Romania: Carpathians, Transylvania & Danube River Delta

Black Woodpecker © Ecotours Wildlife Holidays

This new tour promises a wealth of European and eastern European species in a wide range of habitats, exploring from the Carpathian Mountains to the Danube River Delta on the Black Sea coast. Our birding pursuits will be complemented with several cultural highlights including charming medieval villages and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On this mid-spring tour, we will discover the Eastern European country of Romania, a place unknown to many travelers, but one that boasts some of the finest landscapes and birding and natural history attractions on the continent. Our travels will center on three outstanding regions where multiple nights at each location ensure a more intimate travel experience: Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains, the Black Sea coast and, legendary among wildlife aficionados, the Danube River Delta. Birders and naturalists will delight in the opportunity to travel in Romania at the most dynamic time of the year, when breeding resident birds are joined by thousands of northbound waterfowl, waders, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. For those with an interest in history and culture, Romania’s allure resides in the architectural wonders of its many historic towns and villages.

Transylvania is known for the scenic beauty of its Carpathian landscapes and its rich history. Sheer mountains, plunging gorges, and sprawling forests characterize the scenery here while Saxon fortresses, historic towns with centuries-old buildings and cobblestone streets, and a rich tableau of wildlife are main attractions. We will spend five days exploring the eastern and southern Carpathians, encountering a range of exciting bird species such as Black and White-backed woodpeckers, Crested and Long-tailed tits, Northern Nutcracker, White-throated Dipper, Wallcreeper, Barred Warbler, Eurasian Bullfinch, Hawfinch, and many others. The Carpathians are also home to the largest Brown Bear population in Europe, numbering up to 8,000 individuals, and we will have a chance to see wild animals from a viewing blind.

On the Black Sea coast, we’ll visit a variety of wetland, forest, and open-country habitats where birds are plentiful. Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Pallid and Montagu’s harriers, Great Black-headed Gull, European Roller, European Bee-eater, and Ortolan Bunting are expected.

Our adventure concludes with a visit to the famous Danube River Delta and a three-night stay aboard a floating hotel. Here, we’ll explore the mosaic of habitats that provide refuge to an astonishing number of birds. Highlights include masses of Dalmatian and Great White pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Black Stork, White-tailed Eagle, Thrush Nightingale, and many others.

An optional one-day extension will be available for those who would like to spend a day sightseeing in Bucharest, the fascinating Romanian capital known for its wide tree-lined boulevards, Belle Époque architecture, and evocative buildings and monuments. With a licensed guide we will visit the most famous and important sites of the city including the Palace of Parliament, Palace Square, Revolution Square, University Square, and the Old Town.

A birding and natural history tour with elements of history and culture; leisurely to moderately-paced; includes stays in a range of small, local hotels and villas; several nights on a riverboat in the Danube Delta; travel will be by comfortable, compact-size vans suitable for frequent stops and roadside birding; walking will be easy to moderate; typically pleasant, warm spring weather expected, but could be much cooler in the mornings and in the mountains.

Brown Bear © Ecotours Wildlife Holidays