Butterflies of the West Balkans






Serbia is hardly a well-known destination for nature tourism, nevertheless the west balkans hold a variety of rich, diverse and beautiful nature, with no lack of scenic landscapes. Above that - inhabited by an impressive amount of Butterfly species. Here we will find plenty of species that more than well motivates a trip to the destination; Balkan Copper, Lesser Fiery Copper, Lattice Brown, Lesser Lattice Brown, Balkan Zephyr Blue, Balkan Fritillary, Eastern Large Heath, Yellow-banded Skipper and Russian Heath , to mention but a few.

The biggest attraction however is the scarce, enigmatic and local False Comma (Nymphalis vaualbum) - a butterfly beauty in subtle colors with a brittle existence in Europe, threatened by collectors through decades. This is one of few reliable areas in Europe for the species. We will spend several days in the right area and search for it among between 50- 85 other species of Butterflies.

Several of these are really fine butterfly species, that - even if you can see them also in other parts of Europe - always are a pleasure to see and photograph. We´re talking Apollo, Clouded Apollo, Cardinal, Purple Emperor and Lesser Purple Emperor, Freyer´s Purple Emperor, Hungarian Glider and Common Glider, White Admiral and Southern White Admiral, Large Tortoiseshell etc.

Altogether 120 butterfly species are possible or even likely to see on this trip. If you haven’t been ”butterflying” at all in south-eastern Europe before, this is a very comprehensive trip.
We will also se and visit a variety of habitats and pay visits to the top butterfly sites, carefully selected among 40 or more all very good sites. The itinerary is planned for best possible travel comfort in terms of roads and accommodation at the same time as it takes us to the most rewarding areas for Butterfly watching of the West Balkans.

Serbia is an 88.000 km2 landlocked nation, formerly a part of the Yugoslavian republic. A big part of the country is mountainous, the exception being the flat and fertile farmland area called the Vojvodina-province. We will focus on the more hilly or rocky parts, although walks will be gentle and there´s no steep climbs or anything that people with fear of heights need to worry about. One day we will be taken in an old army vehicle to reach a higher area for Violet Copper. The country hosts no less than 207 reproducing butterfly species, of which 57 are on the national redlist of threatened species. Several of the species we will search for here, have a very limited distribution in Europe: Spinose Skipper (Muschiampa cribrellum), Lesser Lattice Brown (Kirinia clemene), Balkan Clouded Yellow (Colias caucasica), only to mention some.

Stara Planina is a National park with considerable butterfly presence and known as the top butterfly area in Serbia.. A ragged landscape with no less than 116 noted species of butterflies documented within the park. False Comma being one of them.
Add to that 210 bird species and 30 species of Mammals. Other butterflies we will look out carefully for are False Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros eroides) and Lesser lattice brown (Kirinia climene). More targets species include Eastern Large Heath, Balkan Copper and Almond-eyed Ringlet.
Long-legged Buzzard is one of the birds we can expect to see here. We are staying at Garni Hotel Sin-Kom. The sand dune-area Deliblatsko Sands and the hills by Zagajicka Brda is a UNESCO world heritage site and considered one of the most biodiverse parts of Europe. The rich flora with about 900 plant species, a rich butterfly fauna and breeding birds like Eastern Imperial Eagle and Saker Falcon speak for itself. 88 butterfly species are noted in the park and among them Zephyr Blue (Plebejus pylaon), Cardinals are often numerous and with some luck we could see Southern Festoon. Night at Hotel Srbija.
Djerdap Gorge National Park, internationelly known as the Iron Gates after it´s old roman name Porta Ferea. The park stretches along the Danube river from the well preserved 17:th century-castle Golubac Castle (with it´s 9 towers) to the Iron Gates-dam near the city Kladovo. The Danube constitutes the border between Serbia and Rumania and the two nations share the responsibility over this huge protected area. The gorge cuts between the Carpathian mountains during more than 100 km with 300 meter steeps at some points. Night at Hotel Lepenski Vir i Donji Milanovic. Hotel have a nice view over the Djerdap-ravine and the Danube, as well as it´s own pool and spa. Not far away lies 9.000 years old Mesolithic site. Jelasnica Gorge is yet another hotspot for butterflies, near the town Nis. Despite being only 6 km long the Jelasnica is a very scenic and appealing area with a rich fauna. Key species here include Yellow-banded Skipper, Marbled Skipper och Osiris Blue.



Guides/ tour leaders

Daniel Green is the swedish (english speaking) tour leader. Butterfly-expert Mario Langourov (also English-spoken) from Bulgaria is our local expert lepidopterist with genuine experience from the area and the destinations we visit on the trip.
The trip is a collaboration between Birdsafarisweden and Karlmark International. (Karlmark International holds the travel warranty insurance that covers this trip)


When:

Price: 21.600 SEK
Single room supplement: 1.750 SEK


What's included:
Full board in double room, English-speaking tour leader, local guide all the time, all transports, all possible entrances to nature reserves and parks.

Not included:
Flight ticket to Sofia. Transfer to the departing airport, insurance, (Note: The European Health Insurance Card does not apply here. Participants are required to have a travel-insurance covering accidents and illnesses.) Alcohol, souvenirs and other personal expenses, gratuities to tour leader, local guide / driver (we usually collect money for tips at the end of the trip if we are satisfied).

Other:
This is a "mixed group" trip where Swedish- and English-speaking travelers are welcome.

Maximum number of participants: 12, minimum 8


Once you have registered you will receive an invoice of
3,500 SEK. The payment of that bill guarantees you a place on the trip.