romania danube delta tours

The Danube Delta is located in southeastern Romania where the river Danube flows into the Black Sea. This happens after it passed through several countries and absorbed countless lesser waterways. Here, it formes the largest delta in the European Union, and also the best preserved.

The Danube Delta is truly a unique place in Europe. Both in regards to landscape and cultural mix. No wonder it has been granted several conservation statuses. First of all, it is a Biosphere Reserve that includes human traditional settlements and activities. It is the only delta in the world to have this status.

A land of great diversity

It has also been declared a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site , due to the huge diversity of species and habitats. Its 30 types of ecosystems place it in the third position in the world biodiversity top after the Galapagos and the Great Barrier Reef. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds, the majority protected. Coupled with over 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes. Altogether it is home to nearly 5,500 species of flora and fauna.

It comprises a vast complex of floating reed beds, poplar and willow forests, and wetland. And it’s crossed by an intricate network of channels. Given these points, that makes it indeed a perfect home for a vast number of bird species.

”Romania hosts the world’s largest population of the “Globally Threatened” Pygmy Cormorant with over 7000 pairs, and most are here in the Delta. There’s also Europe’s largest population of Eurasian White Pelican (3500 pairs), crucial numbers of Dalmatian Pelican and the core European population of Ferruginous Duck. Many Locustella and Acrocephalus warblers (Savi’s, Sedge, Paddyfield, Moustached, Marsh, Reed, Great Reed) have their largest European breeding populations in Romania.”

Speaking of birds, the delta is also a RAMSAR Wetlands site and the largest Natura 2000 Site in Romania.

The youngest land of Europe

Not only that is one of the youngest lands of Europe, the delta extends with 40 square meters every year. It slowly advances into the Black Sea through a constant combination of erosion and deposition of silt.

Only 10% of its entire surface is dry land, the rest is a lush universe of floating reed islands, tree-fringed lakes, and narrow canals covered in water lilies and bordered by willows.

“Europe’s last nature paradise” says Jan Hopman in his article from Grasduinen the most important nature magazine in Holland (April 2000). “Indeed, the Danube Delta’s reedbeds constitute the largest expanse in the world covering 2,700 square km” … “If all this were not enough there is also, in addition to the delta proper around 880 square km of lagoons, saltmarsh, sandy and shingle beaches and other coastal habitats to the immediate south” … “No other European wetland west of the Volga can compete with the Danube Delta in size, diversity and overall magnificence.” says Gerard Gorman in an article from ALULA the most important ornithological magazine in Finland.

Like an oasis through the sand dunes

A diversity garden.

The tours on this page can be either booked as they are or they can be adjusted to meet your requirements. Also, if your timeframe or interests don’t match with what you find here, or already know how your holiday should look like, please use the Custom Tours   section of this website.

Note: We usually go with the floating hotel with groups between 12 and 20 persons. For a smaller group or even single travellers, we’ll use a small boat for transportation and guesthouses in villages of the Danube Delta, for accommodation.

Canoe Tour in Danube Delta

Join us in a canoe tour adventure in the wetlands labyrinth of the Danube Delta. Let's explore together the wonderful landscapes and impressive wildlife with the most silent means of transportation. Our canoe tour offers the possibility to cover a large area of the...

Birding and bearwatching: Danube Delta & the Carpathians 8 days tour

Experience a unique wildlife opportunity that combines bearwatching and birding in a single trip. Step into the wilderness of the Carpathian mountains, the last stronghold of the large carnivores populations from Europe, and observe the majestic brown bear in its...

Danube Delta by bike and boat – 8 days cycling tour

By bike and boat towards Danube’s kilometre 0, the ending point of Eurovelo 6 (Danube Bike Path). Enjoy cycling in one of Europe’s best-preserved natural paradise: the Danube Delta.   Danube Delta by bike and boat Floating reed islands, inland lakes, lagoons,...

Birdwatching Tour in Danube Delta & Dobrogea – 7 days

Let's venture into the labyrinth of narrow channels of the Danube Delta to witness an impressive birdlife paradise. The Danube delta is definitely the best place for birdwatching in Romania and maybe even Europe. No wonder it's being considered the best-preserved...

Grand Tour of Romania: Danube Delta, Bucovina and Transylvania

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to visit everything a country has to offer? A large tour of Romania taking you to every place you've heard of? Most probably that will require several weeks if not months. But we suggest you try our version of a broader tour of the...

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Danube Delta

One of the last natural paradises in Europe

   The delta of the Danube River represents one of the last natural paradises in Europe, a network of channels, lakes, and lush forests. The Danube river flows into the Black Sea and has the largest marshland in Europe, and second alrgest in the world after the Nile's.The continuous stretch of reed beds is also said to be the largest in the world. The reeds act as a filter, making the water pure and drinkable. The Danube Delta  was included in the  UNESCO Project  as a  Reservation of the Biosphere because its peculiar features and the originality and variety of the ecosystems (more than 25 types of natural ecosystems).  It is the third richest biosphere reservation in the world in terms of biodiversity, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Ecuador's Galapagos Islands.

   The Danube Delta consists of t hree main branches of the Danube - Chilia, Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe - which flow into the Black Sea, forming a labyrinth of canals and lakes. In total, the delta covers an area of approximately 4,200 square km. In addition to the three main arms, the Danube Delta also includes a number of other canals and lakes, such as Lake Razelm and Lake Sinoe , which are connected to the Danube by secondary canals. These areas are important for wildlife and are popular with tourists for activities such as fishing and bird watching. It is home to a fascinating mix of cultures and peoples—and a huge diversity of birds, presided over by the greatest of them all, the pelican. 

   The Danube Delta is an area with exceptional biological diversity and unique natural habitats, including the Letea and Caraorman sand forests. These are the only forests with sand dunes in Romania and stand out for their special characteristics. The Danube Delta is one of the few wetlands in the world that still expands naturally , and this process occurs thanks to alluvium brought by the Danube River. About 40 square meters of land are added to the territory of the Delta every year, and this process of sedimentation contributes to the creation of new islands and the expansion of existing ones.

   The profuse plantlife of the lakes and channels support species such as white and yellow lily, water caltrop and water milfoil. Some plant types here are carnivorous, feeding on microorganisms. These include bladderwort and waterwheel plant. The forests of Letea and Caraorman support very  specialised ecosystems, lying in the lower and more humid areas among sand dunes. The species that thrive are oak, ash, shrub and climbing plant such as Virginia creeper and Greek liana. In areas where the soil is salty, there can be found specific plants such as frog grass, weeping alkaligrass. Some plants here that are perfectly adapted to this interesting environment can live without roots and simply float .

