Impressive pelicans and mighty vultures in northern Greece and Bulgaria
Vultures and pelicans
With guideFrode Wendelbo
Fokus Fotoresor
- Dates
- 30 Jan – 5 Feb 2027
- Duration
- 7d / 6n
- Group size
- 5–7
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Price
- From 2,570 EUR · ≈ $2,880 USD
Trip description
This trip focuses primarily on large birds, and we travel during the best time.
The trip is divided into two parts.
We drive to Lake Kerkini in northern Greece, which teems with waterfowl. The magnificent Dalmatian pelicans are now in the middle of the mating season and at their most colourful. The otherwise yellowish bill now glows in a strongly saturated red colour. The wingspan of a Dalmatian pelican can be up to three metres, and the body as long as a human, with the bill up to 80 cm long. This is the world's largest pelican, threatened on a global level but not right here. Ten years ago the total population was estimated at just under 10,000 individuals. There are also some white pelicans here, which take on a pink hue during the mating season.
In the shallow parts of the lake there can be hundreds of flamingos. We go out onto the lake in boats and feed the pelicans with fish; the giant Dalmatian pelicans often land on the boat's railing, so everything from wide angle to telephoto works well here.
After two full days and a morning with colourful, impressive pelicans, we continue to southeastern Bulgaria, and to the Rhodope Mountains. Here we focus on vultures, mainly the griffon vulture, and we do hide photography. At the feeding there are also other birds, such as rowdy ravens, which are always fun to photograph.
In the area there are plenty of deer, and with a little luck a red fox may also pass by. Nearby there is an enclosure with European bison; these are part of a project to rewild Europe, and they are gradually released into the wild.
In Bulgaria there will be three intensive photography days - two of which are in the vulture hide - before we head back to the airport in Sofia for the journey home.
Changes may occur depending on weather and other circumstances beyond our control. Any such changes are made to optimise the conditions for good images.
Click on the images below to see them enlarged. All photos © Frode Wendelbo.
Two and a half intensive days photographing the world's largest pelican, the Dalmatian pelican. Boat trips where we use everything from wide angle to long telephoto lenses.
We travel to Lake Kerkini when the Dalmatian pelican is at its most colourful, with its almost glowing red bill during the mating season, which can grow to nearly a metre long.
Guaranteed action.
Frode has visited the areas several times and provides advice and tips.
Two full days in a vulture hide in the Bulgarian mountains, with a chance of snow. Plenty of other birds and animals and fantastic landscapes in the background.
Price & booking
Clear pricing. Small groups. Focus on the images.
Standard price
2,570EUR
≈ $2,880 USD
per person · Shared double room
Booking deposit470 EUR
Travel guarantee included
You’ll get confirmation and next steps by email.
Photo gallery
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Sofia no later than 1:30 pm. Gathering for departure no later than 2:45 pm. We travel by minibus to Lake Kerkini or to the Rhodope Mountains, whichever comes first. Before you book your flight, make sure we have sent out the current information or check with Frode.
Day 2-3
Lake Kerkini. After breakfast we set out by boat before sunrise. The pelicans know what's going on and surround us almost immediately. Fish is thrown from the boat and there is often a struggle over the food. Shorter focal lengths apply here. For portraits, a 70-200 or similar can be good. Also longer focal lengths for incoming or passing birds. There are also plenty of other waterfowl and flamingos. After a few hours in the boat there will be lunch and a few hours' rest before we go out by boat again for an evening session.
Day 4
After morning photography there will be transport to the Rhodope Mountains.
Day 5 - 6
Rhodope Mountains. Here we sit for two days in a hide up on a mountain with a wide view. First come the corvids, and when the vultures consider the coast clear they drop down. These are full days in the hide. Deer and fox may pass by, and with great luck a golden jackal may appear. We will catch both sunrise and sunset. There may be snow, but we cannot count on it. The hide is heated, but warm clothes are needed. In the hide a telephoto lens is good, but no extreme focal lengths are needed. Griffon vultures, like pelicans, are large birds.
Day 7
Transport to Sofia airport for departure. We expect to arrive at 11:00 am. No homeward flights with departure times earlier than 1:45 pm. Before you book your flight, make sure we have sent out the current information or check with Frode.
The activities may be rearranged somewhat, depending on weather and other conditions.
Included in the price
- Accommodation, sharing a double room.
Not included
- Travel to and from Sofia
- Alcoholic beverages
Practical information
Number of participants:
Min 5 / Max 6
Equipment:
Camera equipment: really it's the same as always: everything or the below.
From wide angle 16-24 mm to long telephoto lens, equivalent to at least 300-400 mm full frame. Fast lenses are an advantage, but with today's modern cameras high ISO values are no problem. A zoom with an aperture of 5.6-6.3 also works.
Tripod with detachable tripod head.
Laptop for downloading images and for being able to work with the images.
Clothing: rugged clothes, boots that can handle a bit of wet, possibly rain gear. Headlamp.
Allergies and more:
In case of special food allergies or similar, please write this down in the box for other information already in the booking form. And check with us in good time before the workshop.
Transport on site:
All transport is included. There are rarely longer distances to walk on foot.
Arrival at Sofia airport no later than 1:30 pm on the first day; before you book your flight, check with Frode (phone number and email address to follow). Departure from Sofia: no earlier than 1:30 pm on the final day.
Payment terms:
The payment terms differ from our general travel conditions. The booking deposit is paid by invoice in connection with registration.
The booking deposit is SEK 4,000. This is non-refundable in case of cancellation.
By 1 November 2026 at the latest, a further SEK 4,000 is paid, and the remainder is paid 60 days before the trip begins. In case of cancellation later than 1 November 2026, FocusRAW retains both the booking deposit and the SEK 4,000 paid by 1 November at the latest. If the payment is late but cancellation occurs after 1 November, FocusRAW has the right to demand the overdue payment on the amount then due.
In case of cancellation later than 60 days before the workshop, the full price is charged even if everything has not been paid on time.
Our price is calculated based on a euro rate of SEK 10.90 (8 March 2025).
Extra travel conditions for this trip:
Our price is calculated based on at least 5 participants. With fewer than five participants, the price is increased by SEK 1,800 per booked traveller with four participants, and by SEK 2,800 per traveller with only three participants. This is part of the booking rules for this trip. It applies regardless of the price at which the trip was booked. (On the other hand, this means that FocusRAW does everything to avoid cancelling the trip.)
Information about key rights under Directive (EU) 2015/2302
Travel conditions (read more here)
The payment terms differ for this workshop, see above.
From past travellers
What they brought home
After the trip, our guests share their photos and reflections. Here is a selection from photographers who have travelled with us before.
Photos from travellers' own cameras“Very good trip with Frode as guide. The surprise was snow at the vultures. Lake Kerkini absolutely magical. Many fun situations. Very good trip.”
Photos from past travellers
A selection of photos guests shared after the trip.
Good to know
Plan early for the best light windows
Early decisions improve flight options, logistics, and access to peak photo opportunities.
See current availability and prices in the booking form above