The flora and founa of Easthern Rhodopes is a fascinating array of natural wanders, comprising many species unfamiliar to most Europeans.

The Easthern Rhodopes are the stronghold of vultures in south-easthern Europe. It is the only breeding area in the country for griffon vultures, the most important breeding site for the globally threatened Egyptian vulture on the Balkan peninsula and rare black vultures can also be seen circling overhead. But you can also come across subterranean worm-like lizzards, curiously shaped orchids, dwarf irises and a myriad of other strange instects.

The whole region is also a stronghold within Bulgaria for wolf and jackal. The brown bear has begun to recolonise the Rhodopes in recent years and bear watching is already becoming a bookable tourism offer in the area.

Because of its location at the crossroads between the European and Asian continent, the impact of the Mediterranean, its pristine landscapes and the variety of habitats here in combination with the relatively small human disturbance, the Rhodope Mountains have a huge variety in species and habitats, and have become one of the bird watching hotspots in Europe.