Wildlife Photography Hides in Algeria

Northern Algeria / BouAfroun Forest

Available as a tailor-made private extension, Rockjumper's Algeria Nuthatch tour centres on the Bouafroune / Djimla Forest complex near Jijel - the most reliably productive site for the world's rarest nuthatch. The Algerian Nuthatch (Sitta ledanti) was only discovered in 1975 and has fewer than 1,000 individuals across four fragmented forest patches. Expert Rockjumper guides work the cedar-oak-fir stands at 1,287 m for early-morning singing birds, while afternoons explore Taza National Park for Levaillant's Woodpecker, Atlas Flycatcher, and Maghreb Owl. Itinerary and pricing are tailor-made per group; contact Rockjumper for a quote. Rockjumper runs over 300 scheduled tours globally and maintains high guiding standards with specialist ornithologists. As a tailormade private tour, the itinerary can be extended to include El Kala wetlands or Constantine's Rhumel Gorge. Contact Rockjumper directly for the most current scheduling and pricing. The tour can also be combined with Morocco as an extension, covering a wider range of Maghreb endemics. Contact Rockjumper at info@rockjumper.com or call their South Africa office to discuss dates and group size.

Constantine / BouAfroun / Tamanrasset (extension)

A focused 5-day tour (8-day with optional Tamanrasset extension) designed to pin down Algeria's flagship endemic the Algerian Nuthatch in the Bouafroune Forest near Constantine at around 1,290 m. The compact tour group (max 9) also targets Maghreb Owl in mature cedar-oak forest, Tristram's Warbler in maquis scrub, and Barbary Partridge on rocky hillsides. En route wildfowl stops at Rajla Lake and Lac Laghdir add Ferruginous Duck and Red-crested Pochard. The extension south to Tamanrasset opens up the Saharan specialities: African Silverbill by the hundreds in Oued Tamanrasset and Red-billed Firefinch in hotel gardens. Ground price GBP1,345; full tour with flights approximately GBP1,795. Binoculars may not be imported; telephoto lenses are the standard tool. The small group size (max 9) ensures excellent access and flexibility. Birdfinders is a UK specialist operator with over 25 years of experience running tight, expert-led birding tours. Visa cost approximately GBP85 obtained on arrival at Algiers airport. Birdfinders has run this specific tour itinerary since at least 2019 and the route is well established with reliable local guide contacts in both the north and south.

Jijel / Tamanrasset / Algiers

An 8-day expert-led wildlife holiday combining Algeria's most rewarding birding habitats from north to south. Days 2-3 are spent in Djimla Forest (Bouafroune) and Taza National Park near Jijel searching for the critically endangered endemic Algerian Nuthatch alongside Levaillant's Woodpecker and Maghreb Owl. Day 4 transfers via Constantine - where Alpine and Pallid Swifts quarter the Roman gorge - to Tamanrasset by overnight flight. Days 5-7 explore the Ahaggar: gueltas around Oued Tamanrasset for African Silverbill, gardens for Red-billed Firefinch, and the Assekrem plateau for desert raptors and Brown-necked Raven. Note: binoculars and telescopes are prohibited from import; photography lenses are used for all observation. Price GBP4,495 including UK flights. Highly recommended for birders visiting Algeria for the first time. All accommodation is in simple comfortable hotels throughout. Dan Lay (Operations Manager) is the specialist contact at +44 1962 733051. An Algerian government-licensed local guide accompanies each departure alongside the Naturetrek leader.

