Day 2: El jadida – Atlantic coast – Casablanca – Rabat
Following an early start, the whole day will be devoted to our search for the elusive Small Buttonquail along the Atlantic coast. There is, of course, no guarantee of this bird but we will be visiting sites where we have seen them recently and at the best time of year. Further new species for the tour should include African Reed Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler. Late in the afternoon we drive to Casablanca then to Rabat.
Dinner and accommodation in Rabat.

Day 3: The Zaers – Sidi Boughaba Lake
An early start today is essential for a trip southeast of Rabat into the King’s hunting forest, the Zaers, to see and hear Double-spurred Francolin, a secretive game bird that calls from the tops of tree stumps. Other woodland species possible include Black Crowned Tchagra, Black-shouldered Kite, Woodpigeon, Greenfinch, Serin, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Barbary Partridge. We’ll spend the afternoon along the Atlantic coast, visiting lagoons and saltpans including an excellent freshwater lake, Lac de Sidi Bourhaba. Good numbers of Red-knobbed Coots should be on the lake as well as Marbled Duck and White-headed Duck, while Western Marsh Harriers quarter the reed beds.
Dinner and accommodation in Rabat.

Day 4: Merdja Zerga Lake & African Marsh Owl
After breakfast, we head north to Merdja Zerga, which means “Blue Lagoon”, a sweeping wetland on Morocco’s Atlantic coast south of Tangiers. Merdja Zerga is famous amongst birders as the last known winter haunt of the legendary Slender-billed Curlew, a bird now sadly presumed extinct. None have been seen here since 1995. Despite the demise of its Slender-billed Curlew, Merdja Zerga is still a magnificent wildlife site. Here a variety of terns stop to feed and breed, while waders probe the mud in their thousands, amongst them Green shanks, Spotted Redshanks, Whimbrels and Avocets. We’ll stay until late afternoon, for then we have a chance of seeing the extremely rare Moroccan Marsh Owl.
Dinner and accommodation in Rabat.

Day 5: Rabat – Meknes – Cedar Forest in Azrou – Middle Atlas Mountains – Zaida
Driving south-east to Midelt, we will stop firstly to search for Lesser Kesterl in Azrou town and then at excellent sites in the Middle Atlas for seeing Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker and Atlas Flycatcher. In the Cedar forests we may also see Wood Lark, Firecrest and the local races of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and Barbary Apes.
Dinner and accommodation in Zaida.

Day 6: Full day birding in Zaida Plain
We will leave early to search for Dupont’s Lark in Zeida Plain. This very difficult high-plains species disappearing amongst the tussocks. Excellent chances exist for seeing Seebohm’s Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Red rumped Wheatear, Black-Bellied Sandgrouse, Spectacled Warbler, Thekla Lark and Short toed Lark. If the heat allows, we will dedicate most of our day to exploring this area.
Dinner and accommodation in Zaida.

Day 7: Zaida – Middle Atlas Mountains – Beni Mellal – Marrakech
Transfer day from Zaida to Marrakech, drive through the Middle Atlas Mountians. We will do some birding stops in the road. Late in the afternoon we arrive to Marrakech. Free evening to visit the old quarter of Marrakech and the impressive Jema-el-fna square which is an unbelievable experience for any visitor – water sellers and spice stalls plus the charm of bargaining in the Souk (OPTIONAL).
Dinner and accommodation in Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech – Airport
If time allows some more birding in the Marrakech, then transfer to the airport where the trip ends.

NOTE: This is a flexible itinerary which may be adjusted to allow for changes in arrival and departure times, weather conditions and other related factors.