We are probably one of the most experienced nature tour companies for visits to this wonderful destination. Morocco has been a personal favourite of mine for many years and each visit produces reminders of why I love the country so much. The country is so different from its near neighbours in Europe and gives a real taste of Africa. Scenically and for nature the country has some gems to offer the explorer.
Our autumn tour starts and ends in the bustling
city of Marrakech, a real mixture of cultures, where a cosmopolitan population makes the visitor feel at ease and immediately immersed in the sights and sounds of Morocco. From here we venture westwards to the fishing port of Essaouira, difficult to pronounce after a wine, and the spectacle of Eleonora’s Falcon flying over the town and over the bay. From here we make our way to the hidden paradise valley south of the Tamri and take our time following this wonderful route to our hotel in Cascades, a high mountain retreat where we will stay for two nights and explore the area.
We journey southwards and take time to visit the inlet area of the Oued Sous before making our way to a desert area near to the important town of Guelmim. We stay here for two nights based in a wonderful hotel set in the Foum-Assaka desert. Here fellow travellers can relax or get up bright and early to see what warbler species have settled overnight. We will explore the surrounding area and visit the small river outlets by the nearby Atlantic coast. Again we are to spend two nights here and so can take our time visiting the more isolated parts of the surrounding deserts.
Our travels take us from the desert near to Guelmim to our next stop, again for two nights, in the national park of Sous Massa. The hotel here is on the beach and has a real atmosphere of tranquillity. It also has the advantage of being within walking distance to the nature reserve and we often see Bald Ibis both in the evenings and mornings flying by our hotel terrace. Of course the reserve has plenty of species to offer the keen birdwatcher and not least among these is the Black-crowned Tchagra. With Moussier’s Redstart a common bird in the area, then the stay here is rewarding as much as it is beautiful.
From the Oued Massa we wind our way back through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to Marrakech for our last night of the tour, but the next morning we will visit the mountain resort of Oukaimeden in an attempt to add a few last remaining speciality birds such as Crimson-winged Finch! A great tour and one I look forward to writing about for readers here upon my return. Peter Jones
We leave for our annual pilgrimage for autumn migration in Morocco on the 16th September and if you would like to join us, then we have ONE place left! It is a great tour and among the many highlights we will visit one of the largest colonies in the world for Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae and travel through the coastal area of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Scenically the area is stunning and from here we journey southwards to our desert camp on the Atlantic coast. Of course important sites such as the nature reserve at Oued Massa are explored and local birds are guaranteed. Why not join us?
