WHY VISIT BULGARIA?
While you are on your Adventure Holiday / Family Holiday to Bulgaria, you’ll and experience an adventure set in a breathtakingly mysterious and wild land of legend. Home to the enigmatic warlike Thracians, ancient birthplace to rebel-slave leader Spartacus and semi-mythical Orpheus: the chief poet of antiquity, inventor of the lyre.
Bulgaria is located in South Eastern Europe, situated in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula.
Bulgaria boasts an old and rich history. Many of the world’s greatest cultures have inhabited this beautiful country, leaving behind a veritable treasure trove of untold historical riches. A number of the monuments in Bulgaria are under the protection of UNESCO world heritage list.
Wild Bulgaria has a long tradition of nature conservation ideally suited for family holidays and adventure holidays. These include 3 National Parks, 10 Nature Parks, 55 “Strict” Nature Reserves, 35 “Maintained” Nature Reserves, 457 Natural Monuments and 175 Protected Sites.
Bulgarian Flora
Because of its geographical location, varied climate and geology, Wild Bulgaria has amazingly rich flora, with over 3800 species of higher plants. Compared to other European countries, Bulgaria's flora boasts a relatively large percentage of endemics, with 170 endemic species and 100 endemic subspecies.
Bulgarian Fauna
As with the flora, Wild Bulgaria's wild faunistic richness results from a combination of climatic and geographical factors. In terms of its diversity, Bulgaria's fauna ranks amongst the richest in Europe, and the country is thought to be home to almost one quarter of species so far found on the continent. Up to now, almost 30,000 species have been discovered in Bulgaria, but many experts believe that the final total is likely to about 56,000.
Wildlife
During your amazing Adventure Holiday / Family Holiday to Bulgaria you will see a haven of wildlife for many different types of mammals and birds.
Mammals likely to be seen are: Fallow Deer, Wild Boar, Otter, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Badger, Brown Hare, Stone Marten, Golden Jackal and Wild-cat.
Main species of birds to be seen are: Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Eagle owl, Eastern Imperial Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and other resident species of birds such as Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Chukar, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, etc.
You will experience an exciting and interesting trip to get closer to the Wolves of the Eastern Rhodopes. These can be very difficult to watch, unless you are extremely lucky. You will be taught tracking skills necessary to explore Wolf tracks, spot signs of the Wolves presence and listen to them howling. You will learn all about the wolf’s status, behaviour, hunting strategies and main feeding habits.
Nearest Airports:
Burgas (110 kms / ca. 69 miles) www.wizzair.com
Our “Wild Bulgaria” family holiday/adventure holiday Head Office is situated in Elhovo – between both Sakar/Strandja mountain ranges. We also offer excursions to the Eastern Rhodopes.
Transfer time between Burgas to Elhovo = 1hr 30 mins.
Transfer time between Burgas to Madzharovo= 2hrs.
Eastern Rhodopes
The Eastern Rhodope Mountains (watch youtube video's) are situated within 1 hours drive from our Headquarters. They are spread over a territory of about 34% of the mountainous area in wild Bulgaria. Here the Arda River beautifully meanders with wide sandy beaches at the entrance to the lake Ivaylovgrad. Here is located the picturesque municipality of Madjarovo.
Madjarovo is minerally rich and boasts having over 16 different species of valuable minerals, precious stones and gold.
The large artificial dams Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets are located in this part of the mountains. The region is rich in thermal mineral springs. The waters around Dzhebel are famous nationally for their various healing properties.
Wolves are found here and almost every species of the European birds of prey nestle in rocks and forests of the Eastern Rhodopes including the extremely rare Black vulture, Egyptian vulture and others.
THIS IS VIDEO OF EASTERN RHODOPES- PART 1 OF 4
Sakar Mountains
The Sakar Mountains are located in south-eastern Bulgaria, between the following rivers: Maritsa River, Tunja River, Sokolitsa River and Sazlika River. The mountain's highest peak is the Vishegrad Peak (856 m / 2,380 ft). The Sakar Mountains are an attractive wild area for hunting with 25,300 hectares (63,250 acres) of woodland. The Sakar region is one of the richest in animal species in Bulgaria: many fish species, 261 bird species, wolves, wild boars, deers, foxes, wild cats, tortoises, rabbits, etc.
The biggest tourist adventure landmarks in the area are ancient dolmens, spread all over the region; the Tunja River and its steep valleys; the Temple of the Sun, a 1.5km-long rock formation; the Thracian fortress and its natural rock walls; the Holy Trinity monastery and Haskovo's natural mineral springs (the largest spa resort is Mineralni Banyi). Finally, some of Bulgaria's best wines are produced in the Sakar region.
Strandja Mountain and Strandja Natural Park
At 500-600m (1,500-1,800 ft) above sea-level, the Strandja Mountains offer a unique and beautiful nature, forested with oaks and beeches and various types of plants. The area features small picturesque villages with pastures, meadows and small fields.
The total protected area in the Strandja Mountains is 5,396 hectares (13,490 acres) comprising about 5% of the whole territory. The protected sites include nature reserves, protected regions, natural monuments and historic sites and more than 120 natural springs. The Stranja region has one of Bulgaria's most diverse fauna: 40 fish species, over 260 bird species, wolves, wild boars, deers, foxes, wild cats, rabbits, etc. Over 100 different Bird species breed in this area. The Via Pontica bird migration route is the second largest migratory route in Europe and runs between Northern Europe and the Middle East and Africa. This route attracts many more bird species to this area, taking the total recorded number to approximately 260. During the autumnal migratory route more than 30,000 pelicans, 240,000 storks, 90,000 raptors, 2,000 lesser spotted eagles and other birds fly along this route on their way to wintering grounds. A large reservoir in the park is also a bountiful place for rare turtles and tortoises.
Weather
For updated information on weather in our region. www.weatheronline.co.uk/Bulgaria/Elhovo.htm
What our family holiday/adventure holiday Bulgaria excursions include:
- Our representative will meet/greet at Bourgas Airport.
- Excludes flight travel costs from UK – www.wizzair.com
- Transfers to/from airport – between accommodation and excursions.
- Choice of many different accommodations.
- Lunch provided – day of excursion. (Evening meals, snacks and breakfast purchased separately).
© 2010 www.wildbulgaria.co.uk