The Iberian Lynx tour of Spain
Welcome to our Iberian Lynx Tour. We guide this safari on the best time to see Lynx. And also on the best place to watch Iberian Lynx: the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park. This is an amazing tour for mammal watching: Red and Fallow Deers, Iberian Ibex, and sometimes, Otter. Good chances to see iconic spanish birds such as Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Black Vulture and Iberian Magpie.
Our Iberian Lynx Tour will take us to see the most threatened feline in Europe. In Sierra Morena the Lynx (lynx pardinus) feeds mainly on rabbits, that is why we will look for it along scrubland and mediterranean forest. A few years ago, an enormous process of habitat fragmentation limited the Iberian Lynx distribution to mainly Doñana and Sierra de Andújar. Today, with over 500 Lynx running free in Andalucía, we have good chances to find it on its realm of Sierra Morena.
LYNX SIGHTINGS STATISTICS
Please note that the Lynx is a wild animal and we never guarantee a sighting. As a reference, since we started guiding Lynx safaris in 2018 we have seen the Lynx in 4 out of 10 days out in average (winter only). We have completely failed to find them only once and only once we have seen them every day.
Day 1: Málaga, Iberian Ibex and Jaén province
The Iberian Lynx Tour starts when we meet in Málaga in the morning. At just one hour drive on the way we will stop to watch Iberian Ibex. Of course there will be some birding on route as we cross the provinces of Córdoba and Jaén. Dinner and accomodation close to Andújar.
Days 2-3: Sierra Morena
The beauty of Sierra Morena mountain range and particularry the Sierra de Andújar Natural Park is unparalleled among all the mediterranean forests. We will spending these two journeys of the Iberian Lynx Tour checking and waiting on different sites for the Lynx. Please note we generally need to stay waiting for it for a few hours, which give also good chances to watch Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Magpie and Iberian Green Woodpecker. We will have great chances to see other mammals, such as Red deer, Fallow deer and wild boar. Otter would be a plus we will target in the morning, fingers crossed. Accomodation in the mountains north of Andújar, at excellent proximity of Iberian Lynx territories.
Day 4: Sierra Morena - Málaga airport
Early start for some local birding before travelling back to Málaga airport, where the Iberyan Lynx Tour ends, hopefully with a big smile on our faces. Tour extensions are available on request.
Open group tour dates
16-19 Dec 2025 FULLY AVAILABLE
Private tour
This tour is usually booked privately by couples, families or on different dates. Best results happen from mid December to late January
Prices
Open group tour: € 1100 per person sharing. (Single supplement € 100)
Private tour for a solo traveler: € 2800.
Private tour for 2 pax: € 1600 per person sharing.
Private tour for 3 pax: € 1200 per person sharing.
Private tour for 4-6 pax: € 1100 per person sharing
Tour party
Min. 4 - Max. 6 fellow travellers
Tour leader: Álvaro Peral
What it is included
- Transfers from/to Málaga area
- 3 nights accommodation in nice quality hotel or rural house
- Transport in a modern vehicle
- All food (excellent Andalusian cuisine)
- Services of professional birding guide fluent in English
- Accident insurance
What it is not included
- Flights
- Extra drinks
- Wine bottles
- Travel insurance
- Personal costs
Tour pace
Our Lynx safary is a fairly relaxed tour: mostly waiting with some leisurely walking and watching from the van. There are two drives of around 3 hours -with some birding en route-. We'll have early starts everyday and we will have a plentiful breakfast before heading out for the day. Lunch is often presented as a leisurely picnic en route. To see the lynx we will have to wait for it for a few hours at specific locations. We usually return to the hotel at around 7 pm. Dinner is served around 8 pm. The walking is fairly easy and on good paths or tracks. There is just a longer walk of about 1.5 miles. Most of the bird/lynx watching is done within a short distance of our vehicle. Warm clothing and patience is essential.
TOUR EXTENSIONS
On private tours we usually can offer a tour extension. 1 or 2-day extensions really make sense if you want to increase the chances of a closer encounter with the Lynx. Tackling with Iberian Lynx and the unpredictable behaviour of wild cats is like gambling. We have extensive knowledge of the area but the last word is on Nature.
On tour extensions we recommend including a complementary activity such as Lynx hides, a visit to private states or forays to new bird watching sites. Please query us for a tour extension.
LYNX HIDES
Are you a wildlife photographer? On private tours we can arrange stays at Iberian Lynx photography hides. Lynx hides are a great way to get close photographs or shoot video.
We work with several companies offering quality photography hides in Sierra Morena. Lynx hide sessions in winter usually take the whole day, sometimes with a lunch break.
Over the years we've succeeded in Lynx hides about 50% of the days. Hide session: + 200 eur per photographer.
If your main interest is Lynx photography, you may consider our Iberian Lynx Photography Tour.
Only in winter?
The Lynx are always there, but watching them in darkness is quite difficult if not a simple coincidence. That's why we choose winter for this tour, because it is its maximum daylight activity period of the year, which for Spanish Lynx ranges from December to January. The Sierra de Andújar in Jaén province which holds the largest population of this elusive feline.
So we have this tour that maximizes the chances to watch Iberian Lynx in Andújar while enjoying one of the best preserved iberian oak forests and its general wildlife. This is a formidable tour for mammal watching but also for birdwatchers. Plan ahead for next winter and join this magnificent lynx holiday with Álvaro by simply clicking here!
Important: This tour is designed for enthusiastic naturalists who understand about Nature and its whimsical rules. We want a happy crew that is ready to wait for hours even in bad weather conditions, aware that the Lynx may not appear. If you are not this kind of person, this is not your tour.
Target wildlife on this tour
Mammals: Iberian Lynx, Iberian Ibex, Mouflon, Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Wild Boar, Otter, Red Fox, Rabit.
Top Birds: Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Iberian Magpie, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Red-legged Partridge, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Blue Rock Thrush.
Plants: Arbutus, Cork Oak, Holm Oak, Gall Oak, Gum Rockrose, Rosmarin, Marjoram.
Other: Natterjack Toad, Andalusian Wall Lizard, Moorish Gecko.
Wild Andalucía guides this wildlife tour by means of Andalucía Slow Tours, S.L., a local travel agency accredited by the Spanish Tourist Board with number CIAN 297083-2.
Detailed map for this tour - Query - More wildlife tours