Go Slow in Andalucia in Spring

Tour Code: ESP51

A 7-day holiday to enjoy the spring bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar, based at a delightful traditional rural Spanish farmhouse.

7 days from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,795
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Enjoy spring early by heading south to Andalucia with this relaxed, ´Go Slow´, migration appreciation tour. What better way to spend a March morning than sunlit in the lush rolling hills of southern Spain, welcoming raptors and storks back from their African wintering grounds, as they soar across the Strait of Gibraltar on their way north to breed? Accommodated at the delightful Cortijo el Indiviso, a traditional rural Spanish farmhouse between Tarifa and Vejer de la Frontera, you´ll be ideally placed to see the very best of the area´s wildlife and witness the spectacle of migration at close quarters. Each day we´ll make leisurely excursions within easy reach of our base, to explore the variety of habitats close by. There´ll be plenty of time to relax, walk in the grounds at our lodgings, or simply hang out by the bar as migrating birds pass overhead. A leisurely boat trip into the Strait itself will introduce you to its rich variety of marine-life. Long-finned Pilot Whales, Common, Striped, and Bottlenose Dolphins are all resident here, and at this time of year we stand a good chance of encountering migrating Sperm and Fin Whales, not to mention seabirds such as Cory´s, Scopoli´s and Balearic Shearwaters, Great Skuas and European and Wilson’s Storm Petrels.

  • Experience thousands of migrating raptors and storks crossing the Strait of Gibraltar
  • Explore Los Alcornacales Natural Park, looking for Crested Tits, Firecrests, Hawfinches, Serins, Short-toed Treecreepers and more in Europe´s largest Cork Oak forest
  • Enjoy a variety of waders, terns and gulls in the area´s fine inter-tidal and wetland habitats
  • Long-finned Pilot Whales and three species of dolphin and maybe even migrating Sperm Whales close by on a boat trip into the Strait
  • Comfortable accommodation, where migrating raptors pass right overhead!
  • Sample superb local tapas and enjoy our legendary picnics in the sun!
  • Led by expert locally-based naturalist guides

This ‘Go Slow’ holiday is timed to coincide with the early spring-time northbound migration. What better way to spend a March morning than in the rolling sunlit hills of southern Spain, welcoming raptors and storks back from their African wintering grounds as they soar across the Straits of Gibraltar on their way north to breed?

Staying at the delightful rural farmhouse of Cortijo el Indiviso, we will be ideally placed to see the very best of the area’s wildlife and witness the spectacle of migration at close quarters, at a time of year when back home most are depending on central heating to ward off the chill of late winter. Each day we will make leisurely excursions, within easy reach of our base, to explore the variety of habitats close by. There will be plenty of time to relax and potter in the extensive grounds of our base, or simply relax by the bar and pool as migrating birds pass overhead.

A leisurely boat trip into the Strait itself will introduce you to its rich variety of cetaceans and marine-life. Long-finned Pilot Whales as well as Common, Striped and Bottlenose Dolphins are resident here, and at this time of year we stand a good chance of encountering migrating Sperm and Fin Whales, not to mention seabirds such as Cory’s, Scopoli’s and Balearic Shearwaters, Great Skua, and European and Wilson’s Storm Petrels.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Gibraltar and transfer to Vejer
Day 2/6
Daily wildlife excursions in the area of the Strait
Day 7
Fly to London
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Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 9th Mar – Sat 15th Mar FULL £1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

Sat 15th Mar – Fri 21st Mar FULL £1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 8th Mar – Sat 14th Mar SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

Sat 14th Mar – Fri 20th Mar SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
Niki-Williamson.jpg

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


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:



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...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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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...






"If you’re looking for wonderful wildlife and great hospitality at a slower, more relaxing pace, our Go Slow portfolio could be just right. Why not consider Go Slow … in Extremadura, based at Viña las Torres in the heart of the Extremadura countryside, to enjoy some of Europe’s top birdwatching? Or, for something more exotic, have a look at Go Slow … in Trinidad, which is based at the incomparable Asa Wright Centre.” 

Andy Tucker - Operations Manager


 




All Go Slow Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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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?

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!