Andujar, Spain
6 days
4 - 7 places
£1650
(Excluding flights to Madrid)
T R I P O V E R V I E W
This new tour takes us into the wild heart of Andalusia in search of the iconic Iberian Lynx - the rarest and most endangered feline in the world.
We have located a family of lynx that reliably frequents the area, so we will time our sessions with when the kittens are most active, offering us opportunities to photograph games and behavioural displays. We will search for them among Mediterranean scrubland and ancient Dehesa oak forest, where they hunt for rabbits. This land is home not just to lynxes but also fallow deer, boar, eagles and even otters. Impressive rock formations offer resting places for the lynx during the day, so we will be in position at dawn to watch the families awake and observe the most intimate moments of their lives unfold.
February is an excellent time to visit. As the Iberian lynx enters its mating season, these elusive felines become much more active during the day and less wary of human activity. Their behaviours and movement become easier to predict, ensuring a high success rate for us! The lynxes are also very vocal at this time, calling to their mates, and displaying many fascinating behaviours.
Every day, will use every method at our disposal, from tracking footprints in the earth to thermal imaging binoculars and camera traps, to find these creatures and ensure that you come home with a portfolio of unique images and experiences that few get to witness.
Target Species: Iberian Lynx, Otter, Griffon Vulture, Rock Partridge, Fallow Deer, Roe Deer, landscapes
H I G H L I G H T S
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High chances of seeing and photographing a rare Iberian Lynx family with kittens
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A supporting cast of birds such as red-legged partridge, little owl and griffon vulture
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Develop a rich portfolio of images showing animal portraits and seldom seen behaviours
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Enjoy local cuisine and culture in beautiful, unspoilt hilltop villages in Andalusia
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Local photography and nature guides with intimate expert knowledge of the area
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Excellent guide to client ratio, with lots of 1-on-1 tuition (lower group sizes if all photographers)
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Optional editing and image review sessions
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Learn how to track and identify elusive wildlife with fieldcraft
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5 nights' stay in a comfortable guesthouse in the land of the lynx
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
Meals
Breakfast (included at the guesthouse) will include pastries, yoghurts and toast with coffee or juice. Lunch will generally be either a light home-cooked meal or freshly prepared sandwiches made with local produce (vegetarian options available) that we can take with us into the field. Dinner will either be at a nearby restaurant or home-prepared, depending on our evening activities. Please make us aware of any dietary requirements.
Walking
We consider this light to moderate difficulty. We will be reliant on transport between locations, and may even photograph lynx from the car or roadside. Please contact us beforehand to discuss suitability and if you have any mobility issues, and we can adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Group Size & Tuition
With a minimum of 4 and maximum of 7 participants (if more than 5, we will split our party into two groups), our small group size ensures everyone has a better personal experience. We will be on hand to answer your questions and help you with observing animals whatever your skillset.
Photo Gear
We recommend that you bring a DSLR with a zoom lens in the 100-400mm range, and a teleconverter if you have one for extra reach. 300mm or more with an extender is ideal for lynx behaviours and bird flight shots. A wide-angle lens can work wonders for landscapes and sunsets.
Clothing
It is important that participants wear appropriate dry and wet weather clothing. Comfortable loose-fitting clothing and trekking shoes are recommended. Please check the recommended kit list, sent upon sign-up. Participants will be advised nearer the time on the weather forecast for our trip.
Flights
We recommend flying to Madrid airport, where the tour will commence and end. Please discuss with us so that we can recommend the best flight for you to take.
W H A T ' S I N C L U D E D
Included
✓ Services of professional photography guide Paul Alistair
Collins, as well as local nature and photography guides
Gianluca Damiani
✓ Permits to photograph in the national park
✓ Image reviews and edit sessions (optional)
✓ A welcome presentation on the local fauna and sites
✓ 5 nights' accommodation at a B&B in Andujar
✓ All meals, taken at our accommodation or in town
✓ Use of guides' thermal imaging camera for wolf spotting
✓ Use of tripods (upon request)
✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off from Madrid
✓ Ground transportation
Not Included
✗ Return flights from London to Madrid (please contact us so that we can recommend the best flights)
✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes
✗ Personal and cancellation insurance *
✗ Personal snacks and alcohol
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Laundry
✗ Any additional overnight stays
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in this trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses. We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.
M A K E A B O O K I N G E N Q U I R Y
Contact Paul at paulalistaircollins@gmail.com or + 44 7342 983 581 for further information.
Once your booking has been confirmed, a £300 deposit will be required per person to secure your place.
Paul Alistair Collins
Paul is an award-winning nature photographer, featured in British Wildlife Photography Awards and WildBird Photographer of the Year. He regularly leads photo and birdwatching workshops in the UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Svalbard, and produces documentaries for the BBC and Netflix.
Gianluca Damiani
With a background in conservation biology, Gianluca has studied Andujar's lynxes for many years. He has collaborated with the BBC, National Geographic, ARTE, Sky and RAI on nature documentaries. He has authored two books and several scientific papers on the fauna of Spain and Italy.
