The huge state of Kazakhstan occupies the northwestern part of Central Asia and in spring has so much to offer the bird photographer. This vast Central Asian country is five times larger than France and stretches 2,000 kilometres from the Caspian Sea to China and 1,200 kilometres from the Urals to its southern borders with Kyrgyzstan. With a population of just 18 million, split evenly between Kazakhs and Russians, it is one of the least densely populated countries in Eurasia but one of the richest areas for birds straddling the border between the Western and Eastern Palearctic. Bird-Photo-Tours Asia' Kazakhstan expedition will look to produce close photographic encounters with Sociable Lapwing, White-winged Lark and Black-winged Pratincole in the Akmola Region to Pallid Scops Owl, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin and Syke’s Warbler in the Zhambyl Region to Caspian Plover, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Desert Warbler in the Almaty Region. There can be few countries with such an impressive avifauna as Kazakhstan.
Altai Accentor / Black Lark / Black-bellied Sandgrouse / Black-winged Pratincole / Booted Warbler / Caspian Plover / Dalmatian Pelican / Great White Pelican / Eversmann’s Redstart / Pallas’s Gull / Pallid Scops Owl / Red-footed Falcon / Red-mantled Rosefinch / Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin / Sociable Lapwing / Syke’s Warbler / White-browed Tit-Warbler / White-capped Bunting / White-tailed Rubythroat / White-winged Lark / Yellow-eyed Pigeon
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Days 1-4, Akmola Region, Kazahstan [3N / 2D / 5S]. Drive 3-hours, 150km to Akmola Region. Targets: Sociable Lapwing / Black Lark / White-winged Lark / Black-winged Pratincole / Booted Warbler. Others: Red-footed Falcon / Pallas’s Gull / Greater Flamingo / Pallas’s Gull / Slender-billed Gull / Caspian Tern / Demoiselle Crane / Steppe Eagle / Pallid Harrier / Pied Harrier.
Days 4-5, Almaty City, Kazakhstan [1N / 0D / 1S]. Domestic Flight Astana – Almaty, [Overnight: Almaty].
Days 5-8, East Region, Kazahstan [3N / 2D / 5S]. Drive 4-hours, 250km from Almaty Region to East Region. Photographic Targets: Black-bellied Sandgrouse / Caspian Plover / Calandra Lark / Bimaculated Lark / Greater Short-toed Lark / Lesser Short-toed Lark / White-headed Duck / Red-headed Bunting / Isabelline Wheatear / Pied Wheatear. Others: Pallas’s Sandgrouse / Imperial Eagle / Dalmatian Pelican / Great White Pelican.
Days 8-9, Jambyl Region [1N / 0D / 2S]. Drive 3-hours, 250km from East Region to Jambyl Region. Photographic Targets: White-winged Woodpecker / Saxaul Sparrow / Pallid Scops Owl / Yellow-eyed Pigeon / Syke’s Warbler / Asian Desert Warbler / Red-tailed Shrike. Others: Shikra / Little Bustard / White-crowned Penduline Tit.
Days 9-11, Almaty Region [2N / 1D / 3S]. Drive 5-hours, 400km from Jambyl Region to Almaty Region. Photographic Targets: White-capped Bunting / Grey-necked Bunting / Pallas’s Sandgrouse.
Days 11-14, Almaty Region, Big Almaty Lake [3N / 2D / 4S]. Drive 4-hours, 200km to second location in Almaty Region. Photographic Targets: Altai Accentor / Eversmann’s Redstart / Sulphur-bellied Warbler / Red-fronted Serin / White-tailed Rubythroat. Others: Himalayan Snowcock / Brown Accentor / Ibisbill.
Days 14-15, Almaty Town [1N / 0D / 1S]. Drive 0.5-hours, 20km to Almaty City.
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S = Session / Half-Day].
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a two-month west-to-east bird photography expedition across Micronesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his forthcoming book Portraits of the Birds of China reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is some requirement to hike nor climb (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping. Summary: for these five reasons this trip has been graded as 'Easy'.
