El Doñana National and Natural Park It is one of those places that you should be obliged to go, at least once in your life. It's about a protected natural park located in Andalusia, specifically occupies regions of Huelva, Cádiz and Seville, being Huelva, its widest extension. Its surface extends through the municipalities of Almonte, Moguer, Lucena del Puerto, Palos de la Frontera, Hinojos, Rociana del Condado, Bollullos Par del Condado and Bonares in the province of Huelva; Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the province of Cádiz; and Pilas, Villamanrique de la Condesa, Aznalcázar, Isla Mayor and La Puebla del Río in the province of Seville.
It is a park with a total of 108.086 hectares and went originally created in 1969, with the Doñana National Park, later expanded in 1989 with the Doñana Natural Park and modified and expanded again in 1997. Given its excellent location, more than 300 different species of birds can be observed per year in the park, since It is a place of passage, breeding and wintering for thousands of them (aquatic and terrestrial) both European and African.
Doñana has in its diversity its greatest landscape treasure: on its extensive surface, most of the virgin marsh, lake area, scrub, dunes and corrals, central pine forests and old cork oaks or birdhouses. To see all this in addition to all those fauna species that coexist there, guided tours are organized that can be a rewarding experience for tourists. Seeing countless species developing in their natural habitat in a respectful way towards them is possible in the Doñana National and Natural Park.
Fauna of Doñana
If what moves you the most when visiting the Doñana National and Natural Park is seeing its fauna in its own park, you should know that you can find:
- Mammals: rabbits, genets, wild boars, shrews, otters, foxes, marsh cows, water rats, and many more. But the one that arouses the most interest and also one of the most protected, the Iberian lynx, without a doubt.
- Birds: different species of eagles, quail, hoopoe, thrushes, vultures, owls, egrets, ducks, gulls, flamingos, etc.
- Reptiles and amphibians: toads, turtles, snakes, geckos, galapagos, chameleons, newts, frogs, snakes, etc.
- Fish: The most common native fish is the eel. There are also other fish that have been introduced over the years such as carp, shrimp or pike.
Visit Doñana
Today you can make a getaway to the Doñana National and Natural Park very economical since the guided tours that are organized range from 18 euros to 90, depending a lot on the kind of guided tour you want to do.
Classic visit
- Duration of the visit. 3.5 to 4 hours. Two daily departures.
- Vehicle type. Variable. Vehicle with up to 30 seats.
- Price. 28 euros per person. Children under 10 years 14 euros (valid only for children within their family nucleus).
- Start time. 8:00 am for visits in the morning. The afternoon schedule will vary according to the time of year.
- Starting place. Our facilities in El Rocío.
- Tour of the visit. Pinares de Coto del Rey, cork oak forests in Matasgordas, Marisma de Hinojos, José A. Valverde Visitor Center.
- It is included. Field cards, binoculars for each 2 participants and a telescope for the group.
Special visit
- Group size. Maximum 14 people.
- Duration of the visit. 5 hours approximately.
- Vehicle type. Vehicle with 15 seats or less.
- Price. 38 euros per person. Children under 10 years 20 euros (valid only for children within their family nucleus).
- Start time. The starting time will vary depending on the season of the year and will be set by us.
- Starting place. Our facilities in El Rocío.
- Tour of the visit. The itinerary will be based on the one described in the classic option with some extensions.
- It is included. Field cards, binoculars for each participant and a telescope for the group.
Private visit
- Group size. From 3 to 14 people. For less than 3 people there are minimum costs (see rates)
- Duration of the visit. Half a day about 5 hours and a full day about 10 hours.
- Vehicle type. Vehicle with 15 seats or less.
- Price. Half day 55 euros, full day 90 euros per person. For less than 3 people the minimum cost will be 165 euros (half day) and 270 euros (full day).
- Start time. According to your needs within limits.
- Starting place. Adapted to you. Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in El Rocío or at our facilities in El Rocío.
- Tour of the visit. Open. The usual itinerary will be based on the one described in the classic option but open to other areas within the influence of the Doñana Natural Area and other nearby areas of natural interest.
- It is included. Field guides and professional optical equipment.
- Lunch. They can bring their own picnic lunch or similar.
If you are in the area ...
You can not stop visiting:
- Mazagón and Matalascañas beaches.
- The village of Rocío and learn about its involvement with the Coto de Doñana.
- Marine World Museum.
- Palace of the Marismillas.