   But the main reason for the Danube Delta's famous reputation is its bird life, comprising of 341 species. Here is the home of the most part of Europe's Great White Pelican and Dalmatian Pelican , 60% of the world's Pygmy Cormorant and, in winter, 50% of the world's Red-breasted Goose come here.  The largest prey bird in the delta is the White-tailed Eagle, protected species.

   The inventory of mammal species counts 52 varieties, among which are animals of great significance to European conservation, such as the otter and the mink. Predators include ermine, raccoon dog, fox, golden jackal. 

   With so much surface covered in water though, this area is the least populous in Romania, there are few traditional villages where people live in communion with nature, and they try to protect it. 

   There are scattered fishing villages all over the Delta that will welcome you for traditional accomodation, boat rides with guides along all the canals and lakes, and also freshly caught fish!

Enjoy a tour and discover this amazing European sanctuary! 

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Active tour in the Danube Delta

• 3 Days / 2 Nights
• Departure On Request
• Apr 01' - Oct 31'
• Private Tour
• Starting Point: Bucharest
• Pickup & Drop Off: Hotel
• The price applies for a group of 4 persons/trip.
• EXTRA DISCOUNTs apply for more than 5 persons/trip. For details, send us an Enquiry !

What to Expect

This tour is suitable for nature lovers who want to discover in a unique way one of the largest bio diverse place in Europe, the natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in Romania, the Danube Delta. It’s a great choice for active sightseers who want to enjoy a little bit of adventure and explore differently the wildlife of the area. You will learn the paddling techniques of kayaking- there is hardly a better way to experience the flora and fauna more intensely, closely and undisturbed by motorboats. Besides, you will discover the traditional villages with their welcoming people and enjoy the delicious local cuisine.

• Discover the large variety of landscapes, flora and fauna of the largest and best preserved Delta in Europe.
• Paddle along the narrow channels, experiencing nature with minimal intervention in its harmony.
• Enjoy delicious traditional fish dishes prepared by the locals.

Price Includes

• Pick up/drop off from/to your hotel in Bucharest.
• Bus ticket for the transfer Bucharest- Tulcea- Bucharest.
• English speaking guide.
• Transfers by boat from Tulcea to Crisan and back.
• 2 nights accommodation, breakfast included.
• The kayaking activity and the boat trips mentioned in the itinerary.
• All meals stated in the programme.
• The tax for visiting the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

Price Excludes

• Other meals than stated.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Tipping and personal expenses.

Day 1 Bucharest - Tulcea - Crisan

• Morning pick up from your hotel, meeting with the English speaking assistant that will join you during the whole trip. Transfer to the bus station and embark on a bus trip to Tulcea then depart to Tulcea (almost 4h 45m road). • Arrival in Tulcea. Lunch under own arrangement. • Boat transfer to the village of Crisan (around 45 minutes). • Check-in at Pensiunea Eden 4* or similar in Crisan. • Meeting with the English speaking local guide and enjoy your first boat ride for about 4 hours exploring the lakes and channels around the village of Crisan to admire the beauty of the Danube Delta. You will be amazed by a fabulous sunset. • Return to the accommodation.

Overnight: Pensiunea Eden 4* or similar in Crisan | Meals: dinner (traditional fish dishes)

Day 2 Full day Kayak tour

09:00 → After breakfast, we will explore with an English speaking guide the wilderness of the Danube Delta in a 4-hour motorboat trip on the lakes and channels; while sailing across the waters, keep your eye out for the wildlife including more than 3000 species of animals, birds and fish. 13:00 → Return to the guesthouse for lunch, then prepare for a session of paddling in the afternoon starting at 15:00. • Enjoy the kayaking experience: the trainer will teach you the basics steps (how to get on and get off the kayak, to dock on a shore), you will become familiar with paddling techniques, and you will paddle along the small channels and lakes through a spectacular landscape, observing small details of the wildlife, otherwise difficult to enjoy in a motorboat.

Overnight: Pensiunea Eden 4* or similar in Crisan | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Crisan - Tulcea - Bucharest

• After breakfast, boat transfer to Tulcea. • Embark on the bus to Bucharest. Private transfer from the station to your hotel.

Overnight: – | Meals: breakfast

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• Danube Delta

Respect for nature We run only slow tours

Danube delta - birds paradise, danube delta romania- guided birdwatching tours.

The Danube Delta Nature Reserve: A Guide to the Natural Wonder

Birdwatching Tour in the Danube Delta

Enthusiastic ornithologists have the opportunity to admire throughout the year a number of 350 bird species, many of which are very rare in Europe. During the spring migration (April 15-June 15), the most attractive and interesting birdwatching period (as well as August-September), in a 8-10 days tour we can observe approximately 140-160 of bird species.

WE DISCOVER TOGETHER THE DANUBE DELTA

The Danube Delta is one of the last remaining natural paradises in Europe, characterized by a network of channels, lakes, and lushly vegetated forests. It is home to a diverse mix of cultures and people, and an abundance of wildlife, with the pelican being the most iconic bird species. This area, covering around 5800 sq.km, is the second largest delta in Europe, formed around 12,000 years ago at the point where the Danube River flows into the Black Sea. The Danube Delta was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1990, and is managed by a state institution with the aim of preserving and protecting its natural heritage, as well as reconstructing areas damaged by human activities. The delta is home to a wide variety of fauna, including over 330 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and 3,018 species of invertebrates. The most common mammals include the otter, wildcat, racoon dog and wild boar, while fish species include carp, catfish, pike and sturgeons. The human population of the delta is around 15,000, living in 25 villages, with the largest town being Sulina.

Our tours with slow boat

June 9-16, 2024 Birding and photo nature trip in the Danube Delta – Romania

Day 1. Transfer from the airport to Tulcea, in the Delta hotel. Accommodation in this beautiful hotel, located near the Danube.

9 – 16 september – birdwatching-in-autumn-in-the-danube-delta

Autumn in the delta is definitely magical. The colors of the trees, the stew, the warm autumn colors, all these make

29-june-6-july-2024-birding and nature photos trip in the Danube Delta – Romania

April 26 – 3 may, 2024 Birdwatching tour in the Danube Delta – Romania

The danube delta.

