Above: White Stork by Wink Gaines / Audubon Photography Awards
Southwestern Spain's Best Bird Sanctuaries: Extremadura, Coto Donana, and Tarifa
April 7 to 17, 2025
Birds Georgia Host: Melanie Furr, Director of Education
Local Guide: Manuel Soler, owner and guide of Wild Donana Tours
Group Size: Minimum group size of 7 participants / Maximum group size of 15 (please see note below about group size)
Georgia Audubon Member Price: $4,900* per person
Non-member Price: $4,950* per person (includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single Supplement: +$450
*Based on double occupancy
Unforgettable birding awaits in southwestern Spain! White Storks nesting on medieval rooftops, soaring Griffon Vultures, the “foam bath” display of Great Bustards, the announcement of spring’s arrival by European Bee-eaters, and thousands of migratory birds making incredible flights across the Strait of Gibraltar are just a few of the sights participants will witness during our tour of southwestern Spain’s best birding sanctuaries, enjoying fine Spanish food and culture in spectacular landscapes along the way. Join Birds Georgia and Wild Donana Tours for this incredible 10-day tour.
A minimum of 7 participants is necessary to offer this tour. Because of transportation logistics, we cannot book the tour for 8 or 9 people, but if we reach 10 confirmed participants, we can run the tour for up to 15 people with an additional guide and transportation. If you try to register and are told the trip is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will reopen registration for up to 15 people once we are able to confirm 10 participants and will collect your payment at that time.
Lodging Note: Depending on group construction, single travelers may be asked to pay a single supplement if we are unable to pair you with another guest. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense, though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
Local Guide: Manuel Soler, owner and guide of Wild Donana Tours
Group Size: Minimum group size of 7 participants / Maximum group size of 15 (please see note below about group size)
Georgia Audubon Member Price: $4,900* per person
Non-member Price: $4,950* per person (includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single Supplement: +$450
*Based on double occupancy
Unforgettable birding awaits in southwestern Spain! White Storks nesting on medieval rooftops, soaring Griffon Vultures, the “foam bath” display of Great Bustards, the announcement of spring’s arrival by European Bee-eaters, and thousands of migratory birds making incredible flights across the Strait of Gibraltar are just a few of the sights participants will witness during our tour of southwestern Spain’s best birding sanctuaries, enjoying fine Spanish food and culture in spectacular landscapes along the way. Join Birds Georgia and Wild Donana Tours for this incredible 10-day tour.
A minimum of 7 participants is necessary to offer this tour. Because of transportation logistics, we cannot book the tour for 8 or 9 people, but if we reach 10 confirmed participants, we can run the tour for up to 15 people with an additional guide and transportation. If you try to register and are told the trip is full, please add your name to the waitlist. We will reopen registration for up to 15 people once we are able to confirm 10 participants and will collect your payment at that time.
Lodging Note: Depending on group construction, single travelers may be asked to pay a single supplement if we are unable to pair you with another guest. All efforts will be made to pair individuals to avoid this expense, though it cannot be guaranteed. Impacted travelers, should they decide to cancel, will be reimbursed following the cancellation policy below.
This trip is now full. Please join the wait list below. We will contact you if a space opens and will collect your payment at that time.
The final cost may vary slightly based on the value of the Euro at the time of final payment.
Please contact Melanie Furr by email with any questions.
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Please contact Melanie Furr by email with any questions.
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
trip overview
Click on each day for more information.
day 1: arrival in madrid & transfer to Trujillo area
After a morning arrival in Madrid, we will transfer to Trujillo, birding along the way through beautiful steppes and wood-pasture lands in this rural part of Spain.
Days 2-4: Extremadura/steppes
After an early breakfast on Day 2, we will most likely drive to the undulating plains surrounding Trujillo in search of the displaying Great and Little Bustards that inhabit the area in good numbers. The sight of a male Great Bustard in full display has to be one of the most spectacular birding sights in all of Europe: one moment a turkey-sized bird, then after a remarkable feat of contortion, a ball of white feathers on legs! We will also have ample opportunities to watch raptors and other species that make this area such an exciting destination, including Montagu’s Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Calandra Lark, European Roller, Spanish Sparrow, Stone Curlew, and with luck, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Spanish Imperial Eagles are sometimes seen soaring overhead. We will be sure to set aside time to wander the narrow streets in the medieval quarter of town, watching the Lesser Kestrels and White Storks which breed on the rooftops.
