The wildlife of Morocco

When travellers try to envision Morocco, perhaps they think of busy souks (traditional markets) in Marrakech, or picture-perfect riads in the cosmopolitan, polyglot-cultured cities of Casablanca and Tangier. But less commonly known among prospective tourists is that Morocco is also home to a number of great areas for spotting fascinating wildlife, far from the metropolitan hustle and bustle. Unfortunately, in the last few decades, certain parts of the Moroccan landscape have been negatively affected by deforestation and the overgrazing of livestock. This means quite a few of the country’s notable animal species — such as the Barbary macaque, Barbary leopard, Atlas deer, and Cuvier’s gazelle — are now endangered or vulnerable. To counter this and preserve threatened or endangered Morocco wildlife (as well as its remaining forests), the Moroccan government has implemented conservation programs and established a number of wildlife national parks and reserves.

If you want to take advantage of the average traveller’s misconceptions about Morocco’s relative lack of wildlife wonders, the following areas are all well worth a visit. These areas and parks aren’t well-known to tourists, so you won’t see anything like the crowds you’d expect on a safari in incredibly biodiverse countries in sub-Saharan Africa, like Kenya or Tanzania.

Endangered species in the Atlas Mountains

Spanning some 1,600 miles (about 2,57km) across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, the Middle and High Atlas Mountains give travellers the perfect opportunity to spot some of the most intriguing wildlife of Morocco.

As we briefly mentioned earlier, the Barbary macaque — the only member of the genus Macaca that lives outside Asia — is one of the unique and most remarkable animals you’ll see during your trip to Morocco. Unfortunately, it’s classified as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Formerly known as Barbary apes, they can only be found in small forests or bush areas in the mountainous areas of Morocco and Algeria, making the experience of seeing them in the wild one you’ll never forget.

While visiting Morocco, consider supporting the conservation efforts of this majestic species, such as those led by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund or Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC). Also, opt for a guided tour led by a knowledgeable local guide who understands the behaviour of Barbary macaques — which can sometimes become aggressive in unfamiliar circumstances, such as the presence of humans — and can ensure that visitors maintain a respectful distance.

Those fascinating primates are hardly alone in the Moroccan areas of the Atlas Mountains. In wildlife preserves such as the Haut Atlas Oriental National Park and Tazekka National Park, you can observe everything from the Barbary sheep and wild boar to Cuvier’s gazelle, red foxes, striped hyenas, African wolves, and Atlas deer. Haut Atlas will be of major interest to birders, as it hosts significant populations of Barbary partridges, spotless starlings, Maghreb green woodpeckers, Moussier’s redstarts, and multiple rare warbler species. It’s extremely unlikely, however, that you’ll see Barbary leopards in either park, as their Moroccan population is scattered throughout the higher, colder, and wilder areas of the Atlas Mountains.

The fauna and flora of Paradise Valley

Set deep within the High Atlas Mountains, and one of the most beautiful areas in Morocco, Paradise Valley is an awe-inspiring haven for nature and wildlife lovers. It offers the chance to see exotic birds such as kingfishers, dippers, the Algerian nuthatch, and Bonelli’s eagle (among others) in their natural habitat.

But this unique corner of the Atlas Mountains is also particularly well-known for its indigenous lizards and snakes, which thrive in rocky terrain that quite a few mammals might find hostile. You can find puff adders and Spanish terrapins alongside more unusual species such as the agile desert horned viper, saw-scaled viper, Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard, and Moroccan rock lizard. After dark, the night shift takes over — this is your chance to see the many species of geckos in Morocco, as well as the Atlas blunt-nosed viper.

It’s easy enough to drive to the valley and navigate it by yourself if you wish… but taking this leap is probably best suited to very experienced travellers. There are several reasons for this, but the most pressing is the sheer number of poisonous snakes, including all of the vipers mentioned above. Instead, you should also be able to find multiple guide-led tour options that embark from neighbouring Marrakech and Agadir.

If you’re venturing here for the day, we’d highly recommend checking out two excellent establishments along the way. The first, called Un Coin de Paradis, offers you the chance to enjoy authentic Moroccan tajine alongside some refreshing drinks right by the edge of the Tamraght River. Meanwhile, the second, the Panoramic Café, serves similar fare alongside traditional Moroccan mint tea atop a terrace that overlooks a large section of the valley. (You can also buy locally sourced honey in a variety of flavours.)

Read more: Take the kids to Morocco for a family vacation

Don’t forget the coastline

Along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastline of Morocco, the marine environment offers rich opportunities for Morocco wildlife observation and underwater exploration, making it an enticing destination for nature lovers and snorkelling enthusiasts alike. The Alboran Sea, which includes the Strait of Gibraltar and is close to both Algeria and Spain, provides a special showcase for marvellous marine biodiversity.

Several species of dolphins can be spotted off the Alboran coast, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and sometimes even orcas (aka killer whales, despite distinctly not being part of either biological whale family). The waters off Morocco are also visited by various whale species, particularly during their migratory seasons.

Species such as fin whales, sperm whales, long-finned pilot whales, and — albeit rarely — humpback whales can sometimes be spotted, and whale watching tours may be available to bring you even closer to these astonishing creatures. If you go snorkelling or scuba diving, you’ll see too many fish species to count, as well as large swordfish and loggerhead sea turtles. But keep in mind that many of these animals are threatened or endangered, so be careful to leave behind no evidence of your visit to their habitat.

Birdwatching at Souss-Massa National Park

Comprising cascading cliffs, pillowy sand dunes, wetlands, and grassland steppes, Souss-Massa National Park is one of Morocco’s most significant protected showcases for its flora and fauna. Located southeast of Agadir, the site was designated as a national park in 1991, and extends along the banks of the Massa and Souss rivers.

Souss-Massa is one of the most important — some would say the most important — bird habitats in Morocco. It has the distinction of housing the only colonies of northern bald ibis, a once-common species in its region that’s now extinct everywhere but the park. With binoculars around your neck and a notebook in your hand, set off to explore Souss-Massa’s magnificent landscapes and you may see the rare ibis.

Depending on the season, you might also glimpse thick-billed larks, red-necked nightjars, numerous warbler and wheatear species, marbled teals, and Eurasian spoonbills, to name just a few. Aside from the birds, African wildcats, red foxes, weasels, gazelles, white antelope, and scimitar oryx all call the park home, though some of these are endangered species being captive-bred for eventual reintroduction to the wild and stay in separate enclosures.

Read more: Top things to do in Morocco

Make it happen

If you’re feeling inspired to visit Morocco and explore the abundance and beauty of Morocco wildlife, get in touch with our local experts. They can tailor a trip itinerary that ensures you explore the many facets of this country, from the urban marvels to its natural wonders.