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Rollers and Bee-eaters Photo Tour

€850 per person

This wildlife photography tour is focused on two of the most colourful European birds – the Common Bee-eater and the European Roller. The itinerary is designed for keen wildlife photographers, who want to take home a variety of pictures of these species, while the birds are engaged in courtship displays, mating, food (gift) transfer and other spring activities. In addition, there will be options for raptor and mammal photography as well as quality birdwatching on the territory of Persina Nature Park.

Our base for the 5-day trip will be the small town of Belene, from where we will make short transfers to the photo hides and areas for birdwatching. It is located on the Bulgarian Danube shore and is connected with a bridge to Persin (Belene) Island – the largest Bulgarian island on the Danube.

Our experience will be enriched with our accommodation – a 3-star hotel offering great views of the river and tasty food prepared from local products.

This is a private tour that can be tailored to your interest 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
    6
  • 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
    May-June

FROM OUR GALLERY

Bird and wildlife photography tours from photo hides on Balkans
Bird and wildlife photography tours from photo hides on Balkans
Bird and wildlife photography tours from photo hides on Balkans
1
Day 1
You will be met by your guide at Sofia Airport and then transferred (a 2.5-hour drive) to the town of Belene. For the next 4 nights, you will be accommodated in a hotel on the shore of the Danube river. 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 the Bee-eater & Roller photography hide. The next 3-4 hours will be for the pure thrill of taking pictures of the birds involved in different activities. The colony of the Bee-eaters is also inhabited by Little Owls and Common Starlings, species that can also be photographed along our target species. 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
In the morning we will follow the routine from the previous day, but you can also consider the option to use a nearby hide for raptor and mammal photography.  For the mid-day break, your guide can organize a refreshing boat trip around Persin Island. An array of water-connected birds can be observed during the river tour. The late afternoon is again for Roller and Bee-eater photography session.
4
Day 4
Today's program can be decided on the spot and according to your likes and interests. You can continue taking pictures of rollers and bee-eaters, use the raptor photography hide and/or make a birdwatching trip to Persin Island and the Nikopol's plateau. Entry to Persin Island is with a permit. The limited access to the island benefits the avian diversity there. Most of the birds are tamer and could be observed and even photographed from a close distance. Birds that can be observed on Persin Island and Nikopol's plateau: Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked and Great Crested Grebes, Feruginous Duck, Garganey, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Pygmy Cormorant, Common Lapwings, Black-winged Stilts, Greylag Geese, Little Bittern, Great Reed and Reed Warblers, Penduline Tit, Common and Whiskered Terns, Dalmatian Pelicans, Hoopoe and many more.
5
Day 5
A morning photo session if you are having an evening flight. Transfer to Sofia Airport for your departure or to Sofia if you have intensions of spending some time to familiarize yourself with the Bulgaria's capital.

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. A wide angle would also be useful if you fancy capturing;
  • 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.

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