El Achir / BouAfroun / Tamanrasset

A 7-day specialist birding tour operating with a maximum of six participants for an intimate experience. Day 1 arrives in Algiers and transfers to El Achir. Day 2 targets Atlas Crossbill in Pinus nigra at a roadside gully west of El Achir (GPS 36.07N 4.50E) alongside Tristram's Warbler. Day 3 visits Bouafroune Forest for Algerian Nuthatch then lake stops for wildfowl before an overnight flight to Tamanrasset. Days 4-6 comb the Tamanrasset oueds and hotel gardens for African Silverbill, Red-billed Firefinch, and the extreme rarity Sudan Golden Sparrow - birds that represent the northernmost extent of a Sahelian avifauna. Ground price GBP1,950 including domestic flights, all meals, accommodation, and entrance fees. Visas obtained on arrival (approx GBP85). Binoculars and scopes prohibited by Algerian law; cameras up to 400mm permitted. Zoothera operate with a maximum of six participants, kept deliberately small to maximise flexibility at sensitive sites. A single supplement of GBP90 is available. Deposit GBP300; full balance required 10 weeks before departure.

Algiers / Saharan Atlas / Tamanrasset

Wild Frontiers is an award-winning adventure travel specialist running responsible group tours to Algeria's Saharan landscapes. Their Algeria programme combines cultural immersion with natural history, covering the Saharan Atlas, Tassili n'Ajjer or Hoggar regions depending on departure, with sustainable tourism at its core. The operator works with local Tuareg and Berber guides, staying in family-run guesthouses and desert camps to keep money in local communities. Wildlife photography opportunities include Barbary Sheep on volcanic rock formations, Fennec Fox on nocturnal game drives, and superb desert bird photography at oases. Wild Frontiers vets all local partners for responsible practice and maintains small group sizes. Enquire directly for current itineraries and pricing. Wild Frontiers regularly updates security assessments and maintains FCDO/US State Department compliance. Comprehensive pre-trip information packs and 24/7 in-country support are standard for all departures. The operator has been running Algeria tours since 2016 and maintains current security briefings. All tours include comprehensive pre-departure information packs and an emergency contact protocol for travel in the Saharan interior.

Ahaggar (Hoggar) Mountains

The Assekrem plateau (2,873 m) in the heart of the Hoggar Mountains offers one of North Africa's most dramatic sunrise spectacles: a volcanic moonscape of eroded plugs catching the first light over hundreds of kilometres of Sahara. Father Charles de Foucauld's hermitage at the summit has hosted pilgrims and explorers since the 1900s. For wildlife photography the rocky ridges hold Barbary Sheep (Aoudad) which can be photographed against the dramatic skyline in the golden hour. Brown-necked Ravens, Trumpeter Finches, and Pale Crag Martins are constant companions. Lanner Falcon hunts the thermals. Reach Assekrem by 4x4 from Tamanrasset (80 km / approx 2.5 hrs); a licensed Tamanrasset guide is mandatory for all visitors to the Ahaggar Cultural Park. The mountain gite provides very basic but atmospheric overnight accommodation; book well ahead. Stay two nights for both sunset and sunrise photography. The mountain gite at Assekrem is run by the White Fathers and has basic dorm beds and meals; advance reservation by phone via Tamanrasset is strongly recommended. Budget at least two nights: one for sunset, one for sunrise, to fully exploit the extraordinary light.

Batna Province / Aures Mountains

Belezma National Park (26,250 ha / established 1985) protects one of Algeria's finest Atlas Cedar forests in the Aures Mountains 25 km northwest of Batna. The park harbours over 300 resident wildlife species including the Barbary Macaque, Wild Boar, and Barbary Sheep - the latter found on exposed rocky ridges. Spring photography rewards with wildflower carpets under the cedars and displaying Barbary Partridge. Levaillant's Woodpecker is common in mature cedar stands and the forest edge holds Atlas Crossbill in good cone years. The park is far less visited than Djurdjura offering a genuine wilderness feel. Best reached from Batna by road. The Djebel Metlili circuit (2,004 m) is the main wildlife trail. No formal hide infrastructure but numerous photographic vantage points along forest tracks. Batna city has a domestic airport (BTN) with regular flights from Algiers, making it one of the easier Algerian national parks to reach independently. Spring (March-May) is the best season combining wildflower photography with maximum bird activity.

