Spain: Andalusia and Extremadura

Birds, wine, and culture in Southern Spain

Ready to experience the thrill of Spain’s exceptional birding? Join us on a captivating birding journey through Spain’s southern and central regions, renowned for their exceptional wildlife and stunning landscapes. From the verdant cork oak forests of Tarifa to the vast plains of Extremadura and the majestic mountains of Gredos, you’ll encounter an array of remarkable bird species. Look for the regal Spanish Imperial Eagle, the colorful European Bee-eater, and the rare White-headed Duck among many others. Alongside the birding, you’ll be immersed in the country’s rich culture, savor its delicious cuisine, and visit historic landmarks. This tour combines outstanding birdwatching opportunities with the vibrant charm and beauty of southern Spain, making it an unforgettable experience for birders and bon-vivants alike!

April 2028

Exact dates and prices
coming soon!

Included

11 hotel nights.
All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12.
All in-country ground transport.
Airport pick-up on day 1 and drop-off on day 12.
All guiding fees for tour leaders and local guides.
All entrance fees to sites mentioned in the itinerary.
All activities as described in the itinerary.
Global Rescue Membership*

Excluded

International flights (to SVQ and from MAD).
Alcoholic drinks.
Personal purchases such as (but not limited to) laundry, room service, phone calls, souvenirs, etc.
Insurance. We strongly recommend participants get travel, cancelation, and medical insurance in their home country.
Any tips you would like to offer tour leaders, guides, drivers, porters, wait staff, housekeeping, etc. for outstanding service.
Any other items not explicitly included.

Itinerary

Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.

Day 1: Arrival in Seville and Brazo del Este

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Seville Airport or your chosen hotel, followed by a drive to Los Palacios and Brazo del Este. This nature reserve, located on the east side of the Guadalquivir River, is an excellent spot for birdwatching. You’ll have the chance to see a variety of species, including Purple Heron, Squacco Heron, Eurasian Penduline-Tit, Whiskered Tern, Western Swamphen, Great Reed Warbler, and Savi’s Warbler. Keep an eye out for introduced species like Yellow-crowned Bishop and Black-headed Weaver as well. After a fulfilling day of birding, we’ll head to Chipiona, where you’ll visit the only colony of Little Swift in Europe before spending the night in a comfortable hotel.
Day 2: Bonanza Saltpans and Marisma Cetina

Today, you’ll head out early to explore the outskirts of Doñana National Park in Cádiz. A 1:45-hour drive takes us to a mosaic of salt pans, lagoons, vineyards, and pastures—a hotspot for birdlife. Expect to see large numbers of Flamingos, various Waders (around 20 species), Egrets, Herons, and Slender-billed Gulls. Little and Caspian Terns, along with Western Swamphens, will be nearby too. We’ll focus on finding the elusive White-headed Duck and Marbled Teal, often seen in the pools. Later, we’ll visit the Cetina Marshes to search for Mediterranean Short-toed Larks. Afterward, we’ll drive to Tarifa, where you’ll stay for the next four nights.
Day 3: Full day in Tarifa

After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll visit the Los Lances beach observatory, where you can enjoy stunning views of a coastal lagoon. This is the perfect spot to look for Audouin’s Gulls, Mediterranean Gulls, Kentish Plovers, and Terns. The surrounding pastures are home to an array of passerines, including Zitting Cisticola, Tawny Pipit, Corn Bunting, and the Iberian race of Yellow Wagtail. In the afternoon, we’ll take you to one of the top raptor migration observatories in Tarifa, where you’ll witness raptors in flight as thermal updrafts take hold. We’ll end the day with a walk in the Cork Forest of Los Alcornocales Natural Park.
Day 4: Full day in Tarifa

