Bear watching and bird watching in Romania
Bear watching and bird watching in Romania
Combine bear watching in the Carpathians with bird watching in the European Birds Paradise. See bears at app. 50 m from the safety of a bear hide, enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Brasov Carpathians and watch over 300 species of wetland species of birds in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The Carpathians are home to wolves, bears and lynx, as well as numerous bird species like Wallcreeper, Ural Owl, Nutcracker, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, woodpeckers and different songbirds (Goldcrest, Firecrest, Crossbill, Serin). On the other hand, Danube Delta is Europe’s largest wetland reserve and one of the best places in Europe for bird watching, covering 2,681 square kilometers (1,676 square miles), with a sprawling, watery wilderness accessible only by water. The delta is a natural stopover for migratory birds, with more than 300 species of migratory and permanent species of birds and more than 160 species of fish including the Dalmatian and White Pelicans, Glossy Ibis, egrets, herons, and cormorants, which can gather in impressive numbers where the water levels are low. Kingfishers, Common Sandpipers, Green Sandpipers and Greenshanks feed along the banks. Penduline Tits and other reed bed species (including Little Bittern), are present, but more difficult to see. Raptors include frequent sightings of Marsh Harriers, Red-footed Falcons, White-tailed Eagles. Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Rollers and shrikes are very common in open areas. The woodlands support also five species of woodpeckers, which makes this place perfect for bird watching.
difficulty grade: B – click here for explanations
Do you have any questions about this trip?
Contact us at book@absolute-nature.ro or 
Check out the opinions of some of our previous guests:
Program Description
This trip is a relaxed combination of bear watching in the Carpathians with bird watching in the European Birds Paradise. You will experience bears at app. 50 m from the safety of a bear hide, enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Brasov Carpathians and watch over 300 species of wetland species of birds in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.
Available also accommodation in a hotel in the medieval town of Brasov (different cost!)
For those interested only in birds, you can stop here and enjoy the scenery. Those interested also in hiking will continue to Curmatura Cabin. On the way, we can see signs of wildlife, rare or endemic species of flora and insects, as well as shepherd camps. If the weather allows us, we can see the entire limestone ridge (22 km long) which was declared scientific reserve due to the presence of rare and endemic species of flora and insects.
Difficulty: easy (stop down in the gorge)/medium-hard
After breakfast we leave by car to the Narcissus Forest, a 400ha protected oak forest, to observe wildlife, especially butterflies, insects and birds (app. 1 h drive). We’ll also walk in the area to discover the tracks larger animals leave on the ground. We stop at the edge of the forest for lunch (picnic) and relaxation. You will have some time for walking on your own on this amazing forest and enjoy the numerous species of birds, insects and plants. Today is feasible to see Ural Owls, Tawny Owls, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, White-backed Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Corncrake, Great Grey Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Fieldfare and few other rare birds, as well as numerous species of butterflies and insects.
In the afternoon we’ll head to a local bear hide for a chance to see bears (a facility where bears are attracted with food for observations – chances to see the bears: 99%). Late in the evening we drive back to our guesthouse in Zarnesti, to prepare for the next day.
Difficulty: easy
Amongst the interesting species that can be observed today: Honey Buzzard, Collared Flycatcher, Black Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrike, Black Redstart
Transfer to Crisan
As the distance is appreciable, we take a full day to get to our next destination: the Danube Delta. On the way we stop to stretch our legs and have lunch (sandwiches prepared from Zarnesti). In the afternoon we arrive in Murighiol, from where we take a private boat to our 2* guesthouse in Crisan, a small fishermen village located right in the centre of the Danube Delta. You’ll be accommodated in basic but comfortable twin rooms with private toilet and hot shower.
We’ll be driven by small slow boats through a chain of beautiful lakes and channels where we’ll enjoy a great variety of birds like White Pelicans, Dalmatian Pelicans, Glossy Ibis or Pigmy Cormorants, to mention just some of the rarest species you have the chance to see in great numbers.
Profile
Minimum level of fitness required.
Accommodation in a local guesthouse in Zarnesti and the Danube Delta, in double rooms with en suite facilities.
For the first part of the trip – available also accommodation in a hotel in the medieval town of Brasov (different cost!)
Meal basis: 3 meals per day included throughout (starting with dinner on the first day).
Travel is by minibus/car and boat.
Costs
Cost: 1800 euro/person for groups of minimum 2 persons.
Single room supplement: 200 euro
Included: transport from/to the airport, full board accommodation throughout, English speaking guide, local transportation in Romania for the included activities (by minibus/car and boats), one evening bear watching at the bear hide, in the Danube Delta professional local birder for bird watching.
Thank you for choosing us for your trip in Romania focused on bird watching and bear watching!