Bechar Province / Great Western Erg

Beni Abbes and nearby Taghit, set where the Oued Saoura meets the Great Western Erg, are the premier sites for Saharan oasis bird photography in western Algeria. Desert Sparrow - a scarce Saharan specialist - inhabits the palm gardens. Fulvous Babbler chatters in tamarisk scrub along the dry riverbed. Bar-tailed Desert Lark and Saharan Wheatear inhabit the rocky desert margins. The dunes themselves attract Cream-coloured Courser and sandgrouse at dusk waterholes. After dark, Egyptian Nightjar and Pharaoh Eagle-Owl are realistic targets on guided spotlight drives. Taghit's 600 km stretch of magnificent dunes (beginning of the Grand Erg Occidental) makes for dramatic photographic backdrops. Beni Abbes has a small zoo with rescued desert mammals. Both towns have basic hotels. Best combined as a 3-4 day self-drive circuit from Bechar (airport with flights from Algiers). Both oases have improved infrastructure in recent years following government investment in tourism. Taghit in particular has several well-reviewed guesthouses and restaurants catering for overnight visitors. The 650 km drive from Algiers via Bechar is possible but flying to Bechar is recommended.

M'Sila Province (Hodna Basin)

Chott el Hodna is Algeria's largest Ramsar-listed salt lake (324,000 ha / designated 2001), a vast endorheic basin in the central high plateaux visited by tens of thousands of Greater Flamingos when winter rains flood the shallow depression. 119 bird species have been documented including Cuvier's Gazelle on the steppe margins. The lake fills from November through March and may be largely dry by May. A network of dirt tracks from M'Sila (45 km) allows 4x4 approach to the flamingo concentrations; the shimmering salt flat creates exceptional photographic conditions at dawn. The surrounding steppe grassland harbours steppe specialists including Cream-coloured Courser, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, and Little Bustard. No infrastructure or guides on site; self-drive from M'Sila with a 4x4 vehicle. Check local conditions before visiting as water levels vary enormously year to year. The site is entirely self-guided with no visitor infrastructure. A 4x4 vehicle is essential as the approach tracks cross soft mud when wet. The nearest accommodation and fuel is in M'Sila (45 km north). Best visited November-February for peak flamingo numbers.

Jijel Province / Babor Mountains

The Djimla Forest (also called Foret de Bouafroune) is the most accessible site for the critically endangered Algerian Nuthatch, discovered only in 1975 and found at just four forest patches in Algeria. Located south of the town of Djimla at 1,287 m elevation in a mixed deciduous forest dominated by Algerian oak, the site can be visited independently or with a local guide. Walk the forest tracks in early morning for the best nuthatch activity. Atlas Flycatcher breeds here alongside Maghreb Owl (owling at dusk). Two local birding guides available: Karim Haddad (karim241267@yahoo.fr) and Walid Soukkou (soukkouw@yahoo.com). Binoculars may not legally be imported into Algeria; use camera lenses. The ecotourism agency Sittelle Kabyle (Jijel) can arrange visits: ecotourisme.jijel@gmail.com. GPS: 36.5797N 5.8871E. Access is by private vehicle or taxi from Jijel (50 km). The forest road is passable in a standard car. Arrive before 07:00 for the best nuthatch activity. There are no facilities on site; bring water and packed food.

Kabylie / Tizi Ouzou & Bouira Provinces

Djurdjura National Park (185 km2 / established 1983) in the Kabylie Mountains is the most accessible site in northern Algeria for Barbary Macaque - Algeria's only non-human primate. Several hundred individuals inhabit the cedar and oak forests between Tikjda plateau and the Mimouna spring with best viewing in early morning and late afternoon. The highest peak, Lalla Khedidja (2,308 m), overlooks Atlas Cedar stands that fill with woodpeckers and flycatchers in spring. Autumn brings impressive migratory raptors along the ridge. The Tikjda resort area (1,463 m) provides accommodation and is the trailhead for most forest walks. Maintain at least 15 m from macaques and do not offer food. Combine with a short drive to the Gorges de la Chiffa (Blida) where macaques can also be photographed. Road access is straightforward from Algiers (110 km). The Tikjda ski resort (closed in summer) provides the best base with lodges and restaurants. A 4x4 is recommended for tracks above Tikjda but roads to the main viewpoints are paved. Entry to the national park is free; guided walks can be arranged on site.

