Right next to Rabat and not too far from Casablanca either, the Zaër forest is quite a treat for anyone wanting scenery but short travels. A circuit of the region will lead you through small almost charming villages, green valleys with many cork-oaks and surprisingly dramatic gorges. North of Sidi Bettache, there is a region with rich bird life. The best part is reportedly near a hunting lodge in the village Sidi-Yahya-Zaër. Among the species most often spotted here are spotted flycatchers, white storks, larks, black-headed bush-shrikes, black-shouldered kites and double-spurred francolins. The latter species are only found in Morocco. A tour from Rabat, which has the nearest hotels and restaurants, will be anything between 40 km and several hundred km back and forth. This could easily be a day tour, but ask ahead for amenities.
