7 Day Trip - Birdwatching in Albania

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival at Tirana
2 stops
1
Tirana
One of local guides will accompany guests to the hotel.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
2
Depending on the arrival/departure we will check in at the hotel and go birding in Fllaka Lagoon - an Important Bird Area (40 min away from Tirana). Birds to see: Collared Pratincole, Caspian Tern, Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Teal, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Black-eared Wheatear, etc.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Divjaka-Karavasta National Park and Narta Lagoon
2 stops
3
Parku Kombetar Divjake-Karavasta
Divjaka–Karavasta National Park is most famous as the home of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), in Albania, Europe’s largest bird. Remarkably, it is the only breeding site for this species in Albania, with around 80 pairs nesting on a small island within the lagoon. We will observe the colony from a respectful distance, with excellent opportunities to photograph the breeding adults and their chicks. The lagoon also hosts a diversity of other breeding species, including colonies of Little Tern, Common Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, and Pied Avocet. In addition, the surrounding habitats support passerines such as the striking Black-headed (feldegg) race of the Yellow Wagtail.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
4
Narta Lagoon
Two hours far from Tirana we will explore of one of the most important protected areas in Albania and along the Mediterranean - Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape (Natura 2000 & Important Bird Area). Through the diversity of the habitats, we will birdwatch a diverse number of species in saltpans, lagoons, sand dunes, rivers, hills, etc. Among the 220 bird species found in the area we will see: the Dalmatian Pelican, Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern, Black-Winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, Eurasian Spoonbill, Pied Avocet, etc. At the end of the day we will enjoy sunset - one of the most beautiful sunset in the world. Bonus trip* Cultural guidance and exploration of bunkers in the Vlora region & St. Mary's Monastery at Zverneci Island.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Albanian Riveria and Butrinti National Park
2 stops
5
Himara Castle
We will start this explorative journey from Vlore, passing through Llogara National Park and enjoying Albanian Riviera, known for its turquoise waters, dramatic mountain backdrops, stunning hidden beaches. Through stops we might see forest birds, not only in rocky habitats we might see species such as Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Thrush, Little Owl, Rock Nuthatch, Sardinian Warbler, Golden Oriole, White Stork, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Common Buzzards etc.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
6
Butrint National Park
The journey continues to Butrinti National and Archeological Park, UNESCO site, Ramsar Site and one of the most important areas in the south. The small peninsula-based national park is comprised of marshes, reed beds, coastal waters, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and Mediterranean forests, Lagoons with a diversity of birds as well. Special lunch: Mussel boat eco-tour by local guides. Exploring the lake and enjoying fresh mussels collected by you.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Gjirokaster Valley and Vjosa National Park
2 stops
7
Gjirokaster Castle
Exploration of Gjirokaster - The Stone City - UNESCO site or known as the “city of a thousand staircases”, which includes hundreds of houses – Ottoman-type towers with stone roofs, wooden balconies and stone walls. With a magnificent castle on a steep hill, Gjirokastra is the magical city with a troubled past, since 2005, it is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. This valley is well know for diversity and huge number of raptors species and the presence of the last breeding vulture in Albania and endangered worldwide, the Egyptian Vulture. Besides the vulture, this is the best place for observing and photographing Western Rock Nuthatch and many other Mediterranean birds species such as red-backed shrike, Eastern Orphean Warbler etc.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Leskovik
The canyon of the Sarandopor River, Vjosa Tributary, is positioned directly on the border Albania-Greece. Outstanding area In this canyon there are present thermal waters for the treatment of rheumatism and other ailments reaches a temperature of 29 to 40 degrees in one larger and several smaller pools. Bonus trip* - Swimming in thermal waters We will have the chance to explore the canyon and observe crag martin colony, bee-eater colony and the black stork very close.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Prespa National Park
2 stops
9
Prespa National Park
In early morning we will discover one of Europe’s top birdwatching destinations! In the stunning Prespa Lakes National Park, over 275 bird species thrive, including Dalmatian and Great White Pelicans, herons, and grebes. With its mix of forests, wetland, rocky slopes, and high pastures, the park offers birdwatchers a chance to spot some truly special species.
4 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Lin Pogradec
Pogradec, located in southeastern Albania on the southwestern shore of Lake Ohrid, is a treasure trove of archaeological sites, historical landmarks, and birding as well. At the lake it’s easy to see grebe species, Goosander, as well as Crag and Sand Martins, Lesser Whitethroat, Rock Nuthatch, Rook, etc.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Kune-Vain Nature Reserve and Bune-Velipoja Nature Park
2 stops
11
Kune Island
Early birding in Kune-Vaini Protected Area and enjoying the landscape. Albania’s first protected area, the Kune-Vain Nature Reserve, is a coastal haven for birdwatchers. With over 200 species, from Pygmy Cormorants to colorful Bee-eaters, its lagoons, dunes, and forests are alive with birdlife year-round. A perfect blend of rich biodiversity and stunning scenery makes Kune-Vain an essential stop on any birding tour. The main bird species we will see are: Little Tern, Common Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, Pied Avocet, etc.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Velipoje
After lunch we will explore another important are in the North Albania, Buna River - Velipoja Forest. This mosaic of wetlands, sandy beaches, river deltas, and coastal forests provides habitat for more than 200 bird species. Here you can encounter Dalmatian Pelicans, elegant Egrets, flocks of Waders along the mudflats, and dazzling Bee-eaters in summer. Mwanwhile, a short walk on the deep forest is planned to see or hear at least 3-4 woodpecker species: European green woodpecker, black woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, and lesser spotted woodpecker.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Shkodra / Skadar Lake
1 stop
13
Shkoder
Enjoying sunrise and breakfast from a lovely guest house closely the shores of the lake. Early birding on Shiroke and boat trip along the biggest lake in Balkans. Along our boat trip we will see thousands waterbirds whose population is dominated by diving species including Pygmy Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Common Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Goldeneye and Eurasian Coot. Turing back at Tirana.
6 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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