Visit the CRLI
Visiting the Iberian Wolf Recovery Center (CRLI) is one way to support our mission. By learning about this predator, you are contributing to its conservation!
How to get there by car
- Coming from Lisbon, take the A8 motorway and exit towards Malveira/Mafra;
- Continue on the A21 towards Mafra and take exit 2 (towards Torres Vedras/Malveira);
- At the roundabout, take the first exit towards Torres Vedras/Tapada de Mafra;
- After passing Vale da Guarda, turn left towards Picão and Carapiteira (there is a sign indicating the Iberian Wolf Recovery Center);
- At Picão, turn left onto a ramp on the sidewalk and continue straight ahead, following a dirt road until you reach CRLI.
- On Google earth: Latitude: 38°57'58.98"N Longitude: 9°16'13.28"W
ATTENTION: The only access road to CRLI starts in the town of Picão, Gradil. To access this town you MUST ALWAYS use paved roads. When using GPS applications on your smartphone or vehicle, it is possible that they will direct you to roads inaccessible to light vehicles. We advise that if this happens, you return to your starting point and ask for directions to Picão.
How to get there by public transport
The Barraqueiro company provides bus services between Lisbon and Torres Vedras. You can catch this bus in Lisbon, at Campo Grande, and get off at the Vale da Guarda stop (between Malveira and Livramento).
Upon arrival at Vale da Guarda, you should begin a walking route of approximately 2 km. This route is unpaved and has no lighting.
Learn the rules you must respect when visiting our space!
The CRLI is not a zoo, but a sanctuary for wolves that cannot live in the wild. The well‑being of the resident wolves is the Center's main concern. For this reason, there are some conditions for visiting this space, namely the number of visitors, which is controlled according to what is considered acceptable disturbance for the wolves.
At the CRLI (Wolf Rehabilitation Centre), guided tours and specific programs are offered for diverse audiences. Getting to know the real wolf, with the resident animals acting as ambassadors for the species, is the starting point for this unique experience. Visitors are welcomed at the Interpretation Centre, which features a permanent exhibition about the wolf, and are then led along a trail that passes through the various enclosures, allowing them to observe the resident wolves in semi‑natural conditions. During the visit, various topics related to the biology and ecology of the wolf are addressed, as well as the main threats to its conservation.
Note: observation is limited by the size of the enclosures and weather conditions, especially on days with high temperatures.
Visit bookings
Educational Establishments and other Institutions
Visits must be scheduled via email crli@grupolobo.pt and are subject to confirmation. CRLI will subsequently send confirmation of the visit, along with other specific conditions to which it is subject and directions to CRLI. School visits are only conducted for students from the 1st Cycle onwards.
Other types of visits
It is possible to arrange other types of visits and complement these with additional activities. You can see the offers here . Due to the various offers and their specific conditions, those interested should contact CRLI directly to obtain information about the conditions governing them.
Price list
| Price per person (effective from July 31, 2021) | |
|---|---|
| Children up to 4 years old | Free entry |
| Youth (under 18 years old) | 8€ |
| Adults | 10€ |
| Seniors (over 65 years old) | 8€ |
| Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) | 30€ |
| Group ticket (4 adults) | 36€ |
| GL members/Godparents of resident wolf cubs at CRLI | |
|---|---|
| Children up to 4 years ol | Free entry |
| Youth (under 18 years old) | 5€ |
| Adults | 7€ |
| Seniors (over 65 years old) | 5€ |
| Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) | 20€ |
| Educational establishments and other institutions | |
|---|---|
| Universities and Polytechnic Institutes* | 9€ (weekdays), 10€ (weekends and national holidays) |
| Organized groups and schools* | 8€ (children), 10€ (adults) |
| Scout groups, institutions in the municipality of Mafra, charities or IPSS* | 8€ |
| *2 adults per group of 25 people do not pay | |
Visiting conditions
In order to guarantee the well‑being of the wolves, the following rules of operation and access to the CRLI are presented:
- Park your vehicle in the designated area;
- Do not make noise, such as honking or turning on the vehicle's radio;
- Proceed to the Reception Center to be received;
- Do not enter the CRLI perimeter without being accompanied by a member of the Center's team;
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult (over 18 years of age);
- Pets, including guide dogs*, are not allowed;
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, scooters, and inline skates are not allowed;
- Right of admission reserved.
*If you have a guide dog, you must contact the CRLI before your visit.
Other useful information
- Learn more about visiting conditions for schools and other organized groups here;
- Only 'Minibus' type buses can reach the CRLI . In other cases, the bus will be about 1km away from the Center, and visitors must walk along a dirt road;
- The guided tour within the CRLI area takes the form of a walking tour on a dirt road, so appropriate footwear is advised;
- Wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed due to the condition of the ground;
- The visit is recommended for children from 6 years of age;
- Silence must be maintained in the Center area;
- Smoking is prohibited in the Center area;
- Touching the fences or animals is strictly prohibited;
- Feeding the animals is prohibited;
- Shouting at or provoking the animals is prohibited;
- Picnics in the CRLI park require prior approval from the GL Management;
- The CRLI does not have lockers or a specific place to store luggage or other belongings;
- Due to force majeure, particularly due to weather conditions, the visit may be cancelled without prior notice;
- Grupo Lobo is not responsible for damages caused to visitors or their vehicles.
- Visitors must respect the instructions of the Center's staff. Failure to comply with CRLI rules may result in the expulsion of the visitor(s) and/or termination of the visit.
- The CRLI does not have an ATM.
Photographs/Filming
Images taken during the visit require prior authorization from the responsible guide. Their use should be for personal use only and cannot be contrary to or compromise the conservation efforts of the Iberian wolf or the activities of Grupo Lobo. Should this occur, Grupo Lobo reserves the right to act in order to preserve its good name.
Regarding photography or filming, and particularly in the case of professionals or semi‑professionals, photography/filming is only permitted after a protocol has been signed between the CRLI and the interested person or company.