The Danube Delta is the second largest river delta in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to over 350 species of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

On a Wild Travel tour, you will have the opportunity to take a boat tour through the delta, spotting rare birds and other wildlife such as otters, beavers and dolphins. You will also have the chance to visit the Letea Forest, the oldest delta forest, which is home to century-old slender trees.

Danube Delta in images

All the photos on this website are taken by your guide: Mihai BACIU

Culinary Recipes from the Danube Delta for our guests

The Danube Delta is perhaps the most spectacular place in Romania where you can take some breathtaking photos. Water, fog, rain or sunset, channels and reed beds, birds or animals, fishermen with their boats, at any time of day, the Danube Delta attracts photographers like a magnet. We invite you on a trip with us to return home with a huge portfolio of photos or unforgettable memories.

Our boats are slow or fast. Both categories offer comfort and various possibilities for spending a vacation in the Danube Delta in peace and especially in safety. The slow boat has terraces, kitchen, toilet, lounge, generous space. The fast boat is new, comfortable, elegant, and has modern lines.

Local cuisine

The Danube Delta is recognized for its special dishes, completely different from anywhere in the country. The mixture of Slavic culture, Lipovan or Ukrainian fisherman, with Romanian or Tatar traditions, all of this makes this place a paradise of exotic foods, tastes that you can only find here. From fish soup to fish pie, from vareniki to storceag, the indispensable carp roe with onion, aromas, flavors, in a word: an unforgettable trip to the Danube Delta.

Local wines

With all these exotic dishes, a high-class Dobrogean wine could not be missing. Whether we talk about the famous Aligote de Niculițel, the white or pink wines from Macin, the newer liqueurs from the Cogealag or Babadag wineries, all of these adorn a rich table, with a quality, fresh fish. And don't forget, before any fish soup, a plum or quince brandy from Dobrogea is served.

The spectacular Danube Delta: Nature's Miracle Garden

After a 2860 km journey (which is the entire length of the Danube river) starting from the Black Forest mountains in Germany, passing through ten countries and four capitals, the mighty Danube river reaches its destination: the Black Sea.

The Upper Danube region is in the Germany – Austria region, while the Lower Danube region is in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine region.

Before its waters become part of the sea, the Danube creates one last natural miracle: the Danube Delta, the best-preserved delta area on the continent. The 5800 hectares delta is the largest continuous marshland in Europe!

When referring to the Danube Delta, Romania and Ukraine each have their shares. But the Romanian part of the Danube Delta is far bigger, with 3,446 km2 (1,331 sq mi) out of the total of 4,152 km2 (1,603 sq mi).

Together with the seaside resorts in Constanta county, the Delta and the Danube’s journey into the Black Sea make up the Romanian Black Sea coast. Stretching over 245 km, the many Romanian Black Sea resorts cater to everyone's tastes: family, luxury or party holidays. It's also a great choice for a family holiday in Romania .

If you are looking for a truly unique experience, the equivalent of an African Safari, and probably the best time, the Danube Delta biosphere reserve is a great option as it is the third-largest biodiversity in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef and Ecuador’s Galapagos Island.

It is, without a doubt, one of the most important tourist attractions in Romania and a major Romanian national park .

How to visit the Danube Delta

A day trip will not suffice to complete your experience in the Delta Dunării. It would take a minimum of 4 full days of exploring the canals, tasting traditional food, resting, and discovering the local culture to get an idea of the uniqueness of the region.

4-Day Danube Delta: Birds, Letea Village & Lakes [Group Trip]

Start from: Tulcea

The Delta is made up of a series of communicating narrow channels which can only be crossed by small boats. There are three main distributary channels or arms the Danube splits into before spilling into the Black Sea: the Chilia arm, the Sulina arm, and Sfântu Gheorghe arm (St. George).

The best time to visit the Danube Delta is early summer to late autumn (April to September). Mosquitos can sometimes become a nuisance but mostly for a short time in the mornings and evenings (about half an hour). Nothing a little mosquito repellent can't handle.

As you would think, the best way to get around the delta is by boat. Not only because of the very narrow canals that make it impossible to cross with large ships but, since it is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it must remain unspoiled for the species of fish, hundreds of species of birds, aquatic plants, and overall, the entire biosphere.

Of all the nature reserves in Romania, the Delta is the one with the strictest conditions. There are even small patches of land, like tiny islands, where certain bird species nest, like the great white pelicans (Pelicanus Onocrotalus). Boats are not allowed to come near them, especially motorized boats so as not to disturb the birds, as well as on account of the shallow water in some areas.

There are plenty of private boat services that you can use to travel from one place to another. There is no way you will ever get bored in the Danube Delta. Because of its complex ecosystems and ever-changing weather, you will experience something new every day.

In terms of things to do, there is a wide range of activities you can enjoy. With millions of birds nesting in the delta year after year, bird watching is a thing you don't even have to try hard for unless you're looking for some unique or rare species.

Places to visit in the Danube Delta

The Danube Delta is the second largest in Europe, after the Volga delta, created by the Volga river, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The biggest city in the vicinity is Tulcea, the administrative municipality of Tulcea county.

The villages in the Delta are in Tulcea county. But not all of Tulcea is on water. Locals refer to them as Delta villages and “mainland” villages, and the county is much more than just the Delta for anyone interested in visiting.

The biggest town in the Delta is Sulina. It is not a large city in the sense you might expect, but you will find restaurants, stores, accommodation, and a beach. It is the perfect place for people looking for a holiday away from the crowded Romanian seaside beaches.

Its glory days were in the 19th century when it used to be an important harbor on the Sulina branch, trading with people from Europe and the Middle East.

Some even settled here, making for a diverse population and a cosmopolitan town. Little of the old architecture remains, like the old lighthouse or maritime cemetery, but the ones that do, are a testament to Sulina’s cosmopolitan days.

A number of small towns like Sfantu Gheorghe and Chilia, or the small village of Mila 23, and remote villages make up the human establishment in the Delta. Some have existed since the beginning, others are artificial constructions.

An incredible documentary about the Delta's wildlife

Birds and vegetation in the Delta

So while the Delta is home to an impressive number of different species of birds, like the pygmy cormorant, is the best place for a fishing trip, has wild horses, and other rare species of animals like the jackals and raccoon dogs, it also hosts a unique local culture with (you guessed it!) its own gastronomic wonders.

