Bed and Birding Accommodation Guide 2019

Great Places 

for 

Great Birding 

ACCOMMODATION GUIDE 2018/19

Welcome to Bed & Birding 

Pavel Simeonov and Paul Goriup 

Based on our own experience of searching for suitable accommodation as bird guides, 

we launched the “Bed & Birding” accommodation network in 2013 and have been 

representing our partners at the British Bird fair since 2014. After five years, we are 

pleased that our network continues to expand in numbers as well as geographically 

– as you will see from this Guide. We have had to redesign our web site three times 

in order to cope with this expansion as well as new digital platforms. We are now 

approaching the critical mass of partners where we hope to introduce a joint booking 

management system for the network. 

We have also learned a lot about what our partners expect in terms of presentation 

and marketing, as well as the needs of our birding guests. For example, many partners 

are actively engaged in bird conservation work themselves, and many birders who stay 

with them greatly appreciate their work. From this brochure Guide, we will feature 

examples of this great contribution to bird conservation. 

We are proud that this year Swarovski Optik have given us their support; such recognition 

is a real boost for our network and bodes well for our future development. 

Bed & Birding - Homes Made for Birders ® 

Discover a Distinctive World of Birding 

“Bed & Birding” is a steadily growing global network of accommodation providers 

that have been carefully chosen in accordance with our service quality criteria. 

Our partners not only provide comfortable and memorable accommodation, but also 

pay careful attention to the specific needs of birders, including: bird-friendly surroundings, 

site information, expert local guides, logistical support, and log-calling 

lounges. 

For travelling birders, individuals as well as tour companies, the Bed & Birding network 

helps you to select locations and make bookings simply. Our partners embrace 

a huge diversity of internationally important wildlife areas including Mediterranean 

islands, the Danube Delta and other Black Sea wetlands, the east and west Atlantic 

coasts, uplands of England, the Baltic Sea and taiga, as well as pristine rainforests 

in the Amazon basin and Guinea highlands. Use our online bird checklists to find 

partners where you can see your target species. You can even plan your travel to link 

up several bases inside a country or across countries in order to produce a fantastic 

birding itinerary, confident that you will stay in places that understand your needs 

and will strive to meet them. 

For potential partners, Bed & Birding is an enterprise that targets the large market 

segment for ecotourism in general, and birdwatchers in particular (over 10 million 

worldwide). Moreover, it can generate business during the off-peak periods of the 

main tour season. We work with all types of accommodation to help them integrate 

the Bed & Birding criteria in their existing business models. 

Bed & Birding licenses partners to use its branded identity and materials in order 

to market their services to birders. The company provides training and know-how 

where necessary, promotes the partnership and maintains a corporate web site that 

features all partners, and through which booking enquiries can be made. The application 

procedure, and terms and conditions, are available on our web site. Take a look 

at our current list of partners presented in this brochure – and perhaps you would like 

to feature in the next edition! 

STOP PRESS! 

2 

Bed & Birding founders, Pavel Simeonov (right) and Paul Goriup (left), on the Black Sea shore. 

www.bedandbirding.com 

We are delighted to announce that Swarovski 

Optik, the premier supplier of optical equipment 

for birders, has become a corporate partner of 

Bed & Birding. Such support demonstrates the 

progress we have made over the last five years. 

Our partners will now be able to benefit from the 

kudos of having Swarovski support our network. 

3

Directory of all 

Bed & Birding Partners 

Africa 

Finland 

USA 

South Africa 

The Bahamas 

Lithuania 

Panama 

Caribbean Sea 

UK 

Poland 

Belarus 

Ukraine 

France 

Austria 

Hungary 

Ecuador 

Romania 

Peru 

Bulgaria 

Indonesia 

Spain 

Australia 

Papua 

New Guinea 

Greece

Bed & Birding Accommodation Category Criteria 

Our partners are scored according to the crtieria in the table below. 

The number of “birds” awarded depends on the total score obtained 

The Bed & Birding category is assigned 1 2 3 4 5 

according to the following thresholds: 

