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Exceptional Rhodope Mountains
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Location
- Gallery
- Reviews
- Additional Info
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What's included
- Accommodation in twin room
- All meals
- Rental car/bus, driver included
- Specialist English speaking tour guide
- Wildlife Feeding (for hide observation)
- Wildlife observation in a hide
- Flights to Bulgaria and back
- Medical insurance and emergency insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips to guide and driver
The Eastern Rhodope Mountains
Eastern Rhodope Mountains is the kingdom of raptors and vultures – an area of high valued nature and biodiversity of global importance. Especially constructed wildlife hides offer the best opportunities to create exclusive photos. In addition you enjoy the scenic landscapes, relax in a peaceful countryside with magnificent lake views and explore traditional lifestyle and local cuisine. Great mix for your unforgettable adventure.
East Rhodope’s fauna
Located at the crossroads of the European and Asian continent, influenced by the Central European and Mediterranean climate and harbouring diverse and pristine natural habitats, the Eastern Rhodopes are home to many animal species. No less than 4,329 species belonging to 410 fauna families, typical for continental Europe, the Mediterranean and Anatolia, occur in the region, including many rare, endemic and relict species.
The actual number is probably higher due to low intensity monitoring of various fauna families. Most numerous and abundant are various insect groups of which the colourful butterflies and dragonflies perhaps are most adored and biting, stinging and poisonous spiders, scorpions, scolopendras, bees and wasps probably are most feared.
Flora in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains
The geographical position on the European continent (near the Mediterranean and near the Asian continent), its geology and its climate determine the region of Eastern Rhodopes as one with the richest biodiversity in Europe. In the Eastern Rhodopes typical species of the flora of both Europe, the Mediterranean, Caucasus and Anatolia may be found.
Natural Resources & Rare Birds
Landscapes in Eastern Rodope Mountains in Bulgaria consists of rock complexes, mixed oak woods, shrubs and pastures. Here, a large number of species included in the national Red Book are to be found as well as such that are vulnerable on a European and world level, too. Rare birds like the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), the Spanish wheatear (Oenanthe hispanica), the big olive mocking-bird (Hippolais olivetorum), the blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius) are only part of the huge birds diversity.
- Day 1
- Days 2 and 3
- Day 4
- Days 5 and 6
- Day 7
Studen Kladenets birding area
Transfer from the Airport Sofia to the lake Studen Kladenets in Eastern Rhodope Mountains. Accommodation is at a beautiful guest house in a lovely rural setting. The house itself is a great birding spot providing opportunities to watch flying Griffon vultures and black storks, as well as little owls, black-eared wheatear, black-headed bunting, golden oriole, hawfinch, and masked shrike directly from the veranda. Lake Studen Kladenets and surrounding nature territories are an Important Bird Area - home to the Egyptian and Griffon vulture, as well as long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Golden and Short-toed Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Hobbies, Black Kite, and the Levant Sparrowhawk. Eastern Rhodope Mountains have one of the highest bird diversity in Europe - a true paradise for wildlife and birds photography. Wildlife photography tours are organized in cooperation with Bulgarian Society for the protection of the birds and part of the incomes go to support nature conservation.
Photography of birds of prey from a hide
After early morning breakfast (package food is an option), the guide will drive you to the hide site (40 min). This is a special photography hide which is fixed, stone built, with special window glass and inside toilet. Wildlife photography is focused on birds of prey including Egyptian and Griffon vultures, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, and black kite. Fox and wolf are also frequent visitors. Sometimes the black vulture from the nearest nature reserve Dadia in Greece also comes at this feeding station. Impressive fights between raptors can be shoot as well as flying and landing birds.
Passerine birds photography
This day is for passerine birds photography. Your guide will lead you to a photography site where you will be able to shoot at Olivaceous, Barred, Subalpine, Orphean and Sardinian Warblers, Red-backed, and Woodchat Shrikes, Rock Nuthatch, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Cirl and Rock Buntings.
Wildlife Photography
Lake and reserve Studen kladenets are home to rare birds and spectacular wild flora and fauna. The wildlife photography includes Griffon vulture, Egyptian vulture, Golden eagle, Imperial eagle, Raven, White tailed see eagle. Besides the raptors, other interesting species to photograph are the Red deer, Fallow deer, Roe deer, Wild boar, European bison, beech marten, Hermann’s and spur-thighed tortoises.
Eastern Rhodope mountains is an area of exceptional beauty and scenery landscapes. Every day view is different - a combination of magnificent rocks, green slopes rising from the blue lake water, impressive mountain ridges, and unbelievably diverse and unspoilt nature.
Departure travel
Time to travel back to the city of Sofia for your departure flight.
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More about this tour
Eastern Rhodope Mountains are the kingdom of raptors and vultures - an area of high valued nature and biodiversity of global importance. Especially constructed wildlife hides offer the best opportunities to create exclusive photos. In addition you enjoy the scenery landscapes, relax in a peaceful countryside with magnificent lake views and explore traditional lifestyle and local cuisine. Great mix for your unforgettable adventure.
User Reviews & Comments
Marvin Cooper
My friend Schub and I had a very pleasant week with Mihaela and guide Lyubo, walking and birding in the East Rhodopi Mountains of Bulgaria. We walked, photographed the flora and butterflies and scanned the sky for eagles and vultures. As Americans, we were there without our own vehicle but Mihaela came through with both car and driver (often herself!) and we traveled from village to village and to the ruins at Perperikon. And did I mention that Mihaela is also an excellent cook? The birds were abundant and Lyubo knew where to find them. We topped off our week with a great day in Sofia, with city guide Marina. We loved the country and highly recommend it as a nature destination. Nobody better to help you plan it than Mihaela - and the cost is amazingly modest!
July 10, 2019