Wonderful opportunity to experience nature up close in Extremadura, one of Spain's jewels, at a very special time of the year when the countryside is burgeoning with spring flowers and with plenty of bird life. We loved the accommodation in a comfortable finca where the hosts were exceptional and the food and wine gave us a full flavour of Spain. The guides were like knowledgeable companions sharing with us their knowledge of the local nature and of Spain as a whole. Naturetrek were excellent at showcasing their holiday when we were in the planning stage and followed this up with prompt and full communication at all stages. Faultless.
M.T. Avon, Apr 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Go Slow in Extremadura
Tour Code: ESP41A gentle 8-day birdwatching holiday based in the tranquil, bird-filled heart of Extremadura.
£1,895 (Inc flights)
£1,695
Highlights
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Summary
On this ‘Go Slow’ birdwatching and natural history holiday we focus solely on the wealth of birdlife in Spain’s Extremadura region. We begin our holiday with a direct flight to Seville. From there we travel north to our comfortable base, a lovely country house a few miles south of Trujillo, where we spend seven relaxed nights. From this welcoming and homely base, we will explore at a gentle pace a range of habitats. Each day will feature an optional pre-breakfast walk, an unhurried post-breakfast start, a chance to look around the picturesque and historic town of Trujillo, and plenty of time back at base to unwind, take a swim and freshen up before a delicious homemade dinner.
- Single-centre tour based near the beautiful medieval town of Trujillo
- Comfortable homely accommodation with pool
- Explore steppe & forested hills of Monfragüe National Park
- Flocks of Lesser Kestrels plus Black Storks & Pallid Swifts, Trujillo
- Watch Great Bustards & Little Bustards displaying
- Stone Curlew, Pin-tailed & Black-bellied Sandgrouse among grassland birds
- 16 species of raptor present in this area
- Hoopoe, Iberian Magpie & Woodchat Shrike among birdlife in dehesa
- Led by expert naturalist guide
Grading
A - easy pottering only.On this ‘Go Slow’ birdwatching and natural history holiday we focus solely on the wealth of birdlife in Spain’s Extremadura region. We begin our holiday with direct flights to Seville (extensions gladly arranged on request), from where we travel north to our comfortable base in the heart of the Extremadura countryside. It is here that we spend seven relaxed nights. From this welcoming and homely base, we will explore at a gentle pace a range of habitats, from the undulating, sun-drenched steppes and shimmering plains to the oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park. Each day will feature an optional pre-breakfast walk, an unhurried post-breakfast start, an option to explore the picturesque and historic town of Trujillo, and plenty of time back at base to unwind, take a swim and freshen up before a delicious homemade dinner.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A comfortable guesthouse in delightful surroundings; all rooms with private facilities.
- Food: Food and wine is all included in the price.
Reviews
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All travel to and from hotel was easy and trouble free. I was travelling alone and met fellow group members at the airport thanks to Naturetrek labels. Leaders knew about birds and were fun to be with. Picnics they provided were delicious always in beautiful quiet spots. The hotel was excellent in every respect. I had a really amazing time. The whole process from deciding on my holiday and returning home was easy, thanks to Naturetrek.
A.J. Dorset, May 22 -
Our tour leaders, Martin Pitt and Pete Stevens, were wonderful both with ornithology and help generally. They also organised excellent picnics. I enjoyed the whole holiday and it was complimented by our lovely Hotel Rural with its beautiful garden full of bird song and the friendly family who run it. The food was superb and all this gave a great necessary energy boost to our outings to the different sites all of which were fascinating in their different ways.
P.H. Somerset, May 19 -
I enjoyed the setting most of all. Extremadura offers wide-open spaces, almost entirely unspoilt by modern agricultural practices and urban developments, hence very rich bird life. And roads were little used! Exceedingly knowledgeable, constantly helpful leaders who worked tirelessly to make sure everyone in the group had a good holiday. Full marks and thanks to both leaders.
A.C. London, May 19 -
Undoubtedly the enthusiasm, knowledge and skills of the leaders and the wide variety of bird life. Several of us were elderly and we appreciated the rest periods.
R.M. Kent, May 19 -
Ideal trip for a novice bird watcher like me or for those with more experience who don't wish to spend all day in the field. Very expertly guided and an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of Spain away from the usual tourist spots.