Minimum score needed per category 35 55 75 100 125 

FEATURED PARTNERS 

Branta Birding Lodge 

Bulgaria,Varna, Northern 

Black Sea coast – over 300 

species recorded in the area 

Bulgaria 

St George Complex 

Bulgaria, Burgas, Southern 

Black Sea coast – over 320 


Strandja Tourist Centre 

Bulgaria, Burgas, Strandja 

Natural Park – over 160 


General category criteria 

Score 

Library of bird and other wildlife books and checklists 3 

Natural vegetation around 1-15 

Close vicinity to wildlife areas (nature reserve, park, wetland...) 5-15 

Terrace with panorama 5 

List of species recorded in the area (month by month) 3 

Birders lounge 5 

Drying room 3 

Garden attractive for wildlife 1-10 

Equipment available to hire 

Wet weather attire 3 

Bicycles 2 

Telescope 4 

Binoculars 3 

Tripod 2 

4WD vehicle 5 

GPS receiver 3 

Boats (if you have water around) 4 

Bird hide 4 

Camera 3 

Horses 4 

Other (please specify in email) 1-5 

Services 

Early breakfast 3 

Access to a local avian specialist / guide 5 

Other (please specify in email) 1-10 

Sustainability 

Wastewater disposal system 5 

Waste recycling 3 

Low flow water supply system 3 

Locally sourced food, when possible 3 

Local construction materials 5 

Use of renewable energy - e.g. solar panels 5 

Electric boat engines used 3 

Electric vehicles used 3 

Conservation activities undertaken/supported 3-5 

Branta Birding Lodge © A. Ivanov 

Hotel category: 

Bed & Birding category: 

Branta Birding Lodge, birthplace of 

the Bed and Birding concept, operates 

a variety of bird tours along 

the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and 

Romania. It offers spectacular views 

over woodlands, farmland, marshes, 

seaside and the famous Durankulak 

Lake. The area lies on an important 

migration route as well as providing 

a range of habitats for a wide range 

of birds. Birding is good throughout 

the year. Knowledgeable English 

and French speaking bird guides are 

available on request. 

www.birdinglodge.com 

Red-breasted Geese © Bed & Birding 

St George Complex 



St George and its neighbour Relax 

Hotel are located in the quiet village 

of Sarafovo, just a few miles north of 

Burgas, a migration hot-spot where 

soaring birds gather in large flocks 

before setting off down the Bosphorus. 

The complex overlook the Black 

Sea and are flanked by gardens which 

attract large numbers of migrating 

passerine birds. Short journeys deliver 

you to bird-rich salinas (5 min. 

drive from the complex) including 

the renowned wetlands of Atanasov 

-sko, Pomorie and Burgas Lakes. 


Broad-billed Sandpipers © Bed & Birding 

Tourist Complex Strandja 



Strandja Tourist Centre is located 

in south-east Bulgaria, in the heart 

of the Strandja mountains, about 30 

km from the city of Burgas. Strandja 

Natural Park is widely recognised as 

one of the most ecologically pristine 

regions in Europe, boasting a rich diversity 

of plants, animals and birds 

(especially woodpeckers and raptors). 

It is within easy reach of the 

Black Sea coastal wetlands and Burgas 

international airport. 


Middle Spotted Woodpecker © V. Kucherenko 

6 

7


Bulgaria 


Bulgaria & Romania 

Srebarna Guesthouse 

Hotel Mursal 

Nature Travel 

Albena Beach Villa 

Hotel Arabella Beach 

Cormoran Complex 

Bulgaria, South Dobrudja, 

Lower Danube – over 240 


Bulgaria, Western Rhodope 

mountains - over 180 


North East Bulgaria, Suha 

reka protected area– over 180 


Bulgaria, Albena Sea Resort, 

west Black Sea coast - over 280 


Bulgaria, Albena Sea Resort, 

west Black Sea coast - over 280 


Romania, Danube Delta, 

Uzlina Island - over 260 


Srebarna Guesthouse 

Hotel Mursal 

Nature Travel © Sergey Panayotov 

Albena Beach Villa 

Hotel Arabella Beach 

Cormoran Complex 













Srebarna Guesthouse is located beside 

Lake Srebarna, recognised as 

an internationally important area by 

UNESCO. It is just two hours drive 

from the airports of Bucharest (Romania) 

and Varna (Bulgaria). The 

colony of Dalmatian Pelicans at Srebarna 

Biosphere Reserve is the last 

remaining in the Lower Danube and 

the only one in Bulgaria. The wetlands, 

meadows and riverine forests 

at Srebarna support a wide range of 

birds typical of the Danube floodplains. 


Hotel Mursal, built in traditional 

Bulgarian mountain style, is situated 

loftily at 1400 m altitude in the 

heart of the western part of the magical 

Rhodope Mountains. Perched 

just above the charming village of 

Yagodina, it offers stunning views 

on all sides. The impressive Trigrad 

canyon - kingdom of the exquisite 

Wallcreeper - is just 40 minutes 

drive away. Nutcracker, Capercaillie, 

Hazel Grouse and White-backed 

Woodpecker are also present. Golden 

Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Peregrine 

are among notable raptors. 


The birding cottage is situated in 

the village Ognyanovo, North of the 

town Dobritch. There is an extensive 

list of bird observations with some of 

the highlights being European Roller, 

Golden oriole, European Bee-eater, 

Hoopoe, Hawfinch , Wryneck, Syrian 

and Middle Woodpeckers, different 

shrikes and buntings. Our specialty is 

bird photography and bird watching 

from specially designed hides near 

places where birds live. Currently 

we have 7 hides, 2 of them are in the 

backyard: photo tower and hide with 

drinking and feeding station. 


