Iberian Lynx Southern Spain 2026
Iberian Lynx Southern Spain 2026
Finca Penalajo in Ciudad Real, and the nearby Finca del Aprisco in Southern Spain are two of the best places in Europe to see and photograph the incredibly rare and beautiful Iberian lynx in the wild.
The Iberian lynx are relatively sedentary animals that permanently occupy their territories throughout the year. However, like all territorial carnivores, they engage in a dynamic of dispersal of their young and disputes over territory can and do happen between adult males.
The Iberian lynx was very close to extinction, at the lowest point there were fewer than 100 lynxes left in two populations that didn’t interact, and only 25 of them were females of reproductive age.
The decline of the lynx population was partly down to more and more land being used for agriculture, a rise in fatalities on the roads, and a struggle for food. Wild rabbits are essential prey for the lynx and two pandemics led to a 95% fall in their number.
The area where my tour goes to covers a sector of almost 4000ha. It has a uniquely high density of lynx, mainly due to the great availability of food and a suitable habitat. In this area there are more or less constant presence of 7 Iberian lynx breeding.
They are absolutely wild and unpredictable animals, and some days they will be nowhere to be seen, and other days they will offer you an unforgettable experience.
Patience and silence are the best qualities to obtain good results. The area we visit in the mountains of Southern Spain is rich in Rabbits, the Lynx's natural prey, and is the reason they are doing so well in this area.
The estate has 14 photographic hides, all placed at waterholes, which are carefully tended and refilled daily with fresh, clean water. The hides are mostly buried in the ground, with a waterhole in front of them where the lynx come to drink. The photographic distance is around 7 meters at these points.
Just short of 100cm (39 inches) in length and 45cm in height, the Iberian lynx is a rare sight. But there are now more than 2,000 in the wild across Spain and Portugal, so you’re much more likely to see them than you were 20 years ago.
Join me in the rugged mountains of Southern Spain to photograph one of the most beautiful and rarest cats on the planet. We will stay on site, your accommodation is part of the estate where the photography hides are located, a few minutes walk out of the lodge down to the hides.
Included in this trip are transfers from and back to Madrid Airport, full board accommodation for the duration of your stay, morning and afternoon/evening hide sessions for 4 full days.
Day 1
We meet at Madrid airport and then make the journey by road to our location for the week. On arrival we will meet for introductions and discuss the layout and expectations for the following weeks events and experiences.
We will then relax and enjoy our evening meal. Then discuss anything the group wishes to ask, sharing valuable best practices and tips, enabling everyone to develop their approach, skills and techniques.
Day 2 - Day 5
The pattern of events for the next four days are the same. An early start each morning and be ready to make our way to the hides. Its then back to our accommodation for lunch, rest and relax while reviewing the mornings session in the hides. Then head out later in the day for our afternoon/evening hide session. Before returing back to our accommodation to freshen up and enjoy our evening meal.
Day 6
On the last morning after breakfast we head back to Madrid airport by road in readiness for our flights home.
Group Size
4
Accommodation
Our accommodation is on site which will cut down on traveling to and from the hides each day . All rooms are on a shared basis and are tastefully furnished, with tea/coffee-making facilities.
Single Occupancy is £300
Fitness Level
Most activities will involve short walks, some over uphill, uneven terrain to reach the hides. A reasonable level of fitness to be able to walk is required.
Recommended Kit
You will need to provide your own photographic equipment, a 500mm lens is ideal but a 300mm with converters will meet your needs. A tripod and a bean bag would be helpful. The area will give you many opportunities so a wide angle lens will also be useful.
Additional Information
Spain's weather at this time of year will be hot and at times humid. We avoid the hottest part of the day with morning and afternoon sessions. Lose fitting clothing would be idea and dust protection for your camera equipment.
Dates and Cost
Tuesday 1st September 2026 - Sunday 6th September 2026
£2095.00
Deposit : £400
Cost Includes;
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all rooms on a shared basis. All wildlife photography tuition from Craig Jones and airport transfers.
Cost Excludes:
Air travel from the UK to Madrid, Spain. Any food and drink required during the stay that is not provided by our hosts.