Birding on own from Agadir (1 Viewer)

[thomasbarker81]

I am thinking of visiting at the beginning November starting in Agadir. There are some organised bird tours going around this time but obviously these are significantly more than if I went on my own.

Just a few questions: How easy it to do the area on own? Does anyone know general costs, I can obviously find flight and car hire costs but what about other general everyday costs?


Any help and advice is much appreciated,

Thanks,

Tom

 

[John Fordham]

I am thinking of visiting at the beginning November starting in Agadir. There are some organised bird tours going around this time but obviously these are significantly more than if I went on my own.

Just a few questions: How easy it to do the area on own? Does anyone know general costs, I can obviously find flight and car hire costs but what about other general everyday costs?


Any help and advice is much appreciated,

Thanks,

Tom

Hi Tom,
I have been to Morocco by myself twice and am doing so again in October - love the place. I've always flown in to Marrakesh though. If you are planning to go south of Agadir, I can;t be much help as haven't as yet been in that direction but think that reading the report by Richard Bonser would be of great help

http://www.birdtours.co.uk/pdf-area/Morocco and Western Sahara trip report 2010.pdf

Firstly, I have had zero problems, apart from two speeding tickets, travelling by myself. To start with what I advise is getting:

1. Copies of the two Gosney guides to Morocco
2. A GPS receiver. This is ideal for finding the site co-ordinates in Gosney and numerous other trip reports - also needed if hiking and get into a sandstorm. I have the budget Garmin Etrek H and have found this to be ideal.

For car hire, I have always used Holiday Autos as found it significantly cheaper than other companies.

For accommodation, you can find accommodation in most places that suits your budget - in range £20 to £60 p.n. including breakfast. What I have done is not book anything in advance as found I wanted a flexible itinerary. What I have done, though, is go to the booking.com website and, for each place plan to visit, note down the accommodation options that they have there. One point - if going Oukaimeden, do not stay at hotel there - it is very expensive and food is crap.

Hope this helps.

 

[trw]

A wonderful country!
Spent three great Spring holidays in Essouaria,Taroudant and Ourzazate respectively.
Each area was totally different and I enjoyed the scenery,kasbahs, and the atmospheric towns as much as the birdwatching which,at that time of year is second to none-there is no better place to witness Spring migration.
I am not the World's most confident driver but I found driving east of Agadir around Taroudant and beyond Ouarzazate straightforward.
If you are driving east towards Taroudant follow the airport signs.Once you go past the airport it is a breeze.
The roads were long and straight with little traffic.
If you are feeling brave try the Tizi n Test road from Taroudant up the Atlas- stunning scenery.
It was built by the French Foreign Legion but it isn't for the faint hearted!
Have a great time!

 

[trw]

I forgot to mention the Moroccan hassle which varies from area to area.
It was worst around Taroudant and almost non existent in Essouaria-somewhere in between in Ouarzazate.
It didn't spoil our time there but it depends how you deal with it.
The children will often be curious and suddenly appear from nowhere when you are looking at a bird.
As I worked with difficult children I guess I knew how to deal with them firmly.
The hassle was certainly worse than Gambia and Tunisia which were more relaxing places to be out and about.