Bulgaria & Northern Greece: Spring Migration Magic

€1095 per person

From the dramatic gorges of the Western Rhodopes to the world-renowned wetlands of Lake Kerkini and the Black Sea coast, this 9-day guided tour is a fully immersive spring birdwatching experience. Designed and operated by Traventuria, one of Bulgaria’s most trusted wildlife tour operators, the tour puts you in the hands of an expert guide at the peak of spring migration and breeding season in the Balkans.
Be awed by the incredible avian diversity at Lake Kerkini, marvel at the Wallcreeper in the rugged Trigrad Gorge, explore the raptor kingdom in Madzharovo, and scan the teeming lagoons of the Burgas wetland complex along the Via Pontica flyway.

The birding highlights include: Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, Egyptian, Cinereous and Griffon Vultures, Levant Sparrowhawk, Long-legged Buzzard, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Red-footed Falcon, Mediterranean Gull, Wallcreeper, Whiskered Tern, Pallid Swift, Roller, Calandra Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Masked Shrike, Woodchat and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Isabelline and Pied Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrush, Paddyfield Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Barred Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Sombre Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Black-headed Bunting, and more.

Turn your passion for birdwatching into an unforgettable adventure — reserve your spot today! Small groups, expert guidance.

Duration
9 days
What is included
accommodation in 3-star hotels on bed and breakfast basis; private transfer to/from Sofia Airport and ground transportation throughout the tour; expert English-speaking guide/driver; VAT and all local taxes
What is not included
flight tickets, insurance, other meals beside breakfast, transfers from or to other airports (Burgas, Varna or Plovdiv); personal expenses; gratuities; tour extensions, tips
Best period
Guaranteed departure: 23 April 2027 | Optimal season: mid-April – end of May

FROM OUR GALLERY

Day 1 (23.04.2027): Sofia – Spectacular Kresna Gorge Migration Bottleneck – Sandanski

Your tour begins at Sofia Airport, where airport pick-ups will be available for all participants. If you land on an early morning or early afternoon flight, you will be driven directly to Sofia’s vibrant city center to enjoy some free time exploring the capital's landmarks at your leisure. At 16:00 (4:00 PM), the group officially departs south towards Sandanski. Please note that arrivals after this time will require a separate transfer to Sandanski for an additional fee. En route, we will make our first birding stop at the spectacular Kresna Gorge. This impressive natural site acts as both a vital bio-corridor and a crucial migration bottleneck. Here, we will scan the sky and the rugged cliffs for species such as Griffon Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Western Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin, and other early spring migrants. In the evening, we arrive in the town of Sandanski, famous for its warm Mediterranean climate and healing thermal springs. After checking into our hotel, we gather for a welcome dinner to meet the group and discuss the exciting wildlife highlights awaiting us.

Day 2 (24.04.2027): Lake Kerkini (Northern Greece) – A Mediterranean Birding Paradise

Today is entirely dedicated to Lake Kerkini in Northern Greece, one of Europe’s premier spring birdwatching destinations. Just a short drive across the border, this stunning wetland is teeming with target species at this time of year. On the water and among the marshes, our main targets include the majestic Great White Pelican and Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, and Black Stork. We will carefully scan the reedbeds and shallows for Black-winged Stilt, Little Bittern, and an impressive variety of herons, including Purple, Squacco, and Black-crowned Night Heron. The lakeside vegetation will be alive with the spring songs of the Penduline Tit, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, and Cetti’s Warbler. Our exploration extends beyond the water into the surrounding deciduous forests, shrubs, steppes, and arid habitats, which host an incredible array of breeding birds. Here, we will search for birds of prey like the Long-legged Buzzard, Eagle Owl and Levant Sparrowhawk, alongside the elusive Rock Partridge. The woodlands are home to a fantastic lineup of woodpeckers, including Grey-headed, Lesser Spotted, and Syrian Woodpecker, as well as the cryptic Wryneck. We will also look out for European Red-rumped Swallow, Calandra Lark, Olivaceous Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher, and three species of shrikes: Masked, Woodchat, and Lesser Grey Shrike. To round out a spectacular day, the open hillsides should reward us with colorful buntings, including Cirl and Ortolan Bunting. In the afternoon, we head back across the Bulgarian border to the peaceful village of Ognyanovo, known for its mineral baths, where we will spend the night.

Day 3 (25.04.2027): Devin & Trigrad – Realm of the Wallcreeper & Brown Bear

After a 2-hour transfer, we will be in the realm of the Wallcreeper. This is the exceptionally scenic and dramatic-looking Trigrad Gorge. The majestic vertical cliffs, the fast-flowing streams and the nearby coniferous forests host a rich avifauna. We can spot species such as Peregrine Falcon, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Coat Tit, Goldcrest and other forest specialities. In the late afternoon, the focus shifts to the region's impressive mammalian wildlife. The group will be split into small subgroups of four and escorted to specialized bear observation hides. Positioned deep in prime territory, we will spend the evening hours waiting for the majestic Brown Bear to emerge. Afterwards, we transfer to the nearby spa town of Devin, where we will spend the night.

