The European Roller and the European Bee-eater are among the most colorful and photogenic bird species, occurring in most of the southern parts of Europe. To photograph them we offer a permanent tower hide located in the central northern part of Bulgaria near the Danube River. The Bulgarian side of the Danube is characterized by a lot of loess formations, a soft sedimentary rock, which provides excellent conditions for the breeding of rollers and bee-eaters. Our hide is located in front of such a loess wall, where about 50 pairs of Bee-eaters and one or two pairs of Rollers regularly breed, as well as a pair of Little Owls and many (Eurasian) Tree Sparrows.
The design of the hide offers many advantages for taking great photographs. It is a tower that rises 5 meters above the ground, with an excellent view of the surrounding area. The loopholes and windows of the hide face two directions – south and north, allowing for different background colours and light conditions throughout the day.
Rollers and Bee-eaters return from migration in late April – early May. The best time to photograph these birds is during May, June and the first half of July, i.e. during most of their breeding season until the young fledge.
Description of the hide:
Floor space: 5 x 2 m
Internal height: 2.20 m
Distance to the birds to be photographed: 8 to 15 meter
Recommended focal length: 300 – 500 mm
Tripod: Essential
Orientation / Photography direction: 4 holes facing North and 4 holes facing South
Optimal / recommended capacity: 6 people
Photographic approach: The photo hide has eight holes, 50 x 50 cm each, covered with special sleeve-type curtains for the photo lenses to go through. Around the holes are one-way glasses for observing the situation in front of the hide, but not for photography.
We place appropriate perches in front of the hide to encourage the birds to land near the hide. These perches are constantly used by the birds in their daily life.
Photographers must arrive at the hide before dawn (~ 5 – 5.30 am). You can be picked up from the hide at any time. We usually do one early morning and one late afternoon session of about 3 hours each, especially if the day is clear and sunny with strong harsh midday light.
Although the hide has 8 holes with sleeves for photography, we recommend a maximum of 6 people for comfort.
Other bird species likely to be photographed from the hide include Little Owl, (Eurasian) Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Starling.
Costs per person, in EUR for package tours:
Number of persons | 2-day tour incl. 2 days photography and 2 nights’ accommodation |
3-day tour incl. 3 days photography and 3 nights’ accommodation |
One person | 530 EUR | 760 EUR |
Two persons | 350 EUR | 480 EUR |
Three persons | 290 EUR | 390 EUR |
Four persons | 250 EUR | 340 EUR |
Five persons | 220 EUR | 300 EUR |
Six persons | 200 EUR | 275 EUR |
The costs include: use of the hide, B&B accommodation in a hotel or guest house in the town of Belene in en-suite double/twin room, transfers from Sofia.
Single room supplement: 20 EUR per night
Costs for renting the hide per day for individual travelers:
* We give a 10 % discount for using the hides for two or more consecutive days.