Join a Wildlife Photo Adventure in the Danube Delta!
Join an wildlife photo adventure in the heart of the Danube Delta, where nature comes alive through your lens! Explore this UNESCO-listed wetland on guided boat tours, designed specifically for photographers. Glide through narrow channels and vast reed beds, capturing the stunning diversity of birdlife, including pelicans, egrets, and cormorants, along with other wildlife such as otters and wild horses. With expert guidance, you’ll access prime locations for both wildlife and landscape photography, ensuring you get the perfect shots in one of Europe’s most breathtaking natural environments. Ideal for photographers of all levels seeking an immersive experience into the wild!
Tour Highlights
✅ 5 days / 4 nights in the heart of the Danube Delta
✅ 3 full days of guided boat photography trips
✅ Small group – max. 4 photographers per boat
✅ Specially designed stable, low-profile boat for best shooting angles
✅ Professional guidance & flexible itinerary based on wildlife activity
✅ Exclusive 3* accommodation in Mila23 with authentic local food
✅ Transfers from Tulcea to Mila23 and back
Details
Country🇷🇴 Romania
Duration (in days)
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Mila23
Meeting point: Port Aval - Tulcea, 15:30 (departure at 16:00).
Boat transfer to Mila23 (2-2.5 hours) via scenic small canals, perfect for photography.
Evening check-in at a guesthouse, followed by a traditional fish-based dinner.
Discussion on Danube Delta photography, rules, and tour schedule.
Days 2-3-4: Full Photography Sessions
Early morning session (before sunrise): Capture birds in golden light (5-6 hours).
Midday break at the guesthouse for rest, photo review, and lunch (optional).
Evening session (4 hours before sunset): Explore new routes for wildlife and landscape shots.
Daily itineraries are adjusted based on weather, water levels, and bird activity.
Return to the guesthouse for dinner.
Target Species:
📸 Dalmatian & White Pelicans
📸 Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills, Ibises
📸 White-tailed Eagles, Kingfishers, Waders
📸 Otters, Wild Boars, Roe Deer, Muskrats
📸 Stunning landscapes and sunrise/sunset reflections
Day 5: Return to Tulcea
Relaxed breakfast at 8:30 AM (no morning session).
Return boat trip to Tulcea in perfect morning light for final photography.
Arrival in Tulcea around 12:00-12:30 PM, marking the end of the tour.
What's Included?
The price includes
ENGLISH guidance
3 Days Guided Boat Photo Tours
Accommodation (4 nights) at 3* local guesthouse in Mila23, bathroom en-suite.
Full board (dinner on Day1; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Days2 -4; breakfast on Day5)
Transfers by boat from Tulcea to Mila 23 and return
Fees for visiting the Danube Delta
Optionally:
Lunch meal – the price is 15-25 euro/pers (payment directly in cash, RON or EUR, on the spot)
Bucharest (including Airport) transfers – 300 euro/car/one way for 1-6 persons
The price does not include:
Beverages, other than water
Lunch meal
Insurance of any kind (travel, goods, etc.)
Cancellation Policy
More then 90 days before the program you can postpone the trip (you will receive a voucher available 2 years).
Less then 90 days before the trip, the deposit is non refundable.
Children policy:
Minimum age to participate is 12
Children over 12 years are charged as adults
Responsibility of children’s supervision during trips belong to parents
All children will wear life jackets during boat trips
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
We let wildlife stay wild
On our photo tours, we never chase birds or animals just to get a shot. Great images come from natural behavior, and that only happens when wildlife feels safe and undisturbed.
We don’t use food, lures, or any artificial attractants. If we use song playback, we do it only once or twice, with great care, to avoid disturbing the birds. Patience beats pressure every single time.
Ethical, honest, unforgettable
We’re here to create real moments, not staged scenes. You go home with authentic photos, and the Delta remains exactly as you found it. That’s how we keep our tours honest, ethical, and truly memorable.
By respecting wildlife and avoiding disturbance, we help maintain natural behavior patterns, one of the most important principles in any conservation effort.
Your photos amplify awareness
Your images travel far beyond the Danube Delta, online, among friends, within nature communities. This raises awareness about why these habitats matter and why they must stay protected.
Your visit supports conservation
A part of what you invest in these tours stays in local communities, guides, and projects that protect habitats. A healthy local economy often means stronger protection for the wild areas we explore.