Today, we’ll delve into the history and wildlife of the Tarifa area. First, you’ll visit the ancient Roman town of Baelo Claudia, a port town once known for its fish sauce production. After exploring this fascinating archaeological site, we’ll head to the recently established breeding colony of Northern Bald Ibis, a critically endangered species successfully reintroduced to the region. In the afternoon, we’ll take an exciting 2.5-hour whale-watching trip off the coast of Tarifa, where you’ll have the chance to spot Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, and the rare Balearic Shearwater.
Day 5: Drive to Montejaque

Today, we’ll leave the coast behind and head inland to the mountainous region of Cádiz and Málaga provinces. Here, you’ll experience a radically different landscape, with limestone outcrops and scenic views. The area is home to the Spanish Ibex, and we’ll look for birds like Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting, and Rock Sparrow. Griffon Vultures are abundant here, and we’ll also keep an eye out for Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles. Along the way, we’ll pass through picturesque "Pueblos Blancos" (White Villages), quintessential Spanish towns. We’ll spend the afternoon in Ronda, a charming historical city.
Day 6 ⎸ 2 April 2026: Fuentedepiedra and Osuna

Today’s focus will be on the productive lagoon of Fuentedepiedra and the nearby area of Campillos, home to one of the largest colonies of Greater Flamingos in Europe. You’ll find plenty of waterfowl and waders, with a high chance of spotting Marbled and White-headed Ducks. The surrounding bushes are also home to the Western Olivaceous Warbler. After a birding-filled day, we’ll head to Osuna for the night.
Day 7: Osuna and drive to Monfragüe

Your morning will begin with a search for steppe specialists like Great Bustard, Little Bustard, European Roller, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Then, we’ll head to Hornachos, a charming town where you can look for Black Wheatear and Rock Bunting. In the vicinity, you may also spot the majestic Spanish Imperial Eagle. From here, we’ll drive to Monfragüe National Park, where we’ll spend the next three nights.
Day 8: Full day in Monfragüe

Monfragüe is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with mountains, gorges, forests, and woodlands providing habitat for Spain’s rare Spanish Imperial Eagle and the world’s largest breeding colony of Cinereous Vultures. During your time here, we’ll search for Black Storks, Bonelli’s Eagles, Iberian Magpies, Eurasian Golden Orioles, and Spectacled Warblers. It’s an unforgettable place to immerse yourself in nature.
Day 9: Trujillo and Santa Marta

Today, we’ll explore expansive steppe and grassland areas, where you’ll have the chance to spot Great Bustard, Little Bustard, and various larks. The rolling hills are perfect for raptor watching, so we’ll be on the lookout for Montagu’s Harriers and Spanish Imperial Eagles. As we travel, you may spot the colorful European Bee-eater, along with European Rollers, Great Spotted Cuckoos, and Red-rumped Swallows.
Day 10: Arrocampo and drive to Gredos

We’ll start the day by exploring the wetlands of Arrocampo, where we’ll look for Black-winged Kites, Water Rails, and other species. In the afternoon, we’ll head towards the Sierra de Gredos, a mountain range known for its stunning views and diverse wildlife.
Day 11: Full day in Gredos

Today will be spent in the cooler, high-altitude region of Gredos. Surrounded by dramatic peaks like Pico Almanzor, we’ll search for bird species like Iberian Green Woodpecker, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Eurasian Nuthatch, Goldcrest, and Northern Wheatear. In the higher elevations, we may spot Bluethroat, White-throated Dipper, Grey Wagtail, European Crested Tit, European Pied Flycatcher, and Red Crossbill.
Day 12: Departure from Madrid

On your final day in beautiful Spain, you’ll get one last chance to target any remaining species before driving to Madrid for your departure. This tour combines perfectly with our subsequent birds and wine tour to Portugal, which explores the central and northeastern parts of the country, guaranteeing yet another subset of amazing Iberian species.

Focus:

Birds

Other wildlife

Photography

Culture & history

Gastronomy

Other

Physical difficulty:

Walks

Other activities

Drives

Terrain

Altitude

Climate

Comfort:

Lodging

Transport

Meals