Bulgaria
Why to choose Bulgaria as the destination for your Nature holiday?
Still unknown to many foreign visitors, Bulgaria is actually a green country with four mild, but well discernable seasons and very variable terrain. High mountains, deep gorges, untouched forests, rivers, broad plains, numerous cliffs as well as the sea coast are situated in a relatively small territory making the country diverse and interesting. Because of its geographical position and the different habitats, the country boasts one of the richest biodiversity in Europe.
Birds
Bulgaria has more than 460 bird species, of which 267 breed here. During spring it is one of the best places in Europe to see species such as Olive-tree and Paddyfield warblers, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Isabelline and Pied wheatears, White-backed Woodpecker, Masked Shrike, Rock Nuthatch, Black-headed Bunting, Levant Sparrowhawk, Eastern Imperial Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard, especially in such combination. Many other rare or hard to find species are easy to observe here - Rock Partridge, Hazel Hen, owls and the woodpeckers are just a few. Bulgaria is definitely the best place in Europe to watch Wallcreeper. Additionally most of the species breed here in considerable numbers and the population of one million pairs of Corn Bunting is the simplest evidence of this.
The second biggest migration route in Europe follows the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Every year hundreds of thousands of raptors, storks, pelicans, waders and passerines fly over it to their wintering grounds, making the observation of the migration spectacular and unforgettable.
The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is also the haunt of many wintering species. The Red-breasted Goose is undoubtedly the highlight of them all. In January and February almost the whole winter population of this handsome bird can be found concentrated around two small lakes in the northeastern part of the country. The observation of 20,000 Red-breasted geese is an amazing event for any birdwatcher. Bulgaria is also the most important wintering ground for Pygmy Cormorant which has good numbers here - up to 12,000. Other globally threatened species found in Bulgaria during the winter are Lesser White-fronted Goose, White-headed Duck, Dalmatian Pelican, and Spotted Eagle. Many other raptors, geese, ducks and passerines spend the winter months here.
Mammals
The mammals family is also well presented, as 100 species are represented here, many of them by quite stable populations. More than six hundreds Brown bears and about one thousand wolves are to be found in the country. Many other species, such as Golden Jackal, Common Otter, Wild Cat, Badger, Suslick and others are actually quite numerous. Rare and difficult species such as Marbled and Steppe polecats also occur in very good numbers. Bulgaria has a uniquely high diversity of bats. Out of the 35 species found in Europe, 33 species are known to inhabit Bulgaria. The major reasons for the great species richness and abundance of bats are the countryпїЅs transitional geographic position, the mosaic of various habitats, the extensive farming activities in the semi-mountain regions, the high diversity of insects and last but not the least is the presence of over 5 400 caves.
Butterflies and moths
The butterfly and moth fauna is also considerable пїЅ more than 3000 species have been recorded, including 220 native butterfly species. The unique character of the Bulgarian butterfly fauna is determined by the number of Balkan-Anatolian and Balkan-Turanic species living in the southern part of the country, as well as more than thirty endemics and glacial relicts which occupy the Subalpine belts of the high mountains. The country holds important populations of several species restricted to Europe and considered globally threatened. There are many sites with well preserved butterfly habitats, especially in some river valleys and national park areas of Stara planina (the Balkan), Rila and Pirin Mountains.
Flora
Bulgaria has some of the richest flora in Europe: 3750 higher plant species and nearly 850 subspecies. Of special importance are the endemic and relict species which constitute quite a significant part of BulgariaпїЅs higher plant flora. About 170 species and 100 subspecies are identified as Bulgarian endemics. Characteristic and unique to Bulgaria are species such as Primula deorum, Lilium rhodopaeaum, Oxytropis urumovii, Betonica bulgarica and many others, most of which are concentrated in the largest mountain ranges. Balkan endemics number up to 300 species and subspecies. Among them are Pinus peuce, Haberlea rhodopensis, Sideritis scardica, Aquilegia aurea, Centranthus kellererii, Geum bulgaricum, Viola delphinantha and many others. Orchids, the most spectacular of plant families, are very well represented in Bulgaria - with 68 species. As well as the common orchids such as Early purple orchid, Green-winged orchid, Common spotted orchid, Fragrant orchid, Early marsh orchid, Red and White helleborine and others, a number of very rare orchids such as LadyпїЅs slipper, Violet birdпїЅs-nest orchid, Ghost orchid and others can be seen here.
