Pelicans of Lake Kerkini Photography Holiday

Photographers of all experience levels are invited to join Alison for this four-night Greek Pelicans of Lake Kerkini photography holiday in Kerkini, Northern Greece. You will spend three packed days photographing the Dalmatian Pelicans on one of the most important wetlands in Europe.

This trip, scheduled for 7th – 11th January 2028, has an itinerary which transfers you from Thessaloniki to Kerkini Lake to capture images of the Dalmatian Pelicans on Lake Kerkini during winter.

Over the four-night trip, the locations should provide opportunities to capture images primarily of the Dalmatian Pelican, but other species may be possible.

Throughout this four-night photography holiday, Alison, a member of the NaturesLens guiding team, will be on hand to guide & lead you; she will provide assistance & advice as needed & helping you develop your skills. Alison will help you capture images of the Dalmatian Pelicans with the impressive backdrop of the lake & surrounding snow-capped mountains.

We’ve been leading trips to Kerkini Lake National Park since 2014, working with the same boatman since the beginning; this results in him knowing precisely what our photography group requires & where to position the boat for the best images.

Morning Boat Trips

Morning boat trips on Lake Kerkini are specially arranged for wildlife photographers aiming to take amazing pictures of pelicans. This northern Greek lake is known to have very rich birdlife, especially the Dalmatian pelicans that visit the place during winter. These morning boat trips will get you close to the birds in their habitat, where you can watch them gliding effortlessly through the calm waters & going about different activities. The soft light of the morning allows for perfect photography conditions, especially with great shots of pelicans against the scenic backdrop of the lake & mountains that surround it. Our experienced local guides, along with Alison from NaturesLens, lead these trips & share valuable information on behaviors & habitats of the pelicans, further enriching the experience of wildlife photography.

Afternoon Boat Trips at the Southern Region of the Lake

The afternoon boat trips around Pelican Island on Lake Kerkini offer another great opportunity to watch & photograph the Dalmatian pelicans. As the sun begins to set, the light becomes ideal for capturing the pelicans in their environment, adding color to the landscape. The placid waters of Lake Kerkini provide a serene environment, allowing our guests to move right up close & personal with the pelicans as they glide effortlessly across the water’s surface. These trips are conducted by local experienced guides, accompanied by a guide from NaturesLens, in this case, Alison, both of whom prove invaluable for their knowledge of pelican behaviour & photographic techniques. Guests learn the techniques required to capture stunning photographs portraying the beauty of this exhilarating destination.

Shoreline Feeds

The act of pelican feeding along the shoreline of Lake Kerkini, in northern Greece, is a spectacular experience. Most notably, this region is recognized for its rich fauna, hosting a large group of Dalmatian pelicans. These majestic birds gather in considerable numbers along the shoreline to indulge in a feast of fish, thus posing an extraordinary opportunity for observation & photography. The pelicans have gotten used to the presence of human visitors, allowing close encounters that can make the experience in wildlife photography richer.

About the Pelicans of Lake Kerkini

The Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus Crispus) is the biggest pelican species. Adult birds can have a wingspan of 3 – 4 metres, making the Dalmatian Pelican one of the world’s larger flying birds. At 11 – 15 kg in weight, the Dalmatian Pelican is also the world’s heaviest flying bird.

Male Dalmatian Pelicans are much larger than the females of the species; however, both display bright orange or red gullets throughout the breeding season. After mating completes, these unusual pouches fade to a much more subtle yellow.

The breeding range of the Dalmatian pelican stretches from southeastern Europe to Russia, India & China; the birds prefer shallow lakes & wetlands.

During recent decades, the pelican population experienced a surprising worldwide decline due to habitat loss, disruption & poaching. Protection efforts have been victorious in core areas of their range. Building artificial nesting platforms & removing power lines has seen a distinct upturn in the breeding population.

How many species of pelicans are there on Lake Kerkini?

Lake Kerkini is a renowned bird-watching destination located in Greece. It has been included in the international network of protected wetland sites of Ramsar & several national & international parks. Every year, Lake Kerkini attracts many migratory & local birds, including the majestic pelicans. Two main species of pelicans can be seen on Lake Kerkini, namely the Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) & the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). In addition to these two, a few other rare species have been spotted in the area, such as the Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) & the White-breasted or Eastern White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus). All in all, four known pelican species thrive on Lake Kerkini; but the famed Dalmatian Pelicans are the most common by far.

Wildlife photographed during this departure forms part of the broader NaturesLens winter photography portfolio, highlighting subjects & environments that thrive during the colder months. Explore comparable seasonal opportunities across our winter wildlife photography tours.