El Kala / Tarf Province (NE Algeria)

El Kala National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1990 / 82,100 ha) hosts the last significant population of Barbary Deer - the rarest subspecies of red deer in the world - in its cork oak and maritime pine forests. Lac Tonga is internationally recognised as the most important breeding site for waterbirds in the western Mediterranean, supporting over 60,000 migratory birds in winter. Three globally threatened duck species breed here: White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, and Ferruginous Duck. The adjacent Lac Oubeira and coastal lagoon Lac Mellah add further habitat diversity. Dawn excursions in the cork oak forest give the best chance of photographing Barbary Deer; the wetlands are best in early morning when waders and wildfowl are most active. No dedicated photography hides but the reed edges of Lac Tonga provide natural concealment. Park HQ is at El Kala town. A permit is recommended; contact the park administration on arrival.

Bejaia Province / Mediterranean Coast

Gouraya National Park (6,760 ha / established 1984 / UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 2004) occupies 8 sq miles of coastal cliffs and Mediterranean scrub between Pointe Boulima and Cap Carbon near Bejaia, 2.5 hours east of Algiers. The dramatic limestone cliffs are Audouin's Gull nesting territory and pelagic species including Manx Shearwater and Northern Gannet pass offshore during migration. Eleonora's Falcon nests on the offshore island of Serigina and can be watched hunting from the headlands in late summer (July-October). Short-toed Snake Eagle and Western Bonelli's Eagle patrol the ridge. Barbary Macaque inhabits the forested interior. Spring and autumn migration are the prime seasons. Terrain is hilly and rocky with difficult but rewarding coastal paths. Bejaia city has full accommodation options; park accessible by car on the N24 coast road. GPS: 36.769N 5.083E. The Bejaia region is currently accessible for tourism with standard precautions. The park entrance is free and trails are signposted. Boat trips from Bejaia port offer pelagic seabird viewing in spring and autumn. A half-day visit is sufficient for most birders.

Ahaggar (Hoggar) Mountains / Tamanrasset

A 5-day guided circuit through the heart of the Ahaggar Cultural Park from Tamanrasset, one of the world's largest protected areas at 450,000 km2. Day 2 visits Afilal Guelta - a permanent desert waterhole attracting Barbary Sheep and Brown-necked Ravens - before ascending to the Assekrem hermitage (2,700 m). Day 3 opens with a dawn spectacle of volcanic peaks at sunrise then visits Tagmart rock engravings before a Tuareg village encounter. The Hoggar is one of the last strongholds of the Critically Endangered Saharan Cheetah (fewer than 250 individuals globally); sightings are rare but camera traps confirm residency in the Atakor volcanic field. Expert Tuareg guides with deep ecological knowledge lead all excursions. Price from EUR940 per person including domestic flights, all meals, 4x4 transport, camping equipment, and park permits. Oryx Voyage is also known as Algeria Journeys (algeriajourneys.com) and is fully licensed by the Algerian Ministry of Tourism. WhatsApp: +213 699 843 939. All park entry permits for the Ahaggar Cultural Park are arranged by the operator.