You contribute to nature monitoring
Your observations and photos, when shared with the right projects, provide valuable data about species presence, abundance, or behavior. Even without trying, you become a part of ongoing conservation work.
Supporting Local Communities
We believe in sustainable tourism that benefits both nature and people. Our guides, boat drivers, and accommodations are all genuine locals, ensuring an authentic experience while directly supporting the community. By choosing local services, we help develop eco-friendly tourism, create opportunities, and encourage sustainable activities that preserve both culture and the natural environment.
Dates & Duration
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
2026 Departure Dates:
April 23
May 14
May 28
June 11
July 23
August 27
September 10
Seasonal Availability
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Languages spoken
English
Romanian
Difficulty
Our photo tours are easy. You just need to be able to carry your gear about 50 meters, and to step in and out of the boat safely.
Once you're on board, it’s all smooth sailing — literally. You sit, relax, and photograph.
Group size
Small group – max. 4 photographers per boat
What to Bring
📷 Photography Gear: Minimum 300mm lens (teleconverter recommended), wide-angle for landscapes.
💾 Storage & Power: Extra memory cards and batteries (no charging during morning sessions).
🎒 Equipment Protection: Waterproof/rainproof camera bag.
🎚️ Tripod/Monopod: Optional but useful.
🌦️ Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, trousers, sun hat, neutral colors (avoid red, white, yellow, blue).
🦟 Essentials: Insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Tours – FAQ
1. What’s the difficulty level?
Easy. You just need to be able to carry your gear about 50 meters and step in/out of the boat. The rest of the time, you’re seated and photographing from the boat.
2. Do I need professional equipment?
No. Any camera with a decent zoom works. Of course, long lenses help, but they’re not mandatory.
3. Are the tours suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. We welcome all skill levels — from first-time wildlife shooters to seasoned pros.
4. Will the guide help me with photography?
Yes. We’ll share tips on light, angles, behavior, and best practices for ethical wildlife photography.
5. How many hours do we spend on the water?
Usually 8-9 hours a day with breaks planned depending on wildlife activity and weather.
6. Is the tour safe?
Yes. We use stable, low-speed boats designed for photography, and we adjust routes for weather and water levels.
7. What about bad weather?
We adapt. Sometimes we change timing or route, but we always aim to maximize photography time safely.
8. Can I bring a tripod?
You can, but most photographers prefer beanbags or handheld shooting from the boat.
9. Do you offer private tours?
Yes. Private and customized tours are available on request.
10. How ethical are your tours?
Very. We don’t chase animals, don’t use food attractors, and use sound playback rarely and responsibly. Natural behavior always comes first.
This experience involves
Wildlife tracking
Wildlife photography
Educational experience
River or wetland boat trip
Herbivores in this landscape
Wild horse
Roe deer
European rabbit
Carnivores in this landscape
Wildcat
Goldon jackal
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
I’m Iliuta Goean, a nature and wildlife photographer, birdwatcher and founder of Discover Danube Delta. Since 2004, I’ve been organizing photography, birding and nature enthusiast tours in the Danube Delta, one of Europe’s most remarkable wild areas. Starting in 2012, my work expanded across borders, into Bulgaria and Greece, where I continue to guide visitors in exploring and understanding nature through respectful observation.
Originally from Bucharest, I left the “comfort” of an office life to live closer to what truly matters to me, the wilderness. Today, my home is the Danube Delta, where I spend my days observing, photographing and sharing the magic of wildlife with others.
My goal is simple: to help people reconnect with nature and to pass on a clean, healthy environment to my children. Every tour, photo and conversation is an opportunity to inspire respect, awareness and genuine care for the natural world.
I’m Iliuta Goean, a nature and wildlife photographer, birdwatcher and founder of Discover Danube Delta. Since 2004, I’ve been organizing photography, birding and nature enthusiast tours in the Danube Delta, one of Europe’s most remarkable wild areas. Starting in 2012, my work expanded across borders, into Bulgaria and Greece, where I continue to guide visitors in exploring and understanding nature through respectful observation.
Originally from Bucharest, I left the “comfort” of an office life to live closer to what truly matters to me, the wilderness. Today, my home is the Danube Delta, where I spend my days observing, photographing and sharing the magic of wildlife with others.
My goal is simple: to help people reconnect with nature and to pass on a clean, healthy environment to my children. Every tour, photo and conversation is an opportunity to inspire respect, awareness and genuine care for the natural world.
