Kenya & Northern Tanzania
Norfolk in Autumn
Rif Mountains and Littoral Atlantique
The delightful prospect of warm October days with a wonderful show of autumn flowers and a rich variety of birds, butterflies and dragonflies is no doubt an appealing one. Add in a mix of the unspoilt coastal cliffs and marshes, oak woodlands, the dramatic cedar-dotted heights of the great Rif Mountains, and just a sprinkling of cultural sites, all concentrated in a remarkably small part of northern Morocco, and you’ve a very attractive destination.
It may come as a surprise to learn that very many of the more unusual and often endemic butterflies and dragonflies of the Maghreb fly at this season. Spotted Adonis Blue, Zeller’s and Rosy Grizzled Skippers and the spectacular Two-tailed Pasha will all feature. The moss and fern-laden streams of the Rif have Black Perchers and Migrant Spreadwings, whilst springs along the Atlantic Coast offer homes to Blue-eyed Hawker and Epaulett Skimmer.
Rare and lovely autumn flowers include sweetly-scented Narcissus viridiflorus, which has the most unusual green flowers, Narcissus cavanillesii with strange star-like flowers, and rather more typical of the genus, beautiful Narcissus elegans, these carpeting roadsides even by the airport terminal. Stunning patches of Iris planifolia decorate coastal dunes, whilst inland fields are studded with Autumn-flowering Mandrake and the deepest of pink Colchicum lusitanicum. Under oaks we’ll find lilac Crocus serotinus and blooming in drifts across the high Rif are the pink stars of Merendera filifolia. Birdlife is exceptional, with Great Bustard, Black-winged Kite, Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker and African Marsh Owl and incredible numbers of Crested Coots, Glossy Ibises and all manner of waders and ducks at Larache’s superb wetland.
Dates and Prices
24th October - 31st October 2024 (8 days)
* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged
Flowers, especially autumn bulbs, Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, and a little Culture.
One leader for a group of up to 8, two leaders up to the maximum group size of 15.
All flights. All transport, meals and accommodation in Morocco. Services of your leaders. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.
Flower, bird and butterfly checklists are available.
The Intercontinental Hotel in Tangiers is our base for the first night, and then we’ll move to the elegant Dar Echchaouen where the Rif Mountains rise right behind the hotel and Chefachaouen’s delightful narrow winding streets descend from the hotel’s front door. The rooms are beautifully furnished and have comfortable beds, and there’s a swimming pool. We’ll move to the Atlantic Coast for the last two nights, here staying at the recently completely renovated Hotel Espana in Larache. The rooms are clean and simple, and as with all the hotels on this holiday, they have en-suite WCs and showers/baths.
Very easy. Always at a relaxed pace and never more than two or three miles in any one day, perfectly suited to photographers.
UK outbound flights are direct from London Gatwick to Tangiers. The return flight is from Tangiers via Madrid to London Gatwick. Indirect routes from regional UK Airports* may be available.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
Usually very pleasant with warm sunny days, though cooler in the Rif, and showers or sometimes more prolonged rain can occur.
Contact us to check if there is availability for the number of places you require. Click on the ‘Book this Tour’ button on this page to be taken to the online booking form or contact us and we will send one to you which you can complete and send back to us. You will receive confirmation of your place, and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health information.
