The Vale Do Manantio Estate is situated in a generous 3,000 hectares of textured landscape inclusive of Holmoak and Cork trees in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Its melancholy and undulating plains come with a coastline and idyllic beaches spanning over six kilometres, thanks to the largest artificial lake in Europe, known as the Alqueva dam. Famed for its extraordinary Red-Legged Partridge Shooting and situated just over an hour transfer from the local airport, visiting guns don’t have to travel far to explore this hidden treasure.
The Partridge Shooting in Portugal is renowned for being some of the best in Europe, and the sport on the Vale Do Manantio Estate is no exception. Steeped in history dating back to the eighteenth century and run by the famous Portuguese Bravo family, the region has strong connections with a reputation for the best hunts, numbers of species and dedication to nature and hunting. For wing-shooting, the estate offers the best Partridge shooting in Portugal, so much so that it recently won the “Best Outfitter” award for the excellent conditions they present and the quality of the Red-Legged Partridges on offer.
If you’re passionate about wing shooting, combined with first-class hospitality, service and accommodation, then Partridge Shooting in Portugal on the Vale Do Manantio Estate is the perfect destination for you to curb your shooting craving.
On the Vale Do Manantio Estate, the day starts with a good breakfast, a customary safety speech and the drawing of pegs before you get picked up and taken to the estate by your secretarios or loader, for the first drive of the day, around 9.15am.
On a typical day, you’ll shot around five different drives. However, one of the glorious things about Partridge Shooting in Portugal is, thanks to the country’s vast, varied landscape, it’s possible to have more than forty plus different drives to choose from in just a single day. With all these possible scenarios, you’ll never find a drive repeating itself, allowing a multitude of different shooting experiences. In some cases, the birds will present themselves at high altitude, the next close to the ground, others bursting the gate.
After three drives, approximately around lunchtime, the guns cease, and it’s time for a snack and refreshments; these usually consist of famous Portuguese Aperitifs (Tapas). A further two drives then get shot in the afternoon before more snacks, drinks, and a field lunch before returning to the Lodge to relax, unwind, and get ready for your evening meal.
To find out more about Partridge shooting in Portugal, visit our YouTube channel.
Partridge shooting is one of the most exhilarating game bird pursuits. With its deceiving wing beat, speed, and exceptional skill in hugging the landscape, the Partridge is a challenging quarry to shoot, making it all the more desirable.
Due to its Mediterranean origin, the Red-legged Partridge thrives on dry areas of sandy soils and breeds most successfully in the highest of summer temperatures. The climate and landscapes of countries like Spain and Portugal, with their proximity to Africa, provide the ideal living conditions for this plump little bird. In the past decade, numerous sporting estates on which the native Red-Legged Partridge or Redleg as it’s known, both wild and released, have flourished. This, combined with sensitive conservation and management for the sport and wildlife conducted throughout the country, have seen numbers increase year on year, making Partridge Shooting in Portugal some of the best in the world.
Commonly found on farmland, the Red-Legged Partridge prefers to run rather than fly as most of its primary food source of plants and invertebrates is located on ground level. It can fly at over 30 miles an hour and features a wingspan of 45cm and 50cm, which helps its manoeuvrability when speeding through the steep ravines and hills of its habitat.
A holiday to the Vale Do Manantio Estate is a generally laid back affair, and the physical exertion is minimal. Each day you’ll get picked up by the lodges 4×4’s and driven the short distance to the hunting grounds; from there, there’s just a short walk to the drives, so a sturdy pair of boots is recommended. The most exertion comes from the shooting itself, as the action can be fast and furious and Partridge shooting in Portugal for the big bags of the fast-flying RedLeg can be punishing on the shoulder. To help combat this, we advise taking a quality shoulder pad or shooting vest.
Red-legged Partridge shooting in Portugal is perfect for the enthusiastic game shooter as the thrill of some well-presented birds flushed out from the sweeping arable land is an experience that will stay etched in your memory for many years. However, to get the most out of the shoot and the Estate, a reasonable amount of skill and experience is required, even though your loader will take care of loading your cartridges quickly, the speed and trajectory of the presented game will be pretty demanding during specific drives.
The Portuguese shooting season runs from October to the end of January. As a result, shooting in Spain offers the ideal way of extending the traditional UK shooting season abroad whilst enjoying the warmer climate that the country has to offer.
You will have an enjoyable time at the Vale Do Manantio Estate where nothing is too much trouble, and the staff will be on hand to make sure your stay is of utmost comfort and satisfaction. From the minute you arrive up to the time you reluctantly leave, you will get treated like royalty, and they will have made sure that you have made memories to last a lifetime.
The Vale Do Manantio offers complete tranquillity and relaxation in an intimate and restful setting. It has been traditionally decorated with a hunting theme running throughout, capturing the true history of the Estate. With competition trophies sat shining on the shelves, hunting awards and memorabilia mounted proudly on the walls; it gives the Lodge a sense of grandeur and accomplishment.
The Lodge features fourteen rooms, four twins, nine doubles and one room with a bunk bed, and each includes an en-suite, air conditioning and room service. Each room has its own distinctive and charming decor giving you a warm and welcoming feeling. With such peace and tranquillity being of utmost importance, you will be lucky enough to enjoy exceptional views over the rolling hills from your sun ladened terrace.
