Half-day (morning period) wildlife observation experience in a hide located within the Paul de Toirões rewilding area, in the municipality of Almeida. Wildlife Portugal, through its guide Fernando Romão, is managing the use of a network of Wildlife Observation Shelters in the Paul de Toirões rewilding area, in the Greater Côa Valley. This is the first available shelter in a network that will grow over the coming years. A unique opportunity to observe up close and without any kind of impact, and even photograph, the wild species that inhabit the Greater Côa Valley: passerines, mustelids, etc., with a specialised guide who knows all about them.

Programme

Half-day (morning period) wildlife observation experience The meeting point can be directly at the entrance to the property (Nave-de-Haver, Almeida) with the exact point to be sent closer to the date, or the group (up to 6 people) can be collected -free of charge- from 3 locations: Guarda, Vilar Maior or Cró Hotel Rural.

What's Included?

- Half-day hide experience - Small guided visit to the rewilding area - Transport from one of 3 locations: Guarda, Vilar Maior or Cró Hotel Rural.

How your experience helps rewilding efforts

This experience is provided by Rewilding Portugal, an NGO that is part of Rewilding Europe's range of landscapes and has been developing strong rewilding efforts in the Greater Côa Valley region in Portugal since 2019. All profits from these tourist experiences are directly invested in their conservation and ecological restoration projects.

Group size

For 1 to 8 people groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How looks like Paul de Toirões rewilding area? Formerly known as Quinta de Santa Margarida, Paul de Toirões was an area of former mining, which ceased a decade ago, giving rise to one of the largest areas of water in the entire Côa Valley, unlike the dams and reservoirs in the region, this water is distributed in a wide variety of environments such as lagoons, canals, permanent and temporary ponds, interconnected by seasonally flooded wetlands full of aquatic and riparian vegetation that grows over the former tungsten and aggregate extraction areas. Around all this water, a young but extensive forest occupies the flat terrain, mainly made up of black oak, holm oak and cypress. This area is already of great importance for biodiversity, with rich communities of aquatic flora and fauna, including the beautiful striated terrapin and the black stork, which feed and take refuge here regularly. The shelter has a privileged view of one of these lagoons. Where is the meeting point? The meeting point can be directly at the entrance to the property (Nave-de-Haver, Almeida) with the exact point to be sent closer to the date or the group (up to 6 people) can be collected free of charge from 3 locations: Guarda, Vilar Maior or Cró Hotel Rural. What type of visit I will have? This visit is guided by Fernando Romão, a rewilding-specialized guide from Wildlife Portugal, that will present you all of the rewilding actions and impacts on the ground. You will be able to see the impressive fauna and flora from the region, with the identification support of several species by our guide. How difficult is the hike? The hike can be adapted to any type of condition or restriction. After booking the experience, tell us if you have any so we can organize a tailored experience just for you. How can I inform my food restrictions or diet? The field lunch can be adapted to any type of diet, allergy or restriction. After booking the experience, tell us if you have any so we can organize a tailored experience just for you. What do I need to bring with me? Sunglasses, sunscreen, appropriate footwear and clothing, a bottle of water, snacks for other periods of the day. We will provide binoculars but you can bring your own if you want.