Summed up, about 5000 + species, especially massive amounts of waterbirds of all kinds, share a surface of 5000+ square kilometers, making it one of the most impressive nature reserves as well as a favorite staging area for passage birds and a wintering ground for migrating waterbirds from the boreal forests, the tundras, and the steppes.

The Danube Delta offers a total area of 5800 square kilometer (2240 square miles) wildlife sanctuary, sheltering more than 5400 species of plants and animals.

Actually, the delta is a place of superlatives. Apart from being Europe’s largest wetland area, it hosts the largest colony of pelicans and the largest number of fish species in the country.

But the species of birds found in the Delta are probably the main reason people visit, especially the popular pygmy cormorant and the Dalmatian pelican.

So obviously the most popular activity here is the birdwatching boat tour. The Delta is a halting place for several migratory birds - the entire world population of red-breasted goose (Branta Ruficollis) flocks here to spend the winter every year. The most iconic bird in the Delta is the Dalmatian pelican (Pelicanus crispus), while the biggest birds of prey are the white-tailed eagles, which sit on top of the food chain.

Recent climate change and human intervention, like intense drone photography of natural nesting places, have driven exotic birds to the area, like a flock of colorful flamingos which has arrived here in 2022 near Jurilovca and have made a home in the dammed and enclosed space where they feel better protected.

The many existing water habitats have led to massive productivity, with the delta becoming home to an impressive number of species of freshwater fish.

The Delta fauna species are unique, and even animals thought to have become extinct in Romania like the beavers, are making a comeback. There is an immense potential for wetland restoration in the area as the numerous lakes included in the network of canals and branches can be re-flooded and once again become part of the Danube river dynamics.

The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is the largest European wetland, with reed beds, and fixed and mobile sand dunes. A common sight in the delta are reed plants along the waterline and floating reed islands. The waters of the Danube are beautifully decorated with water lilies, making even your dullest photos look like Danube Delta stock photos. Beauty at every turn!

Wildlife and wild sceneries

A rare site for many world travelers: the wild horses in Letea forest. It is amazing to see animals our mind is trained to see as domesticated in their natural habitat, roaming free, and in huge numbers –now almost 2000. As far as day trips go, this is probably one of the most impressive.

The forest itself is representative of the unique climate conditions in the area, as it develops in the depressions between the dunes. Its trees are oak, ash, elm, aspen, linden, and willow, among others.

There is also a vast range of shrubs like blackthorn, hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), rosehip, alder buckthorn, common buckthorn, sea buckthorn, French tamarisk, and vines.

A unique local culture and cuisine

The delta is in the Romanian region of Dobrogea, one historically inhabited by various ethnic groups like Lipovan Russians, Turks, Tatars, Ukrainians, and Bulgarians, apart from the Romanians. Representative of the area are the houses painted in white and bright blue, the fishing utensils adorning each front yard, the wooden boats, and the fish-based gastronomy. Local people here live in harmony and they respect each other’s traditions and religions.

Going on boat trips, fishing, and tasting the local cuisine go hand in hand, and you will thoroughly enjoy it. You can have the best time watching the stunning sunrises and sunsets and visiting the many lakes that are part of the Danube Delta.

2-Day Danube Delta & Birdwatching Tour from Bucharest

Start from: Bucharest

Accommodations in the area range from local villas, where your hosts cater to your every need, including taking you out on their wooden boats and guiding your journey. Or fancy resorts with expensive and impressive restaurants, swimming pools, and guided tours with modern boats from local partners. Either way, any type of tourist can find an accommodation suited to their taste and budget.

And speaking of taste, the fish soup (storceag) is something you cannot leave the delta without trying. If you get a chance to join some fishermen, in a small patch of land, for a bowl of soup, the experience will be even more authentic.

Remember that the Danube Delta is a vast swampland full of canals, vegetation, and patches of land, the last major remaining wetland in Europe, and the main reason it is on the UNESCO world heritage list.

Official maps of where bird flocks nest do not exist, and what usually happens is that the network of locals and fishermen communicate with guides and Danube Delta personnel on bird and fauna movements. Tour itineraries are planned based on this in the mornings, so we recommend hiring a local guide to navigate the Delta and see some wildlife.

Tourist attractions in the Danube Delta

All tours to the Delta start from Tulcea, the administrative center of the county. This is where all the big museums, like the Ethnography and Folklore Museum and the Natural History Museum, are, as well as the Delta Aquarium. The city has plenty of comfortable hotels, restaurants, and a beautiful waterfront locals and tourists enjoy walking on.

Once you are nice and settled, you can start to think about all the day trips you wish to take while you are here. Letea forest is one of the best places to visit, where you can see wild horses. Mila 23 is a colorful fishermen’s village with many accommodation places for tourists and local eateries if you know how to find them.

There are similar locations like Sarichioi, Murhighiol, Mahmudia, Sulina, Sfantu Gheorghe, and Gura Portitei.

The latter is quite a unique location, as it is a small resort located exactly where the Danube meets the sea, offering tourists both the beauty of the delta and the immensity of the Black Sea in one place. They can swim in the sea, lie on the beach, and take a water bike, and pedal on the channels on the other side of the resort. Once a week, the resort managers will have a group of Lipovans over, dressed in traditional clothes, to perform traditional Russian songs by a campfire. The restaurant there serves fresh fish caught by the resort employees.

Enisala, the only medieval fortress in the area, dating back to the 1300s, is impressive. The area around it is beautiful. However, it is difficult to get there without a private car. And since you already made the 4-hour journey from Bucharest and already rented a car, make sure to check out the Macin mountains in Tulcea county, the lowest in Romania, but very impressive with their emerald lakes and rocks older than the dinosaurs.

When you visit the Danube Delta region, you do it for the massive deltaland and the natural experience. While the local community is very diverse and has a vibrant culture, the area was not spoiled with intricate constructions. Every time your boat takes a turn, you get to see something beautiful and unique, a nature lovers’ paradise.

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The Danube Delta

The mighty Danube River flows 2,860 km (1,788 miles) from its springs in Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea.

Just before reaching the sea it forms the second largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas: 5,700 square km of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Danube Delta is a wildlife enthusiast's (especially a bird watcher's) paradise.

