Birds of prey and songbirds photo tour

€850 per person

Bulgaria has a very specific and very high position in Europe in terms of biogeographical diversity. Over 420 species of birds have been observed within the borders of this small country. Bulgaria is located at the southernmost limits of the distribution range of many of the European species. It is also close to the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. The second largest migratory route in Europe (Via Pontica) passes by the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. This enormous diversity of habitats and locations determines an extremely rich ornithological diversity. And we at Traventuria offer you the to capture some of the most iconic and rare species. We invite you to join our boutique photography tour of purpose-built shelters.

We present to your attention three unique types of photography hides near the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Our two forest shelters (Forest mirror Pool Hide and Forest Pool Hide 2) with a water pool and feeders attract many songbirds. The newest hide is specially designed to feed the extremely rare Egyptian vultures. Within a few days, you can visit all the hides and take photos of species such as Egyptian Vulture (Apr-Aug), Lesser Spotted Eagle (May-Sep), Common Buzzard (all year round), Goshawk (all year round), Marsh Harrier (winter), Golden Jackal (all year round), Red Fox (all year round), European Hare (all year round), Turtle Dove (Apr-Sep), Blackcap (spring-summer), Hawfinch (all year round), woodpeckers (Great Spotted, Syrian, Lesser Spotted, Middle Spotted, Green, Gray-headed), Blackbird, Greenfinch, Common Starling, Common Chaffinch and many many others. If you come in the period May-July you can make amazing pictures of Common Bee-eaters from temporary hide directly in the colony of the birds.

Our base for the 7-day trip will be the small town of Provadia (about an hour’s drive (40 km from Varna Aiport), from where we will make short transfers to the photo hides and areas for birdwatching.

This is a private tour that can be tailored to your interestс and time budget.

Want to spend more time in Bulgaria? We can extend your tour with a visit to a hide for vulture photography.

Duration
7 days
What is included
ground transportation, English-speaking driver/guide, accommodation at a 3-star hotel on full board basis, photo hide rental
What is not included
flight tickets, insurance, meals and drinks, other personal expenses, tips
Best period
All year round

FROM OUR GALLERY

1

Day 1

You will be met by your guide at Sofia Airport and then transferred (a 4.5-hour drive) to the town of Provadia. For the next 4 nights, you will be accommodated in a hotel in the small town of Provadia. At dinner, your guide will make a verbal presentation of the area and its wildlife. Over a tasty meal, you can share ideas and past experiences.

2

Day 2

After waking up before sunrise, we will be transferred (20 min) to one of the forest hides near Provadia. There will spent the whole day with short break around midday for lunch. In the afternoon hours will be again in the hide for second session. Back in the hotel after sunset. We will return to the hotel for lunch and siesta during the warm hours of the day when the birds are not very active and usually the light conditions are not optimal. If you are more energetic, your guide will take you on a short walk to a place where you can find different butterflies and dragonflies. In the late afternoon, we will have another photo session, but this time using the soft sunset light.

3

Day 3

After waking up before sunrise, we will be transferred (20 min) to the second of the forest hides near Provadia. There will spent the whole day with short break around midday for lunch. In the afternoon hours will be again in the hide for second session. Back in the hotel after sunset.

4

Day 4

Today we will be in the Egyptian Vulture and other raptors hide. We will wake up very early and will driving to the hide (30 km, 30 minutes). We must entering before sun rise. The whole day we`ll spend in the hide where will take shots of different raptors - Egyptian Vulture (Apr-Aug), Lesser Spotted Eagle (May-Sep), Common Buzzard (all year round), Goshawk (all year round), Marsh Harrier (winter), Golden Jackal (all year round), Red Fox (all year round), European Hare (all year round) and more. We will bring with us packed food and water. Exit from the hide is after sunset. Back in the hotel.

5

Day 5

Same program like Day 4. Today we will try to take more action and portrait pictures of the same and new species.

6

Day 6

Today's program can be decided on the spot and according to your likes and interests. You can continue taking pictures of one of the forest hides or in the raptor hide. In the period May-Aug we can provide temporaty hide (tent) for photography of Bee-eaters very close to the town of Provadia. Photography from the car and walking are possible too for species as Red-backed Shrike, Corn Bunting, Rollers, water birds and many more. Last night in Provadia.

7

Day 7

Morning photo session is possible depending from the your flight time. Transfer to the airport (the transfer to Sofia airport is 4.5 hours). Departure.

TOUR LOCATION

Price

€ 930 for a group of up 2-3 persons;
€ 850 per person for a group of 4 persons;
Single room supplement: € 100 per person.

The price includes:

English-speaking guide throughout the tour;
Rental of photo hides according to the itinerary;
All ground transportation costs are included; We will be travelling with a modern and comfortable vehicle from Traventuria's fleet;
Accommodation in a double/twin room at 3-star hotels with en suite double rooms on full board. Packed lunch can be ordered from the hotel. Dinner can be organized at the hotel.

The price excluded

Flight tickets;
Insurance;
Other meals and drinks;
Other personal expenses;
Tips.

Recommended camera equipment

We would recommend that you have available, an array of lenses from an intermediate telephoto lens such as the 100-400mm, which is extremely versatile, through to your longest lens, whether that is a 400mm, 500mm or 600mm;
You should also pack a tripod with a gimble head (recommended). Extra memory cards and batteries, cleaning set for the cameras and lenses.

Maximum capacity

4 persons.