After breakfast on Day 3, we will drive to Monfrague National Park, roughly 50 kilometers north of Trujillo. Incredibly beautiful and rich in bird life, Monfrague is home to numerous pairs of Griffon Vultures, and seeing Chough, Peregrine Falcons, or Egyptian Vultures drifting overhead is not uncommon. With luck, we will find one of the nesting pairs of rare Black Storks which breed in the area. Black Wheatear, Blue Rockthrush, and Rock Bunting all inhabit the rocky slopes found in the park, and in the cork-oak woodlands, we will find Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, and Golden Oriole. In the afternoon, we will focus our search on the huge numbers of birds of prey that inhabit the park, possibly encountering Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Red and Black Kites, and with luck, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, one of Monfrague’s most sought-after inhabitants. We will also take a series of short walks in search or warblers such as the Subalpine, Dartford, and Orphean, as well as spend time at the main bridge over the reservoir watching the flocks of screaming Alpine Swifts.
On our last day in Trujillo, we will continue to explore the environs of Monfrague, planning our day’s itinerary based on the weather and what we have seen so far. Each day in the steppes will include a full day out in the fresh air with a picnic lunch, followed by a late afternoon return to the hotel in time to enjoy our evening meal and complete the daily checklist.
After breakfast on Day 3, we will drive to Monfrague National Park, roughly 50 kilometers north of Trujillo. Incredibly beautiful and rich in bird life, Monfrague is home to numerous pairs of Griffon Vultures, and seeing Chough, Peregrine Falcons, or Egyptian Vultures drifting overhead is not uncommon. With luck, we will find one of the nesting pairs of rare Black Storks which breed in the area. Black Wheatear, Blue Rockthrush, and Rock Bunting all inhabit the rocky slopes found in the park, and in the cork-oak woodlands, we will find Short-toed Treecreeper, Hawfinch, Cirl Bunting, and Golden Oriole. In the afternoon, we will focus our search on the huge numbers of birds of prey that inhabit the park, possibly encountering Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Red and Black Kites, and with luck, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, one of Monfrague’s most sought-after inhabitants. We will also take a series of short walks in search or warblers such as the Subalpine, Dartford, and Orphean, as well as spend time at the main bridge over the reservoir watching the flocks of screaming Alpine Swifts.
On our last day in Trujillo, we will continue to explore the environs of Monfrague, planning our day’s itinerary based on the weather and what we have seen so far. Each day in the steppes will include a full day out in the fresh air with a picnic lunch, followed by a late afternoon return to the hotel in time to enjoy our evening meal and complete the daily checklist.
Day 5: Transfer to El Rocio
Today we have a long drive south, leaving Trujillo by mid-morning after acquiring our provisions for the day. Stopping for lunch next to a scenic river on the border of Extremadura and Andalusia, we have a chance of Wryneck and Melodious Warbler. Continuing south, we pass through the fertile farmland and orange groves that lie west of the great Guadalquivir River. We aim to arrive in El Rocio by late afternoon for a couple hours of birdwatching before dinner.
The remarkable village of El Rocio lies at the western edge of the Parque National de Coto de Donana, one of the finest wetlands in Europe, overlooking the adjacent Madre de las Marismas lagoon, laden with numerous waders and other waterbirds. Described as a living relic, a flashback to the days when this area was accessible only by horse, El Rocio is the perfect base for three nights as we enjoy the wealth of birds and other wildlife found in this world-class national park. Our hotel on the edge of the village overlooks the bird-filled marshes.
