Algeria - Wildlife & Culture

Summary

This exciting 8-day tour of Algeria offers a rich blend of birdwatching and cultural exploration across diverse landscapes, from lush forests to arid deserts. The journey begins with a flight from London to Algiers, from where we will make a short transfer to Jijel, where we will spend three nights. Here, birdwatching in the Djimla and Taza National Parks offers opportunities to find such exciting species as Algerian Nuthatch, Maghreb Owl, Atlas Flycatcher, and Levaillant’s Woodpecker. Across three days, we’ll enjoy excursions focused on the verdant forests and coastal regions, offering a mix of wildlife and stunning natural scenery.

Next, we will travel from Jijel to Constantine, with a stop at the UNESCO-listed Roman site of Djemila. In Constantine, known for its dramatic gorges and historical significance, we can observe Alpine and Pallid Swifts as well as the Algerian cirtensis subspecies of Western Jackdaw. The journey then continues with a flight to Tamanrasset, where the tour shifts focus to the breathtaking desert landscapes. Here, we can enjoy exciting excursions exploring the rugged terrain of the Hoggar Mountains, the Assekrem Plateau, and surrounding areas, seeking out desert-adapted birds such as Desert Wheatear, Fulvous Babbler, and the beautiful Crowned Sandgrouse.

The final days of the tour are spent exploring the gueltas and wetlands near Tamanrasset, which provide habitat for, amongst others, such exciting Western Palearctic species as African Silverbill and Red-billed Firefinch. The tour concludes with an early morning flight back to Algiers, with a city tour of Algiers – including Kasbah of Algiers, Notre Dame d’Afrique Cathedral, and the Palace of the Raïs – before the return flight to London. This exciting itinerary offers a comprehensive experience of Algeria's diverse habitats and wildlife, combined with a fascinating insight into the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Important: please note that it is prohibited to import binoculars and telescopes into Algeria and therefore birding is achieved mainly through telephoto camera lenses, which our local leader will also be equipped with.