2-day guided birdwatching tour from Sofia
Celebrate the vibrant birdlife of spring with a two-day tour through Southern Bulgaria’s most colorful landscapes. From the Maritsa River to the open plains of Kaloyanovo and the Bessaparski Hills, you’ll encounter a stunning mix of river birds, open-country species, and woodland edge specialists. Expect highlights like the European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Golden Oriole, Syrian Woodpecker, and Red-backed Shrike. Ideal for photographers and bird lovers alike, this tour offers rich sightings with minimal travel time.
ITINERARY
Day 1 — Arrival in Sofia – Plovdiv (Maritsa River birding)
Arrival in Sofia and next 2-hours transfer to Plovdiv. In the region we will explore different habitats as – rise fields, pastures, riverbed, scrubs and forest patches. Here we expect to found species like European Bee-eater, European Roller, Hoopoe, Sand Martin, Syrian Woodpecker, Common Kingfisher, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Red-backed Shrike, Golden Oriole, Crested Lark, Corn Bunting. If we are lucky Levant Sparrowhawk and Masked Shrike will show us from the trees. Overnight stay in Plovdiv.
Day 2 — Kaloyanovo, Bessaparski Hills & Dinkata – Return to Sofia
After an early breakfast, we drive for about an hour to a reservoir in the heart of the Thracian Valley — an important stopover for migrating waterbirds and other species. The birdlife changes daily, but we may see Lesser Grey Shrike, Golden Oriole, Common Pochard, Garganey, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Collared Pratincole, Ferruginous Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Ruff, Montagu’s Harrier, Glossy Ibis, Little Stint, various terns and gulls, and more. We’ll spend the morning here before continuing for an hour to the Besapari Hills, where we’ll explore pastures and steppe areas for Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Black-headed Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Montagu’s Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Stork, Western Black-eared and Isabelline Wheatears, European Roller, and others. In the late afternoon, we return to Sofia (2 hours’ drive) and say our farewells.
Price:
1 person – € 790
2 people – € 440 per person
3 people – € 330 per person
4 people – € 285 per person
5 people – € 236 per person
6 people – € 215 per person
7 people – € 196 per person
Group size: 1-7 people
The price includes: private transfers (transportation with a modern vehicle, parking and road taxes are included in the price), accommodation in a 3-star hotel on a B&B basis (en-suite double rooms), pick up/drop off at any location in Sofia, English-speaking driver/guide, fuel and all road taxes
The price does not include: other meals and drinks, personal expenses, tips
Interested in wildlife photography? Check out our dedicated to photography of birds and mammals website: https://www.wildlifephototrips.com/
Disclaimer:
> Traventuria is not liable for any personal accident and or injury during the tour.
> Traventuria is not liable for any loss and/or damage to personal items/equipment during the tour.
Best period: 15 May – 15 July