Albena Beach Villa, overlooking 

the Black Sea, is located in the wellknown 

Albena sea resort, just 40 km 

from Varna airport. It is another great 

place for a family holiday combined 

with excellent birding and particularly 

well situated for observing the Via 

Pontica flyway migration of soaring 

birds. In Spring, the picturesque 

wooded hills behind the villa, are 

alive with the songs of Golden Oriole, 

Nightingale, Eastern Olivaceous 

Warbler and flycatchers and many 

other woodland birds. 

www.albena.bg/en 

Hotel “Arabella Beach”, overlooking 

the Black Sea, is located in a secluded 

part of the well-known Albena 

sea resort. It is situated on the wide 

sandy beach itself, with a back-drop 

of picturesque wooded hills. It is particularly 

well situated for observing 

the Via Pontica flyway migration of 

soaring birds from its rooftop platform, 

as well as sea birds such as 

Yelkouan Shearwater, Arctic Skua 

and Mediterranean Shag. It is given 

particular charm by the neighbouring 

alluvial forest of “Baltata”. 

www.albena.bg/en 

Cormoran Complex is located in the 

Romanian Danube Delta, just on the 

large meander in the Sfintu Gheorghe 

branch, near Murighiol. The site 

offers a range of accommodation options 

(self-catering cabins to suites) 

and is very well landscaped. Local 

birdlife includes pelicans, herons, 

gulls and turns. In addition to the 

excellent birding (within and around 

the grounds, as well as by boat) there 

are opportunities for other activities 

such as fishing and horse riding. 


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Dalmatian Pelicans © Bed & Birding 

Wallcreeper © Bed & Birding 

Golden Oriole © Sergey Panayotov 

Scops Owl © Bed & Birding 

Lesser Spotted Eagle © Bed & Birding 

White Pelicans © Bed & Birding 

9

Limneo Hotel 

Greece, Lake Kerkini, 

Serres region - over 300 



Greece 

Forest Inn Ecolodge 

Greece, Dadia village, 

Evros region - over 250 


Ichnilatis Guesthouse 

Greece, Koryfoudi village, 

Serres region - over 300 



Bugacpuszta Lodge 

Hungary, Great Hungarian Plain, 

Kiskunság national park - over 

260 species recorded in the area 

Hungary & Ukraine 

Iris cottage 

Ukraine, south-west Odessa, 

Lower Danube Lakes and 

Delta with area list 200+ 

Karawaika Cottage 

Ukraine, south-west Odessa, 

Lower Dniester National Park, 

with area list 200+ 

Limneo Hotel 

Forest Inn Ecolodge 

Ichnilatis Guesthouse 

Bugacpuszta Lodge 

Iris Cottage 

Karawaika Cottage 













Limneo Hotel is a friendly popular 

establishment located just near 

the famed Lake Kerkini - a Greek 

Wonderland and most important 

wintering ground for the globally endangered 

Dalmatian Pelican. It also 

offers spectacular views of majestic 

snow-capped mountains raising towards 

neighbouring Bulgaria. The 

Greater Flamingos and Dalmatian 

Pelicans being the main attraction of 

Kerkini. There is an outstanding bird 

tally of over 300 species recorded in 

the area. 

The Forest Inn Ecolodge lies right 

next to the Forest of Dadia-Lefkimi- 

Soufli National Park, where 36 of the 

38 species of the European raptors 

have been recorded! It is located 67 

km from the city of Alexandroupolis 

and is nestled in the foothills of 

south-east Rhodope Mountain, just 

along the Bulgaria-Greece border. 

The lodge offers 20 standard double/ 

twin rooms, facing either the garden 

or the forest. 

Ichnilatis Cottage is the perfect base 

for exploring Lake Kerkini and its 

surrounding plains and wooded hills. 

The largest national park in Greece 

and one of the top birding sites in 

Europe, it is wonderful at any time 

of year not only for birds but for a 

wealth of plants and other wildlife. 

Greater Flamingos and Dalmatian 

Pelicans are the main attractions, but 

there are also many other breeding 

birds including Pygmy Cormorants, 

grebes, herons and ducks. In winter, 

Lesser White-fronted Geese and 

Spotted Eagles can be seen. 

Our lodge tents are located in Bugacpusztaháza, 

30 miles away from the 

Danube river and 60 miles from the 

famous lake Balaton. The neighbouring 

Kiskunság national park is one of 

the oldest in the country and protects a 

great array of habitats, each with their 

specific birdlife. The national park is 

one of the most important breeding 

sites of great bustard in Europe. It’s 

also a key habitat for several notable 

raptors including red-footed and saker 

falcons, imperial eagle, long-legged 

and rough-legged buzzards... 

