Danube Delta Photo Tour - Birds & Wildlife Photography (4 Days)

Tulcea - Maliuc - Mila 23 - Tulcea

Step into a place that's more than a destination - it's a revelation.

The Danube Delta doesn't reveal itself to everyone. Here, the birds come alone, the light streams smoothly over the reeds, and the silence speaks louder than the hurried guides. This is no mere excursion. It is an ethical expedition into nature - for those who know how to wait and truly observe.

Whether you're passionate about wildlife photography, birdwatching, slow travel or simply crave authentic nature, you'll discover something rare: experiences built on respect, deep expertise and authentic local guidance in Romania's richest biodiversity hotspot.

From the mirror canals of the Danube Delta to the sun-baked steppes of Dobrogea, this bird and wildlife photography tour in Romania brings you face to face with the wild side of nature. It's not just a photo tour - it's an ethical immersion in nature, designed for photographers who love quiet, patience and real encounters with wildlife.

Two wild worlds. One journey. Endless images.
This immersive 4-day/3-night wildlife photography tour is designed for those who want it all: the drama of the wetlands and the vast landscapes of the steppe in one experience.

Led by Florin Stavarache - local guide, ornithologist and wildlife photographer - this tour embodies the Just Wildlife Tours philosophy: small groups, low impact, ethical photography and authentic experiences away from mass tourism.

What to expect on a Danube Delta expedition
- Guided tours in the Danube Delta, either focused on wildlife photography or birdwatching, on board a low-profile boat - perfect for water-level shots.
- Ethical birdwatching in small, quiet groups on secluded canals.
- Field workshops on light, composition, ecology and wildlife behaviour.
- Slow-travel expeditions - no rush, no tick-lists - just presence and mindful observation.

Logistics & strengths
- 4 days / maximum 6 participants - premium, intimate format
- Two daily photo sessions - before sunrise and at sunset
- Authentic local accommodation with traditional meals and tranquillity
- Low-profile boat and equipment available for non-photographers
- No mass tourism, no chasing topics

Why choose this photo tour in the Danube Delta with Just Wildlife Tours?
Photography first, not sightseeing tourism
Each day is built around the light, behaviour and activity of birds - not ticking locations on a map.

Small group - maximum 6 photographers
Space to move, breathe and create. No crowded boats, no competition for shooting positions.

Customised low-profile photo boat
Stable, comfortable and close to water level for intimate perspectives and clean backgrounds - ideal for bird and wildlife photography in the Danube Delta.

Local expertise, real connection
Guided by Florin, who grew up among these waters, you benefit from decades of field experience, local knowledge and a deep understanding of the species and their behaviour.

Ethical wildlife photography
No bait, no stress for the birds, no forced scenes. We read light, wind and behaviour, working with what nature naturally provides.

From pictures to stories
You don't just leave with „pretty pictures” - you leave with a coherent visual story about the Danube Delta and Dobrogea's wildlife.
This is a tour dedicated to bird and wildlife photography, not a simple birdwatching holiday. Everything - programme, pace and logistics - is designed with photographers in mind.

What you will photograph
In the Danube Delta - one of Europe's most important wetlands
Morning and evening sessions, shot from our customised low-profile photo boat, offer unique angles for:
- Crested Pelican & Common Pelican
- Yellow, night, red & grey, dwarf, red & grey, dwarf heron
- Egrets, little cormorant, ibis, skimmers
- Blue gulls, wahoo, wrasses
- Codalb & other predators
Mammals such as otters, wild cats and enot dogs occasionally appear.

We travel quietly, with the engine off whenever possible - keeping the Delta peaceful and bird photography ethical. We may use mobile „doghouse” type hides or small hide-outs where appropriate, always ethically and with the birds' comfort as our top priority.

The objective is to build a varied portfolio: portraits, shots in flight, birds in habitat, mammals, landscapes and details that tell the story of this unique corner of Europe - a true wildlife photography experience in Dobrogea.

Each day follows the quiet rhythm of the Danube Delta, adapted to the light and wildlife activity.
- Morning session: 04:30-10:30 (best light and bird movement)
- Afternoon session: 15:30-20:00 (golden light and calm waters)

Most sessions take place from a custom-built low-profile photoboat, purpose-built for eye-level photography and silent travelling in bird-rich areas.
In between sessions, you can rest, have lunch or participate in relaxed discussions with Florin, your local guide, about the light, composition and behaviour of the birds you observe. The approach remains slow, quiet and completely ethical, ensuring memorable experiences without disturbing nature.

