Experience Alpacas in Andalucia is under new management. Please contact them directly for information about visiting. The Olive Mill has seen some major refurbishments but the alpacas still look as healthy and as much fun as ever. Below is the report of our visit in 2016. Hopefully we can return soon to see what has changed, and of course, to walk with the alpacas once more.
We recently had the chance to experience alpacas in Andalucia, and what an amazing experience it was too! It was one of those trips which leaves you with memories to cherish forever.
It’s now 8 years since Alan and Lorna came to Spain and set up their alpaca farm. You can read all about the early days, the trials and tribulations, the heartbreak and the delight, in Alan’s first book: “Seriously Mum, What’s an Alpaca?” After reading it, I’m sure that you will also want to visit.
Getting there was initially far from easy. Alan met us close to the exit from the A4 and then we were off on (very) minor roads for about a 20 minute drive. We managed in a Ford Fiesta though, so you don’t need a 4×4 or anything fancy like that. It wasn’t long before the Olive Mill was in sight and we were being introduced to the lovely Lorna and all of the alpacas.
Staying at the Olive Mill is far from a rough and ready experience. The rooms are very comfortable and, once you get used to the quirks required for getting hot water out of the shower or turning on the gas, you quickly feel at home. If you are staying self-catering then the kitchen is huge and the sofas are extremely comfortable. The terrace is just an amazing place for relaxing and watching the natural world go by. There are so many birds flying around that you sometimes fear they will fly straight into you! It’s also great for night time photography if the skies are clear. If you are not self catering, Alan and Lorna serve up a fabulous breakfast and their barbecues will leave you wondering how Alan gets that chocolate sauce on the ribs to taste sooooooo good!
Of course though, no matter how good the food is, the real reason you are here is to see the alpacas! I had a special reason because I got to give the youngest, Gabi, her name. I won’t bore you with the details but click here for the full story of how and why!! You’ll get the opportunity to feed the alpacas which is such a pleasure, and in the morning you can even take a couple of them out for a walk. If you are gentle with them, they will be very well behaved indeed.
Of course, it’s not just about the alpacas. There are numerous cats too! The cats will peer through the kitchen window as food is prepared inside. They cling to the wooden door in their numbers. It’s quite a sight. The chickens are adorable too. The rooster struts around like he owns the place and his entourage of hens run around after him. What a life!! And don’t forget Blue. She is a huge Spanish mastiff but soft as anything and all she wants is a scratch and a tickle.
The Olive Mill may be remote but it is not completely isolated. There is a lovely walk out to the nearby reservoir passing several neighbouring farms. Don’t be afraid of the dogs! The small one is always there to make the noise and the big one is there to look intimidating. The one lying by the roadside just looks sleepily at you as you walk by and the horses don’t seem to care at all. It’s a beautiful area and well worth exploring.
April 29, 2016 @ 10:50 am
Thanks Russ, it was lovely to meet you and Trish finally 🙂
April 29, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
You too. We’ll be back for sure!
June 4, 2019 @ 2:25 pm
Just watching yous on ben fogle new lives in the wild! Good on you guys! Truly an inspiration. You’ve got me googling properties in andalucia ?
June 4, 2019 @ 2:27 pm
Thanks Ronnie. This is actually a blog about Spain, but I’ll pass your comments on to Alan and Lorna. They are trying to sell the Olive Mill too. Maybe you would be interested!!
February 21, 2020 @ 11:21 pm
Oh no …… I just read Ronnies comment about Alan & Lorna selling the olive farm ….. so I can’t Adventure out to visit the farm ? 🙁
February 24, 2020 @ 5:16 pm
Until they find a buyer, they are still open for bookings!
March 19, 2022 @ 10:37 am
Goodday, we are the new owners of the farm. We are a Dutch family ?. We have some big renovating , but we are open for walks and overnights
Gr denise
December 26, 2022 @ 7:19 pm
hello, do you have alpacas there? we would like to visit, we have a farm near malaga. what is the website? thanks
December 27, 2022 @ 11:59 am
There is a link at the beginning of the blog where you can contact the people who now run the alpaca farm.
July 4, 2020 @ 2:53 pm
Just watching on Fogle. I have a place nr Granada in the mountains thet I’ve
owned for over 20 years. . Can you guys not get a builder to make a plan then try to implement it with voluntary workers. Workaway ? Maybe a fiberglass roof on the leaky flat roof and local launa clay on top which was traditional on the old moorish buildings. More and more concrete gets heavy and expensive and can still leak. Outside, telegraph poles can be good as don’t rot.
July 5, 2020 @ 9:57 am
Thanks for reading and commenting Josh. the Olive Mill is nothing to do with me! I’ll pass your message onto them though.
March 19, 2022 @ 10:42 am
The roof is new now, and also we did renovating the kitchen, casita, and now doing the big house.
Gr denise
November 15, 2020 @ 12:24 am
¿Se pueden ir a visitar??
November 15, 2020 @ 8:47 am
Por supuesto. Siga los enlaces en la publicación.