Spain, Wildlife Tours

Land of the Lynx

Scroll
Tailor-Made Tour
8 Days
From 4435
Big Cat Safari
Birding
Off The Beaten Track

Tour Introduction

8 Days from  4435 per adult. All trip details below can be tailored just for you

Have a slow-paced wildlife break to sunny Andalusia combing some lynx viewing from hides on an exclusive private estate, with a stay in a friendly, relaxed Casa Rural on the edge of the stunning Sierra de Andújar Natural Park. Its rolling hills, ancient woodlands and picturesque river valleys are filled with wildlife treasures but it is best known for the endangered Iberian lynx.

Achieve a perfect balance of tranquil downtime and thrilling guided excursions into the park in search of lynx and a plethora of other exciting wildlife. As well as that beautiful cat you may also be lucky to see sure-footed Spanish ibex, herds of red and fallow deer, mouflon sheep, wild boar, otter, hare and birds such as the mighty Spanish imperial eagle and cinerous vulture.

Reptiles, amphibians and butterflies abound there too and there are plenty of curious invertebrates and specialist plants to discover and enjoy, as well as the delicious home cooked Spanish cuisine and tranquil surroundings of your villa.

Full Itinerary

Price from  4435 per adult. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Madrid

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

Staying at Hotel La Caminera Club de Campo. Includes No Meals.

Day 2
Peñalajo estate

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.

Staying at Hotel La Caminera Club de Campo. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 3
Peñalajo estate

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.

Staying at Hotel La Caminera Club de Campo. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 4
Sierra de Andújar Natural Park

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.

Staying at La Caracola Hotel Rural. Includes All Meals.

Day 5
Sierra de Andújar Natural Park

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.

Staying at La Caracola Hotel Rural. Includes All Meals.

Day 6
Sierra de Andújar Natural Park

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

Staying at La Caracola Hotel Rural. Includes All Meals.

Day 7
Sierra de Andújar Natural 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.

Staying at La Caracola Hotel Rural. Includes All Meals.

Day 8
Depart

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.

Includes Breakfast.

Tour Accommodation

Spain Southern Spain

Hotel La Caminera Club de Campo

Overview

Hotel La Caminera Club de Campo is a 61-room country hotel situated on a 1,000-hectare former hunting estate in Torrenueva, Ciudad Real, within the La Mancha region of Spain. The landscape is characterised by rolling hills covered in shrub vegetation, dotted with holm and shrub oaks, and surrounded by olive groves. The individually decorated rooms feature a jetted bathtub and separate shower, flat-screen TV, minibar, in-room safe, espresso maker, air conditioning, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The rooms are elegantly decorated and spacious, providing a comfortable retreat for guests.

The hotel offers a range of services and facilities, including an 18-hole golf course, a private airstrip, the Elaiwa Spa by L’Occitane (which offers olive oil treatments, a sauna, steam room, chromotherapy, sensation showers, hydromassage, and beauty treatments), an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and padel tennis courts. Dining options include the Michelin-starred Retama restaurant, which offers a unique culinary experience with La Mancha cuisine (open Fri, Sat, Sun – reservation required), the El Prado Lounge Restaurant, and the El Patio poolside bar. Additional amenities include a wine cellar, reading room, and beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
61
Facilities

Michelin-star restaurant, additional restaurant, pool side bar, wine cellar, library, golf course, private airstrip, spa, outdoor pool, a fitness centre and padel tennis courts.

Local Wildlife

The nearby Peñalajo Estate hosts one of the densest populations of Iberian lynx in the country. It also serves as a sanctuary for the Spanish imperial eagle. Additionally, the estate is home to various bird species, including the endemic Iberian azure-winged magpie, little bustard, pin-tailed and black-bellied sandgrouse, hoopoe, little owl, hawfinch, and migratory species such as rollers (from May to August), great spotted cuckoo, bee eaters, and numerous warblers.

Spain Southern Spain

La Caracola Casa Rural

Overview

Located a twenty minute drive from the charming town of Andujar, La Caracola Casa Rural offers a serene retreat for wildlife-enthusiasts seeking to explore the Sierra de Andújar region. Guests can indulge in a variety of amenities, such as room service, a refreshing pool, and an on-site restaurant that serves very good local dishes.

The Sierra de Andújar region is one of Spain’s wildlife strongholds and the lodge itself even has its own birdhide. Avian highlights in the region include the majestic Spanish imperial eagle, black vulture, and various species of owls and songbirds. Additionally, the region is home to an array of other wildlife, such as the elusive Iberian lynx, red deer, wild boar, and numerous small mammals and reptiles.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
10
Facilities

Swimming pool, on-site restaurant, room service, free parking, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, , pet-friendly, family-friendly, children's play area.

Optional Activities

Wildlife watching, bird hides, hiking and horseback riding.

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

No. Please contact us for a quote if required.

Flight Info:

There are direct flights to Malaga from London, Manchester and Bristol and connecting flights from other regional UK airports. Airlines include British Airways, Iberia, EasyJet and Ryanair.

Best Visited:

October to April

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

John Melton

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965

…Thank you for putting together yet another amazing trip…(our guide) looked after us very well, so please thank them on our behalf, they were a delight. We are glad that the original guide of choice decided that he didn’t want to guide us as (our guide) is an exceptional naturalist. He has great knowledge, not only of the Lynx and birds but also plants, trees, bushes, insects and Geology. He made our trip very special by amending our programme several times to take in different sites and bird watching at different and better times. He was also most attentive, organising an excellent lunch on the day we transferred to Tres Cantos and brought breakfasts for us when the second hotel let us down, and lunchtime pizzas when we stayed out all day to watch the Bee-eaters at their busy time. We would strongly recommend that they becomes your first choice guide … Hotel La Caminera was excellent. The views from the hotel were wonderful. The rooms and service were excellent with amazing bathrooms, as was the food and general ambiance of the place. We would certainly recommend its use to others … We were very lucky with our wildlife sightings and the local guides at all venues were most helpful. At Penalajo Estate we couldn’t have got off to a better start. On the first morning around 9am, a female Lynx ran across the track in front of us followed by ……. 3 cubs (around 2 months old). They settled down just behind some bushes but with the female facing out into the open. The cubs made brief appearances out into the open. After a while the female disappeared, coming back into view carrying a rabbit and they headed off up the track but returning a little later. The local guides were amazed. One – they had not been seen by anyone before us and had not been picked up on the camera traps! Two – they were early in the season. Certainly they were not seen by anyone else for a couple of days at least. We had a bonus view of a Lynx sitting in the window of the derelict farm on our way back at lunchtime.

Mr MW - Bedfordshire