Iris Cottage, owned by the Anglo- 

Ukrainian company Salix Ecotours, 

is situated in the small town of Reni. 

It is close to the last single stretch of 

the Danube, and borders Moldova 

and Romania. The self-catering cottage 

is constructed with traditional 

materials and has a small garden 

where Collared Flycatchers, Golden 

Orioles, Icterine Warblers and Black 

Redstarts are frequent visitors. It is 

just a short walk to Lake Kagul, a 

Ramsar-listed wetland. 

Karawaika Cottage is very conveniently 

located in the riverside town 

of Mayaky, overlooking the Lower 

Dniester National Park. It has a terraced 

garden with a view of the river 

and its huge reedbeds from where 

bitterns can be heard booming. The 

Park includes marshes, lakes, riverine 

woodlands and steppe areas, 

supporting a wealth of birdlife. The 

cottage is situated about 30 minutes 

by car from the Odessa International 

Airport. 

www.limneokerkini.gr 

www.forestinn.eu 


www.bugacpusztalodge.be 

www.salix.od.ua 


10 

Greater Flamingos © David Pattyn 

Black Vultures © Forest Inn 

Lesser White-fronted Geese © I. Zafirov 

Imperial Eagle © Mladen Vasilev 

Pallas’s Gull © Bed & Birding 

Glossy Ibis © Bed & Birding 

11

Minges Lodge 

Lithuania, Nemunas Delta 

- over 280 species recorded 

in the area 


Lithuania & Finland 

Pakalnes Vingis Lodge 

Lithuania, Nemunas Delta 


in the area 

Airport Hotel Oulu 

Finland, Kempele, Oulu 

- over 340 species 

recorded in the area 


St. Martin’s Spa and Lodge 

Austria, Lake Neusiedl 

Seewinkel region - over 350 


Austria, Poland & Belarus 

Wejmutka Manor 

Poland, Bialowieza National 

Park - over 250 species 


Doroshevichi Lodge 

Belarus, Pripyatski NP 


in the area 

Minges Lodge 

Pakalnes Vingis Lodge 

Airport Hotel Oulu 

St. Martin’s Spa and Lodge 

Wejmutka Manor 

Doroshevichi Lodge 













Minges Lodge is perfectly located 

at Minijos river shore, adjacent to 

the Nemunas Delta Regional Park - 

the most important breeding ground 

for the globally endangered Aquatic 

Warbler (245 singing males in 2015). 

Large numbers of water and marsh 

birds breed here and hundreds of 

thousands of migrating birds stop to 

rest. The Lodge also features majestic 

evenings at the Lithuanian “Venice” 

- the Minges village and sunsets 

over Kniaupo Bay waters. 

Pakalnes Vingis Lodge is perfectly 

located at the heart of Rusne Island, 

adjacent to the Nemunas Delta Regional 

Park - the most important 

migration stopover site for the many 

endangered birds (320 species of 

birds). Large numbers of water and 

marsh birds breed here and hundreds 

of thousands of migrating birds stop 

to rest. The Lodge also features majestic 

evenings at the Pakalnes River 

and sunsets over Curonian Lagoon 

waters. 

The Airport Hotel is sited close to 

Oulu at Kempele, only seven minutes’ 

drive from the airport itself 

and 15 km from the internationally 

important wetland at Liminganlahti, 

the best birding site in Finland. The 

great variety of habitats (sea coast, 

wetland meadows, bogs, lakes, rivers 

and various types of forests) ensure a 

high number of typical far north species, 

including Taiga Bean Goose, 

Red-necked Phalarope, Boreal Owl, 

Siberian Tit, Siberian Jay, Parrot 

Crossbill and Rustic Bunting. 

St. Martin’s Spa & Lodge is located 

directly at the Neusiedler See - 

Seewinkel National Park, a UNESCO 

World Heritage Site. The resort combines 

the premium atmosphere of 4- 

star superior accommodation with 

pristine nature. Personal guided safaris 

are one of St. Martins‘ strengthstailored 

to your needs. Just recently 

Austria’s first bird photo hide has 

been installed on the lodge’s property. 

With more than 350 species of 

birds recorded, the region is a prime 

destination in Europe for wildlife 

enthusiasts. 

Wejmutka Manor is a wonderful place 

in the heart of the magical primeval 

forest of Bialowieza (UNESCO site), 

offering boundless opportunities to 

enjoy nature in peace and comfort. 

Birdwatching starts right on the verandah, 

then the back garden and a 

few steps away into the forest itself: 

Wryneck, Nutcracker, Thrush Nightingale 

and Scarlet Rosefinch just to 

start with..., and after a good day out, 

there is the outstanding local hospitality 

to savour. 

