Overview
Although not technically a Mediterranean country, Bulgaria is recognised as a concentrated hotspot for much of the insect and floral world in southern Europe as well as enjoying many of its own specialities given its diversity of habitats in a relatively small area. It’s wonderful unspoilt meadows are exceptional as well and all of this makes it an ideal destination for this macro focussed trip with morning and evening trips to remote meadows in search of Apollo’s alongside an array of Coppers, Blues, Skippers, and Fritillaries on the butterfly front interspersed with days searching for orchids and lilies, beetles and crickets, checking our overnight moth traps and scouring streams for terrapins, tortoise and toads and often a few colourful bird species to try our luck with as added bonuses. If you love the close-up photographic world, then this will be your ideal trip in a series of tranquil settings that haven’t changed for decades and are alive with macro-opportunities as a result.
Itinerary Open +Close -
Day 1: We will look to arrive at Sofia Airport at roughly the same time where we will be met by our Bulgarian guides. We will then travel to our base in the small town of Bratsigovo where we will check in and enjoy dinner. Over the meal, we can discuss what to expect over the coming days and early hints and tips will be provided. (We will send out the flight recommendations nearer the time).
Day 2 – 3: Bratsigovo is a very small town located between the Rhodope mountains and a dry hilly area crossed with several rivers. This area offers many different habitats including some excellent meadows, which are home to a good selection of butterfly species and we will look specifically for the very photogenic Spoonwing. It is also good for bird photography here, and we can offer hides for Bee-eaters and other birds if you would like to take this option to break the day up between butterflies and reptiles.
Day 4: After a final morning in the Bratsigovo area we will transfer further south to the village of Borovo where we will stay for two nights. The hotel is very close to our favourite meadow where we expect to find the very photogenic Apollo butterfly.
Day 5: Our morning and evening sessions will be focussed on the Apollo, but the area offers plenty of other butterfly species as well as some potential amphibian opportunities in the rivers here too.
Day 6: After a final early morning’s photography, we will travel eastwards to the village of Jagodina near the Trigrad gorge in the Western Rhodope mountains where the plan is to base ourselves for the rest of the trip as there is so much variety here. On the way we will spend an afternoon in some beautiful mountain meadows full of wildflowers and butterflies. The area in and around the Trigrad Gorge has super meadows for butterflies, orchids, and other flora as well.
Days 7 – 8: During these last 2 days we will explore a variety of different meadow, river and gorge habitats with butterflies and orchids at the top of our agenda. This area is also home to the beautiful Wallcreeper and we may be lucky with where they have nested this year to be able to work with them too. We won’t be short of variety and options for our last few days though.
Day 9: We will travel back to Sofia airport to catch our return flights back home.
Please note that as ever with this trip we can change the running order and locations as we go to respond to opportunities so although this is our core plan it may be adjusted a little on the ground.
What our customers say
“It far exceeded my expectations. Ellie is a wonderful leader and worked so hard for us. I would happily do another trip with her and a bonus would be if she was teamed with Miro.”
“Ellie and Miro were an absolute joy. They took us to some wonderful locations and some additional ones that were not on the itinerary. The help was not just down to the photography, they also helped with luggage etc. Their knowledge was incredible, and they worked so hard to see that we saw everything. When the weather turned nasty, they made changes to the itinerary to try to give us the best opportunities. I would rate them at 100%”
“Ellie couldn’t have been more helpful. She was always prepared to give us one to one time and I personally am thrilled with the improvement that this has made to my photography.”
“Both Ellie and Miro are a delight to travel with, down to their organisational skills, expert knowledge and considerate treatment of clients such as supplying picnic treats (especially chocolate!). Their good humour helped to keep us going when we were squelching in our boots.”
“With the skills of Miro and Ellie juggling the itinerary, making the most of windows in the weather and being great company, it was one of the best Natures Images trips we have been on.”
“Ellie and Miro provided ample guidance as to what we should be doing in order to achieve something approaching the standard they themselves maintain. A very significant amount of work by both our trip leaders was taken up in getting settings right for each shot.”
“I couldn’t be more impressed with the effort both Ellie and Miro put in to make sure we got what we came for and this was done with the very best by way of attitude and humour from both of them.”
“Ellie and Miro were excellent as usual. They work well together as a team.”
“I enjoyed all the locations and subjects, especially the Butterflies”.
“The guides really knew where to find things and I liked the fact that the itinerary was flexible to allow us to do so.”
“The trip was extremely well run, with plenty of variety and good use of time. Despite all the early starts (essential for good photography) there was plenty of time to relax.”
“Far exceeded! Bulgaria is a beautiful country with fantastic scenery and the wildflower meadows were a pure delight. The food was also excellent! I was impressed by the amount of insect life and the variety of subjects we got.”
“Without exception. Ellie continues to be lovely, and we’d be happy to join any trip she leads. Miro was a definite bonus and added reptiles to the photographic mix which suited me.”
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