A.V.B. Edinburgh -
Go Slow in Extremadura was based at a friendly, family-run hotel near Trujillo, led by 2 very clued-up guys, one English, one Spanish. I logged over 20 new species and the number and variety of raptors was phenomenal - 15 species, with spectacular views of nesting Egyptian and griffon vultures and Spanish imperial eagle. We also had great views of roller, bee-eater, hoopoe, bustards and many more (over 100 bird species in all). All this in warm Spanish sunshine, with a group of very friendly people, flower-covered steppes, a variety of butterflies, reptiles and mammals also "thrown in".
G.W. Norfolk -
Great location, great accommodation and terrific guides. We saw an amazing variety of birds.
D.A. Dorset -
The guiding was excellent. Both guides were amazing at locating and identifying the birds and were delightful leaders. Lovely food and wine pairing.
E.A. Dorset -
The two young leaders Laura and Greg were fantastic with exceptional knowledge and recognition abilities. They were amusing, friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. As well as being excellent drivers, their picnic lunches were delicious and always held in perfect places. They are a great asset to Naturetrek and to ornithology in general.
J. & D.D. East Yorkshire -
The guides were both excellent and it was hard to believe they had never worked together before. The idea of a "Go Slow" holiday worked really well, again in no small way to the guides and how they adapted the day's events to the very hot weather and abilities and wishes of the group. The hotel was very good with excellent hosts and well suited to the type of holiday. It was good to be served local dishes and excellent local wines.
M.R. Halifax -
Laura worked her socks off to ensure everything ran smoothly (ably assisted by Greg). they were extremely knowledgeable and unbelievably good at spotting the birds for us. I'm not a bird fanatic (more a general wildlife fan) and I liked not feeling pressured into early starts or late finishes.
S.C. West Yorkshire -
Enjoyed travelling with like-minded people, and getting to know them. I liked content of the trip - the mix of birding and time to relax.
J.B. Cambridgeshire -
For me this "Go Slow" holiday was well pitched. We saw a lot of the countryside and particularly enjoyed the hotel with its emphasis on local cuisine. The guides were most helpful and considerate.
F.S. Merseyside
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Keith Hamilton
Keith grew up in the north-west of Cumbria, close to the sea, spending much of his youth exploring the countryside and becoming a lover of nature from a very young age. He received his first book on birds, Coward & Barnes ‘Birds of the British Isles’, aged 11, and still treasures it to this day! Over the years, birdwatching took Keith all over the UK, though the sea and the Lake District fells remained closest to home. He has been a council member of the Cumbria Bird Club and active member of the Carlisle Natural History Society. Butterflies are also a passion, and as a member of Butterfly Conservation Keith volunteered on the very successful Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary re-introduction scheme and Small Blue regeneration projects.
It was a birding trip to Extremadura in the early 2010s that changed Keith's life, not only for the astonishing birdlife or the amazing butterflies; it was a place to feel comfortable. Around eight years later, after many visits to different regions of Spain, Keith and his wife made the move to the Sierra de Gredos where they love to explore the rich diversity of species to be found there. Keith is an active member of the local butterfly and natural history groups, and, being a member of the butterfly conservation organisation ‘Zerynthia’, he has the necessary permissions to record butterflies and moths. Since moving to Spain he has enjoyed guiding guests around various areas on the peninsula, always finding it a pleasure to show his clients something new and interesting.
Tour Leader: Keith Hamilton
Keith grew up in the north-west of Cumbria, close to the sea, spending much of his youth exploring the countryside and becoming a lover of nature from a very young age. He received his first book on birds, Coward & Barnes ‘Birds of the British Isles’, aged 11, and still treasures it to this day! Over the years, birdwatching took Keith all over the UK, though the sea and the Lake District fells remained closest to home. He has been a council member of the Cumbria Bird Club and active member of the Carlisle Natural History Society. Butterflies are also a passion, and as a member of Butterfly Conservation Keith volunteered on the very successful Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary re-introduction scheme and Small Blue regeneration projects.
It was a birding trip to Extremadura in the early 2010s that changed Keith's life, not only for the astonishing birdlife or the amazing butterflies; it was a place to feel comfortable. Around eight years later, after many visits to different regions of Spain, Keith and his wife made the move to the Sierra de Gredos where they love to explore the rich diversity of species to be found there. Keith is an active member of the local butterfly and natural history groups, and, being a member of the butterfly conservation organisation ‘Zerynthia’, he has the necessary permissions to record butterflies and moths. Since moving to Spain he has enjoyed guiding guests around various areas on the peninsula, always finding it a pleasure to show his clients something new and interesting.
2026
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Relaxed Wildlife Holidays
Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
EnquireWhy Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!