Doñana National Park is situated in the South East of Spain within the provinces of Cadiz, Seville and Huelva. It is one of the major wetland reserves of Europe and is also one of the continent’s main bird migration areas. The National Park covers approximately 1300 square kilometres and is one of the key world conservation sites.

The park is unusual because it comprises of three distinctive but different ecosystems; the coastal area with mobile sand dunes and beaches, the Mediterranean scrubland and the marshlands known as marismas.
One of its many attractions is the enormous variety of bird species. Its bird populations consist of permanent residents, winter visitors from the north and central parts of Europe as well as summer visitors from Africa and include beautiful colonies of flamingo and geese.

The River Guadalquivir is central to the formation of the park. Unlike many rivers, the Guadalquivir had only one outlet to the sea and consequently because of deposition of sand from the tides of the Atlantic the mouth of the river had been blocked off from the sea by a huge sand bar creating a natural barrier behind which formed the marshlands of the National Park. The result was an area of land shunned by people for development but embraced by natural environments full of flora and fauna.

There is quite an interesting history of the area including kings, dukes, duchesses and the artist Goya, which is told by guides if you choose to take one of the available tours into the National park.
If you want to travel into the park you can only do this as part of one of three different guided tours, all of which require advance booking.

All the tours are authorized by the National Park and are carried out by private companies on particular routes. The tours do have different criteria so it is a good idea to consider what you would like to see before you decide which tour you want to do. The tours can take anything from 3 to 6 hours.
The tours are categorized as The North Route, The South Route and The Boat Trip.
The North Route is organized by companies using vehicles which are either 4 x 4 seating six to eight people or larger vehicles seating up to sixteen people. For information phone +34 959 430 432.

The South Route is organized by local people through a company called Cooperative Marismas del Rocio. They use 21-seated buses and take you to see the many kilometres of sandy beaches and huge sand dunes interspersed with expanses of green areas and wetlands.
For information phone +34 959 430 432.

The Boat Trip - which was the route that appealed to me - sets off from Sanlucar de Barrameda, which is about 45 minutes drive from the city of Cadiz.
The company is called Buque Real Fernando and they provide a boat ride of about 13 km which lasts about 3 _ hours and includes two stops of about _ an hour each.
The boat can take 94 passengers seated either on the upper deck which is outdoors or the lower deck which is enclosed.

The guides speak in English and Spanish and point out features of interest plus any sightings of birds or animals as well as giving general information
The boat stops and allows passengers to disembark to look at typical dwellings and observe aquatic birds and grazing animals in their natural habitats.
Back on board a film is shown about the National Park and its different ecosystems.
There are displays of photographs and information as well as the opportunity to buy the usual T-shirts, hats and souvenirs. There is a small bar on board where you can buy soft drinks, coffee, crisps and beer.
The cost of this trip is 16,20 euros for an adult (children are cheaper).
There are 2 sailings a day 10.00 and 17.00 Monday to Saturday throughout June, July and August (times vary during other months).

You can reserve your tickets by phone on +34 956 363 813 without any payment but you have to collect them at least 30 minutes before sailing time. You can collect the tickets from the Centro de Visitantes Fabrica de Hielo which is on the main road leading up to where the boat is anchored.
Binoculars can be hired on board the boat and they are very useful if you want to see all that Donaña has to offer.

I found it an enjoyable day out, showing yet another aspect of what this diverse country can offer!