Subscribe to our newsletter
Nazwa
Booking form
Level of fitness required
low
no
Possible inconveniences
Spring in Bulgaria
Tour details
A trip to Bulgaria is a great opportunity to watch and photograph birds inhabiting the Balkans. The Suha Reka region is particularly rich in species, mainly due to the diversity of habitats: from steppes to wetlands.
May is the best time to photograph bird courtship: e.g. European rollers, Bee-eaters or Hoopoes. These birds begin courtship immediately after returning from their wintering grounds, so we have a chance to observe: courtship, bringing "gifts" and copulation.
During the trip, we will use various hides. One of them is located on a tower and offers a good chance of photographing Golden orioles and Cuckoos. Here we can also observe the Syrian woodpecker, Green woodpecker and Scops owl. From ground hides, we will photograph the Isabelline wheatear (a typical Balkan species) and the Northern wheatear. They are easiest to spot near the colonies of ground squirrels, in whose burrows the Isabelline wheatear nests. Shrikes are common in open areas, including Woodchat shrike and Lesser grey shrike. We expect many different species at the forest drinking pool.
During the tour, we will divide into two 4-person groups, and each day will usually consist of a morning and afternoon photo session with a break in the middle of the day, when the temperatures are highest, the light is the worst and the birds' activity decreases. We will take photos mainly from hides, sometimes from a car, sometimes while stalking.
Hides:
- 2-4-person hides on the ground
- 4-person towerhide
The walk to the hide is usually 50-100m. In some hides, we will take photos through one-way glass.
Expected bird and mammals species: Barn Swallow, Bee-eater, Black-headed Bunting, Calandra Lark, Collared Dove, Common Starling, Corn Bunting, Crested Lark, Cuckoo, Golden Oriole, Great spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Hawfinch, House Sparrow, Hoopoe, Isabelline Wheatear, Linnet, Little Owl, Middle spotted Woodpecker, Northern Wheatear, Ortolan Bunting, Red-Backed Shrike, Roller, Scops Owl, Sombre Tit, Song Thrush, Souslik, Spanish Sparrow, Syrian Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow, Turtle Dove, Wryneck
Day 1 - flight to Varna, transfer to hotel (approx. 100 km, 2h), check-in, dinner
Day 2-5 - all-day photography (morning and afternoon session with a midday break)
Day 6 - breakfast, check-out, transfer to Varna airport (approx. 100 km, 2h), flight
Approximate daily schedule:
5.30 - coffee, tea, sandwich in the field, departure to the hides
11.00 - return
12.00 - hearty, two-course lunch, break
14.30 - departure to the hides
20.00 - return
20.30 - hearty, two-course dinner
1700€ (500€ deposit)
payment:
- deposit after signing up for the trip
- balance - 30 days before the first day of the trip
Price
Itinerary
-
guiding (Polish tour leader/photographer)
-
local guiding (Bulgarian guide)
-
hide usage
-
airport transfer and local transfers in Bulgaria
-
accommodation in twin/double rooms
-
all meals
-
basic travel insurance
Included in the price
-
flight tickets
-
alcoholic drinks
-
single room supplement: 100-200 Euro/person/trip
Not included in the price
18-23 May 2026 - last 2 spots available!
Available dates
East-Northern Bulgaria, Dobrudza
Location
Bee-eaters, Rollers, Golden oriole, Wheatears, Shrikes etc.
Main topic
min 6, max 7
Number of participants
Tour leader/Guide
Marian Batura (English speaking)
We will be staying in a comfortable hotel in the Bulgarian agricultural wilderness. Twin/d ouble rooms with bathrooms, singles available for an additional fee. No WiFi, poor mobile signal. The area is desolate.
Accommodation
All meals provided by the hotel.
The hotel will serve traditional Bulgarian cuisine. There are no shops in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. I suggest stocking up on snacks (drinks, bars, fruit, etc.) at a supermarket along the way.
Meals
- tripod
- rain proof clothes
- rain proof cover for phto gear
- trekking boots
Recommended equipment
minibus
Transportation
