Is there falconry in Morocco?

Falconry in Morocco is real, old and culturally significant, though it is far less of a slick tourist product than in the Gulf. The heartland is the Doukkala plains inland from El Jadida, and above all the village often anglicised as Kebir (M’Khalif / the falconers’ village near Mediouna and the Doukkala countryside), where falconry has been passed down through families for generations. It is bound up with local identity and seasonal hunting traditions, and the community guards the practice with real pride.

For a visitor, access ranges from easy to genuinely special. At the accessible end, some upscale resorts, desert camps and event companies offer falconry encounters — a handler, a Harris hawk or a falcon, a chance to have the bird fly to your glove and to photograph it. These are enjoyable and safe, if a touch staged. At the deeper end, it is sometimes possible, with the right local introduction, to spend time with hereditary falconers, see how they keep and fly their birds, and understand the tradition on its own terms rather than as a show.

There is a meaningful cultural and conservation dimension here. Moroccan falconry has been recognised as part of the shared UNESCO intangible-heritage listing for falconry across many countries, and there are seasonal moussem festivals where falconers gather. At the same time, wild raptors are protected and the trade in them is sensitive, so authentic falconry is about the relationship and the heritage, not about handling trophies. A respectful, well-introduced visit is a privilege, not a commodity.

My honest guidance: do not expect to simply turn up and find falconry on a menu. If it matters to you, arrange it ahead through someone with genuine local contacts in the Doukkala region, or book a reputable resort experience for a lighter encounter. Treat the falconers and their birds with respect, ask before photographing, and understand that the most authentic access is relationship-based and seasonal. Confirm what is genuinely on offer before you build a trip around it.