Pripyatski National Park has only recently 

come to the attention of birders 

and naturalists in the west, yet it 

is unquestionably one of the richest 

wildlife regions within geographic 

Europe. Doroshevichi Lodge,quietly 

located at the edge of the park, provides 

immediate access to the great 

Pripyat River, combining very highstandard 

comfort and cuisine with 

viewing elusive avian treasures 

- from its very doorstep: Azure Tit, 

Terek Sandpiper and Great Grey Owl 

are among species to be found. 




www.stmartins.at 



12 

Long-tailed Duck © Boris Belchev 

Aquatic Warbler © Boris Belchev 

Three-toed Woodpecker © Bed & Birding 

Great Bustard © Anita-Huszti 

European Bison © Adam Vajrak 

Azure Tit © Bed & Birding 

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Hacienda El Santiscal 

Spain, Sierra del Santiscal 

mountain range - over 300 



Spain 

Pine Walk Apartment 

Spain, Mallorca, s’Albufera 

Natural Park - over 300 species 


La Pajarona 

La Siberia, Extremadura - over 



Spurn Bird Observatory 

England, Kilnsea Hull - nearly 


England & France 

North West Birds 

England, Cumbria - over 270 


La Claverie Guesthouse 

France, Atlantic coast, 

Marais Poitevin - over 250 


Hacienda El Santiscal 

Pine Walk Apartment 

La Pajarona 

Spurn Bird Observatory 

Barn Close 

La Claverie Guesthouse 













Hacienda El Santiscal is a very 

quiet rural-style green hotel located 

in the cliff-hugging town of Arcos 

de la Frontera, near to Grazalema 

Nature Park in the foothills of the 

Sierra del Santiscal mountain range. 

The mountains to the east have 

Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffon & Egyptian 

Vulture while the lagoons to the west 

hold Marbled Teal, White-headed 

Duck, Spanish Imperial Eagle and 

Red-knobbed Coot. Moreover, the 

famous Coto Donana National Park 

is within easy reach of the Hacienda. 


Located in Puerto Pollensa, in the 

north-east of Mallorca, this cosy 

apartment is the ideal base for birdwatching 

around the whole island. 

Bonelli’s Eagle, Eleonora’s Falcon, 

Black and Griffon Vultures, Crested 

Coot, the endemic Balearic Warbler 

and Balearic Shearwater, Audouin’s 

Gull, Moustached Warbler, and Beeeater 

can be seen easily. Endemic 

plants and orchids add to this amazing 

biodiversity. Experienced local 

guides are available on request. 

www.mallorcanaturaltours.com 

La Pajarona is located in the charming 

village of Siruela, deep in the beautiful 

countryside of northern Extremadura 

- one of the best birdwatching regions 

in Europe. Local birdlife includes 

Great & Little Bustards, Black Storks, 

Griffon and Black Vultures, Golden, 

Bonelli’s & Spanish Imperial Eagles, 

Thekla and Calandra Larks, Pin-tailed 

and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Eagle 

Owl, and Lesser Kestrels in the village 

itself. Much of the surrounding area is 

included in the Special Protection Area 

of La Serena y Sierras Periféricas. 


Spurn Bird Observatory is Britain’s 

most exciting east coast birding location 

and has provided accommodation 

for nearly sixty years for thousands of 

people who enjoy watching birds and 

other wildlife. Within walking distance 

from the Observatory are a number of 

reserves: Kilnsea Wetlands and Beacon 

Ponds support thousands of waders. 

During autumn thousands of birds descend 

upon the area having completed 

their migration across the North Sea. 

Rarities are always possible, providing 

mega highlights such as Pine Bunting, 

Siberian Accentor or Masked Shrike... 

www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk 

North West Birds is a bed and breakfast 

establishment based on a large 

family house, Barn Close, with 0.5 

ha of garden in a lovely spot just 

above the River Bela on the edge of 

Beetham village. 

Typical birds here include Dipper, 

Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Merlin, 

Barn Owl, Black & Red Grouses, 

Nightjar, Dotterel, Bearded Tit and 

Twite, while autumn sea-watching 

produces views of Leach’s Petrel. 


