Tour information

The Danube Delta, Europe’s last great wetland wilderness, has many faces. With this short winter tour, we aim to capture the unique atmosphere and magic of the Delta during the coldest season of the year. The Danube Delta in winter is a world of its own. Come and join us on this unforgettable winter photography adventure!

Danube Delta in winter is very different from what some of you already experienced in summer! Our short tour is primarily a photography tour but also an experience, an exploration, and definitely something to remember for those who did it! Winter conditions are changing and nothing is predictable, especially weather (even less so nowadays) hence our photography subjects will be also changing continuously. You may visit this place in consecutive years and experience something different! The tour has been created to offer many possible subjects, so nobody should be disappointed. Dalmatian Pelicans are in breeding plumage and looking spectacular! Although many European photographers got experience with these fantastic birds from the Lake Kerkini area (Greece), but the Danube Delta has so much more to offer! Sakertours was a pioneer to start real photography tours in the Danube Delta back in 2011! We have professional guides and boat drivers which are essential in this area. No other companies have such experience with running photography tours in the region like us!

We will be trying to see, experience and photograph the following possible key subjects on this tour:

• Fishing Dalmatian Pelicans in full breeding dress (from hide boat)
• Golden Jackals in winter coat (from hides)
• Breeding plumaged Pallas’s Gulls (from hide boat)
• Landscape and drone photography
• Fishing White-tailed Eagles (from hide boat)         
• Long-eared Owls and Wildcats at night (from hide boat)

The tour lasts 5 days and 4 nights, with a maximum group size of just 4 photographers, as we believe that small groups are essential for a successful photography tour. Our small-group tours to the Danube Delta have been a great success in spring and summer, and we are excited to offer this unique winter experience. As you may have noticed, the itinerary includes several optional night excursions, so be prepared for an action-packed adventure, even during the short winter days! Our tour is also very competitively priced compared to Lake Kerkini, while offering a wider range of photographic opportunities — and, of course, the chance to photograph Dalmatian Pelicans, too!

This is a true winter photography adventure!

There is a very little chance, but the tour may be cancelled if the Danube is frozen solid (last time happened in 2012 and 2017) and we are unable to reach our base, the settlement of Mila 23. If this happens we offer substitutes or you get a full refund of the tour price!

Tour starting and ending time: It is important to book your flight according to the official starting and ending times of the tour! Our bus and guide will be waiting all participants in the Otopeni Airport at Bucharest. Please make sure you can reach the starting point in time at 13:00 on the tour starting date! If you wish to arrive earlier to Bucharest our office can help you to book accommodation and logistics. However if you arrive early you need to make your way to the airport for the meeting time. In some cases we can pick up clients from the nearby airport hotels (please check with our office). Also very important that the tour only ends at 13:00 on the last day so please do not book flights out of Bucharest earlier than 15:00 on the last day!

Timing:
Recommended period between late January and mid February

Duration:
5 days (4 nights)

Logistics:
The photo day usually starts at 06:30 with breakfast, than the photo boat will be ready to take you to hides or go for action for the next few hours. We will also have a shorter afternoon photo session. Those going to hides usually stay there until 15:00. After and early dinner we also have a 2-3 hours night excursion. We should be back to lodge by 21:00

Recommended equipment:
This tour will offer you very diverse photographing opportunities. Therefore, we suggest that you bring along lenses from fish-eye and wide angle to 300mm and 500mm ones. If you have a drone you can bring it along!

Expected number of birds species photographed on this tour:
5-10 species

What to bring:
A torch, binoculars, and a tripod. Waterproof, non-slip hiking boots are essential. Please dress in proper winter clothing, including windproof and well-insulated outerwear, as the boat rides can be very cold – especially at night. We strongly recommend warm layers, thermal clothing, heating pads for hands, and a warm hat. A good face mask or a warm hood is also highly recommended to protect your face from the cold wind. We provide a warm blanket for every guest and sheepskin foot warmers/slippers that are worn over your shoes. These insulated foot warmers keep your feet warm without the need for heating pads.

Accommodation & Road Transport:
Danube Delta is pretty much closed in winter, most tourist places and hotels are closed. We will be staying in a family run Guesthouse with private rooms and facilities for all guests in Mila23 village. Home-made cooking (and not only fish!). Road transport is by minibus and roads are generally very good.

Boat:
We will be using our ‘Borzas’ photography boat which is covered in case of rain or snow. Also during taxing the cover will be fitted to minimize wind-chill. A lot of you are familiar with the boat if you have been to the Danube Delta with us in summer.

Walking:
The walking effort is mostly very easy and much reduced throughout the tour.

Weahter & clothing:
It is winter and although we are getting milder winters nowadays we have to be prepared for a range of -10C to 10C. Also the wind chill factor while in the boat can be significant – especially on the night transfers and night outings. We strongly recommend padded, wind-proof outerwear and hand and foot warmers (battery-powered or classic stick-on heating pads). Rubber boots are not required—any proper, warm hiking boots with good insulation are suitable. A face mask, warm hat or hooded hat, and insulated gloves are highly recommended. We will provide extra blankets for your knees and a cosy warm sheep skin overshoes cover – a real lifesaver to keep your feet warm during the tour!

Tour cancellation due to weather:
There is always the chance we are unable to run this tour. Although it is a very little chance but we must be prepared for this event when the Danube is frozen solid or such thick ice sheets floating that no regular boat access. In such unlikely event we refund your tour price, or you can keep it for the next possible tour for the same price (even if it is next winter). Please note however we are unable to refund your air tickets, so we suggest to buy flexible ticket or cheap flights to Bucharest.