The Reptiles & Amphibians of Albania

Tour Code: ALB02

An 8-day holiday through the stunning landscapes of Albania, searching for the numerous reptiles and amphibians of this Balkan country, a hidden gem of the Mediterranean region.

8 days from
£2,295 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,995
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

An exploration of the Republic of Albania is a tantalizing prospect for the naturalist and indeed especially for anyone with an interest in seeing Europe’s reptile and amphibian species. On this exciting 8-day holiday we will travel through Albania's most stunning scenery to explore a variety of species-rich habitats, staying at lovely 3* and 4* hotels throughout, in search of the wildlife of this little-known, picturesque, Balkan country. Intact habitats and a Mediterranean climate provide paradise for reptile- and amphibian-life, and in Albania they can be encountered with rare abundance for a European country, and a diversity of over 40 species. On an itinerary carefully prepared by herpetologists and biologists of the University of Tirana, we will go in search of such special species as Greek Meadow Viper (Vipera graeca), Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii) and Albanian Pool Frog (Pelophylax shqipericus) – 3 endangered species – alongside a plethora of over 55 species which includes two species of terrapin, Fire Salamander and an impressive range of frog, lizard, and snake species.

The group size for this holiday is limited to just seven participants as we seek to find and photograph some of Europe's special reptile- and amphibian-life. For further detail, please download the tour's itinerary above.

  • Enjoy a standout area for reptile and amphibian abundance in all of Europe
  • Breathtaking scenery
  • Explore pristine freshwater habitats for beautiful Balkan Terrapin
  • Search for the country's two endangered meadow vipers, Leopard Snake and the highly sought Shkodra Lake (Lake Scutari) locale of Nose-horned Viper
  • Survey for the regions’ amphibians including the near-endemic and rare Albanian Pool Frog
  • The range of special lizards include such species as Dalmatian Algyroides, Balkan Green Lizard, Erhard’s Wall Lizard, Glass Lizard and Snake-eyed Skink

This exciting tour is part of our portfolio of herpetology holidays.

Grading

On a typical day on our herpetology tours we’ll begin searching in the field after breakfast, when the sun has warmed the substrates and landscapes, often getting into the vehicles at 9am and, after stopping for approximately one hour for lunch (which is often a continental-style picnic eaten in situ), we’ll continue into early-evening when we will stop for a rest and dinner. Most evenings it will be possible to do excursions in search of nocturnal species, which will on average be for three hours after dinner. With an equal percentage of the target reptile and amphibian species likely to be nocturnal, these night searches are an important part of the tour but are optional, with some participants preferring to rest on some of the days. On average, 5-8 miles are walked per day.

We’ll focus our time in the field on building an enviable list of reptile and amphibian species seen. Whilst searching, there is no doubt we’ll come across a huge variety of amazing fauna and flora, which we’ll also take time to enjoy, but reptiles and amphibians will strongly remain our focus. Sensitively checking under stones, logs and other refugia is an effective way of finding many species. Some of the target reptile or amphibian species may require longer field hours to locate and therefore this tour is suitable, and most enjoyable, for experienced herpetologists or naturalists who, aside from wishing to see the region’s rarely-seen reptiles and amphibians, relish being in the field searching for and identifying the vast array of birds, butterflies, invertebrates, orchids and other wildlife which can be found sharing the wonderful habitats that we’ll explore on the tour.

In summary, Naturetrek herpetology holidays are suitable, and offer tremendous value, for those who spend most of their holiday time in wildlife habitats and for whom seeing some of the world’s superb reptiles and amphibians is the focus of their time away.

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Corfu/Tirana
Day 2
Shkodra Lake (Lake Scutari) – Peshkopi
Day 3
Korab Mountain
Day 4
Lake Ohrid, Maligrad Island and Prespa National Park
Day 5
Berat
Day 6/7
Tomorri Mountain
Day 8
Inbound flights
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable 4* and 3* en suite accommodation throughout

  • Food:

    All meals including mineral water, starting with dinner on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on Day 8.

     

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 15th May – Thu 22nd May 6 £2,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Enerit Sacdanaku
Enerit Sacdanaku new

Tour Leader: Enerit Sacdanaku

Dr. Enerit Sacdanaku is a passionate Albanian herpetologist who is heavily involved in research initiatives and projects on the amphibians and reptiles of Albania. After his graduation in 2010, Enerit worked as a lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Vlora in Albania until 2015 when he moved to the National Research Center on Flora and Fauna of Albania. In 2017, he was awarded the title Doctor of Sciences, thanks to his research carried out on the biology of marine and freshwater turtles. Enerit has published a number of scientific papers on the fauna of Albania and has a particular interest in being involved in the conservation of its herpetofauna through sustainable tourism and he greatly enjoys guiding visitors.

Thu 29th May – Thu 5th Jun SPACES £2,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Enerit Sacdanaku
Enerit Sacdanaku new

Tour Leader: Enerit Sacdanaku

Dr. Enerit Sacdanaku is a passionate Albanian herpetologist who is heavily involved in research initiatives and projects on the amphibians and reptiles of Albania. After his graduation in 2010, Enerit worked as a lecturer at the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Vlora in Albania until 2015 when he moved to the National Research Center on Flora and Fauna of Albania. In 2017, he was awarded the title Doctor of Sciences, thanks to his research carried out on the biology of marine and freshwater turtles. Enerit has published a number of scientific papers on the fauna of Albania and has a particular interest in being involved in the conservation of its herpetofauna through sustainable tourism and he greatly enjoys guiding visitors.

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 14th May – Thu 21st May SPACES £2,395
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245
Thu 28th May – Thu 4th Jun SPACES £2,395
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245 
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Herpetology Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


With in-house herpetology expertise connecting with passionate, expert, field herpetologists – and drawing on knowledge built up from operating bird, mammal, botany, butterfly and other wildlife tours since 1986 – we have crafted a selection of the world’s finest reptile and amphibian holidays in our herping tour portfolio. 


Destinations for our herpetology holidays include: Albania, Borneo, Britain, Colombia, Ecuador, Greece, Japan, Morocco, Namibia, Panama, South Africa, Sri Lanka.


Naturetrek Reptile and Amphibian Tours


    

  • Naturetrek have been crafting expertly-guided group tours to all seven continents for more than 36 years.
    • 

  • All of our herping tours are led by an expert herpetologist guide.
    • 

  • Our herpetology tours provide fantastic opportunity to find, study and photograph reptiles and amphibians.
    • 

  • As with all of our tours, our reptile and amphibian tours use well-located and well-appointed accommodation.
    • 

  • In addition to arranging group flights, we are delighted to help with arrangements to join our holidays from any location worldwide.
    • 



If you are interested in taking a herping holiday to a destination which is not listed in our current portfolio, please do get in touch using the quick enquiry form and we'll be very pleased to discuss options with you.




Our specialist recommends...








“Our ‘Reptiles & Amphibians of Ecuador' 17-day holiday through the spectacularly diverse habitats of Ecuador, which features an exciting exploration of the Naturetrek Reserve! On this tour we'll search for such exquisite jewels as Pinocchio Lizard, Two-striped Forest-pitviper, Mata-mata Turtle, Diablito Poison Frog, Upper Amazon Glass Frog, Linda's Treefrog and many other simply wonderful species.”

Dan Lay – Operations Manager and tour leader


 




 


All Reptile & Amphibian Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!