A tour to the two top birding destinations in Spain
A combination of the best birding spots in Doñana and Extremadura
Fully guided by Álvaro Peral at the very best moment of the year
or request a private tour
An amazing Doñana & Extremadura birding tour
This is a bird watching tour that covers the best birding spots of the two prime birding regions in Spain. First we will visit the vast Extremadura region, its flowered plains and its beutiful mountains in Monfragüe. Then we'll move our base to Doñana, where we will enjoy a magnificent array of wetland and forest habitats.
Tour itinerary
We will meet in Sevilla in the morning (around 10 am) and drive till our base (around 3h + stops) for the Extremadura leg of the tour. We'll certainly explore some territories of Sierra Morena and also Southern Extremadura (Badajoz province) as we head northwards. A nice array of birds of prey can be possible from the very beginning of the tour.
We'll get to our hotel with time enough to unpack and relax before dinner.
A journey into the vast plains of Cáceres and Magasca, where we will be looking for a rich stepic bird community. Both Little and Great Bustards are possible -hopefully with some of them displaying!-. We'll tune our ears to try and locate both Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouses. Bee-eaters, Rollers and Hoopoes will hopefully top up a great day along these flowered fields.
North of Cáceres, Monfragüe is one of the highlights of the tour. We will visit some strategic viewpoints, from where we'll enjoy good numbers of many of the iberian birds of prey. Spanish Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle and even Otter are possible sightings for the day. Other possible sightings include Black Stork, Alpine Swift and Blue Rock Thrush, to name but a few of the remarkable birds.
On this day we will decide where to go depending on the missing targets we may have at the moment. We will also enjoy a bit of urban birding locally near our hotel.
Today is a transfer day in which we'll cross Extremadura southwards and enjoy several stops on route to target new bird species, for example the very rare Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. We'll cross Sierra Morena mountains again and arrive to Doñana in the afternoon. Our second base for the tour will be in El Rocío, quite a picturesque unpaved little town at the heart of Doñana. We'll plan to enjoy some birding time locally in Doñana on this day too.
Today we'll cover many of the territories of Doñana, from wetlands to forest and scrub. The birdlife will be overwhelming, with all the summer birds already arrived, in full breeding plummage and quite showy.
After a relaxed breakfast we will enjoy a few hours birding in new locations within Doñana. We can plan to finish the tour in Seville by 15:00.
WHAT WILDLIFE TO EXPECT
BIRDS
This tour takes place in a fantastic moment to see all possible breeding birds. Scheduled at the very best moment for a Doñana and Extremadura birding holidays. Displaying Great Bustards in lek possible, alongside Rollers, Purple Herons, Bee-eaters and a pletorah of iberian birdlife. Stepic birds are another of the tour highlights, with chances to see both Sandgrouses and a variety of Larks. The raptor community will also be well represented and the tour will provide excellent photography opportunities of some of them. +120 bird species expected.
MAMMALS
Otter and Red and Fallow Deers will be possible. Only very low chances to see Iberian Lynx.
PLANTS
The landscape should be at its best moment in terms of wildflowers. We'll visit good examples of mediterranean forests, dehesas and bushlands.
OTHER
A nice array of butterflies will be on the wing and should be noticeable if good weather.
OPEN GROUP TOUR DATES
14-20 April 2023 (7 days)
14-20 April 2024 (7 days)
* You can also book this as a private tour with guaranteed departure or on different dates
PRICES
Rates per person: 1650 €
Single supplement: +300 €
TOUR PARTY
Min 4, max 7 trippers + guide
Tour leader: Álvaro Peral
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transport
- Guidance by Álvaro Peral
- Accomodation (6 nights)
- Breakfasts, picninc lunches and dinners
- Accidents insurance
- All taxes and entry fees
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Any drinks
- Personal costs
- Travel insurance
ACCOMODATION
This is a 2-base holidays: Extremadura and El Rocío.
All rooms with private toilet in mid-range hotels.
What trippers say
I had a great tour with Alvaro coldest day and drizzling 57 species in 3 hours. Very knowledgeable and knows the places he guides very well species-by-species. Over that past 50 years I’ve birded 32 countries. He is amongst the top 5 guides I have ever birded with. An affable pro!
Mark W H, MA
We guide this wildlife photography tour in Spain by means of Andalucía Slow Tours, S.L., a local travel agency accredited by the Spanish Tourist Board with number CIAN 297083-2.