Wildlife Holidays in Albania

We currently offer two holidays to Albania:

'Albania in Spring'. This 8-day holiday focusses on the bird-rich coastal wetlands followed by spending time in the Albanian Alps in the far north. On arrival we start with a night in Tirana before a two night stay in the wonderful UNESCO city of Berat heading out each day in search of migrating and resident birds which will include a range of waders, passerines and raptors a host of butterflies and flowering orchids. We then travel north to the remote and pristine Valbone Valley for the remaining four nights, stopping for a break in Kosovo on the way. This rugged, dramatic landscape is little visited and we will spend our days exploring this special place in search of all forms of natural history. Special birds, butterflies, orchids, mammals and also reptiles and amphibians. There is something for everyone and always with a breath-taking view to admire! Leaving the mountains we travel back to Tirana to fly home, taking the famous Koman ferry trip! A number of historic towns a cities are also visited as we travel.

'The Reptiles & Amphibians of Albania'. This 8-day holiday travels almost the length of the country on an itinerary carefully prepared by herpetologists and biologists of the University of Tirana to go in search of such special species as Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca), Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii) and Albanian Pool Frog (Pelophylax shqipericus) – 3 highly endangered species – alongside a plethora of other species which includes all three species of European tortoise, two species of terrapin, Fire Salamander and an impressive range of frog, lizard, and snake species.

What wildlife might I see?

• We’ll look for a host of bird species including Greater Flamingo, Dalmatian Pelican, waders including Kentish Plover, Little Stint and Marsh Sandpiper, which often exist in large numbers.
• Bee Eater, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Black Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Caspian Tern, Pygmy Cormorant, Black-eared Wheatear, Stone Curlew, Montagu’s Harrier are just some of the bird species expected.
• Green-winged Orchid, White Helleborine, Coralroot Orchid, Elder-flowered Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Bird’s-nest Orchid and Toothed Orchid among the highlights of a rich flora.
• Hermann’s Tortoise, Smooth Snake, Balkan Whip Snake, Balkan Wall Lizard, Eastern Green Lizard and Nose-horned Viper are some of the reptiles we may encounter.
• Glanville Fritillary, Heath Fritillary, Chequered Blue, Latticed Heath, Great Banded Grayling, Twin-spot Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy are possible.

Albania offers some wonderful habitats that are very much under-watched, unknown and teeming with life! From coastal wetlands to rugged mountains there is always a stunning view and travel is exciting and varied. It is still developing as a tourist destination and now is a wonderful time to visit.