Ahaggar (Hoggar) Mountains / Tamanrasset

A 9-day deep-immersion expedition into the Hoggar range, the volcanic heart of the Algerian Sahara. Starting from Tamanrasset the itinerary spends nine days exploring remote gueltas (natural rock pools), ancient engravings, and geological wonders rarely visited by outsiders. Highlights include sunrise from the Assekrem plateau at 2,873 m, the Hirafok rock engraving site, the oasis gardens of Tazrouk (Algeria's highest commune), the Ideles geological landscape, and the canyon system around Tamekrest. Nights alternate between comfortable desert camping and a guesthouse in Tamanrasset. Wildlife photography is particularly productive at gueltas where Barbary Sheep come to drink. Price from EUR1,290 per person including domestic flights, all meals, 4x4 vehicles with Tuareg guide, and all permits. The Oryx Voyage team is based in Tamanrasset and maintains close relationships with the Ahaggar Cultural Park authority (ONPCA), ensuring current permits and route access. The itinerary is fully flexible; private departure dates can be arranged year-round. Oryx Voyage holds all required Algerian licences and arranges police escort paperwork required for travel south of Tamanrasset. Contact: contact@oryxvoyages.com.

Tassili n'Ajjer / Tadrart / Djanet

A Tuareg-guided tour combining two of the Tassili region's most dramatic landscapes: the hidden guelta oasis at Iherir where permanent water sustains one of Algeria's most biodiverse desert ecosystems and the Tadrart Rouge plateau with its spectacular red sandstone pinnacles and prehistoric rock art. The 5-day Iherir & Essendilene tour explores the Idaren Valley and visits the large guelta system where Barbary Sheep congregate around water. Duneya also runs camel trek expeditions (6 days) and the famous Sebiba Festival Tour (EUR1,400 / 5 days) timed to coincide with this ancient Tuareg celebration. Languages: English, French, German, Swiss German, Arabic. Three generations of guiding heritage. Small groups for minimal environmental impact. Duneya Tours holds all required Algerian tour operator licences and works exclusively with communities in the Djanet region, keeping revenues within the local Tuareg economy. Duneya is fully licensed by the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and registered with the Tassili n'Ajjer Cultural Park authority. All tours include mandatory park entry permits and police escort coordination. English-language support available via info@duneyatours.com.

Bechar / Adrar / Ghardaia Provinces

Kanaga Africa Tours' Saharan Oases Circuit traverses the Grand Erg Occidental from Bechar through the legendary oases of Taghit, Igli, Beni Abbes, and Timimoun to Adrar and In Salah. For wildlife photographers the itinerary covers the best Saharan oasis bird sites in western Algeria in a single logistically smooth journey. Palm groves, tamarisk riverbanks, and erg margins are systematically worked for Desert Sparrow, Fulvous Babbler, and Saharan Wheatear. Dusk waterholes are monitored for sandgrouse flighting in. Night drives search for Fennec Fox, Ruppell's Fox, and Egyptian Nightjar. The red earth architecture of Timimoun ksars and the 600-km dune field at Taghit provide iconic landscape photography alongside wildlife encounters. Cultural elements - traditional moussems, gnawa music, date harvest - are woven throughout. Pricing on application; contact via Mali-based head office. Kanaga Africa Tours is a West African specialist operator with long experience in Mali and the Sahel; their Algeria circuits bring that depth of regional knowledge to bear. All trips include a professional English or French-speaking guide and private 4x4 vehicles.

Tamanrasset / Ahaggar

One of Africa's most remarkable birding sites for Western Palearctic listers: the oueds and hotel gardens of Tamanrasset hold hundreds of African Silverbill and Red-billed Firefinch - two species whose nearest populations are in sub-Saharan Africa. Three key sites with verified GPS: Oued Tamanrasset (22.722N 5.468E) holds the largest Silverbill flocks; the gardens of Hotel Bois Petrifie (22.804N 5.512E) are reliable for Red-billed Firefinch with a breeding pair in the thatch; Assikel Art et Tourisme garden (22.788N 5.524E) has both species. Oued Tit (22.963N 5.190E) north of town is excellent for larger Silverbill groups. Best November-March when temperatures are 15-25 degrees C daytime. Self-drive within Tamanrasset; the town has hotels, flights from Algiers, and ATMs. Tamanrasset has a functioning airport with daily Air Algerie flights from Algiers. The town has several hotels at all price levels, a good local market, and is a base for wider Ahaggar exploration.

