ALGERIA -
A Western Palearctic Hotspot
For years Algeria has been a dream to anyone interested in Western Palearctic birding, mainly for the localised Algerian Nuthatch. It is one of the Holy Grail birds for WP listers and an immense blocker of an almost unparalleled magnitude! But this tour aims to resolve that issue as you no longer need to apply for that pesky visa i advance, multiple photocopies of your passport and months of anguish as you wait for your passport to be returned by the embassy. We can now obtain a Tourist Visa on arrival in Algiers as not only are we birding in the northern areas for the nuthatch and others, but we also fly south to the remote Tamanrasset for some other Western Palearctic megas - Sudan Golden Sparrow, African Silverbill and Red-billed Firefinch. There's a fine supporting cast including Barbary Partridge, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse, Maghreb (Tawny) Owl, Levaillant's Woodpecker, Fulvous Babbler, African Blue Tit, African Chaffinch, Desert Sparrow and more! It's a short trip packed full of quality birds, led by one of Algeria's foremost bird guides, with excellent logistics, great food and it's bound to be great fun!
Saturday 7th - Friday 13th February 2026
KEY SPECIES
Here are just a few of the key species we will be targetting on this tour:
Barbary Partridge
Western Swamphen
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Maghreb (Tawny) Owl
Lanner Falcon
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Levaillant's Woodpecker
Algerian Nuthatch
Fulvous Babbler
African Blue Tit
Pale Crag Martin
African Chaffinch
White-crowned Wheatear
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Desert Sparrow
Sudan Golden Sparrow
African Firefinch
African Silverbill
White-rumped Seedeater (poss Esc)
Yellow-fronted Canary (poss Esc)
House Bunting
Leader: Nick Bray and local guides.
Ground Price 2026: £1950 - Algiers/Algiers
Airfare: £150 - £220.00 (Approx)
Single Supplement 2026: £90
Deposit: £300.00
Group size: Maximum of 6.
Included in cost: Acommodation in twin rooms, all en-suite, all meals including field breakfasts & picnic lunches, bottled water, domestic flights Algiers - Tamanrasset return, ground transport throughout, entrance fees to national parks, and services of leaders.
Not included: International airfare, Visa on arrival (£85), insurance, drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature.
Accommodation: 6 nights in standard hotels, but all are within easy reach of the areas we wish to bird, eliminating long travelling days as best we can.
Tour Code: This is a standard birding tour with all day birding. We will generally take picnic lunches. Weather could be quite cold in the north with chances of showers, but warmer in the south during the day. The official rules state you are still not allowed to bring binoculars or telescopes into Algeria, but cameras are allowed up to 400mm!
