Dragonfly Holidays in Bulgaria | Bulgarian Dragonflies

Balkan Trek's unique bespoke dragonfly holidays in Bulgaria are offered to individuals, couples, small private groups and societies. All dragonfly holidays can be tailor-made to suite your own requirements, and are carefully designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of the most rewarding dragonfly habitats in Bulgaria.

So far some 70 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded in Bulgaria, meaning that almost half of the dragonflies in Europe are present in Bulgaria. It is thought that with further research, the final total may reach as high as 76 species of dragonflies and damselflies in Bulgaria. One of the exciting things about a dragonfly holiday in Bulgaria is the chance of making a new discovery. As recently as 1999 a species of dragonfly new to science was discovered in Bulgaria, the beautiful Bulgarian Emerald (Somatochlora borisi). The majority of dragonflies in Bulgaria, 41 species, are classified as Euro-Siberian species. There are also 23 species of Mediterranean dragonflies, and 1 Afro-Tropical migrant species, the Vagrant Emperor (Hemianax ephippiger). Despite its small size, Bulgaria is blessed with a great variety of dragonfly habitats. As well as a dense network of river valleys, Bulgaria is also studded with numerous lakes, marshes and reservoirs.

Opportunities for rewarding dragonfly holidays can be found in all parts of Bulgaria. A dragonfly holiday in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains is likely to turn up several interesting species of goldenring dragonflies including Balkan Goldenring (Cordulegaster heros) and Sombre Goldenring (Cordulegaster bidentata), as well as Bulgarian Emerald (Somatochlora borisi) and Banded Darter (Sympetrum pedemontanum). Further east, a dragonfly holiday in the Strandzha Mountains & Black Sea is a good place to look for dragonflies such as Odalisque (Epallage fatime), Turkish Goldenring (Cordulegaster picta), Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma) and Balkan Emerald (Somatochlora meridionalis). By combining a dragonfly holiday in the Struma Valley & south-western Mountains, one can visit the glacial lakes of the Rila Mountains and Pirin Mountains for dragonfly species such as Bog Hawker (Aeshna subarctica), Brilliant Emerald (Somatochlora metallica), Northern Emerald (Somatochlora arctica) and Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum). Meanwhile, a dragonfly holiday in the Danubian Plain & Dobrudzha region, offers the chance for Blue-eyed Goldenring (Cordulegaster insignis), as well as several darters such as Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveoulum), Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale) and Banded Darter (Sypmetrum pedemontanum).

Naturally, the timing of a dragonfly holiday in Bulgaria influences the likelihood of observing particular species of dragonflies. During May and June, spring dragonflies on the wing include Green-eyed Hawker (Aeshna isosceles), Odalisque (Epallage fatime), Dark Spreadwing (Lestes macrostigma), Dainty Damselfly (Coenagrion scitulum), Ornate Bluet (Coenagrion ornatum), and Bulgarian Emerald (Somatochlora borisi). Later during July and August, summer dragonflies appear, including species such as Northern Damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum), Southern Migrant Hawker (Aeshna affinis), Yellow-legged Clubtail (Gomphus flavipes), Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus), Balkan Goldenring (Cordulegaster heros), Turkish Goldenring (Cordulegaster picta), Sombre Goldenring (Cordulegaster bidentata), Balkan Emerald (Somatochlora meridionalis) and Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum). There is also a good variety of darters including Southern Darter (Sympetrum meridionale), Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombei), Yellow-winged Darter (Sympetrum flaveolum), Spotted Darter (Sympetrum depressiusculum) and Banded Darter (Sympetrum pedemontanum). Entering into autumn, during September and October, typical dragonflies on the wing are Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta), Eastern Willow Spreadwing (Lestes parvidens), Willow Emerald Damselfly (Lestes virens) and Vagrant Darter (Sympetrum vulgatum).

To find out more about the opportunities for tailor-made dragonfly holidays in Bulgaria, and to discuss your own specific plans and requirements, please email Balkan Trek. We will be happy to design and organize for you a unique and highly rewarding dragonfly holiday in Bulgaria.

Furthermore, all our dragonfly holidays in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains are organized in co-operation with the local NGO 'Wild Rodopi', ensuring that you not only have the best opportunities to observe and photograph some of the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains rarest and most beautiful dragonflies, but will also be directly contributing to the work of the NGO 'Wild Rodopi' and help funding their efforts to research and conserve the dragonflies of the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains.

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