Immersive wildlife experiences at Elmley.
Elmley National Nature Reserve covers 3,300 acres brimming with wildlife. Make the most of your time here with an expert led tour.
| AUTUMN & WINTER WILDLIFE TOUR PROGRAMME | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari (2 hours) | Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari (2 hours) | Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari (2 hours) | Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari (2 hours) | Weekly changing wildlife Experiences, e.g.Owl Course, Marsh Harrier Roost | 11am Landrover Safari (1.5 hours) Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari (2 hour) | 1.30pm Land Rover Safari (1.5 hours) Dusk Owl & Wildlife Walking Safari |
| Dusk safaris set off 1.5 hours before sunset | contact us to find out more | note: Landrover tours do not run on some weekends |
Private Tours
For a fully immersive experience, book a bespoke private tour around the Reserve covering our wildlife, history and landscape with our head guide, Simon.
Private walking and 4x4 tours are available and each tour will be tailored to your interests and the wildlife activity on the day.
Contact our Lead Nature Guide Simon to chat about availability and to book your private tour; simon@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk
Spring & Summer Wildlife Wander Walk
Enjoy a shorter walking safari to enjoy our wildlife close to the farm. Each walk is different, and dependent on the time of year. Fluttering Butterflies and speeding Dragonflies, to soaring raptors such as Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon and not to mention our resident Owls! All possible within an hour and a half walk.
Butterfly and Dragonfly Experience
Beginning with a short introduction to Elmley, our butterflies and dragonflies, Simon will then guide you to the best spots for the species active at that period. We will head out on foot or via the 4x4 to the best spots on the Reserve, finishing in Kingshill Farmhouse with hot drink and cake.
Depending on the month we will look, butterfly species could include skippers, Small Heath, Brown Argus, Marbled Whites, Green Hairstreak, and many more. As well as the variety of species here, many visitors’ highlights are the numbers and density of these populations. Dragonflies could include our 4 Emerald Damselfly species, Hawkers including Southern Migrant Hawker & Norfolk Hawker, Chasers, Darters, and Hairy Dragonfly. Email simon@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk for more information.
Owl and Bird of Prey Experience
Starting in the Farmhouse garden with a glass of English Sparkling, and a selection of Kentish Cheese and Biscuits, Simon our Head Guide, will introduce you to Elmley, our owls and the birds of prey to be spotted. Keep your eyes peeled for the pair of Barn Owls hunting across the marsh, that house in the Oak Trees in the garden itself.
Setting off on foot, Simon will guide you to the best spots for locating our resident Little Owls, Marsh Harriers, Kestrels, Hobby’s, and if you are lucky the Long-eared Owls and Peregrine Falcons. Watch these magnificent birds hunting for their supper, using their cunning, stealth and skill. Email simon@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk for more information.
Children's Activities
Head off on an adventure with our Nature Guides with our seasonal children's activities. Our children's activities are interactive and engaging and run on certain days throughout school holidays.
For bug hunting we will follow the tree line towards the old school house. The woodland is the place to go for bugs! We hope to see many dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies, bumblebees, beetles and much more.
For pond dipping we will make our way to the pontoon on the pond. Email simon@elmleynaturereserve.co.uk for more information.