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This was a much anticipated nature based holiday that had been booked in 2019. The group leaders were very knowledgeable. The hotel and associated staff added to the whole experience. The group was full off interesting people who were enthusiastic and positive. We spent 8 days walking through the local countryside, spotting wildlife and plants, eating picnics under shady trees. Every day was a learning day even at our advanced age. Breakfasts were fab. Lunches very authentic and our evening meals although limited in range accommodated all our needs and were traditional and homemade. It was a great week. We have used Naturetrek in the past. They were so accommodating during the pandemic and their brochure and personal service give you all the facts that you need. There seems to be a really friendly touch. They have been under pressure no doubt because of the pandemic and the current problems with airlines cancelling flights, but their stresses were never passed on to us.
J.S. Surrey, May 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Go Slow in the Camargue
Tour Code: FRA29A relaxed 8-day holiday focusing on the birds and other wildlife of France's Rhône Delta and the Camargue, one of Europe's best-known wetlands.
£1,995
£1,785
Highlights
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Summary
The Camargue, in central southern France, is one of Europe’s best wetlands and has plenty to interest both amateur and experienced naturalists. Covering an area of about 750 square kilometres, the Camargue’s marshes, pools, reedbeds, scrub and woodlands provide an oasis for a wonderful variety of resident and migratory European bird species. We will be based for the week at an excellent, family-run hotel just outside the historic town of Arles. From here we will explore the area’s wide range of habitats at a leisurely pace. A host of waterbirds including Squacco, Purple and Night Heron plus Whiskered and Gull-billed Tern await us in and around the Camargue wetlands, while we’ll also look for a host of raptors with Bee-eater, Roller and Hoopoe firm favourites amongst many other species.
- Direct flights into Marseille or Montpellier
- Single-centre tour based near historic town of Arles
- Look for Purple, Squacco & Night Herons, Bittern & Little Bittern on the Camargue
- See flocks of Greater Flamingoes & Black-winged Stilts on saline lagoons
- Roller, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole & Hoopoe among special species
- Little Bustard, Stone Curlew & Lesser Kestrel, La Crau
- Look for raptors including Egyptian Vulture & Eurasian Eagle Owl, Les Alpilles
- Led by expert naturalist guide
Grading
Easy walks only.The Camargue, in central southern France, is one of Europe’s best wetlands and has plenty to interest both amateur and experienced naturalists. Situated in the very heart of the vast Rhône Delta and covering an area of about 750 square kilometres, the Camargue’s marshes, pools, reedbeds, scrub and woodlands provide an oasis for a wonderful variety of resident and migratory bird species.
Following a direct British Airways flight to Marseille or Montpelier we will drive to our excellent, family-run hotel just outside the historic town of Arles. We will be based here for the whole week, exploring the area’s wide range of habitats at a leisurely pace. We should see numerous Purple, Squacco and Night Herons as well as both Bittern and Little Bittern. Great, Little and Cattle Egrets are also common, and Whiskered, Black and Gull-billed Terns feed along the ditches. The surrounding grazing pastures are ideal areas in which to see (and hear) Rollers, Bee-eaters, Golden Oriole and Hoopoe, and we’ll scan the saline lagoons for flocks of Greater Flamingoes and Black-winged Stilts along with a host of other species.
During the week we will also visit the arid landscape of La Crau where Little Bustard, Stone Curlew and Lesser Kestrel may be found. North-east of Arles, the limestone hills of Les Alpilles attract many raptors including Egyptian Vulture and Eurasian Eagle Owl. We’ll allow time for a little sightseeing in the historic Roman town of Arles, and our hotel’s lovely swimming pool offers the tempting option of a relaxing dip before rounding each day off with a delicious home-cooked evening meal!
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Family-run hotel just outside the historic town of Arles.
- Food: All included in the cost.
Reviews
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Went to the Camargue with apprehension as we were not avid bird watchers but with the help of two excellent guides and the rest of the party, we were turned into experts. Enjoyed every trip and walk with loads of birds being spotted to educate us.
J.C. Cheshire, June 19 -
Wonderful .... learning through seeing, hearing and doing .... ideal base with good accommodation, wonderful choice for breakfast and delicious evening meals. Everyday had been thought through carefully to give a range of experiences and opportunities. The expertise of the guides and the superb lunches ensured the holiday was really special.
P.E. Wiltshire, June 18 -
This was a well organised holiday concentrating on the wildlife of the Camargue but also including time in the local town of Arles. Our leaders knowledge of their subjects was phenomenal. The hotel was comfortable and the meals were good. We made good use of the excursions and were not disappointed in the amount of wildlife that we saw. We enjoyed the variety of environments that we visited.
C.W. Lincolnshire
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Marcus John
Marcus developed a passion for wildlife during his childhood spent in rural Somerset. He was never without ‘The Observer’s Book of Birds’ and spent all his free time walking and cycling in the countryside between Wells and Cheddar. His obsession with birds soon extended to mammals and insects, as well as wildlife photography. Over the years, he has participated in various surveys for Natural Resources Wales and the BTO. He has also led walks and presented talks at RPSB events in Wales and England and is an active member of the Gwent Ornithological Society.
After graduating from Bristol University, he started a family and embarked on a career in education – but he never missed an opportunity to travel! Over the past thirty years, he has sought out wildlife across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean, and has been leading Naturetrek tours since 2011.
Ten years ago, he established our first tours to Ardnamurchan, and he has returned to lead in the Scottish Highlands every year since. He has subsequently taken Naturetrek groups to many European destinations, his favourites being Iceland and the Camargue. With a life-long interest in Africa, he has relished opportunities to lead tours in Ethiopia, Tanzania and The Gambia, and also has some expertise in Caribbean wildlife, having guided groups to both Jamaica and Trinidad.
Marcus has developed a strong reputation as a naturalist guide and his approachability, friendly advice and sense of humour are always appreciated by our clients!
Tour Leader: Marcus John
Marcus developed a passion for wildlife during his childhood spent in rural Somerset. He was never without ‘The Observer’s Book of Birds’ and spent all his free time walking and cycling in the countryside between Wells and Cheddar. His obsession with birds soon extended to mammals and insects, as well as wildlife photography. Over the years, he has participated in various surveys for Natural Resources Wales and the BTO. He has also led walks and presented talks at RPSB events in Wales and England and is an active member of the Gwent Ornithological Society.
After graduating from Bristol University, he started a family and embarked on a career in education – but he never missed an opportunity to travel! Over the past thirty years, he has sought out wildlife across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America and the Caribbean, and has been leading Naturetrek tours since 2011.
Ten years ago, he established our first tours to Ardnamurchan, and he has returned to lead in the Scottish Highlands every year since. He has subsequently taken Naturetrek groups to many European destinations, his favourites being Iceland and the Camargue. With a life-long interest in Africa, he has relished opportunities to lead tours in Ethiopia, Tanzania and The Gambia, and also has some expertise in Caribbean wildlife, having guided groups to both Jamaica and Trinidad.
Marcus has developed a strong reputation as a naturalist guide and his approachability, friendly advice and sense of humour are always appreciated by our clients!
2026
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.
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Why 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!