Tassili n'Ajjer / Tadrart Rouge / Djanet

An 8-day photography expedition combining the dramatic red sandstone landscapes of Tadrart Rouge with the prehistoric rock art of Tassili n'Ajjer. Co-led by award-winning photographers Luka Vunduk and Matjaz Krivic, this tour emphasises instruction across landscape, aerial, black-and-white, and night photography. Participants spend three nights camping in the Tadrart - one of the Sahara's most visually spectacular regions - before moving to Djanet for the Stone Forest (Jardin Rocheux d'Adrait). Wildlife photography focuses on Barbary Sheep on ridge lines at dawn, nocturnal Fennec Fox searches by 4x4, and desert reptiles during midday excursions. Priced at USD4,100 per person all-inclusive (excluding international flights). Maximum 10 participants; minimum 5. September departure gives warm nights and excellent light quality. The meeting point is Paris CDG airport, making this particularly accessible for European photographers. A non-refundable deposit of USD2,000 secures a place; final balance due September 1st. The Tadrart Rouge section of the tour requires a police escort, arranged by Luka Vunduk Photography's local partner in Djanet. All required Algerian travel permits for foreign photographers are handled by the operator.

Tassili n'Ajjer / Djanet

A 10-day photography workshop led by two professionals - landscape specialist Urip Dunker and wildlife photographer Samy Berkani - deep in the Tassili n'Ajjer UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants fly to Djanet (gateway to the park) then spend six consecutive days photographing the extraordinary sandstone plateau: rock forests of monoliths, soaring canyons, erg dunes, and ancient Saharan cypress (Cupressus dupreziana). Daily workshops adapt to all levels from beginner to advanced. Night sessions capture astrophotography with zero light pollution. Wildlife encounters include Barbary Sheep on cliff faces, Desert Monitor lizards, and nocturnal Fennec Fox spotting. An optional post-processing seminar is included. Priced at EUR2,900 per person including domestic flights and all meals in-country. Based at a comfortable house in Djanet with bivouac camping in the park. Wildlife Photo Travel can also arrange private departure dates outside the scheduled January window. Contact via the website for bespoke group bookings. Tour code and full booking terms available at wildlifephototravel.com/book-photo-tour-tassili-najjer.

Tassili n'Ajjer / Djanet

A Tuareg-owned operator based in Djanet offering 5-9 day treks across the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau - the world's most impressive open-air museum with over 15,000 rock paintings and engravings spanning 12,000 years. The 8-day Frescoes Circuit and 9-day Rhythm of Desert Tour are the flagship itineraries covering the iconic sites: Sefar (stone city), Essendilene oasis, Iherir guelta, and Erg Admer sand dunes. The Tassili is an Important Bird Area; Pharaoh Eagle-Owl nests in sandstone crevices and Brown-necked Ravens are constant companions. Barbary Sheep are regularly seen on rock faces. Three generations of desert-guiding heritage give Tinariwen exceptional ecological knowledge. All tours are private and customised. Multilingual Tuareg guides. Pricing available on request. A single guide accompanies a maximum of eight participants, ensuring an intimate experience. All domestic flights, park permits, and camping equipment are included. WhatsApp: +213 662 31 31 52. Tinariwen Tours can also arrange bespoke photography-focused private departures at any time of year. Their Sebiba Festival Tour (EUR1,400) is particularly popular among cultural and portrait photographers visiting in January.

