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From £1,375pp
Including flights
Saga Hosted Hotels
Special Interest
Wildlife conservation volunteering
Nature & Conservation in Andalucía
All Inclusive
14 nights
London Gatwick Airport
El Rompido, Costa de la Luz, Spain
This two-week itinerary lets you combine downtime with some volunteering - a great choice if you’re looking to do some good while on holiday. You’ll be helping at a local conservation project in the Laguna Primera de Palos, a private reserve that's part of Lagunas de Palos y las Madres Protected Site. Here, you'll be planting trees and shrubs, keeping tabs on mammals and bird species, constructing nest boxes, and helping to repair and maintain the likes of bridges and fencing. We’ve built in six visits over your fortnight stay, which means there’s plenty of time for R&R in between.
Your holiday includes
Expert local guide
Welcome drink reception
Six included activities
All inclusive: All meals
Free bar open up to 12 hours a day
A weekly return shuttle service to Seville or Tavira, Portugal
International flights
Return transfers direct to your hotel
Minimum 20kg checked luggage, per person
Porterage at your hotel
Exceptional value every time
Saga Host
Our trained hosts will welcome you and ensure you enjoy your holiday. We also offer 24/7 support if needed.
Travel insurance and additional cancellation cover included §
A price reduction of £40 is available if you choose not to take the included insurance and additional cancellation cover.
Included excursions
Activity 1: Eradication of invasive flora and tree plantation
1 / 6
Today you’ll learn more about the impact invasive plants, trees and weeds can have on Andalucía’s natural environment. Cleaning, tidying, and maintaining the nature reserve is part and parcel of the work, alongside planting native trees, shrubs, and water plants.
Activity 2: Training on species of fauna to be found within the reserve / Bird count field work.
1 / 6
After a short training session, you’ll soon be able to tell your white-headed duck from your red-knobbed coot as you head out into the field armed with a clipboard and binoculars. Counting bird species is vital field work at the nature reserve and with your help the team can start to complete their current census.
Activity 3: Nest boxes
1 / 6
It's time to channel your inner Blue Peter presenter as you get creative with recycled materials and turn your hand to bird box building. With the lack of hollow trees and with issues caused by modern architecture, some species of birds are having trouble building nests in this region of Andalucía. The plan is for your homemade bird boxes to help birds and owls find a safe a suitable place to breed.
Activity 4: Maintenance works
1 / 6
Strengthen your practical skills or learn some new ones as you develop awareness of habitat management techniques. After some first-aid training, there will be a variety of jobs available including fence fixing, boardwalk treating and tending to bridge repairs. Absolutely no experience is necessary, and, with your help, the nature reserve’s natural habitats will be fine-tuned to encourage new and existing wildlife to thrive in and around the wetlands.
Activity 5: Bird counting
1 / 6
It will have been a week since the last census. Using the techniques you've learned, you'll be asked to repeat the count and examine the results to see if there's been any change in the dispersal of bird species, general behaviour and migratory patterns.
Activity 6: Bird ringing
1 / 6
Bird ringing – You’ll be learning how to capture birds with nets today (this won't cause them any harm) and identify them by hand. All the data collected will go towards further scientific studies and will be submitted to the SEO (the Spanish equivalent of the RSPB, a branch of Birdlife International). Bird ringing is a hands-on activity and provides plenty of interesting scientific facts and practical information relating to conservation.
Location
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El Rompido is a quiet Spanish fishing town set at the mouth of the Piedras River. There’s a string of cafes and restaurants lining the waterfront, and a small town square complete with traditional whitewashed church. Back at the hotel, guests can follow well signposted walks onto the protected nature reserve, where 14km of trails reveal beautiful marshlands, pine forests and shifting sand dunes.
Hotel details
Air conditioning
Balcony or Terrace
Satellite Television
Telephone
Safe extra charge
Minibar
Wi-Fi
Pillow menu
Tea coffee making facilities
Enjoy buffet-style meals at the main El Olivo restaurant, or sample seafood specialities at the Dos Faros restaurant (extra charge, open during high season only). The stylish Noble Bar is the place to experiment with a large range of light snacks. The free bar is open 12 hour a day, serving local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Buffet-style restaurant
À la carte restaurant (seasonal and extra charge)
Bar / lounge
Two outdoor swimming pools (one exclusively for adults)
Indoor swimming pool
Spa (extra charge)
Shuttle to the beach (seasonal and extra charge)
Pool towels
Currency exchange
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