SOUTH OF FRANCE - PHOTO TOUR
Flamingos, Cranes, Vultures, Wallcreepers & More
Dates: 16th to 23rd October 2027
Group size: Min. 3, Max. 4
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Cost: £1,895 per person (no single supplement)
Deposit: £400 deposit required at time of booking
This trip takes us across two completely different habitats in southern France: the vast wetlands of the Camargue and the deep limestone cliffs of the Verdon Gorge.
We start the trip in the Camargue, where we will photograph flamingos on the salt flats, glossy ibis in the lagoons, and migrating cranes across the open farmland. We will also spend time in the rocky hills of Les Alpilles to look for wallcreepers. For the second part of the trip, we will drive up to the Verdon Gorge to photograph soaring vultures against the canyon walls. Because I limit this trip to a maximum of just four guests, you will have plenty of dedicated 1-on-1 support from me in the field to help with camera settings, composition, and fieldcraft.
Itinerary:
(Note: Our exact daily schedule is flexible so we can adapt to the weather and prioritise the best conditions for the birds).
Day 1: Arrival – Pick-up from Marseille Airport, followed by a supermarket stop to buy communal supplies and personal snacks. We will settle into our accommodation near Arles and head out for an evening drive through the Camargue if time allows.
Days 2–5: Camargue & Les Alpilles – Flexible sessions depending on the weather. Our main targets throughout these days will be cranes at sunrise, flamingos from afternoon to sunset on the salt flats, a dedicated session for glossy ibis, and a morning or afternoon looking for wallcreepers.
Day 6: Journey to Verdon Gorge – We have breakfast, check out, and drive up to the Verdon Gorge, where we will photograph vultures until sunset.
Day 7: The Gorge & More Vultures – A late morning drive to photograph eagles, vultures, and red-billed chough, followed by a full afternoon and evening session with the vultures.
Day 8: Departure – Breakfast at our lodge before driving back to Marseille Airport for flights home.
What’s Included:
Accommodation – Your own private room throughout the trip, split between a base in Arles and a traditional lodge near the Verdon Gorge. There is no single supplement.
Local Travel – All transport throughout the week in a spacious, air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at Marseille Airport.
Meals – Breakfast and lunch are fully covered every day.
Tuition – Full guiding and photographic support from me in the field, along with regular image reviews and post-processing help back at base.
Entry Fees – All local reserve entry fees.
Pre-Trip Prep – A group briefing call one month before departure to run through gear and logistics.
What’s Not Included:
Flights – International flights to and from Marseille Airport.
Dinners – Evening meals are not covered. We can either head out to local bistros or cook together at our accommodation, depending on what the group prefers.
Insurance – Mandatory personal travel and equipment insurance.
Gear – Personal camera bodies, lenses, and outdoor clothing.
What You Will Need:
Camera Gear
Camera Body – Your preferred DSLR or mirrorless body. A bridge camera can work, but you may struggle to lock focus on fast-moving action like soaring vultures or incoming cranes.
Telephoto Lens – A lens with a focal length of 500mm or above is highly recommended. A versatile telephoto zoom is ideal for reacting quickly as birds change distance.
Wide-Angle Lens – Useful to have in your bag for any landscape opportunities on the salt flats or in the gorge.
Support & Power – A sturdy tripod or monopod to support your setup, along with plenty of fast memory cards and spare batteries.
Storage (Optional) – A laptop and external hard drives for daily file backups and image reviews.
Field Clothing
Mosquito & Sun Protection – A reliable insect repellent paired with lightweight, breathable, long-sleeved tops and trousers. Keeping your skin covered is the most effective way to protect yourself from both the sun and biting insects when we are working out by the lagoons, salt flats, and marshes.
Versatile Layers – Outdoor clothing you can layer up. October weather here is usually fairly warm, but we can face sudden heavy downpours. As we travel into the mountains toward the Verdon Gorge, the temperature will drop, so a good jacket or fleece is essential.
Footwear – Sturdy walking boots or hiking shoes with good grip.
Fitness & Suitability:
Mountain Walking – While the Camargue wetlands are flat, our time in the Verdon Gorge requires a reasonable level of fitness. Reaching the best vantage points for the vultures requires a 3km walk with a fairly steep uphill incline while carrying your own gear.
Pacing – Our days are dictated by the weather and bird activity. You should be comfortable with early starts for sunrise light and spending extended periods outdoors.
Book Here:
Financial Protection & ABTOT Booking Terms
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd (Member Number: 5710), and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:
· Non-flight packages
ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.
Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Wild Ethos Photography Tours Ltd.
In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.
You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made
You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/