Jijel Province / Babor Mountains

Guerrouch Forest within Taza National Park holds the largest known Algerian Nuthatch population - approximately 350 individuals - making it the single most important site for this Critically Endangered endemic. The forest lies at around 1,014 m in a pure deciduous oak stand. A breeding pair nest-hole has been documented at GPS 36.5523N 5.8270E. Taza National Park was established in 1984. The forest is wilder and less visited than Djimla, offering a more authentic experience. The nearby town of Jijel (50 km north) is the access point; the ecotourism agency Sittelle Kabyle (ecotourisme.jijel@gmail.com) provides local guide connections. Combine with Djimla for a complete Nuthatch circuit. The park was also the site where Algerian Nuthatch was found nesting in pure deciduous oak at 1,014 m in 2016, expanding the known range. Spring visits (March-May) offer the highest detection rates. Taza National Park HQ is in Jijel. A small entrance fee may be required. The Sittelle Kabyle ecotourism agency (ecotourisme.jijel@gmail.com) can arrange guided half-day or full-day visits combining both Guerrouch and the nearby coast.

Tassili n'Ajjer / Tadrart Rouge / Djanet

An 8-day fully-guided immersion into the Algerian Sahara's two most iconic landscapes. After arriving in Algiers the group transfers to Djanet - the remote oasis town of the Tuareg - then ventures deep into Tadrart Rouge by 4x4 for three nights of desert camping. Key sites include El Biredj canyon, the famous Moul el Naga cow painting (12,000 BC), Tin Merzouga - the highest sand dune in the Tassili at over 400 m - and the Essendilene guelta system. For wildlife photographers the pre-dawn and dusk light on red sandstone is extraordinary and Barbary Sheep are reliably seen on cliff edges. Expert Algeria is a bilingual operator with European-based contacts facilitating easy booking for Western European travellers. Groups from 2 to 30. Priced on application. Expert Algeria has European phone contacts in both Spain (+34) and France (+33) making it easy for Western European travellers to book without language barriers. They also offer a Djanet-to-Tam circuit linking both the Tassili and Hoggar regions.

Adrar Province / Gourara

Timimoun, the 'red oasis' of the Gourara region 1,200 km south of Algiers, is one of Algeria's most photogenic desert towns, famous for its ochre-red earthen kasbahs, ancient foggara irrigation channels, and palm groves. The oasis and surrounding reg (gravel desert) support a full complement of Saharan bird specialities including Desert Sparrow in gardens, Fulvous Babbler in palm scrub, and Bar-tailed Desert Lark on bare ground. Dorcas Gazelle is regularly seen on the desert margins at dawn. Sand Cat has been recorded in the region but encounters are extremely rare. The shallow salt sebkhas north of town attract Cream-coloured Courser and sandgrouse at dusk. Timimoun is reached by air from Algiers (Air Algerie) or by 4x4 from Beni Abbes (approx 300 km). Accommodation in restored traditional guesthouses. Combine with a drive across the foggara landscape at dawn for extraordinary photography. From Timimoun, day trips can be made to the sebkha salt flats and the ancient ksar of Ouled Said. The town has a small airport with Air Algerie connections; a local guide hired in Timimoun adds significant value for birding around the foggaras.

Tlemcen Province (NW Algeria)

Tlemcen National Park (8,225 ha / established 1993) protects rugged limestone plateaux, cedar-oak forest, and rocky gorges in northwest Algeria near the Moroccan border. Nearly 100 bird species have been recorded including a rich raptor community: Golden Eagle and Bonelli's Eagle nest on the clifftops, Peregrine Falcon occupies quarries, and Egyptian Vulture is regularly seen soaring overhead. The cliffs also harbour breeding Alpine Swift and Crag Martin. Woodland areas support Levaillant's Woodpecker and Barbary Partridge. Little Bustard occurs on the steppe margins in spring. Tlemcen city has good accommodation and direct flights from Algiers. Visit early morning or late afternoon for best raptor activity; spring brings wildflower displays and breeding activity. Local guides can be arranged through Tlemcen's tourist office. Tlemcen has a domestic airport with regular Air Algerie flights from Algiers (approx 1 hour). The park boundary begins just 2 km from the city centre. A 4x4 is not required; standard vehicles can access most viewpoints via the park road network.