La Claverie is located close to La 

Rochelle and the Atlantic coast, and 

provides great birding from a very 

comfortable guest house. The “Baie 

de l’Aiguillon” is only 5 km away, 

and many other natural reserves are 

nearby. This area has many habitats 

(salt meadows, wetlands, mudflats, 

marshes and streams) and is one of 

the most important places in Europe 

for migratory birds. It offers four 

very comfortable and clean rooms 

– each with ensuite bathroom and 

toilet. Guided bird tours on request. 

www.la-claverie-des-noyers.com 

Great Spotted Cuckoo © Bed & Birding 

Black Vulture © Lasse J. Laine 

Azure-winged Magpie © Richard Steel 

Spotted Redshank © Bed & Birding 

Hen Harrier © Bed & Birding 

Purple Sandpiper © Lasse J Laine 

14 

15

Alamo Inn B&B Gear & Tours 

USA, Alamo, South Texas 

– over 540 species recorded 

in the area 


USA & South Africa 

Stone Farm 

USA, Vinalhaven, 

Maine - over 340 species 


!Xaus Lodge 

South Africa, Kgalagadi 

Transfrontier Park - over 270 



Bellavista Cloud 

Forest Lodge 

Ecuador, Tandayapa Alta, 

Quito - over 450 species 


Ecuador & Panama 

Canopy B&B 

Panama, Soberania National 

Park, over 400 species 


Al Natural Resort 

Panama, Panama, Bocas del 

Toro archipelago - over 700 


Alamo Inn B&B Gear & Tours 

Stone Farm 

!Xaus Lodge 

Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge 

Canopy B&B 

All Natural Resort 



Alamo Inn B&B features a range of 

private suites located in the center of 

the richest birding area in the U.S. 

It is clean, quiet, romantic, and the 

perfect spot for bird and butterfly 

watchers. Whether you’re coming 

to stay with us for the birds or 

buterflies, or just for our comfortble 

atmosphere while you’re away 

on business, we strive to make your 

experience a great one. Join us to 

experience Texas’s best birding: neotropical 

migrants, tropical specialties, 

wintering temperate species, resident 

temperate species, and rarities, plus 

butterflies and other wildlife. 

www.alamoinnbnb.com 



Stone Farm is an historic building 

dating from 1820 situated on the island 

of Vinalhaven ( the larger of 

the two Fox Islands) in the Gulf of 

Maine. It is surrounded by a wonderful 

rocky landscape of spruce forests. 

Vinalhaven’s coasts, open space and 

numerous conserved areas make it 

a haven for migrating, breeding and 

overwintering sea and land birds. 

The area is particularly well known 

for Ospreys as well as Atlantic Puffin, 

Razorbill, Black Guillemot, Bald 

Eagle and Great Blue Heron. 




!Xaus Lodge, overlooking memorable 

setting of a dry salt pan and 

red sand dunes, is a tranquil escape 

with abundant wildlife, remoteness, 

and silence. It is a unique, exotic and 

beautiful safari camp in the middle 

of a dessert – miles from anywhere, 

offering close up views of lions, 

leopards, cheetahs, jackals, hyena, 

antelopes, and a lot of birds. There 

are over 270 bird species recorded 

from the park including the globally 

threatened Ludwig’s Bustard, 5 species 

of vultures and Black Harrier. 




Located at the top of a ridge overlooking 

the deeply-forested Tandayapa 

Valley, Bellavista Cloud 

Forest offers unparalleled access to 

northwestern Ecuador´s colourful 

and diverse birds. Ecuador is South 

America´s prime birding destination 

having the highest number of birds 

per square km in the world. 

Bellavista provides 17 comfortable 

rooms with private bath. Some of 

them are for families. Pleasant standard 

rooms include the unusual Bamboo 

House, Mirador Suite, and the 

half-timbered Trailhead House… 




The Canopy B&B offers a comfortable 

place to stay in the heart of central 

Panama. It is located in the historic 

Canal Zone town of Gamboa, 

on the banks of the Panama Canal. 

Surrounded by Soberania National 

Park and the biological corridor of 

extensive lowland rainforest of central 

Panama, the Canopy B&B is the 

perfect location to explore the tropical 

rainforest while based at a comfortable 

retreat. Our friendly staff is 

available to assist our guests with 

anything they may need, including 

arranging tours and transportation. 

canopytower.com/canopy-bed-and-breakfast 



Al Natural Resort is a rustic oasis in 

the haven of the Caribbean. A private 

and very comfortable retreat it 

is located between tropical forest and 

the sea, ecologically integrated into 

the lushness of surrounding nature. 

This little unit of paradise lies next 

to Bastimentos Island Marine National 

Park, where pelicans may be 

watched diving into the sea directly 

in front of your accommodation. It 

really is a Home Made for Birders… 

away from home! 

www.alnaturalresort.com 

16 

Roseate-Spoonbill 

Great Northern Diver © Lasse J Laine 

Yellow-billed Hornbill © A. Arabadjian 

Giant Antpitta © Tui De Roy 

Crimson-backed Tanager © Dt 

Brown Pelicans © Bed & Birding 

17

Manu Birding Lodge 

Peru, Madre de Dios, Manu 

National Park - over 600 



Peru & Papua New Guinea 

Karawari Lodge 

Papua New Guinea, East Sepik 

Province - over 220 species 


Ambua Lodge 

Papua New Guinea , Southern 

Highlands - over 215 species 



Rondon Ridge Lodge 

Papua New Guinea, Western 

Highlands - over 180 species 


Papua New Guinea 

Lake Murray Ecolodge 




Bensbach Wildlife Lodge 




Manu Birding Lodge 

Karawari Lodge 

Ambua Lodge 

Rondon Ridge Lodge 

Lake Murray Ecolodge 

Bensbach Wildlife Lodge 













Manu Birding Lodge is situated in 

a spectacular setting on the bank of 

Madre de Dios River, next to Manu 

National Park. It is accessible with an 

enjoyable boat trip from Boca Manu. 

