December, 2010 - Vol 2, Issue 7

I have been to and written about Morocco so many times and yet it never fails to leave me with impressions of wonder, not least of vast empty tranquil spaces where it is possible to be completely immersed in nature. Such a grand landscape is presented with perspectives beyond words, from the towering High Atlas Mountains to endless rolling dunes of the Sahara, from Palm lined valleys to multi-coloured striated flat topped mountains; it is a place of unimaginable beauty. The country also has an added attraction and great bonus for me acting as it does as a bridge between the more southerly regions of Africa and Europe for migratory birds. Little wonder I am constantly drawn by the calling of this exotic place and also its people.

Certainly I have been lucky, not to mention privileged, leading many tours of inquisitive nature lovers to the deserts, mountains and cultural centres of this western outpost in North Africa. It has been during the course of these visits that both Spanish Nature, a tour operator with a real difference, and I have become acquainted with various communities of native Berbers and country dwelling folk. The country has become popular with our many friends who accompanied me on Spanish Nature tours and it is not surprising many of these tours become over subscribed. I am bound for our safari into the Saharan region next March 2011 and if you want to savour this culturally and bird rich country, why not join me and meet such rarities as Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler and a host of other much sought after species?

For further information on Peter's next Moroccan Safari

For related articles on our community projects in Morocco

Can't make the spring safari, but want to go later in the year?

Special Offer
Our tour leader and guide, Peter Jones, has now led 18 tours to this region and remains as enthusiastic as he had been on his 1st visit. A real veteran of this country, Peter will be able to offer you a holiday to remember. The Moroccan birding tour goes from Marrakech, over the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate and moves on to visit the most southern part of the country before entering the Sahara. Birding in Morocco is special because of the many specialties, and seeing the daily life here will simply amaze you.

At this moment cheap flights to Marrakech from various European destinations make doing this tour even more accessible. Join us on our tour to this exotic destination. See Special Offers

Our first tour to Gambia in 2009 was fully booked within a couple of weeks. Also our tour next January is fully booked already. Because of so much interest we are running two tours a year to this exotic nearby destination. This tour not only offers great birding and wildlife opportunities, but also incorporates a unique view of the real Africa with the chance to spend days relaxing on boat rides and slumbering on the white sands of our beachside hotel.

We have some places left on our tour in March 2011, so why not join us on this great opportunity to see Africa and relax with like-minded fellow travellers? To find out more about this great tour click here

A recce tour is a tour organized by the Spanish Nature team, but can involve some uncertainties. By definition we have not visited these areas previously and so cannot give the same quality guarantees as you are used to on other trips. The advantage is that prices are based on our actual cost price, which means it may be of interest to friends.

The dates for our first China tour are from 12^th to 26^th of June. We will visit the  Sichuan Province with its High Mountain Range and the grasslands of the Tibetan High Plateau. We have published the full tour description on the website and just by reading our description makes you wish you were there with us. By special request of some fellow travellers we have designed a pre-extension to this trip to another fabulous destination: Tibet - The roof of the world. A mini birding tour in this fascinationg world is an opportunity too good to miss, being as we are already so close whilst in China.

Our second tour to China (scheduled for either April or May 2012), will be in the Yunnan province, renowned for the flowering of thousands of different Rhododendrons species. We would advise not to wait too long with your booking as we only have a limited number of places.  We ask only for a small deposit (€ 100p/p) to reserve your place. Contact us

We have now designed the first tour to Botswana - Africa's most beautiful Wilderness (14^th to 26^th of October 2011). This tour will visit Central Kalahari, going through the Okavango Delta and ending at the Victoria Falls. For wildlife, Botswana is the very best and also the birding is magnificent. To get the best out of this birding/game drive Safari we have chosen a "luxury (mobile) camping safari". Our camp gets taken down and put up by the staff at a different location every second or third day. Travelling will be by open game drive and for longer distances by chartered small aeroplanes.  We already have some fellow travellers who have pre-booked this tour! Read all about it
Important note: Although the tour is planned for October 2011 we need to close bookings early i.e. by 28^th of February 2011, in order to be certain of reserving places.

Its great fun to be involved with picking out destinations and investigating them to see if they fit with our philosophy. In the end it is all done to provide you with the opportunity to visit and explore great places in good company. Our enjoyment, put very simply, is your enjoyment. We thank you all for your encouragement and most of all your friendships. Our company phrase 'Travelling Together as Friends', we believe, says it all. Please keep well and in touch.