WilderCamp, a new mobile camp in Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley, offers a fully immersive rewilding experience. Showcasing the restoration of wild nature at various sites across the landscape, this unique retreat will connect guests with the valley’s breathtaking biodiversity and support the development of nature-based tourism.
A window onto rewilding
Imagine waking up to the gentle rustling of leaves, the melodious song of birds, and the crisp, invigorating smell of wild nature. At WilderCamp – an innovative mobile camp set to launch in April in Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley – this idyllic setting becomes a reality. The unique retreat allows visitors to reconnect with nature in an intimate and meaningful way and directly support rewilding.
WilderCamp’s first location will be the enchanting Paul de Toirões rewilding site. The Rewilding Portugal team have been restoring nature here since 2022, as they develop a 120,000-hectare wildlife corridor to connect the Malcata mountain range in the south with the larger Douro Valley in the north. A compelling new offering for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. It allows visitors to witness first-hand the return of nature, while also helping local businesses and communities to benefit economically from rewilding.
“WilderCamp will offer guests a unique experience,” says Rewilding Portugal’s Head of Communications and Enterprise, Fernando Teixeira. “Imagine sleeping in a comfortable tent, but in constant contact with nature. Being able to watch the starry sky outdoors while lying in bed, disconnected from the rest of the world within a beautiful rewilding site. The restoration of this abandoned mine shows the power of wild nature to regenerate and deliver benefits to local communities.”
Immerse yourself in flourishing nature
Paul de Toirões is situated between the picturesque parishes of Malhada Sorda and Nave-de-Haver in the municipality of Almeida. Previously known as Quinta de Santa Margarida, this once heavily mined area was a scarred landscape of shafts, holes, and pits when Rewilding Portugal embarked on their restoration efforts three years ago.
Today, the 300-hectare site has already become a thriving stepping stone for biodiversity. Many of the excavations here have filled with water, creating a complex of lagoons, channels, and ponds that are home to a burgeoning array of resident and migratory wildlife species. Wildlife at the site is no longer disturbed by people hunting and fishing, or by livestock, which means birds and mammals are becoming less elusive and easier to see. WilderCamp guests can take advantage of a wildlife watching hide that opened here last summer.
Promoting nature-based tourism
Rewilding is not just about restoring nature – it also delivers tangible benefits to local people. WilderCamp is designed to maximise sustainable income and create jobs. It will be managed by Rewilding Portugal and operated in close collaboration with the Wild Côa Network – an association of like-minded enterprises in the Greater Côa Valley who share a vision for a wilder and more sustainable future. Network members will be able to hire the WilderCamp and integrate it into their own tourism offerings.
“The operation of WilderCamp is dependent on strong partnerships with various members of the network,” explains Fernando Teixeira. “They can provide guests with guided tours focused on rewilding, wildlife watching, and the Côa Valley’s famous prehistoric rock art, as well as locally sourced meals at the campsite. The fact that members can rent the equipment and use it elsewhere in the Greater Côa Valley also means that Rewilding Portugal is directly supporting their business, diversifying their offerings, and giving them a unique opportunity to develop a new tourism product.”
Low-impact mobility that supports rewilding
WilderCamp’s mobility paves the way for diverse adventures, allowing guests to immerse themselves in new experiences and explore the Greater Côa Valley’s varied landscapes and resurgent wildlife. All profits from the camp will be invested directly back into Rewilding Portugal’s rewilding efforts.
“Over time, our goal is to relocate the camp to other rewilding sites within the landscape, such as Ermo das Águias and Vale Carapito,” says Fernando Teixeira. “This will enhance the visitor experience and encourage people to stay in the landscape for longer.”
WilderCamp’s operation is designed to have as little environmental impact as possible. All meals are delivered to the site, created from seasonal ingredients bought from local producers. All waste is collected on the spot, the lights and water heating system are run off solar power, and the camp’s contained toilet system is emptied and sanitised, rather than flushing into the landscape.
Book your WilderCamp experience now
WilderCamp will operate from the end of March to the end of October, offering guests a chance to explore the landscape during the Greater Côa Valley’s best weather. It can be booked directly through the Rewilding Portugal website, or via popular booking platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb.
Invaluable support
Rewilding Europe’s work in our rewilding landscapes is supported by a wide range of highly valued partners. We would particularly like to acknowledge those providing core funding – notably the Ecological Restoration Fund, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, WWF-Netherlands, and Arcadia. Their longstanding support plays a critical role in enabling us to deliver and scale up rewilding impact.