Bulgaria

Although relatively well known for its ski resorts, Bulgaria is seldom thought of as a destination in which to see wildlife and wildlfowers, and yet it has an abundance of both.

Green-veined white butterflies on flowers in Vitosha Park

Green-veined White butterflies on flowers in the Vitosha National Park

Like other post-Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Bulgaria has found the transition to capitalism much more difficult than expected. Many people live in a state of poverty compared to those in Western Europe, but the collapse of much of the industrial capability that Bulgaria attained during Communist rule, allied with their traditional farming methods, has paid dividends for the environment. In springtime the countryside is awash with the colour of haymeadows full of wildflowers and the many beautifully coloured butterflies, moths and other insects that thrive in them. Up in the mountains, the springs and streams are pristine and the woodlands and forests are as Nature, rather than the forestry industry, intended them to be. For those interested in wildflowers and birds, Bulgaria must surely be one of the finest destinations in Europe.

Our visit took place in June. We travelled through the meadows of the Vitosha Mountain National park and visited both the Pirin and Rhodopi mountain ranges. Many of the best wildlife sites coincide with the burgeoning ski-resort towns, so there is no shortage of high standard accommodation and food at very reasonable rates. Excellent Bulgarian wine is widely available and it reminded us of the time when, unlike now, we could buy it easily in our own supermarkets in the UK.

The Vitosha Mountain National Park

Excursions in this part of Bulgaria are accompanied by the song of many exotic birds including nightingales and hoopoes as well as the constant buzzing of the myriads of insects that visit the countless thousands of wildflowers that bloom in the meadows. Wildflower specialities in this area include the amazing blue and yellow flowers of Melampyrum scardicum, the Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum) and many other Balkan endemics.

The Pirin Mountains National Park

This is largest of the national parks in Bulgaria and has more than 100 mountain peaks covering in excess of 40,000 hectares. Both acidic and calcareous exposed rocks occur there, and so the diversity of wild plants in the region is quite considerable. During our visit we found many orchids including Heart-flowered Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza cordigera) and Gymnadenia frivaldii - a diminutive Balkan endemic that we found flowering in a marshy flush beside a river. Other lovely finds included Digitalis lanata, a foxglove with red-veined, ochre-coloured flowers with whitish lips, and the captivating true Oxlip, Primula Elatior.

Pirin mountains in Bulgaria

Some of the over 100 peaks in the Pirin Mountains

The Rhodopi Mountains

For many, the highlight of a visit to this part of Bulgaria must be the opportunity to see the extremely rare endemic, Haberlea rhodopensis and some of the many orchids that occur there. The Red Helleborine, Cephalanthera rubra, is relatively free-flowering on the wooded roadsides in the mountain gorges, while in meadows in the foothills of the Rhodopi range are the Bug Orchid, Orchis coriophora, Greater Butterfly-orchid, Platanthera chlorantha, and many others including the Fragrant Orchid (including its white form), Gymnadenia conopsea and the gorgeous Lax-flowered Orchid (Orchis laxiflora).

A gorge in the Rhodopi Mountain range in Bulgaria

A pristine stream runs through a gorge in the Rhodopi Mountains

Bulgaria is a beautiful country to visit with safe and comfortable accommodation widely available. The Bulgarians themselves are friendly and helpful and they are pleased to welcome people who enjoy the unique and wonderful wildlife that can be found throughout their lovely country.

If you prefer to go on an accompanied tour we strongly recommend the trips to Bulgaria run by Naturetrek.

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