Vulture Hide Photography

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
Eurasian Black Vulture	75 %	April – October
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: