Perfect Holidays

PARADISE OF ORNITHOLOGISTS

Grace has a unique location and a diverse landscape. As a result, Morocco is a paradise for bird watchers. Numerous astonishing species inhabit the various ecosystems of the country, in particular the coastal marshes. Some 460 species have been recorded, including many migratory birds that pass through Morocco in spring and fall. Some travel between sub-Saharan Africa and Scandinavia, Greenland, or northern Russia; others stop in Morocco while waiting for winter to end in the north of Europe. The best time for bird watching is between March and May, the climate is pleasant, and there is a wide variety of species.

In winter, marshes and lagoons are also mainly populated with birds. We invite you to discover two important sites for ornithology enthusiasts: the birds of the High Atlas and the Oualidia natural reservoir on the Moroccan coast. In Toubkal National Park, there are nearly 95 remarkable species such as the
Golden Eagle, the Bearded Vulture, the Alpine Accentor, or the Pink-winged Bullfinch. There are also many unusual species, such as the North African race of the Blue Tit, the Pink-winged Finch, and the Peak, while the lower elevation valleys are home to the Moussier's Redstart. And the stony desert plateaus are home to the White-headed Wheatear, the Clot-Bey Lark, Ammomaneisabelline, and Roselingithagine. Oualidia and its environment also constitute a refuge ecosystem for several species of waterbirds that travel between Europe and Africa. More than 116 species of birds are counted there, of which we can quote the most remarkable: the white spoonbill, the pink flamant, the Audouin's gull, the marbled teal, and numerous ducks and waders, as well as the subspecies sylvatycus of the Turnix of Andalusia, one of the most endangered and rare species in the world, and which is found only in the region of Oualidia which attracts many bird watchers.

YOU WILL ENJOY :
• A trip for lovers of birds and the great outdoors
• Supervision by our English-speaking hiking guide, passionate about ornithology, as well as the expertise of a local guide on Toubkal National Park, Marrakech, and Oualidia
• A small group of 8 participants for quality observations
• Charming accommodation and local gastronomy
• A vehicle with a driver available throughout the stay

Day 1: Arrival / Welcome and transfer to the hotel la Roseraie

Stay for 4 nights with half board

Day 2: Toubkal National Park

You will explore the mountainous areas of Toubkal National Park around the Oukaimeden, hoping to see the North African breed of the Blue Tit and the Vaillant's Peak. You may also visit the North African species of the Gray Wagtail.
You will spend the day exploring the first foothills of the Atlas, which are home to the Sparrowhawk and Atlas Warbler, as well as the Spectacled Warbler. The Pink-winged Roseline is common, and you'll also see the Eurasian Nuthatch and the Garden Creeper.
The high altitude areas are home to the Alpine Accenture, the Yellow-billed

Day 3: From the Berber village of Asni to Ikiss

Morning departure to the High Atlas and the village of Asni, where you will start your observation until Ikiss. Picnic in brief sightings. Dinner and night at the La Roseraie. OBSERVATION : White stork / Egrets gazettes / couple of Hawk / couple of ferocious Hawk / Kestrel / Partridge prawns / Wood pigeon / rock pigeon / Little owl / European bee-eaters at Asni / Peak of Le vaillant / Théckla's cochineal, many Rock Swallows, a dozen House Finch Swallows, Window Swallows, Barn Swallows / Wagtail / Wren / Robin / Nightingale / Redstart / Red-tailed Wheatear / White Wheatear / Blackbird / Red-breasted warbler / Black-headed warbler

Day 4: the region of Tachedirt in Ibasen

It takes about 1 hour of walking to reach Tachedirt from Ikis. Arrived in Tachedirt, walk in the surroundings towards the Imlil pass. Picnic during the observations. Dinner and night at the Roseraie OBSERVATION : Adult Golden Eagle / Clear Phase Booted Eagles / Common Kestrel / Woodpeckers / Rock Swallow / Wren / Black Redstart / Redstart of Moussier / Rock & Blackbird / Blue Tit / Coal Tit / Black Tit / Chough / House Sparrow / Tree Finch / Mad Sparrow / Striped Sparrow.

Day 5: THE ROSERIE OUIRGANE / MARRAKECH / OUALIDIA 260KM

Early departure. On the way, visit the Anima garden created by Austrian artist Andrée Heller.

Then continuation on Marrakech short guided tour of the medina and the Souks.

After free time in Djamaa el Fna square, direction to El Oualidia.

The Lagoon of Oualidia is one of the most beautiful natural sites on the Moroccan coast; it is also a significant site for ornithology in Morocco, particularly during the passage and wintering of Palearctic migratory birds. There are more than 50 common species. Stay at the Hippocampe hotel for 3 nights with half board.

Briefing session with your local guide, who will give you an overview of the best places for a perfect observation of the region's bird species.

Day 6: Observation boat trip

On a boat trip through the lagoon, you can admire the immense sandbank and thousands of birds. A nature experience that not only inspires connoisseurs of birds. The rocks in front act like breakwaters, and the sea in the lagoon is therefore almost mirror-smooth.
In Oualidia, the following species can be observed during a boat trip on the lagoon: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Flamingo, Coot, Oystercatcher, Black Stilts, Gray Plover, GoldenPlove
Among other things, we can observe Great Plover from Norway, Black-tailed Godwits from Holland, Audouin's Gulls from Spain and Corsica, not to mention sandpipers and other knights, quite numerous at the edge of the lagoons. To end the day, little terns fishing above a shrimp school offered us a magnificent spectacle!
Sandpipers, Black-billed Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, or the Ruff, always surprising and so challenging to identify when the male has not yet put on his breeding plumage. Among the waders, the withe stilts are well represented, Chevalier harlequin and redshanks. Among the other species contacted, we find Melodious Linnet, Great Plover, Ring-necked Plover, Silver Plover Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Wood Dove, and Melodious Linnet.

Day 7: Freshwater lakes and traditional falconry

Bottom of the form Falconry In Morocco: More Than A Tradition: A Heritage To Preserve! If there is a tradition as old as humanity, it is falconry or the hunt for flight. And virtually the only Moroccans allowed to practice in the Kingdom today are members of the Kwassem tribes in the Doukkala region. UNESCO inscribed the art of falconry on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity following a request from several countries (Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Korea, Mongolia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Syria).

Description :
The art of falconry, known locally as Tabiazt, is traditionally practiced by the Kwassem tribe in the Doukkala region. The most used kind of falcon is the pilgrim called "Bahri" and "nebli," it is captured in the areas of the cities of Essaouira and Safi with a traditional method: a net is stretched around three stakes and on which a pigeon is placed—serving as bait. Attracted by the agitation of the pigeon, the hawk hovers around it, then attacks it.

Day 8: Departure and transfer to Marrakech airport

Included services:
4 nights at the La Roseraie hotel in Ouirgane with half board.
3 nights at the Hippocampe hotel in Oualidia with half board.
Provision of a professional driver/guide.
Qualified local guides in the Atlas Mountains and Oualidia.
Very comfortable 4X4 transport is available throughout the stay.
Mineral water 1 large bottle every day.
Daily picnics during the observations.
Visits and excursions according to the program.