Flora and Fauna - Explore the natural world

  • Fountainhead is an organic estate and is its own protector of the natural environment, working the land and preserving the landscape. Its hillside terraces grow rich with olive and almond trees, protected cork oaks, eucalyptus and an abundance of wild plants, herbs and flowers. Living within are worlds and micro worlds of wildlife. Golden broom and Bermudan buttercups sit alongside rose mallow, sweet peas, pink gladioli, bee orchids and lavender. Hare and partridge roam free, lizards, toads and frogs home round the pond and if lucky an occasional deer, boar or fox can be seen. Birds are in abundance, cuckoos and hoopoes, woodpeckers, warblers and finches. Those more elusive such as bee eaters, owls and the golden oriole can be spotted but keep their distance, herons glide low over the river below and the eagles gather, sometimes to stop before they move on in huge numbers, spiralling up until they ride the winds to the north.

  • Malaga province offers a huge variety of protected natural parks and nature reserves. From vast mountain ranges such as the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama natural park, to the pine forests of the Montes de Malaga, the dramatic rocky landscape of El Torcal near Antequera to the Lagunas (lakes) of Archidona and Campillos. Further afield in Andalusia there are unique biodiverse areas such as the Doñana natural park, considered the most important wetland in Europe, and the Sierra de Cazorla which supports over 2,000 plant species.

  • Within these local protected environments you can spot ibex, eagles, deer, red fox, wild boar and ibis, Iberian lynz and even flamingos that flock each spring to the salt lake at Fuente de Piedra.

  • 5 nights Spring break inclusive package from 1425.00 - 1775.00 Euros, including accommodation for two with own terrace, plunge pool and Mountain View, a fabulously stocked fridge with a bottle of Spanish cava on arrival, breakfasts delivered to your door each morning, dinner for two each night in the Fountainhead Restaurant (full a la carte) and all taxes. Good binoculars provided, back packs with local walking maps and wildlife guides, books and info.

  • When to visit:

    • Almond blossom: January
    Wild lavender: February - April
    Wild asparagus: April
    Cherry blossom Alfarnate: April
    Wild spring flowers: April - May
    Wild caper flowers and fruit: June
    Oleander, Bougainvillea, Jasmine, Hibiscus: Summer
    Autumn Snowflake, Sea Squills: Autumn

  • Special local places of interest:

    • La Concepción Jardín Botánico Histórico, Malaga - Botanical Gardens just outside the city, a peaceful landscape with more than 2000 species of plants and trees set in sub-tropical shaded grounds, open: all year round
    La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba - Courtyard Flower Festival, Cordoba includes colourful flower-filled public and private garden spaces, open: May 3 – 15 2022
    La Alhambra and Generalife gardens, Granada - extensive landscaped gardens, orchards, woodlands and summer palace open: All year round
    El Torcal, natural park, Antequera – Spectacular walks with flora and fauna along marked routes within unusual rock formations.