Tamri and Souss-Massa
- Find the larks of the Tagdilt track
- Watch high-mountain birds at Oukaimeden
- Scan Atlantic wetlands for flamingos and waders
- Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass
- Cross the saffron country of Taliouine
Detailed itinerary
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1: Marrakech – High Atlas – Oukaimeden
We collect you in Marrakech and head south to the High Atlas, climbing through the villages and terraces of the Ourika to the plateau of Oukaimeden.
The afternoon is spent among the boulders and meadows looking for Crimson-winged Finch, Rock Sparrow, Black Wheatear and, in season, Atlas Wheatear, with choughs calling overhead.
You stay the night in the mountains.
- Into the High Atlas
- Crimson-winged Finch and Rock Sparrow
- Black and Atlas Wheatears
- Night at altitude
Day 2
Day 2: Oukaimeden – Tizi n'Tichka – Ouarzazate – Boumalne Dades
Crossing the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka, you stop wherever the scrub and ridges look promising for Barbary Partridge, Tristram's Warbler and soaring raptors.
Beyond Ouarzazate, the El Mansour Eddahbi barrage attracts Ruddy Shelduck, ducks, herons and raptors hunting along the shore.
The road then follows the valley east to Boumalne Dades, where you spend the night.
- Over the Tizi n'Tichka
- Raptors and waterfowl at the barrage
- Kasbah road to the east
- Evening in Boumalne
Day 3
Day 3: Boumalne Dades – Tagdilt Track – Ouarzazate
The morning belongs to the larks of the Tagdilt track. Walking slowly across the stony steppe, you look for Thick-billed, Temminck's, Thekla and Short-toed Larks, Red-rumped Wheatear and Cream-coloured Courser.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Long-legged Buzzard are also regular here, and the light is best before the heat haze rises.
You return west to Ouarzazate for the night.
- Thick-billed Lark on the Tagdilt
- Temminck's, Thekla and Short-toed Larks
- Wheatears of the steppe
- Back to Ouarzazate
Day 4
Day 4: Ouarzazate – Anti-Atlas – Taroudant – Agadir
A day crossing the Anti-Atlas, a range of dry, folded mountains between the High Atlas and the Sahara. Roadside stops can give Maghreb Wheatear, Desert Lark and Long-legged Buzzard.
You descend into the Souss Valley at Taroudant, a town enclosed by ochre walls, where Common Bulbuls and Spotless Starlings are common in the gardens.
In the evening you reach Agadir on the Atlantic coast.
- Anti-Atlas crossing
- Maghreb Wheatear and Desert Lark
- The walled town of Taroudant
- Down to the Souss coast
Day 5
Day 5: Agadir – Oued Massa – Souss-Massa National Park – Agadir
A full day in the Souss-Massa National Park, focusing on the lagoon and river of the Oued Massa. The thick riverside scrub hides Black-crowned Tchagra and Moussier's Redstart, while Barbary Partridges call from the slopes.
On the water you look for Marbled Duck, Glossy Ibis, herons and spoonbills, with flamingos and waders on the estuary. The Northern Bald Ibis sometimes feeds in the coastal fields here.
You return to Agadir in the late afternoon.
- Black-crowned Tchagra in the scrub
- Marbled Duck on the lagoon
- Herons, spoonbills and flamingos
- Northern Bald Ibis possible near the coast
Day 6
Day 6: Agadir – Tiznit – Anti-Atlas – Guelmim
Leaving Agadir, you drive south through Tiznit and over the last folds of the Anti-Atlas, watching the landscape become steadily drier and emptier.
Stops on the way can produce Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Desert Lark and Southern Grey Shrike, while the oases near the road attract migrants in spring.
In the afternoon you arrive in Guelmim, a market town on the edge of the Sahara, and check in for two nights.
- South through Tiznit
- Into drier country
- Raptors over the Anti-Atlas
- Arrival in Guelmim
Day 7
Day 7: Guelmim – Desert Plains – Wadis – Guelmim
A full day exploring the desert plains and wadis around Guelmim, a less visited corner of Moroccan birding. On the open stony ground you search for Cream-coloured Courser, sandgrouse, Bar-tailed Lark and Greater Hoopoe-Lark.
The acacia-lined wadis are good for Fulvous Babbler, Desert Grey Shrike and wheatears, and raptors such as Lanner Falcon and Long-legged Buzzard patrol the skies.
You return to Guelmim for a second night.
- Open desert south of Guelmim
- Coursers and sandgrouse
- Wadis lined with acacias
- Larks and wheatears of the south
Day 8
Day 8: Guelmim – Tiznit – Agadir – Tamri
On the final day you drive back north across the Anti-Atlas to Agadir, with stops for any birds you are still hoping to see.
In the afternoon you continue up the coast to Tamri, where the Northern Bald Ibis feeds on the coastal steppe and cliff tops, a fitting finale to the tour.
In the evening your driver drops you at your hotel in Agadir or at Al Massira Airport.
- Back north to the coast
- Afternoon at Tamri
- Northern Bald Ibis on the steppe
- Drop-off in Agadir
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
- 7 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 returned to your hotel in Agadir or Taghazout, or to Al Massira Airport, in the early evening.
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
8 Day Atlas Atlantic and Guelmim Birding Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 8-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 2, with 6 hours plus birding stops on the road, and the other days are noticeably shorter. In total the tour covers about 1,620 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 Agadir. 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
Dades Valley
Kasbah-style guesthouse
A family-run guesthouse or kasbah hotel built in the local earthen style, with en-suite rooms, a terrace over the valley and a home-cooked dinner.
Night 3
Ouarzazate
Kasbah-style guesthouse
A family-run guesthouse or kasbah hotel built in the local earthen style, with en-suite rooms, a terrace over the valley and a home-cooked dinner.
Nights 4 and 5
Agadir
Comfortable hotel
A well-located hotel with en-suite rooms, chosen for comfort and convenience after a day on the road.
Nights 6 and 7
Guelmim
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 8 Day Atlas Atlantic and Guelmim Birding Tour
Quick answers for planning your 8 day Atlas Atlantic and Guelmim birding tour with Magic Morocco Tours.
Souss Massa
For Souss Massa, the key day is day 5: Agadir – Oued Massa – Souss-Massa National Park – Agadir. A full day in the Souss-Massa National Park, focusing on the lagoon and river of the Oued Massa.
Tagdilt Track
For Tagdilt Track, the key day is day 3: Boumalne Dades – Tagdilt Track – Ouarzazate. The morning belongs to the larks of the Tagdilt track.
Northern Bald Ibis
For Northern Bald Ibis, the key day is day 5: Agadir – Oued Massa – Souss-Massa National Park – Agadir. On the water you look for Marbled Duck, Glossy Ibis, herons and spoonbills, with flamingos and waders on the estuary.