Private hunting
Patience, forestand a fire at night.
A complete private hunt in the Elena Balkan — the estate, the lodge, the guides, the table and every transfer in between.
Hunting is one of humanity’s oldest pursuits. Today it is about time in wild country, patience and an authentic experience — and that is how we arrange it. This is not paid shooting: it is a hunt, guided with respect for the forest and its game.
We take care of every detail, from your arrival to the trophy, and of everything around the hunt: the lodge, the cuisine, the evenings and a programme for guests who do not hunt.
The estate and the lodge
The hunt takes place in the Elena Balkan, in the hunting grounds of the Gurkovo state forestry. Guests stay at the Himik lodge in the heart of the forest.
Arriving from abroad, fly into Varna — the lodge is less than two hours away — or into Sofia, around three hours by car. We collect you at the aircraft.
- Region
- Elena Balkan, Gurkovo forestry hunting grounds
- Lodge
- Himik — minimum stay of two days
- Game
- Red deer, roebuck, wild boar
- Hunts
- Two per day — dawn from 04:30, evening from 16:00
- Red deer trophies
- 8–10 kg
- Nearest airports
- Varna (under 2 h), Sofia (around 3 h)
Seasons
As set by the estate and Bulgarian hunting law; confirmed when you book.
| Driven hunts for wild boar, roebuck and red deer | 1 September – 31 January |
|---|---|
| Roebuck | 1 May – 30 October |
| Driven hunts | 1 October – mid-January |
| Wild boar (males) | All year |
The hunting day
- Dawn
The first hunt from 04:30 until 08:00–10:00, with a licensed hunting guide.
- The forest table
Lunch in the woods, cooked on the spot by a chef who comes for the occasion.
- Evening
The second hunt from 16:00 until 20:00.
- Night
A traditional dinner or the day’s game — with live music on request.
The table
Breakfast is generous and Bulgarian — mekitsi, banitsa, ayran and boza — or exactly as you prefer. Lunch can become a luxurious picnic in the middle of the forest, with leather chairs, heavy oak tables and folk or classical musicians. Every menu is set to your wishes; we simply ask for it a week in advance.
We arrange
- Transfers from the airport to the lodge
- Hunting vehicles and a licensed hunting guide
- The hunting ticket, issued by the estate
- Trophy preparation and taxidermy
- The menu, the music and a picnic in the forest
- Eco-trails, hiking and off-road drives for accompanying guests
You bring
- Your own firearm and the permits to carry it
- A valid hunting licence
- Your preferences — game, dates and party size — with the reservation
Booking
Book early — ideally a year ahead — and tell us what each hunter intends to hunt. Shooting is charged according to the estate’s price list; a deposit of 40–50% secures the dates.
Request a proposalQuestions, answered
Can you arrange hunting for guests flying in from abroad?
Yes. We meet you at Varna or Sofia airport and take care of transfers, permits on the estate side, the lodge and the full programme.
What does the hunt cost?
The programme is quoted for your party. Shooting is charged according to the estate’s official price list, and a deposit of 40–50% secures the reservation.
Is there a programme for partners and children?
Yes — guided walks on eco-trails, off-road drives and time at the lodge, at the same pace as the hunt.
Can we bring our own firearms?
Yes; you will need your own firearm with the permits to carry it and a valid hunting licence. We will advise on the formalities for bringing a firearm into Bulgaria.
At your service
With us, everything is possible.
Tell us who is arriving, when and why. A coordinator replies personally, and in confidence.