Wildlife and the Souss Massa National Park

Agadir and Taroudant has the best access to areas of high biodiversity with many endemic species in the varied habitats of the Souss Valley, High Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains (including a National Park and a Biosphere Reserve).

**Please note: Our wildlife trips are only available as part of an itinerary booked through us including accommodation and transport.**

The Souss Massa is some 40 Miles south of Agadir and around 60 miles from Taroudant. Created as a National Park in 1991, it extends along the banks of Wadi Massa and is probably the most important bird habitat in Morocco. The home of the Bald Ibis in the sandy steppe habitat near to their nesting areas on the ledges of the steep cliffs, this green oasis on the northern borders of the Sahara is also home to common ravens, ducks, avocets and greater flamingoes. The spectactular headlands and estuaries are the home of coastal cactoid Euphorbia heaths which are a unique habitat. The coastline is also home to Yellow-legged and Lesser Black-backed gulls can be viewed.

Birds

The region has a huge range of interesting birds, both migrants and residents:

In the Souss Massa National Park: Marbled Teal, Pintail, Gadwall, Pochard, Snipe, various herons, Redstarts, Yellow Wagtails, Stonechats, various terns, Greater Flamingos, Spoonbills, Oystercatchers, various plovers, Dunlins, Curlews, Spotted and Common Redshanks,  Greenshanks, various gulls and Red-necked Nightjars, to name but a few.

In the Souss Valley (we travel via this region en route to the National Park): various Warblers, Buntings, Woodchat Shrikes, Booted and Tawny Eagles, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Montagu's and Marsh Harriers.

Other Wildlife

In addition to the excellent birdlife the area also contains a number of species of gazelle, oryx and ostrich, which have been introduced to the park.

Naturally Morocco offer day excursion for those wishing to have a brief introduction to bird watching. Please call us on 01239 710814 to discuss availability and your requirements. Please Note: Naturally Morocco's excursions are only available as part of a package booked through us that includes accommodation and transport.

The best time to visit is between October and May. November is particularly good for coastal wetland sites, as the winter migrants have just arrived. March to May is the best time to see the greatest range of migrants and residents.