Where birds meet history

Matera, a city of history and culture. Famous for its “Sassi” and for its well-preserved rural landscape. But what if we told you that Matera is also known as “the city of falcons”?

This small rural town is home to the largest colony of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni): hundreds of pairs nest on balconies and among the rooftops of the oldest houses in the historic centre of the city.All around it, rural and agricultural landscapes of the Murgia Materana, crossed by deep rockycanyons known as “gravine”. These are the places where the rare Egyptian vulture
(Neophron percnopterus) nests, one of the rarest and most threatened species in Italy. Black storks (Ciconia nigra) live here, as do otters (Lutra lutra) and wolves (Canis lupus italicus).

The skies above the steppes are constantly crossed by the flight of black and red kites, short-toed
snake eagles and common buzzards, while the shrubs are home to European rollers, crested larks, little owls, hoopoes, shrikes and many other farmland birds.

Then at night everything changes again. Geckos and snakes emerge from the dry-stone walls, whilespyders and crickets emerges from the shrubs. A pulsating ecosystem, from predators to prey, and a rare one to find elsewhere.

What we offer:

Our journey combines 4×4 safaris through the steppes and dirt tracks of the Murgia with wildlife watching sessions at dawn and dusk. From urban birdwatching to searching for wolves using thermal imaging and wildlife observation. The experience in the Murgia Materana is suitable for photographers, nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and hikers. 

During our package, you will be accompanied by a guide who has been exploring the area for many years in search of wildlife, with a technical and scientific background in natural sciences, zoology and professional wildlife photography.

When to go?

Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit this area. The arrival of migratory birds makes everything more vibrant. The breeding season of many species greatly increases the chances of observing interesting behaviours, while the landscape is filled with flowers and the colours of theMediterranean scrub and steppes.

Tell us when you will be around Matera, and we will suggest the best plan for your wildlife tour.