Danube Delta Travelers can explore the highest concentration of bird colonies in all of Europe. Some 300 species of birds make Danube's Delta their home, including cormorants, white tailed eagles and glossy ibises. There is also a rich community of fish and animals such as wildcats, foxes and wolves, and even occasional boars or deers. Altogether, 3,450 animal species can be seen here, as well as 1,700 plant species. The maze of canals bordered by thatch, willows and oaks entangled in lianas, offers the perfect breeding ground for countless species of birds, some of them from as far away as China, Africa or the North Pole.

The Danube Delta can be seen via:

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About Crafted Tours Romania

Crafted Tours Romania is a local company with more than 10 years experience in the touring and hospitality industry. We put the foundation of this private company as an alternative to the big bus tours, willing to offer our guests full flexibility and personal decision in organizing a tour in Romania. We craft tours based on your specific wishes, hoping to deliver a memorable experience in Romania as a final result.

During these 10 years we have made strong connections with hotels, restaurants and museums, thus we will recommend you what we have experienced. Of course, we also have a licence and legal accreditation from the National Ministry of Tourism in Romania.

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Day tour in the Danube Delta

Birdwatching , Danube Delta , Day Tours , Special Offers , Wildlife

If you are looking for a day tour in the Danube Delta , this is the tour for you. Onboard one of our tour boats you can observe the wildlife in a relaxed way accompanied by a local guide. This is a slow boat tour. 

Departture time: 10:00

Return time: 17:00

Prices start at 36 EUR/pers

ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY

• Departure from Tulcea harbor at 10:00 AM – return at 17:30. 
• Explore the most important wetland of Europe – the Danube Delta onboard a slow boat
• Guided by a specialist – English speaking (other languages on request). 
• Large numbers of pelicans, herons, Pygmy Cormorant and Glossy Ibis are possible. 
• Traditional fish meal – optional at a local fisherman. 
• The boat is equipped with shade and toilet.

On this day tour in the Danube Delta , we will try to show you as much as possible by exploring the north-western part of the reserve at a slow pace. Our boats move slow and quiet along channels and lakes in search of rare birds and other wildlife. We stop numerous times for you to have time to enjoy the great nature. Our guides are trained to recognize and point all the species of birds that fly around. There is also the possibility to take pictures if you have the right equipment.

The boats have a flat deck and are partially covered with a sunroof, they are very stable and allow you to move around. The full-on toilet is a must as this journey takes 7 to 8 hours to complete.

At midday, we will stop for optional lunch and a leg stretch on a small island at a fisherman’s hut. Traditional fish soup and fried fish can be ordered as an option. The price will be announced by the guide but it is usually 11 EUR/person.

After lunch we will return to Tulcea where we will arrive around 17:30.

The Departure is from Tulcea harbor – Ibis mooring spot inside Tulco yard at 10:00 AM. Please try to arrive 10-15 minutes  early.

Ibis Tours - Incinta Tulco

Birdwatching , wildlife-watching

Small group up to 15 people

Activity level grade A

This trip is recommended for all ages and fitness levels as long as you can walk on a boat and sit on a chair. 

2021 Dates and prices

2022 dates and prices.

Boat tour, guide – English speaking 

Enquire now

Go to our contact form or contact us at [email protected]

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• About Romania
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Ultimate Danube Delta Tour for Nature Lovers

Nature Tours

• Booking conditions

This Danube Delta tour is the ultimate adventure for nature lovers who will spend seven days in one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Bird watching, nature observation, long boat rides, and traditional village discovery are the day-to-day activities of this tour.

The focus? The rich biodiversity and the unique local culture of this amazing wetland, the best-preserved delta of the continent, and a Biosphere Nature Reserve.

A labyrinth of reed, marshes, lakes, canals covered with water lilies, sand dunes, and willow forests, the Danube Delta was soon after his visit declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Over 300 bird species live here, and the delta is one of the best places to observe colonies of cormorants and pelicans who nest here in large numbers. In autumn and spring, countless birds stop in the Danube Delta during their migratory routes.

The itinerary includes different boat routes every day for you to discover as possible this nature site.

Dinner and breakfast are included in the price for your entire stay in the Danube Delta.

This tour can be modified according to your time and points of interest.

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Murighiol

Arrival at Otopeni International Airport. If the flight arrives until noon, direct transfer to Murighiol for the boat ride to the Danube Delta. The boat transfer from Murighiol to Uzlina is the start of your Danube Delta tour as your local guide will take you across reed canals and lakes, on less transited routes.

You’ll find out interesting facts about the biodiversity of the region, the third-highest in the world, you’ll learn how the delta appeared and how it keeps changes and you’ll observe first-hand local life, whether its fishermen or some of the many bird species that live here.

Dinner will be served at the guest house.

Accommodation: 4 stars guest house in Uzlina

In case of an afternoon or evening arrival, the duration of the tour increases by one day, because the first night will be spent in Bucharest*.

*Accommodation: 3-star hotel in central Bucharest

Driving time: around 4 hours

Day 2: The forest and village of Caraorman

Boat ride across several lakes and canals to Caraorman, a small and traditional village located in an isolated world, surrounded by waters.

The main attraction is the subtropical forest Caraorman where you’ll see some of the highest sandbanks in Romania and trees and plant species that are more common in a Mediterranean climate than in a temperate one. The biggest oak tree from the Danube Delta – four meters round and 400 years old – grows here. 

Ukrainian style lunch in the village.

Bird watching on the boat ride back to the guest house where dinner will be served.

Accommodation: 4-star guest house in Uzlina

Day 3: Where the Danube meets the Black Sea

A longer boat tour across many lakes and canals to the village Sfantu Gheorghe where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. Bird watching along the canals and close to Sacalin Island. Walk to the place where the Danube, after crossing 9 countries and 4 capitals, enters the Black Sea.

Return on a different itinerary to Uzlina, another few hours observing birds while crossing the reed islands and water lilies covered canals.

Day 4: Transfer to Crisan

Boat transfer in the morning to Crisan where you will be accommodated for the following days. Bird watching along the route that will take you from Uzlina canal across three more lakes and two canals until reaching Sulina branch and the village of Crisan.

Leisure afternoon, simply relaxing at the guest house, kayaking, or fishing.

Accommodation: 3-star guest house in Crisan

Day 5: Mila 23 and more bird watching

Another traditional village, this time Mila 23, where some of the most important sports champions of Romania were born. In fact, Mila 23, Caraorman, and Crisan gave 24 world champions.

This fishermen village, inhabited mainly by lipoveni, an ethnic group based on the descendant of Russian refugees that fled the Russian Empire during the 18th-century religious persecutions, is only reachable by water. The old fishing culture of the Danube Delta is still tangible in this small strip of land.

