Birdwatching holiday in Greece
Highlights
Thessaloniki | Lake Kerkini | boat trip to pelican colony | Dadia Forest | Evros Delta | Porto Lagos | Nestos GorgeDescription of Birdwatching holiday in Greece
This tailor-made birdwatching holiday in Greece takes you to some of the most fertile birding spots in Europe with an expert guide to accompany you along the way.After arriving in Thessaloniki, you’ll be taken straight to Lake Kerkini for three days of bird watching, highlights of which include a boat trip to see a colony of Dalmatian Pelicans and a walk in the surrounding forest, which is home to six woodpecker species. Next, there’s a day in the Dadia Forest, one of the best regions in Europe for spotting raptors, followed by a day in the Evros Delta, where species include the Spur-winged lapwing, the Eurasian Oystercatcher, the Marsh Sandpiper, the Greater Flamingo, and the Long-legged Buzzard. On the way back to Thessaloniki you’ll pass through Porto Lagos and Nestos Gorge, more prime birding spots, then spend your final night in Thessaloniki, a lively city full of history and cosmopolitan character.
Aside from birdlife, there’s also the chance to see reptiles, native plants, and many butterfly species, as well as plenty of opportunities to sample delicious and authentic Greek cuisine.
Best period: The holiday can be offered year-round, we cater to your needs!
Group size: all group sizes, from solo-traveler to couples or small groups.
Interests/wishes/needs: We cater to your needs. The holiday is suitable for all types of nature lovers. For beginners or advanced birders. For photographers too. Just mention your target species or your special needs.
Fitness level: just a basic fitness level is required.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
This trip is all about observation and conservation! It proves that tourism can be a significantly important tool for conservation, by respecting wildlife and biodiversity in every possible way! Specifically:* Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded.
* No captive wildlife is held.
* The trip supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.
* Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized.
* Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings is provided to travellers, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas.
In order to keep our environmental impact as low as possible we use group transportation (minibus & boat) and walk as much as possible.
Furthermore we give the option to offset carbon emissions of this trip. National park permits - this holiday includes visits to several National Parks. Prior to your visit we arrange permits from the National Park management authorities. Their participation guarantees that we adhere to their rules (intended to respect nature and the environment). In Dadia Park and Evros Delta Park the park rangers receive a fee as well.
The Impacts of this Trip
One of our core values is to celebrate a Diversity of Place & Culture whilst delivering you rich and authentic experiences at an affordable price. It is done because we are 100% local. You will visit an area that is hardly touched by tourism and severely hit by the economic crisis that has the country in its grip ever since 2009. Expect authentic experiences such as local traditional cuisine and local traditional architecture.
We support the community in the following ways:
* Information about and interpretation of the local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to travelers by locals
* Your top bird guide is local, offering local knowledge and expertise
* Local services and goods are purchased and offered, following fair-trade principles.
* Supporting local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history and culture (including food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.).
* Purchasing policies favor locally appropriate and ecologically sustainable products, including building materials, capital goods, food, beverages and consumables.
* Use of hotel(s) and other tourist providers with a sustainability certification system: your Thessaloniki hotel is a Green Key Hotel. Hotels in the countryside are family-owned.
This trip is all about observation and conservation! It proves that tourism can be a significantly important tool for conservation, by respecting wildlife and biodiversity in every possible way! Specifically:* Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded.
* No captive wildlife is held.
* The trip supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.
* Interactions with wildlife, taking into account cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized.
* Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings is provided to travellers, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while visiting natural areas.
In order to keep our environmental impact as low as possible we use group transportation (minibus & boat) and walk as much as possible.
Furthermore we give the option to offset carbon emissions of this trip. National park permits - this holiday includes visits to several National Parks. Prior to your visit we arrange permits from the National Park management authorities. Their participation guarantees that we adhere to their rules (intended to respect nature and the environment). In Dadia Park and Evros Delta Park the park rangers receive a fee as well.
The Impacts of this Trip
One of our core values is to celebrate a Diversity of Place & Culture whilst delivering you rich and authentic experiences at an affordable price. It is done because we are 100% local. You will visit an area that is hardly touched by tourism and severely hit by the economic crisis that has the country in its grip ever since 2009. Expect authentic experiences such as local traditional cuisine and local traditional architecture.
We support the community in the following ways:
* Information about and interpretation of the local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to travelers by locals
* Your top bird guide is local, offering local knowledge and expertise
* Local services and goods are purchased and offered, following fair-trade principles.
* Supporting local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history and culture (including food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.).
* Purchasing policies favor locally appropriate and ecologically sustainable products, including building materials, capital goods, food, beverages and consumables.
* Use of hotel(s) and other tourist providers with a sustainability certification system: your Thessaloniki hotel is a Green Key Hotel. Hotels in the countryside are family-owned.
2 Reviews of Birdwatching holiday in Greece
Reviewed on 17 May 2017 by Rosemary Richards
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There was so many probably the most exciting was seeing a golden eagle, we sighted about 4 but one was quite low and very distinguishable through the
scope, brilliant. My guide Lavrentis was very very knowledgeable and knew all the good viewing spots and always managed to get excellent clear views of the
birds not just a shape flying past.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try everything your guide offers, you get some spectacular views of the lovely Greek countryside when you go off the beaten track and do mix and speak with the locals they are so genuinely friendly, helpful and generous.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we used family owned accommodation who seemed to use locally produced food.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful holiday, Chantal was so helpful right from the start and actually rang and spoke to me on my first and last day there which i thought was so
considerate. I would definitely recommend this holiday and this company without a second thought.
Reviewed on 25 May 2016 by David Angell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The best bit of the holiday was seeing Greece through the eyes of a Greek person.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be flexible and soak up the unique experience.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. It was well organised and I was very impressed.
Read the operator's response here:
Popular similar holidays
Sri Lanka birding & cultural tour
Top tour of birding, wildlife and culture of Sri Lanka
From £1500 14 days excluding flights
Bird watching short break to Hungary
Visit Bukk National Park with a birding specialist
From £490 4 days excluding flights
Bird watching tours in Hungary
Visit Bukk N.P. with a birding specialist
From £1085 7 days including UK flights
Birdwatching holiday in France
Great Bird Watching, Food, Wine and Bonhomie
From £950 - £1050 7 days excluding flights
protection
