For our Vulture Photography Tours we use a fixed photo hide in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in south-eastern Bulgaria. This is a range of rolling hills alternating with a rugged landscape of jagged peaks, towering cliffs and sparsely vegetated, boulder-strewn slopes. Exceptional biodiversity – a result of the influence of the Mediterranean and continental climates – is concentrated in a small area.
The region is home to the only wild populations of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture and the Cinereous (Eurasian Black) Vulture in Bulgaria. About 3/4 of the fragile Balkan population of the Egyptian Vulture also breeds in the Eastern Rhodopes. Here we support the local vulture populations by regularly bringing carcasses to a feeding site. The vulture photo hide is set up in front of the feeding site.
Description of the hide:
Floor space: 8 x 3 m
Internal height: 2 – 2,5 m
Distance to the birds and mammals to be photographed: from about 10 to 80 m
Recommended focal length: 300 – 500 mm
Tripod: Essential
Orientation / Photography direction: North
Facilities: Proper WC, 2 beds, WiFi, heating in winter
Photographic approach: The photo hide has six holes, 65 x 40 cm each, covered with special sleeve-type curtains for the photo-lenses to go through. There are one-way glasses around the holes to watch the situation in front of the hide, not for photography though.
The photo hide must be entered by the photographers before dawn (~ 5 am to 6 am depending on the season) and may be left at dusk. The hide can be reached by a 4WD transport from the lodge for about 15-20 min.
Chances/probability for photographing different species of birds and mammals, based on the last five years of experience:
Species | Chances/probability of success | Presence |
Eurasian Griffon Vulture | 99 % | all year round |
Egyptian Vulture | 99 % | April – August |
Cinerous (Eurasian Black) Vulture | 75 % | all year round |
Black Kite | 90 % | April – August |
Golden Eagle | 10 % | November – February |
Eastern Imperial Eagle | 10 % | All year round |
White-tailed Eagle | 75 % | All year round |
Common Buzzard | 75 % | October – March |
Common Raven | 99 % | All year round |
Hooded Crow | 75 % | All year round |
Red Fox | 25 % | All year round |
Golden Jackal | 50 % | All year round |
Grey Wolf | 10 % | October – April |
Wild Cat | 10 % | November – February |
Since the photographers have to enter the photo hide very early in the morning, we offer a package service including accommodation in the lodge of the game reserve, on the territory of which the hide is situated.
Costs per person, in EUR:
Number of persons |
One day in the hide + one night full-board accommodation |
Two days in the hide + two nights full-board accommodation |
Three days in the hide + 3 nights full-board accommodation |
One | 420 EUR | 660 EUR | 890 EUR |
Two | 290 EUR | 460 EUR | 590 EUR |
Three | 240 EUR | 380 EUR | 510 EUR |
Four | 210 EUR | 320 EUR | 460 EUR |
Five | 190 EUR | 290 EUR | 410 EUR |
Six | 170 EUR | 270 EUR | 380 EUR |
* The costs include the 4 WD transport to the hide, providing carcass in front of the photo hide, assistance by an English speaking guide, accommodation in the lodge of the local game reserve in en-suite double /twin bedded room, dinner in the lodge, packed breakfast and packed lunch for the hide.
Single room supplement: 30 EUR per night
Extra night full-board accommodation in the lodge:
– in en-suite single room: 75 EUR pp
– in en-suite double/twin-bedded room: 60 EUR pp
We provide transfers from any part of Bulgaria and Greece to the hide. The costs for one-way transfers from the main airports and cities in the region are as following:
Sofia Airport | 200 EUR |
Plovdiv Airport | 140 EUR |
Bourgas Airport | 200 EUR |
Varna Airport | 240 EUR |
Thessaloniki Airport | 200 EUR |