Lunch in the village and afternoon boat ride to Crisan. More bird watching on the two lakes and four canals crossed.

Day 6: One day in Sulina

Boat ride to the small city of Sulina, the most eastern point of Romania. Half of the day is spent visiting Sulina, including the Cosmopolitan Cemetery where people of 21 distinct nationalities are buried in three distinct sections: Christian, Muslim, and Jewish. Afternoon at the beach and boat ride in the evening to Crisan, just in time for dinner.

Mentioned for the first time in a document more than 1,000 years ago, Sulina was in the 14th century a Genovese port and almost 500 years later became a free port on the Danube River. The headquarters of the European Danube Commission in the 19th century, Sulina was back then one of the most ethnically diverse cities of the Old Continent.

This role brought commercial prosperity and development as well as guaranteed neutrality. At the end of the 19th century, the Greeks were the largest ethnic group, followed by Romanians, Russians, Armenians, Turks, Jews, Germans, Italians, Bulgarians, and many more small groups of nationalities from all over Europe. In total, 10 countries had diplomatic representatives in Sulina where English, French, and Greek were the main used languages.

The religious life was as varied as its inhabitants, four Orthodox churches: two Romanian, one Russian and one Armenian, a Jewish temple, an Anglican church, a Catholic church, a Protestant church, and two mosques.

Day 7: Boat transfer to Murighiol

Boat ride to Murighiol, 2-3 more hours to observe wildlife and enjoy the magic of the Danube Delta. Car transfer from Murighiol to Bucharest.

Easy: Easy short walks on flat terrain.

Moderate: Up to 5 km walking per day or/and optional cycling routes and easy hikes.

Intense: Up to 10 km walking per day with some inclines or/and optional cycling routes and more demanding hikes

Challenge: Hiking on uneven trails at altitudes above 1,000 meters. Longer optional cycling routes. Requires good health and physical condition.

Ultimate: Full day of hikes and/or demanding cycling tours. Requires excellent health and physical condition.

Basic: Limited interaction.

Moderate: At least two or three cultural sights included in the tour.

High: Cultural visits everyday of the tour.

Total: All about culture.

Moderate: At least two or three historical sights included in the tour.

High: Visits at historical monuments everyday of the tour.

Total: All about history.

Moderate: At least two hours per day spent in nature.

High: Most activities take place in nature.

Total: All about nature.

These terms and conditions apply to any travel products and/or services you have booked with or purchased with us and guide the contractual relationship between you, the clients, and us, the tour operator Uncover Romania Tours.

Uncover Romania Tours is managed by SC Uncover the World SRL, CUI 33506269, License Number 40 from 24/10/2018.

The travel products and/or services presented on  www.uncover-romania-tours.com  or presented by our agents via email are sold by Uncover Romania Tours.

Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to decline any booking, at its sole discretion.

1. Contract

1.1. To book a tour, you must fill out and sign the contract received from Uncover Romania Tours and pay a deposit.

By booking one of our travel products or services you acknowledge that:

a) You are over 18 years old;

b) You have read, understood, and accepted the contractual terms and conditions;

c) You express your acceptance of these terms and conditions on behalf of all clients named in the booking in case you include more clients besides yourself in the booking;

d) You are authorized by the other clients named in the booking to represent them;

e) You will provide full and accurate information needed for the booking both for You and the other clients named in the booking.

2. Personal information

2.1. In order for us to confirm your travel arrangements you must provide the following details: full name as in the passport, date of birth (for multi-day tours), passport number, passport expiry date, contact address, email, and phone number. Your booking cannot be confirmed without these details needed for contractual purposes.

2.2. By booking one of our tours you agree to provide us with this personal information. We will not disclose under any circumstances your personal information to third parties except when asked by state authorities. We will only use the information you provide for contractual purposes.

Check our Privacy Policy for more details.

2.3. You agree to let us use images of yourself taken during the trip for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium we choose as long as these images do not offend your dignity. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable license to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes. You are entitled to deny the use of these images for this purpose based on the stipulations of the Romanian Law 677/2001.

3. Payments

3.1. A booking is confirmed once we have received a deposit from you. The value of the deposit (30% to 50%) depends on the total cost of the booking, the size of the group, and the time left until the beginning of the tour. If a tour is booked less than 30 days before the date of the tour, the payment will be done in full.

3.2. Uncover Romania Tours will send you at least 7 days before the departure date an invoice for the amount constituting the final payment for the travel products or/and services booked. In case the full payment is not received 3 days at the latest before the departure date, Uncover Romania Tours may change the rate payable for the travel product and/or services booked, or may treat the booking as canceled and shall retain the deposit paid on booking as a cancellation fee.

3.3. You can pay for your booking either by:

• bank transfer to one of our accounts, opened on the name SC Uncover the World SRL at Banca Transilvania, for EUR: RO51BTRLEURCRT0V27712601; for GBP: RO19BTRLGBPCRT0V27712601; for USD: RO91BTRLUSDCRT0V27712601;
• credit card  (+1% commission fee for multi-day tours);
• PayPal  (+4.5% commission fee);
• cash , in RON, based on the exchange rate announced in the previous day by the National Bank of Romania ( www.cursbnr.ro ) for deposits/final payments of City Tours and One Day Tours.

3.4. The commission fees associated with the above payment methods, except cash and credit card payments for City Tours and One Day Tours, are not included in the price of the tours listed on www.uncover-romania-tours.com . You are responsible for paying the commission fees associated with the preferred payment method.

3.5. Except for cash payments in RON, a 1% currency conversion fee will be added to the final price of multi-day tours.

4.1. At any time before a booking is confirmed, we reserve the right to increase or decrease the prices of any of our travel products or/and services.

4.2.The price of a tour can be modified by us after signing the contract only in the case of important changes like alterations in the cost of transportation caused by an increase in the fuel price, significant changes in the exchange rate of the currency in which the tour is paid or unforeseen increases in local taxes at the destination. The price cannot increase by more than 8% and cannot be modified under any circumstances in the 30 days before the start of the tour.

4.3. You have the right to ask and receive a price discount if important changes, mentioned at point 5.2., lead to a significant cut of the travel products or/and services costs.

5. Refunds and cancellations

5.1.   If you decide to cancel the tour with prior notice of at least 30 days, you will be refunded the deposit, minus the transfer fees and the costs that could not be recovered from third parties, for instance, accommodation and other local services already booked. You will not be reimbursed if you cancel the tour less than 30 days before its start except in cases of major force.

