Introduction

The Alentejo is probably the least known birding region of Europe, but perhaps the best and most beautiful. Here you will find the steppes, rivers, lakes, forests, meadows and fields but also the lagoons and cliffs along the coast.

Private Birding Holiday

During your holiday you will stay in a holiday home on Monte Horizonte that is located on a 20 hectare site and where the energy supply comes for 100% of solar and wind energy. Around your house you can also experience great birding.

A few days you go out on yourselves, with a detailed routes and location descriptions in hand. A half day, you will set off with the Dutch guide in his off-road vehicle.

The half day (4 hours) excursion goes to the Lagoa of Santo André.

Except for the excursion included in the price you are completely free to change the program or skip one or more suggested routes.

The guided excursion will be planned in advance.

Since it is your holiday you should enjoy this holiday the way you want.

European Roller Bird Hide BSP6 Portugal

Birding Holiday in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

  • Bird Watching in 6 Different Habitats
  • Private Bird Guide
  • Private Bird Hides
  • Private Birding Excursion
  • Rural Tourism with Pool
  • Fully Licensed

Great Bustard Birding Portugal

About Us

And Why Portugal

We, Marianne en Bert Snijder, are a Dutch family who migrated 21 years ago to Portugal leaving the rat race already going on in Holland. With our daughter Eline, now 13 years old, we run our rural tourism Monte Horizonte with 6 private houses and a swimming pool. But main business the last years was birding. As a fully licensed bird guide, I, Bert, can go to places where you normally can not come which gives you the opportunity to see rare birds.

Portugal, but especially the Alentejo region, is an amazing place with few but friendly people, low criminality, very good food and wines, deserted beaches, mild climate with 300 sunny days a year and a clean ocean.

Now you know why we decided to go.

MEET OUR TEAM

Bert Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Bert Snijder

Owner & Bird Guide

Bert is a lifelong birder and nature enthusiast. He will be your guide during the birding excursions and if you are a photographer and need help, you will get a workshop photography during the excursion or in the bird hides.

Marianne Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Marianne Snijder

Owner & Hostess

Marianne is holding the fort together and is ever ready to help you out with whatever questions you may have.
She is now starting also with photography in her limited spare time.

Eline Birdwatching Alentejo Portugal

Eline Snijder

Photographer & Student

The youngest member of the family is a very enthusiastic photographer with passion for butterflies and dragonflies and getting better everyday with bird photography. She will be your guide for butterfly excursions on our property.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Our 1 bedroom houses

CASA CAMELIA T1

Monte Horizonte Casa-Camelia

This detached 1 bedroom holiday house is situated the southernmost and between holiday house Oliveira and holiday villa Sobreiro and has about 2000 m2 of private gardens and woodland. The holiday house has a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen with appliances, such as a cooker and refrigerator. The bathroom has a toilet, washbasin, bidet and shower.

CASA MIMOSA T1

Monte Horizonte Casa-Mimosa

This detached 1 bedroom birdwatching holiday house is situated closest to the pool and has about 2000 m2 of private gardens and woodland.
The holiday house has a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen with appliances, such as a cooker and refrigerator. The bathroom has a toilet, washbasin, bidet and shower.

CASA OLIVEIRA T1

Casa Oliveira Birdwatchng Holiday Portugal
Casa Oliveira

The isolated 1 bedroom holiday house Oliveira is located near the end of the path and the furthest away from the pool. The holiday house has total privacy and has a beautiful view of one of our valleys.
The holiday house has a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen with appliances, such as a cooker and refrigerator.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Our 2 bedroom houses

CASA BORBOLETA T2

Monte Horizonte Casa Borboleta

This 2 bedroom birding holiday cottage comprises a living room, 2 bedrooms, an open kitchen with ie gas-stove and refrigerator. The bathroom has a shower, WC and wash-stand. There is a TV set in with several foreign senders like CNN etc.

CASA PASSARO T2

Bird Watching Holiday Casa Passaro Portugal
Casa Passaro

This 2 bedroom birding holiday cottage comprises a living room, 2 bedrooms, an open kitchen with ie gas-stove and refrigerator. The bathroom has a shower, WC and wash-stand. There is a TV set in with several foreign senders like CNN etc.