Recommended photo equipment
- Wide-angle (14-24mm / 16-35mm): landscapes and habitat shots
- Medium zoom (24-70mm / 24-105mm): narrative shots
- Telephoto (100-400mm / 500-600mm): close-ups and birds in flight
A beanbag or tripod for the boat is recommended, as well as protection for equipment.

Detailed Itinerary - Danube Delta Photo Tour (4 Days)

Day 1 – Arrival in Tulcea and transfer to the Danube Delta

The meeting of the group will take place in Tulcea harbour - „Ivan Patzaichin” waterfront at 15:00.

We set off by boat on the inlets and canals to our base near Mila 23 - a traditional village accessible only by water, located in the heart of the wetlands - and enjoy our first wildlife photo session.

On the way, you already have your first contact with the Delta: fishermen, reed thickets, reed groves, herons and perhaps the first pelicans hovering low over the water.

Check-in, dinner, tour briefing and presentation of the programme for the following days.

Days 2-3 – Danube Delta: 2 full days of bird & wildlife photography

Two full days (plus an extra morning) dedicated almost entirely to bird and wildlife photography in one of the richest wetlands in Europe - the Danube Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, recognised for its exceptional biodiversity.

Every day:

- Leave before sunrise to be in position when first light hits the water
- Navigate slowly and ethically through canals, lakes and reedbeds, reading signs of activity and adapting your route in real time
- Late morning return for breakfast and rest
- Afternoon/evening session about 4 hours before sunset, exploring new areas or returning to productive places

Target species:

- Pelicans (common & crested)
- Egrets, egrets, egrets, ibises, ibises
- Blue, grey, black, terns, gulls, waders
- Codalb and other predators
- Otter, wild boar, wild cat, bizami, enot dogs (with luck)

After dinner, optional: image analysis and discussion of settings, composition and field technique - in a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for improving wildlife photography skills.

Day 4 – Last session in Deltă and transfer to Tulcea

We enjoy one last morning photo session in the Danube Delta, often in soft, beautiful light on the way back to Tulcea. Keep your camera at the ready - some of the best encounters happen when you least expect it.

Around noon we arrive in Tulcea, where the tour ends.

You leave with cards full of pictures - and, more importantly, a deeper connection with the Danube Delta and its wild inhabitants.

Drone photography (optional)

On this tour we visit spectacular areas seen from above: labyrinths of canals, fragmented lakes, reed thickets, dunes and arid hills. The landscapes of the Danube Delta offer exceptional aerial photo opportunities, especially at sunrise and sunset.

If you use a drone, you can bring it. There will be suitable windows for safe and legal flight, away from sensitive species and crowded airspace, always respecting ethical rules and wildlife behaviour.

Please mention your drone on the booking form so we can advise you on the best times and locations.

Note: A valid European licence is required to use the drone.

What's included

- All accommodation (3-4★, en suite)
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- Daytime bottled water
- All boat trips in the Danube Delta, including personalised photo boat
- Professional guidance by Florin Stavarache, local biologist and wildlife photographer
- Field workshops on light, composition and ethical observation
- Entry fees and local licences

Optional:
Lunch: €15-20 / person (payable on the spot in cash - RON or EUR), usually served in traditional local restaurants.

What's not included

- International flights to / from Bucharest (OTP)
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses (telephone, laundry etc.)

Airport transfer

- 1-6 persons - Bucharest: 300 €; Constanta: 200 € / car / direction

Price & booking options

- Tour price: 2500 lei / person

- Single room supplement: 400 lei / person

- Deposit: 1250 lei / person 

Departures 2026 - 4-day photo tours

- 22-25 April 2026
- 7-10 May 2026
- 21-24 May 2026
- 11-14 June 2026
- 15-18 June 2026
- 17-20 September 2026

Ready to slow down and photograph wild Romania?

If you would like a bird photography tour in the Danube Delta and Dobrogea that combines powerful images with tranquillity, patience and respect for nature, this small group workshop is for you.

Places are limited to 6 photographers per departure.

Book your date now and let's plan your next Danube Delta story together.