Pearls of the Balkans – 15 Days

Tirana- Pogradec (Ohrid Lake)

Arrivals at Tirana International Airport and depending on the time of arrival, head southeast toward Pogradec, a charming lakeside town situated on the Albanian shores of Lake Ohrid. The drive takes approximately two hours, offering scenic views of Shkumbin River Valley.

Our first birding destination is the Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe—over two million years old and UNESCO World Heritage Site designated. Shared between Albania and North Macedonia, this lake is often called the “Pearl of the Balkans” thanks to its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and remarkable biodiversity. Its ecological significance is immense, with many endemic and relict species found nowhere else on Earth.

Throughout the day, if having time (depending on the arrival time) we will make strategic stops along the lake’s shoreline for birdwatching and photography. Among the waterbirds, we can expect to see Pygmy Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, and Little Grebe. The lakeside reedbeds, scrublands, and nearby fields also attract numerous passerines, such as Cirl Bunting, Corn Bunting, Red-backed Shrike etc.

The area’s peaceful ambiance, set against a backdrop of forested hills and traditional villages, provides a perfect start to our Balkan birding adventure.

In the late afternoon, we’ll settle into a comfortable hotel in Pogradec, ideally located along the lakefront—offering relaxing views and the opportunity for some casual evening birding by the water.

Greek Prespa: The World's Largest Dalmatian Pelican Colony

Today we cross into northern Greece, driving approximately 1.5 hours to reach Lesser Prespa Lake, one of the most important wetlands in Europe and home to the world’s largest colony of Dalmatian Pelicans. This extraordinary site lies just across the border and is too close — and too special — to miss.

We will spend the entire day birdwatching and photographing a rich variety of species in and around the Greek side of Prespa. In addition to the iconic Dalmatian Pelicans, we are likely to encounter Great White Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants, Black-necked Grebes, herons, egrets, ducks, and possibly a variety of raptors and passerines depending on the season’s migration dynamics.

The surrounding mosaic of wetlands, reedbeds, and agricultural fields makes for excellent birding, offering stunning photography opportunities and an immersive nature experience. Prespa is also an inspiring conservation success story, thanks to international cooperation and long-term protection efforts.

Lunch will be enjoyed as a picnic in the field or in a local lakeside taverna, depending on weather and logistics.

By late afternoon, we will return to Pogradec, where we’ll spend another night in our lakeside hotel.

Journey to Gjirokastra via Vjosa River National Park

Today we check out from our hotel in Pogradec and embark on a scenic full-day drive toward the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokastra, located in southern Albania.

Along the way, we will make several stops to explore and photograph the spectacular landscapes of the Vjosa River National Park — Europe’s last remaining wild river and a truly unique riverine ecosystem. This pristine park, famed for its unspoiled river habitats and dynamic natural processes, supports a remarkable diversity of species. Flowing through rugged mountains and expansive open plains, the Vjosa River corridor offers exceptional birding opportunities.

The journey will take us through mountainous terrain interspersed with broad valleys and plains, providing habitat for a variety of forest and open-country birds. Among the species we expect to encounter are numerous passerines, including Crested Tit, Coal Tit, and several woodpecker species. Raptors such as Common Buzzard, Golden Eagle, and Common Kestrel are frequently seen soaring over the hills and cliffs, adding to the thrill of birdwatching in this wild landscape.

We will arrive in Gjirokastra by early evening and check into a charming hotel located within the old town, allowing you to soak in the rich history and traditional architecture of this well-preserved Ottoman-era town.

Drino Valley

Today we will dedicate the day to exploring various parts of the Drino Valley, a region of immense ecological importance and breathtaking natural beauty.

Designated in 2016 as a Global Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), the Drino Valley is internationally recognized for hosting up to 3% of the global population of the Lesser Kestrel, which gathers here to form the largest roosting site of this species in Europe—an astonishing congregation of up to 6,000 birds in a single roost.

The valley is also a critical stronghold for the endangered Egyptian Vulture, which maintains more than half of its occupied territories in Albania within this area, though fewer than ten breeding pairs remain in the entire country. Additionally, rare species such as the Booted Eagle and the elusive Levant’s Sparrowhawk breed here, adding to the region’s conservation value.

More commonly encountered breeders include the fascinating Rock Nuthatch and the striking Blue Rock Thrush, which thrive in the rocky habitats. The highlands around Kurvelesh, within the valley, offer some of the most spectacular canyon landscapes in all of Europe, providing a dramatic backdrop to our birding adventures.

The day promises an unforgettable experience, with multiple sites offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and photography of a wide array of species.