CASA SOBREIRO T2

Monte Horizonte Casa-Sobreiro

This detached 2 bedroom birding holiday villa is on the south-eastern part of our property and has a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen with appliances, such as a cooker and refrigerator. The bathroom has a toilet, washbasin, bidet and shower.

BIRD HIDES

We have 9 bird hides to your disposal in different habitats for a lot of different birds. Some hides are built especially for the Great Bustards or Roller, others for Egrets or forest birds.

BIRD HIDE BSP1

Bird Hide BSP1 Portugal
This bird hide at our property Monte Horizonte is free for use for 1 day for those who book our birding holiday. You are entitled to one morning and one afternoon in the bird hide for free, additional time in the bird hide is possible for a small fee but depends on availability.

BIRD HIDE BSP2

Bird Hide BSP2 Portugal
This bird photography hide has been constructed especially for the winter birds and can be rented for 200 euros per day with a maximum of 3 photographers. The guide will always be present. Price is including guide and transport from Monte Horizonte. Best time is between November until April

BIRD HIDE BSP3

Bird Hide BSP3 Photography Portugal
The bird hide near Sines is beautifully located on the waterfront and near the Atlantic Ocean. The hide is in use throughout the year and has a capacity for maximum 3 persons with possibilities for rare Egrets, Kingfisher, Swifts, Spoonbills, Terns, Wryneck, Iberian Magpie, Turtle Dove, etc.

BIRD HIDE BSP5

Bird Hide BSP5 Portugal
This bird photography hide has been constructed especially for the Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Common Crane and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. But there is also change at Iberian Magpie, Woodlark, Spanish Sparrow, Short-toed Eagle, Hen harrier, Red Kite, Red-legged Partridge, Cattle Egret, Rock Sparrow and more.

BIRD HIDE BSP6

Bird Hide BSP 6 Portugal
This bird photography hide has been constructed especially for the European Roller and Lesser Kestrel, but there are other possibilities as well, and can be rented for 395 euros per day with a maximum of 3 photographers. Price is including guide and transport from our location Monte Horizonte.

BIRD HIDE BSP7

Bird Hide BSP7 Portugal
This bird photography hide has been constructed especially for the lek of the Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Common Crane and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. But there are always nice surprises like sometimes Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Iberian Magpie etc.

BIRD HIDE BSP8 SOON

Purple Swamphen Birding Portugal
This bird hide is located in the protected area of the Lagoon of Santo André and has very limited access. Luckily I got a key and can always go there. A maximum of 2 people can come with me. The hide is has possibilities for Purple Swamphen, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Great Reed Warbler, Sav´s Warbler, etc.

BIRD HIDE BSP9 SOON

Purple Swamphen Birding Portugal
Located on the edge of the steppes, this bird hide has already proven itself for birds like Waterrail, Spotted Redshank, Black-winged Stilt, Great Reed Warler, Gull-illed Tern, Cattle Egret, Common Snipe, Sardinian Warbler etc.
Depending on the water level of the pool in front of the hut, more or less can be seen.

SOME OF OUR BIRDS

Griffon Vulture Birding PortugalGriffon Vulture Birding PortugalBlack Vulture Birding PortugalHoopoe Birding PortugalEuropean Bee-eater Birding PortugalEuropean Bee-eater Birding PortugalIberian Magpie Bird Hide BSP4 PortugalIberian Magpie Bird Hide BSP4 PortugalGannet Birding PortugalGlossy Ibis Birding PortugalGolden Oriole Birding PortugalLittle Bustard Birding PortugalLittle Owl Birding PortugalOsprey Birding PortugalPurple Heron Birding PortugalRed Kite Birding PortugalRed-rumped Swallow Birding PortugalTurtle Dove Birding PortugalWhite Stork Birding PortugalZitting Cisticola Birding PortugalCommon Crane Bird Hide BSP7 PortugalHen Harrier Bird Hide BSP2 PortugalFlamingo Bird Hide BSP2 PortugalGreat Bustard Bird Hide BSP7 PortugalSpanish Imperial Eagle Birding PortugalMontagu´s Harrier Birding PortugalLittle Bustard Birding PortugCommon Waxbill Birding PortugGreat Spotted Cuckoo Birding PortugalHoopoe Birding PortugalLittle Bittern Bird Hide BSP3 Portugal

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