Explore the rolling plains of Extremadura with its cork and holm oak dehesas in one of the most untouched areas of Spain
Stay in the Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, perhaps the finest raptor-watching site in Europe, and in historical Cáceres with its wealth of wheeling swifts
Wander through Los Barruecos, extraordinary giant boulders home to nesting storks
“Great learning curve for us as we had no previous knowledge of Extramadura. Wonderful birds”
– ACE customer on the Wildlife & Walking in Extremadura tour in March 2025
With its wild mountain ranges and limitless rolling plains, Extremadura boasts an enticing variety of landscapes. In the springtime the region’s cork and holm oak dehesas are abundantly carpeted with rock roses and cistus, while the grasslands boast mile after mile of catchfly and marigold.
Exploring the Via del Plata, an ancient pilgrimage route running from southern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, we will seek hoopoes, orioles, booted eagles, red-rumped swallows and potentially bee-eaters, all the while surrounded by a wealth of wildflowers and majestic oaks.
When summer guests such as the lesser kestrel and pallid swift arrive, the Parque Natural de Monfragüe can justifiably lay claim to being the finest raptor-watching site in Europe. Colonies of up to 200 vultures – griffon, black and Egyptian – make their home at Peña Falcón Rock, accompanied by black storks and rock buntings. At Los Barruecos (where “Spain was born”, according to the locals) storks nest on huge granite boulders strewn beside remote paths.
We will spend our first three nights in Cáceres at the four-star Hotel NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo, a converted 16th century palace just moments away from the ancient walls of this charming and historical town. We will then spend four nights at the four-star Hospederia Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, located within the heart of the Monfragüe National Park. The standard of accommodation here is much simpler with more basic facilities, however its position within the park is perfect, immersing us in the natural surroundings of this magical part of Spain.
Kevin Hand
Kevin has led many tours for ACE since 1992. He is an experienced conservationist, ornithologist and environmental consultant. In 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as a Trustee.
This tour will be led by conservationist, ornithologist and environmental consultant Kevin Hand, MSc, MCIEEM, who has taken tours for ACE since 1992. In 2017 he was appointed President of the Cambridge Natural History Society and continues to act as a Trustee. He currently also chairs the Newmarket Chalk Streams Trust and is a Biodiversity Surveyor for the RSPB. Kevin has a special interest in birds and ecotourism, and has carried out extensive fieldwork in the UK and abroad, making him an ideal Tour Director for this Spanish tour.
8
£2995
EXTR-26
