Land of the Lynx

Arrival into Madrid Airport. Meet private guide and transfer by road to your rural accommodation close to Torrenueva.

Early morning transfer to nearby Peñalajo estate, a 2,260-hectare Mediterranean landscape of open holm and cork oak woodland interspersed with rocky outcrops, scrub and grassland.

Spend mornings and evenings here in private hides strategically positioned next to drinking pools regularly used by Iberian lynx families.

This is an excellent way to observe these elusive and endangered cats up close without causing disturbance. You will need patience and some luck but have a very good chance of memorable and intimate lynx sightings. The pools are also visited by a variety of attractive birds such as hawfinch and azure-winged magpie. During the warm middle of the day, enjoy a packed lunch and then look for other wildlife in the afternoon.

Another day for morning and late afternoon lynx watching from the purpose-built hides. Whilst driving through and scanning the scrubby landscape, look out for other wildlife which includes the native European rabbit, various reptiles and butterflies, and birdlife such as the rare Spanish imperial eagle, little bustard, little owl, roller, sandgrouse, hoopoe, red-legged partridge, and subalpine and Sardinian warblers.

The estate has collaborated with WWF to protect their Mediterranean habitat and its important Iberian lynx population, yet is also a farm that produces excellent olive oil and Manchego cheese.

After breakfast drive with your private guide south-west to your rural accommodation close to the beautiful Sierra de Andújar Natural Park.

The 74,774-hectare park consists of a Mediterranean habitat known as dehesa comprising large tracts of holm and cork oak woodland and rocky outcrops, making for a beautiful landscape in which to find lynx. There are many special plants, reptiles, amphibians and insects to discover: your guide will help find them and also introduce you to the fascinating history of the region.

In the afternoon begin searching for Iberian lynx and other wildlife in the park.
Each day’s itinerary remains flexible to increase the chances for lynx and other wildlife observation. An evening torchlight walk in the grounds of the villa can reveal interesting amphibians such as Western spadefoot (or Iberian midwife) and natterjack toads, Iberian water frog and sharp-ribbed newt, and invertebrates such as giant megarian banded centipede.

A day of morning and afternoon guided excursions in search of Iberian lynx and other wildlife in the park.

In addition to lynx the park is home to a large population of red and fallow deer, wild boar, Iberian hare and other mammals such as the Spanish ibex and otter, and bats can often be seen at the Jándula dam and river.

Another specialty of the park is the endangered Spanish imperial eagle which can often be spotted alongside cinerous and griffon vultures soaring over the hillsides.

Other birdlife includes the locally endemic Iberian azure-winged magpie as well as hawfinch, crested tit, firecrest, Sardinian and Dartford warblers, rock bunting, hoopoe and little owl. Keep an eye out too for reptiles which include the brightly coloured ocellated lizard which can grow to 90cm in length.

Another day of morning and afternoon guided excursions in search of Iberian lynx and other wildlife in the park.

Today perhaps take a guided tour to local historical points of interests or enjoy more excursions in search of Iberian lynx and other wildlife in the park.

There are also independent walking trails leading out from the villa into the nearby estate where a variety of birds and other wildlife can be seen.

Today depart after breakfast for the transfer to Malaga airport, stopping at a local wildlife spot on the way (if time allows) such as the moonlike karst of El Torcal to see Spanish ibex or look for birdlife at a wetland site. Or include a visit to Cordoba and Seville.