Pricing:
$3,950 per person sharing, single supplement of $500
Trip Dates:
January 18-24, 2026
Trip Length:
6 nights
Trip Details:
True The Wild Source is best known for our African safaris, which is 90% of the experiences we arrange, but since day 1 we have been differentiated by our Biologist Planned approach. Much like all of our travelers, I also have travel dreams. Mine are usually built around certain species that I feel I must see. Thoughts like that have taken me out of Africa to the high Arctic for polar bears, Brazil’s Pantanal many times for jaguars and the unique array of South American species, and even to Minnesota for Northern owls. This time I have my sights set on Spain and can have five wildlife enthusiasts join me for this special wildlife adventure.
I have been fortunate to see many different cat species in the wild, even had the privilege to be involved in research with many of them. So when Spanish biologists reached out suggesting that The Wild Source would be a great fit with their wildlife safaris focused on the Iberian lynx, likely the rarest cat species on the planet, I became quickly mesmerized. The high success rate in viewing this gorgeous cat is intriguing! The fact that this mid-sized cat is the top predator in the area leads to the lynx having the aloof confidence of a big cat, making the possibility for quality observation very good.
One of the extraordinary aspects of looking in the best place for an Apex predator is their presence indicates the health of a diverse system. A big excitement factor for me is the outstanding variety of ‘highlight’ species that are commonly found while searching for the Iberian lynx. Eurasian otter, red deer, fallow deer, Iberian ibex, and mouflon (similar to bighorn sheep) are key mammals that are often seen. We will also have an opportunity to see Europe’s largest land mammal, the European bison, which has been introduced in a rewilding effort. This bison actually went extinct in the wild, and only survived through captive breeding. Not as common, but it might be possible to view the least weasel, the smallest mammal carnivore in the world. There are many highlight birds too. For me owls are always a highlight and a huge draw to the area is the little owl, which is in the same genus as the entertaining burrowing owl of the Americas. The impressive imperial eagle, cinereous vulture and Iberian woodpecker are some other special species in the area.
This is an epic chance to see and learn about a lot of charismatic European wildlife, while contributing to conservation of the world’s rarest cat species. The fact that it comes with a charming stay on a welcoming historic estate with a reputation for incredible meals completes the vision. I hope you will join me on this special wildlife journey.
– Bill Given