Seventeen species of amphibians and 33 species of reptiles in Bulgaria's remarkable diversity
Amphibians and Reptiles Bulgaria
Fokus Fotoresor
Overview
Join Frode and Fokus on a different kind of photo trip.
The diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Bulgaria is remarkable. There are seventeen species of amphibians and 33 species of reptiles in the country. On this trip we get the chance to see and photograph a variety of different species that are typical of the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean region.
The Eastern Rhodope Mountains is the first region we visit. There we explore different habitats such as dry grasslands with patches of scrubland, dry deciduous forests and small rivers with rocky beds.
Main species here are: smooth newt, yellow-bellied toad, tree frog, various tortoises and lizards. Furthermore we look for dice snake, Large whipsnake, Eastern Montpellier snake, horned viper and possibly some other species.
After spending three days in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains we travel to Bulgaria's southeastern corner, to Strandzha Nature Park, where we stay for three days. On the way there we visit Burgas Lakes where we look for some different snakes and lizards.
Strandzha Nature Park is an area with dry grasslands, dry deciduous forests, small marsh areas and rivers. Here we look for agile frog, tortoises, lizards and snakes.
We also spend a day in Ropotamo – an interesting and varied area with marshlands and a riverbed, deciduous riverside forests, wet grasslands, sand dunes and scrub formations.
Species we hope for (and additional others):
Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)
Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata)
Common Tree Frog
Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca)
Eastern Hermann's Tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri)
Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata)
Erhard's Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii)
Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis tauricus)
European Glass Lizard (Pseudopus apodus)
Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata)
Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis jugularis)
Eastern Montpellier Snake (Malpolon insignitus)
Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes)
Eurasian Worm Snake (Xerotyphlops vermicularis)
Eurasian Sand Boa (Eryx jaculus)
Dahl's Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum)
Cat Snake (Telescopus fallax)
Snake-eyed Lizard (Ophisops elegans)
Blotched Snake (Elaphe sauromates)
European Pond Turtle ((Emys orbicularis)
Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina)
Meadow Lizard (Darevskia praticola)
European Snake-eyed Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii)
Slow Worm
Aesculapian Snake (Aesculapian snake)
Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata)
Southern Crested Newt (Triturus karelinii)
Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina)
Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
Red Whip Snake (Platyceps collaris)
Kotschy's Gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi)
Price
Standard price
2,030 EUR
per person
Secure your spot — registration fee
370 EUR
Travel guarantee included
Small groups, personal experience
Planned for light, timing and photo opportunities
Photo gallery
Itinerary
The workshop/trip begins and ends at Sofia airport.
Day 1
Arrival. Pick-up at the airport. We travel to the Eastern Rhodope Mountains.
Day 2-3
We travel around to different habitats in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains.
Day 4
Transport to the southeastern corner of Bulgaria and Strandzha Nature Park. On the way we stop at the lakes near Burgas.
Day 5
Strandzha Nature Park.
Day 6
We spend at Ropotamo River wetlands.
Day 7
Strandzha Nature Park or Ropotamo River wetlands.
Day 8
We return to Sofia and the airport for departure home.
Included in the price
- Share of double room
- Travel by minibus from the airport to all locations and back
- Guidance and photo tips
- All meals (except any snacks between meals)
- Offered drinks with meals
- Coffee, tea
Not included
- Travel to and from Sofia
- Items of private nature
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Private travel insurance
Guides
Practical information
7 NIGHTS, 8 DAYS
Trip leader/guide
Frode Wendelbo
Number of participants
Min 6 / Max 6.
Included in the price
Share of double room. Travel by minibus from the airport to all locations and back. Guidance and photo tips. All meals (except any snacks between meals). Offered drinks with meals. Alcohol and soft drinks not included. Coffee, tea.
Accommodation
Simple but clean and good hotels.
Local transport:
All transport is included. There are rarely longer distances to walk. But terrain can be rocky and very uneven in some places.
Preliminary arrival at Sofia airport no later than 1:30 PM on the first day, before you book flights, check with Frode (phone number and email address will come). Departure from Sofia: earliest 2:30 PM on the last day.
Not included in the price
Travel to and from Sofia. Items of private nature. Alcohol and soft drinks. Private travel insurance.
Single room
Supplement 3,500 kr.
Camera equipment
Everything from wide-angle, say 24-28 mm for environmental shots to macro 90-100-150 mm and a telephoto lens with 250-300 mm (full frame). A longer telephoto or zoom for birds and other animals that might happen to appear.
A light tripod that can be folded to low level. Monopod for those who prefer this. Computer, please bring several memory cards and hard drives.
Clothing
It's late summer, beginning of autumn in Bulgaria. This means we avoid the summer's scorching temperatures but it's still a pleasant climate. 16-27 degrees during the day, nights considerably colder. Warm jacket, layering principle otherwise. A rain poncho in case it rains. Good to have are simple, light boots or good hiking boots. Headlamp when we examine dark crevices etc.
Accessibility
Many areas have limitations regarding accessibility. If you have difficulty moving on rocky and uneven ground, this is not a suitable trip.
Visa/Passport
Swedish citizens need passport or national ID card issued by the police. When checking in for flights, passport is required. In these times everyone must keep track of special rules, and we will of course check everything extra carefully and inform as much as we can when it approaches.
*Payment terms
The payment terms differ from our general travel conditions.
The registration fee is 4,000 SEK. The remainder is paid no later than 45 days before the trip.
Our price is calculated based on an exchange rate where the euro costs 10.90 kr (March 8, 2025).
Extra travel conditions for this trip:
Our price is calculated based on at least 6 participants. With fewer participants than six, the price increases by 2,000 kr per booked traveler with five participants, by 2,800 with only four participants and by 3,600 kr per traveler with only three participants. This is part of the booking rules for this trip. Applies regardless of the price at which the trip was booked. (On the other hand, it means that Fokus does everything to not cancel the trip.)
Insurance
In collaboration with European ERV we offer a complement to your home insurance and cancellation protection. All to make you as secure as possible on your trip. [Read more about what the insurance covers and
Good to know
High demand right now
Several departures are already fully booked or close to full. Book early to secure your preferred dates.
See current availability and prices in the booking form above