Everything is to be enjoyed at the Herdade Vale Do Manantio, and the staff at the Lodge will do everything in their power to ensure your stay is as fulfilling and unforgettable as possible.
The food and drink at Vale Do Manantio are undoubtedly some of the best you’ll ever experience in Portugal. The Lodges chefs commit to their region and always look for the highest quality fresh, local produce, keeping origins for an authentic farm to fork experience.
The warm and familiar character of the Lodge gets reflected in the kind, friendly and welcoming gestures you receive from the Bravo family, such as invites to sit down and share stories over exceptional dishes from the menu. All the focus is on providing you with a unique experience by refining a traditional kitchen and its personalised service. You will feel very much at home during your stay, and they will cater to you in the very best way offering you everything you possibly need and want to make sure you have the time of your life.
No need to worry if you’re travelling with a non-shooting companion as they can have just as much fun experiencing all the extra activities on offer within the Estate. The list includes spa treatments, swimming, clay pigeon shooting, Helicopter rides, boat rides, horse riding, cycling, wine tasting, hot air balloon rides, water-skiing and wakeboarding. The Lodge also offers a fantastic swimming pool, which will be of interest to be adults and children alike, with space to play and relax simultaneously, either in the sunshine or in the shade.
For your convenience, the Lodge also offers free high-speed wireless access. So you can check e-mails or send bragging photos to your friends, family and fellow hunters back home.
The below itinerary is flexible should you require additional fishing days or additional free days to explore; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Lisbon
A representative from Herdade Vale Do Manantio will greet you upon arrival who will be with you to help assist you with gun clearance should you wish to bring your own. You will then be transferred from Lisbon Airport to Herdade Vale Do Manantio (2 hours). Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the lodge staff who will take great care in settling you in before dinner is served in the evening.
Overnight Accommodation: Vale Do Manantio (Single room) F/B
Rise and shine for an action-packed day ahead and head through to the dining room for a freshly prepared breakfast at 8:00 am, before a swift turnaround and departure at 9:00 am from the lodge to the estate where shooting will commence around 9:15 am. All you will need to remember are your personal effects such as hearing and eye protection and a decent set of gloves. Your guns and ammunition will all be accounted for with your seceretarios/Loader. The day will consist of five drives, three of which will be shot in the morning over different areas of the estate.
After the Tapas you will progress into the afternoon with a further two drives of Red-Legged Partridge shooting in various areas of the estate. Lunch will be held in the fields once again at approximately 3:15 pm where copious amounts of carefully prepared fresh and locally sourced delights will be on offer for you to enjoy. Once the day has come to an end you will retreat back to the lodge at 5:00 pm for downtime before dinner is served.
Overnight Accommodation: Vale Do Manantio (Single room) F/B
This day starts in the same way as the previous day but with different drives on the estate. At the end of the day once the shooting has come to an end you will retreat back to the lodge for a rest or include yourselves in the incredible extra activities on offer before your dinner is served.
Overnight Accommodation: Vale Do Manantio (Single room) F/B
The staff will arrange with you, depending on your flight time, a private transfer back to the international airport for your return flight
Depart Lisbon
Arrive Home
The season runs from 1st October - 28th February.
Season: 1st October-28th February
Peak: December
Overs are charged at 29 euros per bird over the 100 bird limit per two days.
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | 4 | £5,531 | Enquire Now |
| 01/11/2024 | 30/11/2024 | 4 | £5,531 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2024 | 31/12/2024 | 4 | £5,531 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2025 | 31/01/2025 | 4 | £5,786 | Enquire Now |
| 01/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | 4 | £5,786 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | 4 | £5,786 | Enquire Now |
| 01/11/2025 | 30/11/2025 | 4 | £5,786 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2025 | 31/12/2024 | 4 | £5,786 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on 8 guns sharing transfers and shooting based on two 400 bird-days (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
A fantastic few days away. The shooting was red hot and every day we enjoyed some fantastic sport with good bags of birds. I'll definitely be looking for another week next year.
A stunning lodge set in wonderful surroundings, beautiful weather and first-class sport. The guides and all the staff were incredibly welcoming and did everything in their power to ensure we had the best time.
Easy travelling and perfect for a short break or quick getaway. It was nice to experience something different and it's certainly broadened my horizons. I'll be in touch about another trip next year, possibly slightly further afield. Thank you.
If you're in pursuit of excellence then look no further. At El Despeñadero Dario and his team stop at nothing to give you the best shooting experience of a lifetime. With a combination of wild and reared birds, they come a plenty. The shooting is truly sensational, an experience not to be missed.
The Lomas de Fuensauco Estate in Spain offers breathtaking landscape, combined with some of the most sensational driven partridge shooting available in the country. You will experience shooting like you've never experienced before, with a variety of fast, high flying birds combined with an array of wonderful services.
Cenicientos in Spain is the hub for both sensational home-reared red-legged partridge shooting and delectable Spanish cuisine where the host believes that 50% of the experience comes from sharing the wealth of good food and wine. With this tour, you will combine and experience the absolute best of both worlds.
