Sous-Massa National Park


Seventy kilometers south of Agadir, on the rocky coast of the Atlantic Ocean is the Sous-Massa National Park. The reserve zone is located between the two river channels - Sous and Massa, which gave the name to the park. The territory of the reserve occupies a relatively small area of ​​fertile land - only 30 thousand hectares, stretching along the coast, starting from the estuary of the Sus River in the north to the estuary of Massa in the south. But on this narrow strip there are so many different beasts and birds that it is simply impossible to underestimate the value of the park.

More about the park

Created a reserve in Morocco was in 1991 to protect rare animals of this region and preserve a unique nature. Since 2005, the park has been given international importance, now it is protected by the Ramsar Convention.

In the park there are several villages of the local population and many eco-hotels for tourists. The reserve has always attracted, first of all, ornithologists - both professionals and amateurs alike. But those who do not intend to conduct any research here, there is something to see in the park.

Flora and fauna of the Sous-Massa nature reserve

The main value of the park is that three of four endemic species of forest ibises nest here. Including the subspecies living in Tamri, Morocco has 95% of the total population of these birds. Forest ibis is on the verge of extinction, so in the park Sous-Massa, so much attention is paid to their protection and preservation. The breeding grounds of the colony are located on the coastal plains, and in order to allow visitors to view these elegant creatures without disturbing them, special observation platforms and hiking trails are provided in the park.

In addition to ibises, the basins of the Sous and Massa rivers are also a haven for many other representatives of the bird family, there are more than 200 species of birds: ducks, herons, flamingos, falcons, waders and seagulls, pelican-spoonbills and krasnoshee kozodoi, Saharan ostriches, which today remain frighteningly few.

Sus-Massa also carries out breeding programs in captive endangered species of North African ungulates: Saharan Orix, gazelles and other animals that have not been seen in the wild for several decades - all living individuals are safely protected in reserves. In addition to them, there are a lot of reptiles and butterflies in the reserve, as well as mongooses, jackals and wild boars.

How to get to the Sous-Massa National Park?

You can get to the reserved area yourself, on a rented car or taxi on the federal highway N1, following along the whole coast. In addition, the visit to the park is provided in most excursion programs that are held in Agadir .