5.2. In the case of unforeseen events that could determine us to cancel the tour before its execution, you will be fully reimbursed in 14 days after the notification of this event. The clients are not entitled to any additional compensations in this case.

6. Clients' Rights and Obligations

6.1. You have the right to cancel this contract partly or entirely at any time. If the reason for canceling is attributable to you, you have the obligation to compensate Uncover Romania Tours for the prejudice caused if the cancellation takes place less than 30 days before the start of the tour. The values of the compensation cannot be more than the value of the deposit paid until that date. If the cancellation takes place more than 30 days before the start of the tour, the stipulations of point 5.1. apply.

6.2. You have the right to transfer the tour package to other parties who wish to participate in your place. In this case, the other party assumes the entire contractual rights and obligations, including a price increase if extra services are needed. The transfer cannot take place less than 7 days before the execution of the tour package.

6.3. You acknowledge that the type of travel products and/or services booked requires a certain flexibility and acknowledge that they will permit reasonable alterations to their booking. You also acknowledge that the routes, itineraries, accommodation, types of transportation, or schedules may be modified without prior notice due to various circumstances or events, such as sickness or mechanical breakdown, extreme natural phenomena in the location where the tour takes place, flight cancellations, strikes and other unpredictable or unforeseeable circumstances which are beyond the control of Uncover Romania Tours.

6.4. You have the rights to ask and receive a price discount if any changes in the execution of the tour have affected the services included in the contract except if the cause of these changes is provoked by your own actions if it's a consequence of unforeseen events and/or of the actions of a third party unrelated to the travel services included in the contract. The price discount cannot be greater than the costs of the services affected by the changes in the execution of the tour.

6.5. You are the only responsible party if you do not follow the tour program, if you lose your official ID documents and belongings or if your actions disrupt the execution of the tour.

6.6. You are responsible for securing travel and health insurance as well as applying and obtaining entrance visas to Romania if necessary. 

Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area, or the United States of America do not need a visa to stay in Romania for a period of maximum of 90 days. Citizens with simple passports from other 58 countries are exempted from the Romanian visa requirement. Check the 58 countries  here .

The list of countries whose citizens require a Romanian visa is available  here .

The procedures for obtaining the visa are available  here .

6.7. You acknowledge that the decisions of the tour guide are final on all aspects likely to affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the tour. If you fail to comply with a decision made by the tour guide or affect the well-being or mobility of the group, you may be asked to leave the trip immediately, with no right to refund. You must comply with the laws and customs of Romania.

6.8. You acknowledge all tours involve a certain amount of personal risk and that it is also your responsibility to acquaint yourselves with all relevant travel information and the nature of their itinerary.

6.9. You must notify us in writing if the present contract was not fulfilled properly a maximum of 10 days after the end of the tour.

7. Uncover Romania Tours' Rights and Obligations

7.1. Uncover Romania Tours is responsible for the proper execution of the travel products/services sold to the clients as detailed in the contract.

7.2. Uncover Romania Tours must provide the clients, in a reasonable time before the start of the tour, all the necessary documents regarding the execution of the tour: invoices, detailed travel itinerary including accommodation and transportation reservations, the contact information of local guides, and relevant service providers.

7.3. If during or before the tour, Uncover Romania Tours acknowledges it is not possible to completely respect the tour itinerary because of major changes that could not be anticipated, it is obligated to inform the clients as soon as possible. If Uncover Romania Tours cannot fix the situation that created the major changes, it has to offer the clients alternative or financial compensations if any fees already paid by them were part of the services not offered. This compensation cannot be greater than the costs of the services affected by the changes.

7.4. Uncover Romania Tours is not obligated to pay any compensation claims for damages, expenses, losses, or changes to the execution of the tour which is attributable to the actions of the clients, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act, or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any travel products and/or services or a force major event.

7.5. Uncover Romania Tours will offer immediate assistance if you are affected by unforeseen circumstances during the execution of the tour. We will provide information regarding health services, local authorities, or embassy services if needed, and will assist you in identifying the best services needed. If you are responsible for the circumstances that created the difficulties, Uncover Romania Tours has the right to charge a reasonable commission that cannot be greater than the actual cost of these assistance services.

7.6. Uncover Romania Tours is not responsible for any damages, expenses, losses, or claims which are attributable to the fault of the clients, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act, or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any travel products and/or services or a force major event.

7.7. Uncover Romania Tours must respond in 10 days to any notification sent by you regarding the improper execution of the tour package, mentioning the compensations that apply, if the case, and identifying the responsible parties.

7.8. Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to unilaterally modify this contract after it was signed and agreed by both parties in the event of unforeseen changes that affect the execution of the tour package. The CLIENTS will be informed immediately in this respect.

8. Insurance against bankruptcy

8.1. The clients are insured against the risk of bankruptcy of the Uncover Romania Tours by the Insurance Policy number 29315 from 10/10/2018 issued by OMNIASIG VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP SA. Address: 51 Aleea Alexandru, Bucharest, Romania. Phone: +40214057420. Email: [email protected] .

9. Major force

9.1. In the case of major force, both parties are exempted from any responsibility. This refers to any unpredictable events that may occur after the signing of this contract that escape the control of any of the two parties and that make it impossible for any of them to fulfill partially or totally any of their responsibilities. Major force events refer to natural disasters, riots, protests, schedule change of public or private transportation schedule, government decisions that may affect the tourism activity. The party or parties affected by major force are exempted from any responsibility linked to this contract. Both parties agree to limit as much as possible any damages caused. The party invoking major force is obligated to notify in writing the other party at the beginning (maximum 5 days) and end of a situation of force majeure. In the absence of this written notification, the situation of major force cannot be invocated. If this situation lasts for more than 15 days, the contract is canceled.

10. Governing law

10.1. The laws of Romania govern the booking conditions and contracts to the fullest extent allowable. Any disputes in connection with it must be initiated in the courts of Romania if the parties haven’t reached an amicable solution.

11. Updating of terms and conditions

11.1. Uncover Romania Tours reserves the right to update and/or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is the clients' responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions can always be found on  www.uncover-romania-tours.com  and will supersede any previous versions.

