ANDALUCIA
WILDLIFE AT LEISURE
Andalucia is a serenely beautiful province, with multi-coloured hills rising from the deep blue Mediterranean to the wild mountainous heart of the Serrania de Ronda. Our base is one of the province’s most beautiful 'white villages', peaceful Benaojan, perfectly situated amid the tour’s centre-piece, the splendid Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra de Grazalema. Griffon Vultures and Short-toed Eagles soar overhead as we explore delightful Spanish Fir forests where Spanish Ibex are increasingly easy to see.
Champagne Orchids and Orchis olbiensis as well as various colourful toadflaxes gleam jewel-like from rich limestone turf, while cliffs hold a plethora of charming rock garden species including a variety of saxifrages, the little golden blooms of Narcissus assoanus and the white cascades of endemic Ornithogalum reverchonii. Bee Orchids such as Ophrys bilunulata, Woodcock and Mirror Orchids bloom with Fritillaria lusitanica and abundant Spanish Irises along tracksides swathed with Salvias and colourful Cistus. Shades of blue and green adorn the impressively large Ocellated Lizard and as we walk Grazalema’s paths we’ll see Psammodromus Lizards basking in the sun and Moorish Geckos disappearing into rocky fissures. European Bee-eaters and Woodchat Shrikes will be arriving from their winter in their sun. As Black Wheatears and Blue Rock Thrushes sing from rocky knolls amid cork oak woodlands, we’ll find plentiful butterflies including regional specialities such as Lorquin’s, Panoptes and False Baton Blues. Aetherie Fritillary and Southern Marbled Skippers fly in the Ronda Gorge and we’ll have a chance to enjoy peaceful and picturesque Ronda at our leisure.
INFORMATION
Focus
Flowers, birds, butterflies, reptiles, landscapes, and just a little culture.
Leaders
Walking
No more than a couple of miles in any one day, and always at a slow pace, ideally suited to photography.
Included in the Price
All flights. All transport, accommodation, meals in Spain. Entrance fees to reserves and natural parks. Services of your leaders. Please note: items of a personal nature such as insurance, drinks, drinks and tips, are not included.
Group Size
Minimum is 4 and the maximum is 15. Only one leader will accompany a group of 7 or less.
Accommodation
For the entire tour we’ll be staying at the delightful Molino del Santo, peacefully situated in Benaojan, close to historic Ronda. Molino’s conversion from a flour and olive mill into a small hotel has kept considerable character. Most of the lovely rooms have their own terrace overlooking the willows, figs and walnuts growing along the river. The accommodation throughout this tour is of a particularly high standard and all rooms have en suite facilities.
Climate
Generally settled, sunny and warm, but not hot. Atlantic depressions sometimes bring rain and cooler weather, and the mountains can still be chilly.
How To Book
Download a booking form (or contact us and we will send one to you)from the Booking Information section. Complete and send to us. You will receive confirmation of your place and a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. Plant, butterfly and bird checklists are available.
