This expert-led tour with Sean Weekly to the Danube Delta offers great photographic opportunities from purpose-built hides where you can target everything from golden jackals to insects and a variety of birds.
At the mouth of the Danube Europe’s second largest river delta is one of the continent’s great wetland wildernesses. In spring and autumn this is a haven for migrating birds, as well as being a permanent home to a wealth of wildlife that includes not only resident birds, but mammals, reptiles, amphibians and an impressive diversity of insects. We use purpose-built hides to photograph the area’s wildlife in the intricate network of waterways and lakes, and along the margins of the Black Sea.
Our base is a remote and quiet lodge on a private reserve at the heart of the Delta (access is by boat only), whose 1,000 hectare site holds a variety of different habitats that support an impressive diversity of fauna and flora. An extensive network of trails allows access to all prime areas, and more than twenty photographic hides have been established to target key species.
In spring resident golden jackals are often seen with their pups, and one hide looks over their den. There are more than 150 resident bird species, and hides are set up to target a number of these. Both European rollers and Eurasian hoopoes are common and the hides should provide opportunities to photograph species such as white-tailed eagle, western marsh harrier, little owl, collared pratincole, European bee-eater, common kingfisher, and black, grey-headed and lesser spotted woodpeckers.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Bucharest
On arrival transfer to a hotel in the capital for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: NH Bucharest Hotel, 1-night
Day2: Transfer to the Danube Delta
Depart early and drive to Tulcea (roughly three hours) on the western edge of the Danube Delta. From here we continue by boat along one of the main channels of the Danube, then on smaller waterways to Periprava at the north-eastern corner of the delta, just south of the border with Ukraine. The lodge is a short drive from here.
After lunch and an orientation briefing, we head off for an introduction to the vast mosaic of forest, saltmarsh, dunes, lakes and waterways. In the evening there should be time to visit one of the hides before (and possibly after) dinner.
Activities and photo opportunities are tailored to whatever species are present at the time and thus easiest to see, as well as to overall conditions and individual preferences. Each day your leader will discuss the options and advise on how best to use the time to maximise the photographic possibilities.
During our stay there will be ample opportunity to explore the varied habitats and make the most of the various hides, boat hides, wildlife drives and walks. There is also an option to take an electric buggy and explore on your own (two-way radios are provided so you can stay in contact with the lodge).
Throughout the trip your tour leader will provide guidance and tuition as required, and take you through various techniques appropriate to the photographic opportunities. They will cover basic techniques as well as more complex skills appropriate for light and movement.
Day8: Return to Bucharest
Transfer by boat to Tulcea and continue to Bucharest by road where we spend our last night in Romania.
Accommodation: CH Bucharest Hotel, 1-night
Day9: Fly back to the UK
This morning we are transferred to the airport in Bucharest for our return flights to the UK.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 9 daysfrom £2,895 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 9 daysfrom £2,695 pp
Multi award-winner and full time photographer, Sean's work is regularly featured across a range of national and international publications.
After a career as a Royal Marine, Sean moved to the diverse habitats of Singapore where long-tailed macaques, snakes, lizards and tropical birds were just a stones throw away from his home.
Travelling through South East Asia and Australia with his camera was what ignited his love of the natural world and now he ventures across the globe to expand his wildlife photography. Sean has led numerous workshops in the UK and further afield in Europe at locations including Skomer, Greece, Finland, Spain and Scotland.
As it reaches the Black Sea at the end of its 2,860 kilometre run, the Danube River forms a wide delta. This is one of the world's biggest wetlands and most extensive reedbed systems - the habitat for many waterfowl and waders. It boasts 30 different ecosystems in all with exceptional biodiversity.
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Where: Danube Delta
Ideal for viewing: golden jackal, racoon, otter, wild cat, steppe polecat
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Vehicle safaris, River safaris, Birdwatching
A superb lodge at the heart of one of Europe’s largest and richest – in wildlife terms – wetlands, the Danube Delta. In this remote and tranquil spot, the focus is the region’s flora and fauna, and a network of trails and dedicated hides allows you to explore a variety of habitats at will.
Find Out More about Ultima Frontiera Lodge