The remarkable village of El Rocio lies at the western edge of the Parque National de Coto de Donana, one of the finest wetlands in Europe, overlooking the adjacent Madre de las Marismas lagoon, laden with numerous waders and other waterbirds. Described as a living relic, a flashback to the days when this area was accessible only by horse, El Rocio is the perfect base for three nights as we enjoy the wealth of birds and other wildlife found in this world-class national park. Our hotel on the edge of the village overlooks the bird-filled marshes.
Day 6-7: El Rocio and Coto Donana
Coto Donana National Park hosts a remarkable variety of Mediterranean wetland and woodland birds, and seeing 100 species a day is not unusual. In spring, the marshes and ponds adjacent to El Rocio can hold an amazing diversity of wetland birds, including Greater Flamingos, Squacco Heron, Whiskered and Gull-billed Terns, Spoonbills, and Black-winged Stilts. Overhead, Red Kites mingle with ever-present Black Kites and Booted Eagles, while both Short-toed Eagles and Griffon Vultures are regular.
We will have two days to explore the wealth of habitats within driving distance. Some new species we expect to encounter are: Spectacled Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Iberian Magpie, Azure-winged Magpie, Bee-eater, Crested Tit, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Lesser Short-toed Larks, and Red-crested Pochard. The park is also one of the best places to look for the elusive Purple Swamphen, as well as Marbled Teal, one of Spain’s rarest and most beautiful ducks. One evening we will also head out to look and listen for Red-necked Nightjars, whose European range is limited to Spain.
A highlight of our stay in El Rocio will be a 4x4 excursion into the national park. Our adventures will take us through marshes and woodlands into less accessible areas of the park, including the area known as Coto del Rey, which holds the densest population of raptors in Coto Donana. Both species of kites are common, as are Booted Eagles and European Honey-buzzards. Flocks of Griffon Vultures are often joined by Short-toed Eagles, Marsh Harriers, and Goshawks, and if we are fortunate, we may find one of the few pairs of the Spanish Imperial Eagles that breed in the park. Occasionally, Iberian Lynx are spotted in the area!
We will have two days to explore the wealth of habitats within driving distance. Some new species we expect to encounter are: Spectacled Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Iberian Magpie, Azure-winged Magpie, Bee-eater, Crested Tit, Hoopoe, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Lesser Short-toed Larks, and Red-crested Pochard. The park is also one of the best places to look for the elusive Purple Swamphen, as well as Marbled Teal, one of Spain’s rarest and most beautiful ducks. One evening we will also head out to look and listen for Red-necked Nightjars, whose European range is limited to Spain.
A highlight of our stay in El Rocio will be a 4x4 excursion into the national park. Our adventures will take us through marshes and woodlands into less accessible areas of the park, including the area known as Coto del Rey, which holds the densest population of raptors in Coto Donana. Both species of kites are common, as are Booted Eagles and European Honey-buzzards. Flocks of Griffon Vultures are often joined by Short-toed Eagles, Marsh Harriers, and Goshawks, and if we are fortunate, we may find one of the few pairs of the Spanish Imperial Eagles that breed in the park. Occasionally, Iberian Lynx are spotted in the area!
Days 8-9: Bonanza Saltpans and Tarifa
After an early breakfast, we will depart from our hotel and spend a full day on the eastern side of the Guadalquivir River at the Saltpans at Bonanza. While not the most scenic area in Andalusia, these extensive salt flats often hold large numbers of Greater Flamingos, as well as a variety of migrating shorebirds, including Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, and perhaps even Temminck’s Stint or Marsh Sandpiper. Bonanza is also one of the best sites in southern Spain to see the Slender-billed Gull, which often gather in large numbers.
In the early afternoon we will head to our hotel in Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe on the Strait of Gibraltar. The shortest point between Europe and Africa, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar is a favorite crossing for millions of migratory birds each spring and fall, and Tarifa is a place no birder should miss! Soaring birds like European Honey-buzzards, White Storks, and Black Kites sometimes form huge flocks as they cross.
On our last full day excursion, we will cover the area between the towns of Algeciras and Tarifa, exploring a diversity of habitats from the mountains to the sea, enjoying the rich bird life, beautiful landscape, and spectacular views of the African continent.
