Birdwatching tours To The Northern of Morocco & Zaida plain

Discover the "Northern & Middle Atlas Loop"—an incredible journey designed to showcase Morocco’s dramatic environmental contrasts. This route takes you from vibrant coastal lagoons and rich wetlands straight into the heart of the country's pristine forests and sweeping inland steppes.

Day 1: Marrakech – El jadida

Upon arrival at Marrakech Airport or your preferred location in the city, we begin our journey by driving north-west toward the Atlantic coast and the historic town of El Jadida.

As we leave the "Red City" behind, the landscape shifts into open plains and fertile agricultural lands. During the drive, we will keep a sharp lookout for a variety of characteristic Moroccan species. The sky and roadside will likely be busy with White Storks nesting on rooftops and Cattle Egrets following livestock in the fields. We will also scan the fallow ground for the chunky Calandra Lark and the ubiquitous Crested Lark.

Overhead, you’ll have the chance to distinguish between the rapid flight of Little Swifts and Pallid Swifts. In the gardens and groves along our route, the cheerful songs of the Common Bulbul and the glossy Spotless Starling will be a constant presence.

We will conclude the day in the coastal atmosphere of El Jadida, where you will enjoy dinner and settle into your accommodation for the night, ready for the coastal birding ahead.

Day 2: El jadida – Atlantic coast – Casablanca – Rabat

Following an early start, we dedicate the entire day to searching the Atlantic coastal plains for the legendary and elusive Small Buttonquail. While this rare species is never a guarantee, we will focus our efforts on specific sites where they have been recently recorded, visiting at the optimal time of year to maximize our chances.

As we navigate the coastal scrub and agricultural fields, we expect to encounter several new species for the tour. We will listen for the "zip-zip" call of the Zitting Cisticola over the grasslands and search the thicker cover for the African Reed Warbler and the bold Sardinian Warbler.

In the late afternoon, we transition from the quiet rural coast to the urban heart of the country, driving through the bustling metropolis of Casablanca before reaching Rabat, where we will settle in for the evening.

Day 3: From Rabat -The Zaers – Sidi Boughaba Lake

We will begin the day with an early start, heading inland to the Zaers region. Our primary objective is the Double-spurred Francolin; we will listen for its distinctive morning call as it emerges from the cork oak scrub. The surrounding woodland and Mediterranean maquis are also home to the Black-crowned Tchagra, Barbary Partridge, and various raptors such as the Black-winged Kite.

In the afternoon, we shift our focus to the Sidi Boughaba lakeside reserve. This RAMSAR-listed wetland is a sanctuary for some of Morocco’s rarest waterfowl. We will scan the water for the globally threatened Marbled Duck and the Red-knobbed Coot, while keeping an eye on the reed beds for the African Swamphen. Overhead, Marsh Harriers are frequently seen hunting over the rushes.

Throughout the day, we will also look for a variety of woodland and edge-habitat birds, including Sardinian Warblers, Woodchat Shrikes, and European Bee-eaters. We will return to Rabat in the evening for dinner and our overnight stay.

Day 4: Merdja Zerga Lake & African Marsh Owl

After breakfast, we head north to Merdja Zerga, the "Blue Lagoon," a vast and spectacular wetland on the Atlantic coast. While historically famous as the final wintering site of the now-extinct Slender-billed Curlew, the lagoon remains one of Africa’s premier birding destinations.

We will spend the day exploring the mudflats and saltmarshes, where thousands of waders such as Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, and Avocet probe the silt. The lagoon is also a vital stopover for various terns and Greater Flamingos.

The true highlight comes in the late afternoon; we will remain at the marsh edges for a chance to witness the hunt of the extremely rare and elusive African Marsh Owl. This localized specialist is often seen emerging at dusk to quarter the reed beds. After a full day of coastal birding, we return to Rabat for dinner and our overnight stay.

Day 5: Rabat – Meknes – Cedar Forest in Azrou – Middle Atlas Mountains – Zaida

We leave the coast today and drive south-east toward the high-altitude landscapes of Midelt. Our first key stop is the mountain town of Azrou, where we will scan the old buildings and rocky ledges for the Lesser Kestrel. Continuing into the lush Middle Atlas Mountains, we will explore some of Morocco's most magnificent habitats. We’ll visit specific sites within the ancient Cedar forests to search for the endemic Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker and the stunning Atlas Flycatcher. These cool, high-elevation forests also provide sanctuary for Wood Larks, Firecrests, and localized races of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Coal Tit. While birding, we are very likely to encounter troops of Barbary Macaques (locally known as Barbary Apes) playing among the giant cedars. Our day concludes in the high steppe town of Zaida, where we will have dinner and settle into our accommodation, positioned perfectly for the search for the rare Dupont's Lark tomorrow.

Day 6: Day Birding in Zaida Plain

We will set out before dawn to the Zaida Plain, a vast high-altitude steppe and the premier location for finding the elusive Dupont’s Lark. Known for its "ghost-like" behavior, this specialist hides amongst the alfa grass tussocks, making an early start essential to catch its haunting morning song.

As the sun rises over the plains, the area becomes a hive of activity for desert and steppe specialists. We will scan the rocky outcrops and scrub for Seebohm’s, Desert, and Red-rumped Wheatears, as well as the secretive Spectacled Warbler. The sky often fills with the sight and sound of Black-bellied Sandgrouse flying to water, while the ground is home to a variety of larks, including Thekla and Greater Short-toed.

If the midday heat permits, we will dedicate the majority of our day to thoroughly exploring this unique habitat before returning to Zaida for dinner and our overnight stay.

Day 7: Zaida – Middle Atlas Mountains – Beni Mellal – Marrakech

Our final day is a transition from the high steppes back to the vibrant "Red City." We depart Zaida, driving through the scenic winding roads of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Along the way, we will make strategic birding stops to catch any mountain specialties we may have missed, keeping a lookout for raptors soaring over the limestone ridges.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Marrakech. You will have a free evening to immerse yourself in the magic of the old quarter and the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. This UNESCO site is a sensory whirlwind of spice stalls, traditional water sellers, and musicians—a quintessential Moroccan experience and a perfect place for some final bargaining in the souks.

The tour concludes with a transfer to the airport for your departure, marking the end of our journey through the diverse habitats and spectacular birdlife of Morocco.

Note:

This 7-day Morocco tour can be fully customized based on your travel dates, group size, and interests. If you wish to upgrade your accommodations, adjust the pace, or add special experiences such as cooking classes, quad rides, desert activities, or extra nights in Marrakech or the desert, our team can personalize the trip to match your needs.

We also offer fully personalized student tours across Morocco, including tailor-made itineraries for Erasmus groups, university trips, and small student groups. Simply let us know your preferences, and we will design a unique educational and cultural experience just for you.