Wildlife Conservation Trip focusing on Iberian Lynx

This leisurely paced 5-day Iberian Lynx Conservation and Wildlife Tour takes place in Sierra de Andújar Natural Park, one of the most important areas in Spain for the conservation of the Iberian Lynx. This tour can be booked on request for a minimum of three and a maximum of eight people.

The Sierra de Andújar NP forms part of Sierra Morena in northern Andalusia. It is a beautiful natural area between the Yeguas and Jandula rivers. It is densely wooded, with one of Andalucia's best preserved expanses of Mediterranean forest and scrubland, ideal habitat for Iberian Lynx conservation. Pine and deciduous trees such as Poplars shelter Myrtle and Oleander shrubs and a wide range of herbs that perfume the air as you brush through them.

"We travelled around Andujar Natural Park and Jose Luis spotted a male Lynx. We watched it and it watched us for over an hour. Plus we saw Golden and pair of Imperial Eagles, cuckoos and Orioles." - Christine Stockton

This environment is perfect for the Lynx and their favoured prey. There are Red and Fallow Deer, Wild Boar, Iberian Ibex and Mouflon as well as Iberian Wolf, Otters and Genets living among the trees.

The birdlife in this area is also impressive, with raptor species such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Black and Griffon Vultures and Eagle Owl present in good numbers. There is also a significant population of Black Storks, Golden Orioles and Red-billed Choughs, found on the rocky outcrops of the mountain range.

Sierra de Andújar's greatest claim to fame, however, has to be its Iberian lynx. The Natural Park currently hosts the best and most important location for the conservation of Iberian Lynx, with about 250 cats, around 40% of the world population.

Although there are no guarantees, this has got to be your best chance of seeing the elusive cat, and its a chance to spend time in this beautiful, unspoilt area of southern Spain.

Iberian Lynx Conservation and Wildlife Tour highlights include:

Exploration of the beautiful Sierra de Andújar Natural Park
A chance to see Iberian Lynx conservation in action
An impressive array of birds of prey

Do you like the look of this Iberian Lynx conservation tour but you're keen to see what else is on offer? Take a look at the Sierra Magina Golden Eagle Birding Tour, Jaén, Spain.

Alternative Tour Name: Iberian Lynx in Sierra de Andújar Tour

Day 1

Day 1 - You’ll be met in the town of Andujar

Transfer to your hotel in Sierras de Andujar Natural Park. Once you have settled in, we might make our first visit to one of the several viewing areas in the hope of finding an Iberian Lynx. Who knows, we might get lucky on our first attempt! So we'll go in search of our target in one of the best areas for wildlife. This is also a great place to enjoy along with the local territorial Spanish Imperial eagle and other raptors like Golden eagle and Black vulture.

Other species we hope to see are Kingfisher, Yellow wagtail, Iberian green woodpecker, Great spotted woodpecker, Short-toed treecreeper, Hawfinch, Great cormorant, Grey heron… In the dusk we’ll drive back to our hotel to relax after a long day, and get ready to enjoy the local gastronomy.

Day 2

Day 2 - Natural Park

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive into the natural park. On the way to our watchpoints, we’ll cross a private estate where we can see fighting bulls next to the road. A little further ahead we’ll stop to look for our feline, by scanning from vantage points overlooking the dehesa.

At lunchtime, we'll set up our picnic lunch just by the river, near the dam of a reservoir, a good spot which overlooks the gully. After lunch, we'll continue to the main dam, and then walk over the massive concrete bridge. Here we can find some interesting birds such as Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Rock bunting, Red-billed chough.

There is also a short tunnel at the end of the dam, where we hope to see some species of bats: Whiskered, Daubenton’s, Schreiber’s and Great Mouse-eared Bats.

Day 3

Days 3&4 - Finding elusive animal and wildlife species

Two more days we’ll spend all our time - especially early morning and late afternoon - looking for this elusive animal and enjoying the wildlife from the best watchpoints.

Day 4

Day 5 - Last chance to see "the cat".

After breakfast, and depending on your available time, we'll drive back to one of the watchpoints, with our focus always on getting Iberian Lynx. Our fifth day will provide us the last chance to find the lynx again, although hopefully by then we will have had good views of this feline during the previous days.

Wildlife Reviews

5 stars

- based on 2 reviews

Cazorla and Magina National Parks
John and Charmaine Lomas04 May 2017
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

Spent two full days in each park with Jose Luis after spending time last year in Andujar with him looking successfully for Iberian Lynx. Jose suggested that we should base ourselves in Ubeda and visit the parks. Again it was a superb trip made so by the knowledge and commitment of Jose.
Wonderful day Lynx and wildlife in glorious countryside
Christine Stockton21 Apr 2017
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

We travelled around Andujar Natural Park and Jose Luis spotted a male Lynx. We watched it and it watched us for over an hour. Plus golden and pair of imperial eagles, cuckoos, Orioles,

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Why book with Iberian Lynx Land?

Iberian Lynx Land is a new nature tourism firm based in southern Spain that grew out of limitless love for the region's wildlife and solid local expertise. We are headquartered in the province of Jaén in Andalusia's northwestern region. With a third of its land designated as protected natural space, this is the greenest of Spain's provinces. It is rightly referred to be the "unsung hero" of Spanish environmental protection. Here you may enjoy a true wilderness experience in what is perhaps the location with the most diverse flora and wildlife in the entire Iberian Peninsula, if not Europe.

Wildlife Observation Equipment

Our guides are provided of high quality optical equipment (binoculars and telescopes). However, it is highly recommendable to bring your own set.

Photographic Equipment

According to the targeted species, 300 to 600 mm lens are recommendable. Macro lens, photo filters for landscapes and tripods can be very useful, as well as replacement memory cards and batteries. Our guides will get clients advice about different facts like local species, species behaviour or responsible wild fauna photography.

Clothing And Footwear

Although humid, winter conditions are not extremely cold (around 0ºC), reaching low values like – 6º C when a cold snap occurs. Warm and waterproof boots, warm clothing, gloves, winter cap, scarf and rain coat, in case of rainy conditions, are recommendable. In spite of occasional heat waves and cold snaps, mild climate conditions are the predominant during spring and autumn. It is recommendable to wear warn clothes, rain coats and confortable waterproof footwear. Sun cream is also recommendable. In summer, temperatures may overcome 40º C during the day while nights stay warn. Therefore, cool clothing, confortable shoes, long trouser, sunglasses, insect repellent and sun cream are the best option. Please, don’t forget to avoid bright colours. *Whatever the time of the year, it is recommended the use of comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring a jacket and/or a fleece, as it could be cold early in the morning and evening.

Wildfauna Sightings And Good Practises

In spite of exploring the best areas with the most skilled guides, none species sightings, including Iberian lynx is guaranteed. Our company counts with a high percentage of success regarding to Iberian lynx sightings, especially during the period October – May. We are focused on wildlife conservation. So, please follow any time our guide’s advice and never put your personal interest before animal welfare. AEFONA (Wildlife Photographers Assotiation) and Lynx, Wolf and Bear Ethic Code must be applied.