The accommodation is charming, 

with all facilities and special services 

tailored by birders for birders (with 

special regard for photographers). 

Festive Coquette, Reddish Hermit, 

White-chinned Sapphire and Blackeared 

Fairy are amongst local hummingbirds. 

Visit this exclusive Bed 

& Birding place with our friendly 

and experienced local guides. 

Standing majestically on a lone ridge, 

300 meters above the banks of the Karawari 

River and overlooking an endless 

expanse of dense tropical rainforest, 

is Karawari Lodge. It is accessible 

only by small charter aircraft that arrives 

and departs from a private airstrip. 

The veranda offers magnificent 

views over the river with its stilted 

villages, and the Sepik lowlands. The 

rainforest around the lodge has an 

impressive range of birds, including 

the elusive 12-Wire Bird of Paradise, 

cockatoos, parrots, hornbills, cormorants 

and other water birds. 

Ambua Lodge, located at 7000 feet 

(2100 meters) in the Tari Gap area, 

borders on pristine mid-montane 

rainforest and the beginning of the 

valley grasslands. A perfect location 

for birdwatchers and nature lovers, 

and offering great opportunities for 

visiting nearby Huli villages, where 

Bird of Paradise feathers are used in 

local ceremonies. In fact, there are an 

amazing 13 species of Birds of Paradise 

to be found around the lodge, as 

well as Dwarf Cassowary, parrots, 

flowerpeckers and whistlers. 

Rondon Ridge Lodge is situated in a 

remote rural setting overlooking the 

Wahgi Valley and the city of Mount 

Hagen in the Highlands of Papua 

New Guinea. It is approximately 60 

minutes’ drive from Kagamuga Airport, 

which has several daily flights 

from Port Moresby, making it easily 

accessible for international arrivals. 

Rondon Ridge is home to Birds of 

Paradise, Bowerbirds, Parrots, Honey-eaters 

and many others. Birding is 

done primarily from the lodge on well 

groomed trails that climb through the 

mountain rainforest. 

Nestled among the trees on an island 

spit, Lake Murray Ecolodge overlooks 

the beautiful Lake Murray, the largest 

lake in PNG. It is the newest member 

of the Trans Niugini Tours portfolio. 

We arrange excursions around the lake 

in 8-seat river boats to visit top birding 

locations and local villages. Western 

Province is home to over 50% of New 

Guinea’s total bird fauna and Lake 

Murray is one of the best birdwatching 

sites in the Province. In addition to a 

host of migratory birds, several birds 

of paradise species, pelicans, hornbills, 

eagles, parrots and numerous other 

specialities are found here. 

The remote and sparsely populated 

south-western corner of Papua New 

Guinea is home to Bensbach Wildlife 

Lodge. Access to the lodge is by 

charter aircraft, either from Cairns and 

Horn Island, Australia and then Daru 

or through Mount Hagen. It is approximately 

10 km from West Papua, 

the Indonesian half of the island. The 

sweeping flood plains teem with herds 

of deer, wallabies, reptiles and wild 

ponies. It is a vital stopover place for 

thousands of migratory birds and river 

boats from the lodge are available for 

birding tours. 

www.amazonbirding.com 

www.pngtours.com/lodge2.html 



www.pngtours.com/lakemurray.html 


Cock-of-the-rock © S. Llactahuaman Northern Cassowary © TNT Mountain Peltops © Lasse J. Laine 

Brehm’s Tiger Parrot © Lasse J. Laine 

Blyths Hornbill © Lasse J. Laine 

Sacred Kingfisher © Lasse J. Laine 

18 

19

Conservation stories - Bulgaria 

Srebarna Biosphere Reserve (and Ramsar site) is situated beside the south bank of the Danube River 

(north-eastern Bulgaria). It supports the last breeding colony of the red-listed Dalmatian Pelican in 

the country. An excellent example where conservation is having a positive impact is the Dalmatian 

Pelican Conservation Project in Srebarna, with the financial support of Swarovski Optik and technical 

assistance from Branta Birding Lodge and Srebarna Guesthouse; featuring two of the oldest partners 

of the Bed & Birding network (see pages 7 and 8). 