In the early afternoon we will head to our hotel in Tarifa, the southernmost point of continental Europe on the Strait of Gibraltar. The shortest point between Europe and Africa, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar is a favorite crossing for millions of migratory birds each spring and fall, and Tarifa is a place no birder should miss! Soaring birds like European Honey-buzzards, White Storks, and Black Kites sometimes form huge flocks as they cross.
On our last full day excursion, we will cover the area between the towns of Algeciras and Tarifa, exploring a diversity of habitats from the mountains to the sea, enjoying the rich bird life, beautiful landscape, and spectacular views of the African continent.
Day 10: Tarifa and transfer to Malaga
This morning we should have time for a final look around some of the nearby habitats before our transfer to Malaga. We will have one final lunch together before we settle into an airport hotel in advance of an early morning return flight to the US. (Dinner on your own.)
additional details
Price Includes:
Price Does Not Include:
Payment Plan:
Final cost may vary slightly based on the value of the Euro at the time of final payment. Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia member or non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $900 down-payment at the time of registration ($950 for non-members). The final payment of $4,000 per person will be due on January 10, 2025. The single supplement, if selected, will also be billed at this time.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by October 7, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card processing fees incurred by Birds Georgia). If notice of cancellation is received between October 8 and November 7, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given, less any non-refundable payments made to tour partners or incurred by Birds Georgia. Birds Georgia and its tour partners reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary that we think will improve the trip and/or due to local conditions, both before the trip and during. If changes are made prior to the trip, participants will be notified, but changes made to the itinerary do not change the terms of our cancellation policy. If it is necessary to change hotels or other accommodations, comparable accommodations will be substituted wherever possible.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within one to two weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Tipping:
We encourage participants to tip our local guide(s) for exceptional service. While tipping is not required, if you feel that your local guide(s) went above and beyond, you are encouraged to give a gratuity. (Birds Georgia recommends $10-$20/day per guide).
- All lodging for 10 nights
- All ground transportation during the trip, including pick-up and drop-off at the airport
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 10
- Entrance fees to parks
Price Does Not Include:
- Gratuities
- Costs of obtaining passports
- Airfare and baggage fees
- Taxi to Malaga airport at conclusion of tour
- Alcohol or specialty drinks
- Snacks, beverages, room service, or sightseeing not specified in itinerary.
- Souvenirs
- Laundry
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Medical costs
- Personal communications
- Any other incidentals that participants may wish to purchase
Payment Plan:
Final cost may vary slightly based on the value of the Euro at the time of final payment. Participants may pay in full by choosing the Birds Georgia member or non-Member price. For those who wish to pay in two installments, we will accept a $900 down-payment at the time of registration ($950 for non-members). The final payment of $4,000 per person will be due on January 10, 2025. The single supplement, if selected, will also be billed at this time.
Cancellation Policy:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received by October 7, 2024, a refund of all payments made will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card processing fees incurred by Birds Georgia). If notice of cancellation is received between October 8 and November 7, 2024, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled, in which case a full refund will be given (less a $50 administrative fee and all credit card fees). In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given, less any non-refundable payments made to tour partners or incurred by Birds Georgia. Birds Georgia and its tour partners reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary that we think will improve the trip and/or due to local conditions, both before the trip and during. If changes are made prior to the trip, participants will be notified, but changes made to the itinerary do not change the terms of our cancellation policy. If it is necessary to change hotels or other accommodations, comparable accommodations will be substituted wherever possible.
Travel Insurance:
We do not require travel insurance. However, we highly recommend buying it, as it is relatively inexpensive and can protect you from unforeseen costs associated with missed, delayed, or canceled flights, sudden illness, medical evacuation, damaged equipment, or other unexpected issues. Note that in some circumstances, such as if you have preexisting medical conditions, travel insurance must be purchased within one to two weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
Tipping:
We encourage participants to tip our local guide(s) for exceptional service. While tipping is not required, if you feel that your local guide(s) went above and beyond, you are encouraged to give a gratuity. (Birds Georgia recommends $10-$20/day per guide).