We were amazed to see just over 100 species in 5 days with some firsts for us. Our guide was so knowledgeable about the area that he knew just where he'd find each one. The trip also included a late evening to see beavers at work, but another day we watched baby Ural owls being ringed. There was a good mixture of forest, lake and marsh dwellers without having to travel long distances. The spa accommodation was very comfortable with plentiful delicious food, and they also prepared our great picnics each day.
A.H. Surrey, May 19
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Go Slow in Sweden
Tour Code: SWE15A leisurely 6-day, single-centre break to central Sweden, in search of owls, woodpeckers and the beautiful breeding birds of this idyllic countryside.
£3,095 (Inc flights)
£2,845
Highlights
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Summary
Central Sweden boasts a peaceful patchwork of boreal forest, lakes, meadows and farmland, all of which are home to an exciting selection of northern birds. We will be based for the duration of this 6-day ‘Go Slow’ holiday at the comfortable Sätra Brunn Hotel, set in beautiful parkland, where guests can enjoy some gentle afternoon birding, or finish the day with a relaxing dip in the heated swimming pool and spa.
- Up to 7 species of owl including Great Grey Owl, Ural Owl & Pygmy Owl
- Search for Three-toed, Grey-headed & Black Woodpeckers in nearby forests
- Breeding Black-throated Divers on the forest lakes
- White-tailed Eagle, Osprey and migrating waders and terns in the nearby wetlands
- Single-centre holiday based in the heart of the ‘Black River Valley’
- Just a short direct flight and easy transfer to our comfortable base
- Led by expert local guide Daniel Green
Grading
Grade A. A 'Go Slow' tour with gentle day walks only.
Central Sweden boasts a peaceful patchwork of boreal forest, lakes, meadows and farmland, all of which are home to an exciting selection of northern birds. We will be based for the duration of this 6-day ‘Go Slow’ holiday at the comfortable Sätra Brunn hotel, set in beautiful parkland, where guests can enjoy some gentle afternoon birding, or finish the day with a relaxing dip in the heated swimming pool and spa. The quiet roads enable us to easily explore our beautiful surroundings, including the nearby wetlands where we will enjoy a good selection of ducks and waders, many of them resplendent in their breeding plumages, and a large area of forest which supports good numbers of breeding woodpeckers, including Black, Three-toed and Grey-headed. Each day we will return to our hotel with plenty of time to relax during the late afternoon, and then, on at least two evenings, those who wish may choose to accompany our tour leader on a post-dinner excursion to search for the diminutive Pygmy Owl and the mighty Great Grey Owl, which is known to breed nearby … surely a highlight of the holiday for many!
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A single-centre holiday based at the comfortable Satra Brunn spa hotel. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
All food is included in the price.
Reviews
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The holiday was billed as focusing on owls and woodpeckers and it certainly hit the mark. Daniel is an excellent leader, he made sure all members of the party saw the birds. The situation of the hotel was excellent and appeared to be at the centre of all the visited sites, also a short transfer from the airport. Loved the Swedish countryside. A great holiday.
Mr & Mrs C. Yorkshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Daniel Green
Daniel has been a keen birdwatcher since his early childhood. With the Svartadalen, or Black River Valley as it is known in English, as his local turf, Daniel is able to pursue his lifelong fascination with the cranes which gather there every Autumn in huge flocks before flying south for the winter. As well as birds, Daniel is also interested in butterflies, moths and dragonflies. He is driven by the joy of sharing experiences in nature with other people and he has been one of the pioneers of Swedish birding tourism since 2002; he's also been in charge of most British birding trips to central Sweden since then. Along with his interest in wildlife, Daniel also enjoys cooking and writing. His CV includes 12 years as a gourmet chef, a career as a newspaper journalist/photographer and, lately, serving as editor for the second biggest Bird Magazine in Sweden, Fagelvannen.
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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!