Swarovski Optik has funded the project since 1998, with annual work focusing on the maintenance 

of a fence protecting the colony and mowing part of the reedbed around to ensure enough space for 

breeding and a peripheral zone where predators could approach nests without being seen. 

Over the years and at various different times, a total of 12 two-metre high wooden pile breeding platforms 

have been built, on which the pelican nests are protected from predators and high water. In 

parallel, three artificial rafts and a 120 m tunnel to approach the observation hide were also set up 

in the colony as part of a joint research and conservation programme in the colony. With an increase 

from just 50-60 pairs when the project began in 1998 to over 120 in 2017, despite several set-backs 

from the depredations of predators and flooding, the success of the Pelican Conservation Project in 

Srebarna shows that with the right management and targeted financial support there is still hope for 

this large and beautiful waterbird. 

Conservation stories - Ukraine 

For the past six years, Salix EcoTours have provided free winter-time accommodation at their 

Iris cottage, one of our our B&B partners in Ukraine (see page 11) for engineers from British 

company BioFare who are working with the Ukrainian biomass company BioTop. 

These two companies are testing a pilot production facility to make pellets from reeds harvested 

from a nearby reedbed beside the Danube River that has invaded open waters and 

reduced the numbers of breeding birds such as ferruginous duck, pygmy cormorant and 

glossy ibis. 

As a result of carefully controlled harvesting, paid for by the sale of the pellets produced, 

these and other birds (as well as water plants and amphibians) have benefitted. The improved 

numbers and visibility of birds in turn make Iris cottage a better location for birding. 

Moreover, local people now have a reliable and low carbon alternative fuel to gas. 

Tall, dense reed that excludes many open-water birds 

Open water patches recreated and maintained at 

Lake Kagul, located 20 min walk from Iris Cottage. 

Artificial platforms for breeding Dalmatian pelicans 

Low-ground pressure harvester at work in winter 

at Lake Kagul 

Reed pellets produced from harvesting reed straw 

20 21

Conservation stories - Peru 

We at Manu Birding Lodge (page 18) are personally involved in conservation: we are determined to 

save and preserve a sustainable piece (over 500 hectares) of this fine rainforest and its wildlife before 

it disappears forever. We believe that we have found the perfect formula. Our land comprises a birdrich 

piece of lowland rainforest, and as an important part of our conservation plan we have built the 

comfortable and convenient Manu Birding Lodge, which is owned and run by Amazon Birding. Our 

trails and scenery, our flora and fauna, will delight everyone who enjoys experiencing nature first 

hand. Our birds, mammals, butterflies and moths provide endless opportunities for wildlife photographers 

and benefits from ecotourism are reinvested in conservation activities. 

In addition to managing our own forest and land, we are working with people in nearby communities, 

seeking economic alternatives to the slash and burn agriculture that threatens the area´s remaining 

rainforest. In time we hope that Manu Birding Lodge private reserve will become a recognised base 

for scientific inquiry into ornithology, zoology, botany and other biological fields, within our own forest 

and in the nearby Manu National Park as well. 

DISCOVER 

The Lodge of: 

that nature is an early bird. 

We are just a handful of people. Our backgrounds and training differ, but among our various talents 

we are all dedicated conservationists and birders; we have been involved professionally in birding for 

many years. Our driving force is conservation, not profit. We shall maintain our commitments to forest 

conservation and to running a fine lodge, returning profits to the land, and we find that responsibility 

to be an exciting challenge. Visit this exclusive Bed & Birding place to help save Peru’s Rainforest! 

Festive Coquette (Lophornis chalybeus) 

Sharp shooters - conservation style along the Madre de Dios river 


E-Mail: safari@stmartins.at 

Telephone: +43 2172 20500 

Im Seewinkel 1 

7132 Frauenkrichen 

AUSTRIA 

Different species of birds – from 

majestic white-tailed eagles to 

rare great bustards and Eurasian 

spoonbills – await discovery on 

a Seewinkel safari with the 

St. Martins Rangers. To find out 

which of the 300 species can 

be seen where and when visit 


22

YOU CAN FIND OUR PRODUCTS 

AT EXCLUSIVE SPECIALIST RETAILERS 

AND ONLINE AT WWW.SWAROVSKIOPTIK.COM 

BY APPOINTMENT TO 

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SWAROVSKI OPTIK 

SUPPLIER OF BINOCULARS 

BTX 

#CLOSER 2 

NATURE 

The new binocular BTX spotting scope offers the 

most natural viewing experience ever, allowing you to see 

the action more closely with both eyes, crystal clear 

in every detail, and ensuring your comfort for hours on end 

with an innovative forehead support and angled view. 

Enjoy moments even more – with SWAROVSKI OPTIK. 

SEE THE UNSEEN 

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Bed and Birding Accommodation Guide 2019

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