Table of Contents
Visit Basondo, the wildlife refuge of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve.
Basondo, the wildlife refuge of Urdaibai, has become one of the most visited areas of Bizkaia. A perfect place for people looking to enjoy nature with the family. Located in the neighborhood of Oma, in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve of Urdaibai, this refuge offers 60,000 square meters of meadows and forests where we find species such as wolves, bison or vultures. An ideal natural space to bring nature closer to the youngest members of the family. If this idea appeals to you, we encourage you to book your ticket from our reservation center. Remember that groups have special conditions. Do not hesitate to to contact us. Remember that it is not a zoo, it is a space where animals that cannot return to their natural habitat are welcomed.
Information from Basondo.
- Reservations: Here.
- Group quotes: Here.
- Prices: 10€ (adults), 6€ (children between 3 and 6 years old), 0€ (children under 3 years old).
- Hours: Open every day of the year except January 1st.
- Location: Basondo neighborhood, Kortezubi, Bizkaia.
What is Basondo?
As we have already indicated, it is a wildlife refuge. A space, in which most of the animals that we find come from different recovery centers. In fact, almost all the animals have some irreversible injury that makes them unable to be reintroduced into their natural habitat. An ideal place for environmental awareness and education. Currently, it has more than 150 animals, a unique refuge where we can enjoy the wildlife. Upon arrival, at the reception, we will be informed of all the news of the refuge and the route we can take. We encourage you to ask them any questions you may have.
Video.
As usual in all our publications, we have created a short video so you can see as real as possible what awaits you in your next adventure in Euskadi. If you like this kind of videos, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to know all the places and experiences that we recommend in Euskal Herria. We are waiting for you!
Guided tours.
Groups visiting this area have the possibility of guided tours. Undoubtedly a great option to learn all the secrets and stories of this wildlife refuge. In these cases, the group will be accompanied during the tour by a local guide who will show them each of the species in the refuge. The refuge specializes in school visits and it is a perfect place for children to learn while they have direct contact with the animals. Remember that there are special conditions for school children, do not hesitate to contact us. In the case of groups, we can complement this visit with guided tours to the Oma Forest, the Bolunzulo waterfall and other nearby places.
Book tickets online.
You can book Basondo tickets online from our central reservation system. Easy, fast and comfortable. Remember that there are special conditions for large groups. In case you want to visit this place in group, we recommend you to contact us through our contact form. We will help you to organize the visit according to the needs of your group.
Route.
Basondo has a circular route of 1.5 km that takes us to know all the species of the center. Part of this route is paved, making the visit more accessible. In our case, we made the whole route with a baby stroller and we must say that we completed the visit without any problem. The tour begins at the reception building, where we will be welcomed with a brief explanation of the refuge and its novelties. During the tour, the information panels will indicate the characteristics of each animal, in case of doubt, we recommend that you ask anyone in the center. We are sure that they will assist you wonderfully.
Schedule.
The refuge is open every day of the year, including holidays (except January 1). However, the summer timetable differs from the rest of the year. Here is a brief summary so that you can plan your visit.
- Summer: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00 (holidays included).
- Rest of the year: Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 15:00. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays open from 11:00 to 18:00.
Rates.
The entrance fee to Basondo varies according to the age of the visitor. Here is a brief summary of the rates. There are also specific rates for guided tours for groups. Do not hesitate to contact us.
- Adults: 10€.
- Children between 3 and 6 years old: 6€.
- Less than 3 years old: 0€
How to get there.
If you are looking for how to get to Basondo by public transport, we are sorry, but there is no option. The nearest transport is located in the town square of Arteaga. There we find a bus stop from where we can get to the refuge after walking about 2 km approximately. In case of arriving by private transport, you must access from the road that separates the towns of Gernika and Lekeitio. The refuge is located next to the Santimamiñe caves and the Lezika restaurant.
Where to park.
The refuge does not have its own parking. We recommend you to park your vehicles in the parking lot next to the caves of Santimamiñe. The refuge is less than 200 meters from this parking lot, about 3 minutes walk. From the parking we must walk to the restaurant Lezika and from there to Basondo, there is no loss just follow the road.
Where to eat.
We can eat in restaurants near the refuge or in Basondo itself. Both options are very valid. If you choose to eat in a restaurant, Lezika is a great option. It is nearby and we can choose between rations, pintxos or menu. On the other hand, the space adapted to eat in the shelter allows us to eat in nature, surrounded by animals and with beautiful views. As you can see, both are great options.
Frequently asked questions and tips.
We have prepared a short list of some of the most frequently asked questions about Basondo. We hope you find them helpful. In case you do not find an answer to your questions, we encourage you to use the comment system at the end of this publication. We will try to respond as soon as possible.
Can we see animals in the wild? No, although it has thousands of square meters, the animals are not in freedom.
Is it possible to take a guided tour as a family? No, guided tours are only available for groups.
Is it suitable for families? Of course. The visit is ideal for families.
Are there specific programs for schoolchildren? Yes, guided tours adapted to school children are offered throughout the year.
Is it possible to visit the entire refuge on foot? Yes.
Is it possible to access with dogs? Yes, as long as the dog is leashed.
How long does it take to visit Basondo? The refuge can be seen in its entirety in approximately 2 hours.
Is it possible to spend the day in Basondo? The refuge is not big enough to spend the day, but we offer excursions and guided tours to get to know the Oma area and all of Urdaibai. Do not hesitate to to contact us.
Where is it? The refuge is located next to the Santimamiñe caves, in the Oma district, in Urdaibai.
What animals can we see? There are dozens of species, but we were delighted to be able to see species such as lynx, wolves, deer, wild boar and bison up close.
Do I need to book in advance? Seating is limited, so we recommend booking in advance. You can book your tickets online here.
Is it possible to eat in Basondo? Yes, in fact, it has a small corner with tables, chairs and microwave so that we can eat food that we bring from home.
History.
The history of this space began in the family farmhouse of the Biscayan veterinarian Xabier Maiztegi, where Xabier attended to injured animals in the 80s. A way of trying to return dozens of injured animals to their natural habitat. After his death in 1991, his sister continued his work in Urdaibai through the Xabier Maiztegi Foundation, the same foundation that currently manages Basondo.
Map of Basondo.
The refuge has an official route. A circular route that allows us to know all the animals in a pleasant and simple way. The route is perfectly signposted, in addition, the volunteers will help you in everything you need, do not hesitate to ask them. The route draws a kind of “P”, we leave you an image to give you an idea.
What to do near Basondo.
We offer all kinds of services in Euskadi. In this case, we leave you some examples of guided tours of Urdaibai. Remember that we offer personalized activities for the groups that visit us. Do not hesitate to to contact us.
What to see nearby.
Urdaibai is an incredible space. A small corner of our geography that we recommend you to discover in any getaway to Euskadi. We leave you a small list with some of the places that we recommend to visit in this corner of Euskadi. We hope it will be of help.
Excursion to Urdaibai.
If you are looking for a complete experience, we offer an excursion to Urdaibai that includes a visit to Basondo. These excursions are perfect for people who want to get to know the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve with a local guide. This service includes transportation, guide and entrance fees. Remember that these excursions can be customized according to your needs and preferences. Do not hesitate to to contact us.
As you have been able to see, Basondo is one of those places that we recommend to visit in Urdaibai. A corner that allows us to enjoy nature with the family. In case you have any questions, we encourage you to use the comment system that you will find below these lines. We will try to respond as soon as possible. Ondo pass!
0 Comments