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 7 nights 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 pull yourself out, with a detailed route and location description in hand. A day and a half, you will set off with the Dutch guide in his off-road vehicle.

One day (7 – 8 hours) you go with him to the steppes of the Alentejo, which is similar to the Extremadura in Spain, looking for special steppe species, such as the Little Bustards and Great Bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouses, Stone Curlew, European Bee-eaters, European Rollers, Montagu´s Harriers and much more.

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

Except for the 2 excursions included in the price you are completely free to change the program or skip one or more suggested excursions.

The two guided excursions will be planned in advance.

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

Birding Holiday in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

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

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 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 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 Snijder

Photographer and 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

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

CASA OLIVEIRA T1

ACCOMMODATIONS

Our 2 bedroom houses

CASA BORBOLETA T2

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

CASA SOBREIRO T2

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.

BSP1

BSP2

BSP3

BIRD HIDE BSP1

This bird hide at our property http://montehorizonte.com 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

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

The bird hide near Sines is beautifully located on the waterfront and near the Atlantic Ocean. The hide is useful throughout the year and has a capacity for maximum 3 persons with possibilities for rare Egrets, Kingfisher, Swifts, Spoonbills, Terns, Wryneck, Iberian Magpie, etc.

BSP4

BSP5

BSP6

BIRD HIDE BSP4

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 BSP5

BIRD HIDE BSP6

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 Monte Horizonte.

BSP7

BIRD HIDE BSP7

This bird photography hide has been constructed especially for the lek of the Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Common Crane and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

BSP8