Wildlife
Souss Massa National Park: Birds, Dunes and the Bald Ibis
A coastal park south of Agadir where the Massa river meets the sea. Flamingos, water birds and the bald ibis, plus dunes and cliffs, with binoculars and park entry included.
- Duration
- Approx. 4.5 hours
- Languages
- English / French
- Getting there
- Hotel pickup
- Group size
- Up to 30 people
The experience
About this trip
Souss Massa runs along the coast south of Agadir, where the Massa river spreads out behind a line of dunes before it reaches the sea. That mix of fresh water, salt flats and dry plain is what pulls the birds in, and it is why the area was set aside for protection.
The estuary is the part most people remember. Flamingos feed in the shallows through much of the year, with herons, egrets and waders around them, and the Northern Bald Ibis, which survives in the wild almost only along this stretch of coast. We bring binoculars for everyone, and the guide knows which bank to stand on depending on the light and the water level.
Further in, the track runs past sand dunes and low cliffs and through the reserve where oryx and gazelles are kept and bred. Sightings are never promised, since the birds move with the water and the weather. Pickup and drop-off are included from Agadir, Taghazout or Tamraght.
Why this one
Highlights
- The Massa estuary, where the river meets the Atlantic
- Flamingos and water birds feeding in the shallows
- A chance at the Northern Bald Ibis, rare anywhere else
- Sand dunes and low cliffs along the coastal track
- Binoculars handed out for the group
- Pickup and drop-off from Agadir, Taghazout or Tamraght
Your day
How the day runs
09:00 Hotel pickup
We collect you from your hotel in Agadir or Taghazout.
09:20 The coast road south
A forty-minute drive out of the city, past the last of the hotels and into open country.
10:00 The Massa estuary
Binoculars out. Flamingos and waders feed in the shallows, and the guide points out the bald ibis if it is around.
10:30 Park museum
A short stop indoors to see what the park protects and why the ibis numbers fell.
10:45 Reserve track
The track loops through the reserve behind the dunes, where oryx and gazelles graze.
12:45 Drive back
Back up the coast road, past the villages on the way into Agadir.
13:30 Hotel drop-off
Back at your accommodation in Agadir or Taghazout.
What is included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off (Agadir, Taghazout & Tamraght)
- Air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
- Local guide
- Entrance ticket to the park
- Binoculars for the group
What to bring
- Shoes for sand and uneven ground
- Sun cream and a hat
- A bottle of water
- A camera with some zoom if you have one
Know before you go
- Park entry is included, and binoculars are handed out
- What you see depends on the season, so nothing is promised
- The route is open air, with little shade at midday
- The drive south takes about forty minutes each way
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What will we see in the park?
Flamingos, herons, egrets and waders on the estuary, and often the Northern Bald Ibis. The reserve behind the dunes holds oryx and gazelles.
Are tickets and binoculars included?
Yes. Park entry is included and we bring binoculars for everyone in the group.
Will we definitely see the bald ibis?
No one can promise that. The park holds one of the last wild groups, and the guide takes you to the spots where they usually feed.
How long is the trip?
About four and a half hours door to door, with two to three of those inside the park.
What should we wear?
Shoes for sand and uneven ground, a hat, sun cream and water. Bring a camera with some zoom if you have one.
Is there a lot of walking?
Most of the park is seen from the vehicle, with short walks at the viewpoints.
Ready when you are
Book Souss Massa National Park: Birds, Dunes and the Bald Ibis
Pick your date above and we will confirm by email. Free cancellation, pay at pickup, instant confirmation.