So, two of the most frequently asked questions - why in Bulgaria and when - have easy answers. Virtually all year round the country can offer you an exciting wildlife or botanic holiday.
Wildlife photography
The beautiful nature with rich biodiversity and plenty of suitable, easy to approach sites make Bulgaria a great place for wildlife photography. Many of the photographersпїЅ favourite European species are represented by quite good populations in Bulgaria - the Roller, the Hoopoe, the Wryneck, the Bee-eater, the Golden Eagle etc.
Wild Echo already has a dozen of hides which provide excellent opportunities for bird and wildlife photography. We have run many photography tours and guided some of the leading European wildlife photographers.
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Bats and caves in southern Bulgaria
Saturday 5th - Sunday 13th May 2018
COST: 1 080 EUR
Group size: 6 - 10 + leader
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Reptiles and amphibians
Thursday 3rd - Monday 14th May 2018
COST: 1 420 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Bulgaria in Spring
Sunday 6th - Thursday 17th May 2018
COST: 1 195 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Via Pontica - Early Autumn Migration
Saturday 8th - Saturday 15th September 2018
COST: 1 220 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Bulgaria in Winter
Sunday 20th - Sunday 27th January 2019
COST: 760 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Red-breasted Geese Special
Sunday 27th - Thursday 31st January 2019
COST: 485 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Via Pontica - Late Autumn Migration
COST: 790 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Rock Partridge Special
COST: 530 EUR
Group size: 4 - 7 + leader
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Eastern and British Raptors
COST: 1 190 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Hazel Groose and Rock Patridge
COST: 850 EUR
Group size: 4 - 7 + leader
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Late spring botany
COST: 1 320 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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On the track of the wolf pack
Saturday 21st - Saturday 28th April 2018
COST: 1 750 EUR
Group size: 2 - 3 + leader
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Early Butterflies
Monday 23rd April - Saturday 5th May 2018
COST: 1 390 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Scarce Butterflies
Saturday 9th - Wednesday 20th June 2018
COST: 1 260 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Butterflies of the West Balkan
Saturday 9th - Wednesday 20th June 2018
COST: 1 470 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Butterflies of the Balkans - Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece
Sunday 8th - Sunday 22nd July 2018
COST: 1 690 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Dragonflies of Bulgaria
Wednesday 6th - Tuesday 19th June 2018
COST: 1 540 EUR
Group size: 6 - 12 + leader
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Birds, butterflies and bears
Sunday 3rd - Monday 11th June 2018
COST: 1 090 EUR
Group size: 4 - 8 + leader
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Just Capercaillies -NEW-
Sunday 22nd - Saturday 28th April 2018
COST: 1 380 EUR
Group size: 2 - 4 + leader
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Spring Wetland Birds
Tuesday 1st - Tuesday 8th May 2018
COST: 1 400 EUR
Group size: 2 - 6 + leader
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Rollers and Bee-eaters
Saturday 26th May - Saturday 2nd June 2018
COST: 1 350 EUR
Group size: 2 - 6 + leader
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Mediterranean Summer
Sunday 27th May - Sunday 3rd June 2018
COST: 1 400 EUR
Group size: 4 - 6 + leader
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Butterflies and Macro Photography
Sunday 10th - Sunday 17th June 2018
COST: 890 EUR
Group size: 2 - 6 + leader
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Mountain Butterfly and Macro Photography -NEW-
Sunday 1st - Monday 9th July 2018
COST: 1 090 EUR
Group size: 2 - 7 + leader
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Autumn Wetland Birds
Saturday 4th - Saturday 11th August 2018
COST: 1 400 EUR
Group size: 2 - 6 + leader
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Golden eagles and winter birds photography
Sunday 18th - Saturday 24th November 2018
COST: 1 650 EUR
Group size: 2 - 3 + leader
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Golden eagles and winter birds photography
Sunday 9th - Saturday 15th December 2018
COST: 1 650 EUR
Group size: 2 - 3 + leader
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Red-breasted geese photography
Friday 8th - Friday 15th February 2019
COST: 1 130 EUR
Group size: 2 - 3 + leader
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Golden eagles and winter birds photography
Sunday 10th - Saturday 16th February 2019
COST: 1 650 EUR
Group size: 2 - 3 + leader
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Eagles, Eagles, Eagles
Thursday 14th - Sunday 24th February 2019
COST: 2 450 EUR
Group size: 4 - 7 + leader