No other experience near Sofia combines professional foraging, wild food identification, and a gourmet forest lunch cooked from what you find. Dobrin's encyclopedic knowledge of Bulgaria's flora and fungi — built over a lifetime — is the product. The forest is simply his kitchen. Every season brings different ingredients, different discoveries, and a completely different meal. This is not a tour. It is a day you will describe to people for years.
Tour Options
From Sofia: Mushroom Foraging & Wild Food Experience with Dobrin
Pickup included
Itinerary
180 min
Walk into ancient Bulgarian forest with Dobrin — mycologist, forager, and one of Bulgaria's most knowledgeable naturalists — and spend a full day discovering what the forest is hiding. Wild mushrooms, medicinal herbs, edible plants, orchids, and fungi you have never seen before. Then sit down in the forest and eat it all.
Dobrin cooks the foraged ingredients into a gourmet lunch on the spot — polenta with wild mushrooms and homemade goat cheese, bread with his own herb seasoning, wild garlic pesto. The forest decides the menu. Every visit is different.
The location changes with the season — Lozen Mountain in autumn for peak mushroom season, Vitosha in spring and summer for wildflowers and herbs. Many guests return for both.
Solo travellers are warmly welcomed , small groups of max. 8 people. Hotel pickup and return included. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels — guests from 8 to 75 have joined Dobrin in the forest.
Highlights
Expert Guide Dobrin
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
What's included
Included
Expert Guide Dobrin
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from any location in Sofia
Traveller Ratings
5.0
22 reviews
5
22
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
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Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
From Sofia: Mushroom Foraging & Wild Food Experience with Dobrin lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $101 per person for this Sofia experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We pick up from any location in Sofia Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyFyIiFwCDnmSbjnx36qABe0=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyPzXuVZivT4b69D8FE9gR5k=.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in DE, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 22 verified reviews; it is run by Magical Tours Bulgaria. Most-mentioned highlights: Expert Guide Dobrin; Lunch; Air-conditioned vehicle.
Reviews(22)
O
Oded_C
September 4, 2026
Recommended mushroom tour with Dovrin
Great activity. There were five of us and we all enjoyed Dovrin's vast knowledge and explanations. The guy really loves the field and knows all the types and all the uses of all the mushrooms. We were in early September in the Vitosa forest near Sofia and it was definitely a positive experience.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind words. It’s been a pleasure to take you around. Best regards. Dobrin
G
gingle48
June 2, 2026
Special Experience
An unforgettable day thanks to Dobrin! An expert, professional, welcoming guide who is always available. His knowledge of flowers, mushrooms, and nature is extraordinary. The added value? The delicious mushroom dishes cooked in the woods: as an Italian, I can confirm they were truly excellent! He made our excursion rich with surprises and special moments. If you visit Sofia and seek an authentic experience, choose Dobrin. Absolutely recommended!
Operator response
Grazie mille!
H
H5282BRstevew
November 27, 2025
Back again for another round
This was my second mushroom tour and it was as informative as the first one. We visited several locations, had a good hike and chat and also found several choice mushrooms that Dobrin later prepared for dinner by a natural springs. Dobrin's knowledge of fungus and biology is extensive, he is an experienced outdoors man and has safety at the forefront of his mind in all situations. He has a great attitude and is familiar with many areas around Bulgaria and I recommend him as a guide for a great experience for any season. I look forward to another tour soon.
Operator response
Thank you very much for the kind words! Its been a pleasure to catch up again in different area.
Best regards
Dobrin
Y
yaelsagi1985
September 23, 2025
Fungi-tastic experience!!!
We did a culinary fungi and herbs experience in Vitosha Park with Dobrin and it was such a great experience. We got to travel the park like we would never be able to if we were alone, and we got to see and learn about many different types of fungi. Dobrin is so enthusiastic about nature and it made this experience fun and interesting.
After going around different locations in the forest to look for fungi and herbs, Dobrin prepared us such a delicious meal - for starters he served us bread with his speciality seasoning that was unbelievably delicious!! Followed by a freshly made polenta with mushrooms and homemade goat cheese! It was amazing!!
I truly recommend Dobrin as a tour guide. He is very knowledgeable and has a great up lifting vibe.
Operator response
Thank you for the great review. It was a fantastic experience in the forests of Vitosha mountain. You are very welcome anytime.
Best regards
Dobrin
S
S6334MLrachelg
August 21, 2025
Highly recommended!!!
This truly was a magical experience! Dobrin is a very professional and entertaining guide, taking us up into the mountains and teaching us about the amazing fungi we found....and ate! It was a wonderful day and delicious lunch, with the joy of good company as Dobrin shared his passion for Bulgaria and the culture. Thankyou so much.
Operator response
I dont know what to say...thank you so much for your amazing feedback. I will be happy to see you again.
Best regards
Dobrin
B
bikei86
August 7, 2025
Great trip with a lot of knowledge of the nature and great Bulgarian hospitality
Dobrin it's a great guide and he made a really custom trip for me. He knew that there are no rains in the original location and took me to the Vitosha mountain that had some rains, and we stopped in several locations to find the mushrooms, till we found enough porcini and chanterelle to cook, and we had a very nice hike. Then we cooked polenta with mushrooms and it was delicious. Dobrin also had some homemade bread and cheese and was kind enough to share it with me. This is truly amazing experience about nature and hospitality!
Operator response
Thank you very much for the excellent feedback. You are more than welcome again to join this unique experience.
Highly appreciate it!
Best regards
Dobrin
J
Jennifer_E
July 6, 2025
Outstanding,...
Outstanding, knowledgeable guide(s)! We enjoyed our hike while looking and learning about mushrooms on the beautiful trails of Vitosha Mountain. Being picked up at our hotel was a plus!
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Highly appreciate this wonderful feedback and you are welcome again.
Best regards
Dobrin
K
katemY3155LP
June 18, 2025
Highly recommend this tour!
This was an unforgettable experience.
Guided by Dobrin, our group learned a ton about the rich biodiversity of Bulgaria's forests. We had so much fun roaming through the trees and trying our best at mushroom hunting. (and I was amazed at Dobrin's ability to see the mushrooms I didn't.)
The highlight was preparing a delicious meal using our foraged finds. This tour blended nature, culture, and cuisine, for one of my favourite excursions, on my trip to Bulgaria.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking an authentic and immersive experience in Bulgaria with a tour guide who is passionate and knowledgeable.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind words. Highly appreciate it!
Best regards
Dobrin
G
Garen O
June 13, 2025
A highly enjoyable and informative experience!
Dobrin is a master of Bulgaria's diverse and multifaceted landscapes. My wife and I spent the day trekking through the lush Balkan forests foraging a variety of fungi all the while trying our best to absorb as much of his encyclopedic knowledge as we could. Such a unique and memorable experience I'd recommend for all ages and anyone who loves mycology, nature, hiking, or even just having great chat over a homemade meal in the great outdoors.
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind words. Highly appreciate it!
Best regards
Dobrin
K
Koen M
June 8, 2025
A truly unique experience
A very high quality activity that is truly unique. Dobrin has amazing knowledge of the different flora and fauna and is clearly passionate about the work. He also took the trouble to help pick us up at our own appartment and take a small detour for some bug repellant. The tour itsself is great fun and eating the hearthy food made from your own foraged ingredients is just the cherry on top. Would 100% recommend
Operator response
Thank you so much for the kind words. Highly appreciate it!
Best regards
Dobrin
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From Sofia: Mushroom Foraging & Wild Food Experience with Dobrin