Lunch will most likely be a picnic in the field, allowing us to maximize time for birding and capturing photographs.

We will return to the same hotel in the evening, reflecting on a truly remarkable day in one of Albania’s most precious natural areas.

Narta Lagoon: Albania’s Premier Birding Wetland

Today we will dedicate the entire day to exploring Narta Lagoon, the most important birding site in Albania, located just a 15-minute drive from Vlora.

The Vjosë-Nartë wetland complex is recognized as one of the most significant both nationally and internationally. Together with the nearby Divjaka-Karavasta wetlands, it forms a continuous ecosystem that is vital along the entire Adriatic Flyway. Each year, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds use this corridor to rest and refuel during their journeys between breeding and wintering grounds.

Narta Lagoon is particularly renowned for its breeding populations of shorebirds (Charadriiformes), with some species nesting here in numbers exceeding 1% of their entire biogeographical populations—a key threshold for global conservation importance. For example, the Pied Avocet population here represents about 1% of the combined populations of Southeast Europe, the Black Sea, and Turkey. The lagoon also supports up to 4% of Europe’s Greater Flamingo population, around 2.5% of the global Dalmatian Pelican population, and 1% of the European population of the Collared Pratincole.

Today promises outstanding opportunities to observe and photograph a rich variety of breeding and migrating waders, alongside the iconic flamingos and pelicans. The diverse habitats and seasonal migrations create an exceptional setting for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Lunch will be a picnic to maximize time in the field, although there are charming local restaurants nearby for those who prefer.

We will return to the hotel in Vlora for the night.

Shkodra Lake

Today, we will dedicate the entire day to exploring the vast and ecologically rich Shkodra Lake, including a scenic boat trip across its waters.

Located in northwestern Albania and sharing its border with Montenegro, Shkodra Lake is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of the region’s most important biodiversity hotspots, especially renowned for its remarkable bird and reptile diversity.

Shkodra Lake is protected at multiple levels — it is a National Protected Area, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), a Global Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), and a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. This recognition places Shkodra Lake at the very heart of Albania’s and the international ecological conservation network.

More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, including the only known colonies in Albania of the Whiskered Tern. This makes the lake a premier destination for birdwatching and wildlife photography, offering fantastic chances to capture this elegant tern along with a rich diversity of other waterbirds and passerines.

In addition to its avian treasures, Shkodra Lake is the second richest site in Albania for herpetofauna. It is home to the rare and endemic Albanian Water Frog, a species with a very limited distribution. Several lizard species thrive here as well, including the Sharp-snouted Rock Lizard, Ruin Lizard, and Dalmatian Wall Lizard — reptiles mostly found in this area within Albania.

Mammals are also well represented, with frequent sightings of the Golden Jackal and the elusive European Otter, adding to the dynamic wildlife experience.

Our boat trip will provide close encounters with many waterbird species and the unique opportunity to photograph the Whiskered Tern in its natural habitat, making today a highlight for birders and photographers alike.

Exploring Durmitor National Park

For our final two days, we will explore Durmitor National Park, one of Montenegro’s crown jewels and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This spectacular park is famed for its striking landscapes — from soaring jagged peaks reaching over 2,500 meters, to deep glacial valleys and pristine alpine lakes nestled in the heart of the Dinaric Alps.

Durmitor offers a rare glimpse into some of the most well-preserved mountainous ecosystems in Europe. The park’s geological features include rugged limestone formations, dramatic cliffs, and the iconic Tara River Canyon — the deepest river canyon in Europe, carving its way through the park’s wilderness with turquoise waters rushing far below. The canyon is not only a natural wonder but also a refuge for rare wildlife, including the endangered Griffon Vulture and elusive mammals like the brown bear and chamois.

The extensive forests of Durmitor are dominated by spruce, pine, and fir, creating rich habitats for diverse birdlife. Alpine meadows bloom with wildflowers in spring and summer, attracting a variety of insects and providing food for many bird species.

Birding highlights include the elegant Ring Ouzel, known for its haunting calls echoing through mountain valleys; the acrobatic Alpine Chough and Red-billed Chough, often seen performing aerial displays near cliff faces; and the striking Red-footed Falcon, a swift hunter of the open pastures. Raptors such as Montagu’s Harrier patrol the skies, while smaller species thrive in the varied habitats.

We will spend these days visiting some of the park’s most accessible yet rewarding birding sites, combining scenic drives with hikes through alpine meadows and forested slopes. Each spot offers unique opportunities for photography and wildlife observation, making the most of this breathtaking environment.

Durmitor is the perfect grand finale for our tour — a place where raw natural beauty and rich biodiversity come together to create unforgettable memories.