Day 4 (26.04.2027): Madzharovo – Volcanic Crater & Rare Bird of Prey Hotspot

In the morning, we embark on a scenic transfer east towards the Arda River valley and the Eastern Rhodopes. Our destination is Madzharovo, a unique landscape shaped by an ancient volcanic crater. As the pine forests give way to jagged cliffs and open oak woodlands, the bird scenery shifts dramatically. We will arrive in time for an afternoon introduction to the Balkans' raptor kingdom. Overnight in Madzharovo.

Day 5 (27.04.2027): Eastern Rhodopi - Big day for raptors and songbirds

Probably the birdwatchers' paradise will resemble if not be exactly like the area of the Eastern Rhodopi. The timelessness and harmony are tangible in this land of rich birdlife. We will be admiring beautiful rock formations, which Griffon and Egyptian Vultures call their home, scenic river with Black Storks wading in the crystal clear water, a variety of enchanting bird songs, wild orchids and butterflies. There is no need to spoil your experience with а further verbal description of the region. The species we will try to see within the day are: Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Kite, Golden Eagle, Eleonora`s Falcon, Black Stork, Chukar Partridge, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Rock Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Sardinian Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler, and many other more common species.

Day 6 (28.04.2027): Sakar Mountains and Burgas Wetlands - Imperial Eagles and the Via Pontica Flyway

After a healthy breakfast, we will do a 2-hour birding in the vicinity of the town of Madzharovo. We continue to the Sakar Mountains, an area of extensive rolling hills and vast pastures. We will try on several spots to locate Imperial Eagles, Lesser Kestrel, shrikes (Maskes, Red-backed, Woodchat and Lesser Gray), Isabeline Wheatear, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Black-headed Bunting, as we move eastwards to the Southern Black Sea coast and the town of Bourgas, where we stay for 2 nights. The expected highlight of the day are Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Isabelline Wheatear, Black-headed Bunting, Masked Shrike, Olive-tree Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Red-backed Shrike, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting etc.

Day 7 (29.04.2027): Via Pontica - Four Wetlands and a Sky Full of Migrating Birds

The town of Burgas is surrounded by lakes with different salinities. Atanasovsko Lake is transformed into salt pans and is the place in Bulgaria where the highest number of birds has been registered. It is an important and safe (its northern part is a nature reserve) stopover site for waterfowl and waders using the Via Pontica flyway. Vaya, also known as Burgas Lake, is one of the largest wetlands in Bulgaria. It is shallow and rich in fish - a favourite place for Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes and different gulls and terns to feed. Another interesting with avifauna wetland complex is Madra Lake and Poda Lagoon - a mosaic of reedbeds and open water bodies. It will be slow-paced day of birding as we move from lake to lake and also watch out for heading north migrants. Highlights of the day: Dalmatian and White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Whiskered and Little Tern, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Squacco Heron, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Mediterranean and Slender-billed Gulls, Terek, Broad-billed, Wood, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, Shellduck, Great Reed Warbler.

Day 8 (30.04.2027): Burgas – Sofia – Morning Birding & Transfer to the Bulgarian Capital

We spend our final morning scanning the coastal wetlands and quiet sea coves of Bourgas for any missed seasonal rarities, gulls, or late migrants. In the afternoon, we leave the Black Sea coast behind and embark on our comfortable transfer west across the Thracian Valley back to the capital city of Sofia. In the evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the incredible variety of species seen and photographed throughout the tour. Overnight in Sofia.

Day 9 (01.05.2027). Sofia & Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, depending on your flight departure time, you may have some free time to explore the historic center of Bulgaria's capital, visiting landmarks such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Transfers to Sofia Airport will be provided for all participants, ensuring a seamless and comfortable end to your Balkan birdwatching journey.

TOUR LOCATION

Price

Small group tour (maximum 7 participants with one tour guide) Guaranteed departure: 23 April 2027

€ 1095 per person accommodated in a twin room
Single room supplement: € 200 per person

Price includes

Accommodation: 3-star hotels and top-rated guesthouse with en-suite twin rooms on bed & breakfast basis;
Transportation: ground transport is included in the basic price. You will be travelling in one of the minibuses from Traventuria's fleet;
English-speaking tour guide throughout the entire trip;
Scoping tube;
VAT and all local taxes

Price excluded

Flight tickets;
Insurance;
Other meals besides breakfast;
Late (after 4 pm) airport transfer on the day of arrival;
Personal expenses;
Tour extensions;
Tips.

Remarks, clothing and equipment

Group size: Min. 5 persons for the tour to take place
Grade of walking difficulty: easy
Bring your own binoculars & bird guide book
Warm clothes for the mountain areas, light clothes for low-land areas, a hat, sun and insect guardian cosmetic, sun guarding hat, comfortable shoes (boots) for outdoor walking.