Willow forest

Boats crossing the canals

Fishermen house, Sfantu Gheorghe

Squacco heron

Boats in the Danube Delta

Floating water lilies

Great egret

Fishing trip

Fishing net

Farm animals

Local transportation

Danube Delta Tour for Nature Lovers

5% discount from the total price for bookings done at least three months in advance.

The price below is per person and is based on two persons sharing a double room.

Discount rates for children.

Group of 2 persons:  €1,320   per person

Group of 3 persons:  €1,165   per person

Group of 4 persons:  €875   per person

Group of 5 persons:  €770   per person

Group of 6 persons:  €700  per person

The price includes:

• local tour guide services and planning costs
• accommodation plus breakfast and dinner every day
• transportation costs (driver, car, gas costs, parking fees)
• boat rides according to the itinerary
• entrance fees to the Danube Delta Reserve

The price does not include:

• airfare, travel insurance
• lunch meals, breakfast on Day 1, dinner on Day 7
• other activities/tours booked by the clients
• currency conversion fee (1%)
• payment-related fees (1% for credit card, 4.5% for PayPal, variable for bank transfers)

Payment methods

Credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, cash (only for certain tours). The fees related to the payment methods are not included in the price.

Contact us if you’d like to get a price quotation for larger or smaller groups or a shorter/longer version of this tour.

Bucharest (or other cities)

Breakfast every day

Dinner Day 1 to Day 6

Local guest houses in the Danube Delta

Hotel in Bucharest

Car transfer to Murighiol, boat in the Danube Delta

Nature: the Danube Delta (UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve), boat rides, bird watching, nature observation, Caraorman forest

Cities and villages: Sulina, local life in traditional villages Mila 23, Caraorman, Sfantu Gheorghe

The tour takes place from April to October.

Discount rates for children

We had the greatest time with you in Romania. I had no idea when you said that you offered a unique experience, just how unique it would be. Romania is a beautiful country with friendly people, an extremely interesting history and many things to...

I cannot begin to express how absolutely marvelous this tour was!! I'm in Bucharest for six weeks on my own, and first of all, when I contacted Diana, she gave me the best price for a solo tour of any company I contacted, by far! She picked me up...

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We only create and promote responsible tourism activities. This was from the very beginning the core of our work philosophy.

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Romania and beyond

Danube Delta

The Danube Delta (Delta Dunării), included on Unesco’s World Heritage list, is one of Romania’s leading tourist attractions.

At Tulcea, the river splits into three separate channels: the Chilia, Sulina and Sfântu Gheorghe arms, creating a constantly evolving 4187-sq-km wetland of marshes, floating reed islets and sandbars.

The region provides sanctuary for 300 species of bird and 160 species of fish. Reed marshes cover 156,300 hectares, constituting one of the largest single expanses of reed beds in the world. The delta is a heaven for wildlife lovers, birdwatchers, fishers and anyone wanting to get away from the daily routine for a few days.

The Danube Delta is one of the wonders of the world and you must definitely visit it, regardless of whether you choose to do it in spring, in summer or in the autumn months. Why is it worth visiting it? There are countless reasons.

One could be that Danube Delta hosts over 5,000 species of plants and animals. Another could be that Danube Delta is the second largest delta in Europe. At the same time, Delta is an accessible destination, it is a wonderful place, and the food is delicious. If you don’t like fish but arrived in Danube Delta you will surely fall in love with it! You will find plenty accommodation in the Danube Delta at good prices and in excellent conditions. Countless boat trips to various touristic villages or simply to fish or birdwatch can be done in Danube Delta.

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Discover Danube Delta

PRIVATE Kayak Tour to the Danube Delta, to Holbina, with hotel accommodation

• 3d/2n-4d/3n
• April - October
• Up to 12 pers
• Murighiol - Star2000
• From 345 euro/pers

The lakes and canals of the Danube Delta are full of spectacle and magic! Choose a private kayak tour to Holbina 3 Bibani to explore the authentic wilderness of the delta. Paddle to and from the Holbina 3 Bibani …

Kayak Fishing to the Danube Delta, at Holbina, 3 days, with hotel accommodation

• From 370 euro/pers

We invite you to fish in a unique atmosphere, from KAYAK, to Holbina 3 Bibani, the ideal place to catch large pike. Enjoy the benefits and satisfactions of kayaking: personal choice of fishing spot and launch position; …

• Discover the freedom of a kayak tour in the last wildest place in Europe, the Danube Delta, in Eastern Romania. Get wild in a guided private experience, in one of our tours.
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Romania's Danube Delta & Carpathian Mountains

A 10-day tour – by boat and on foot – in search of the birds and mammals of the Carpathian Mountains, Black Sea coast and Danube Delta.

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On this 2-centre holiday we’ll explore the contrasting landscapes of Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Black Sea coast and Danube Delta. Beginning in Transylvania, we’ll search the rocky peaks and dense spruce forests of the Carpathians for birds such as Wallcreeper, flowers and Brown Bears. Next we head to the Danube Delta – a wetland area larger than Coto Donana and the Camargue combined. From the comfort of our floating hotel we’ll explore a maze of channels and lakes, marvelling at the sheer numbers of pelicans, herons and other waterbirds all around us. Our tour ends with two days exploring the steppes and marshes adjacent to the Black Sea coast, home to an interesting flora and birds such as Levant Sparrowhawk and Sombre Tit.

• Wallcreeper, Nutcracker & other mountain species in the Carpathian Mountains
• Evening Bear-watching in the Piatra Craiuli National Park (optional)
• 4 nights exploring the Danube Delta on a floating hotel
• Huge numbers of nesting Night & Purple Herons, Pygmy Cormorant & Glossy Ibis
• Migrating waders & terns in spring & autumn
• Dalmatian & White Pelicans in the Danube Delta
• Eastern bird species such as Levant Sparrowhawk & Isabelline Wheatear
• Birdwatch & botanise on the Babadag Plateau & Macin Mountains
• Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grade A/B. Mainly easy day walks, with a couple of moderate walks in the mountains which can be up to 5 miles in length and may include some steeper or rougher sections.

Situated on the western shore of the Black Sea, with Bulgaria on its southern borders, Romania has a surprising variety of habitats. From the extensive wetlands of the Danube basin, to the high peaks of the Carpathians; from the evergreen forests of the north-west, to the rolling plains of the east, Romania boasts a remarkable abundance of wild flowers, interesting butterflies and mammals, as well as a long list of exciting birds. Furthermore, its Black Sea coast, running from north to south, is part of a major flyway for migrating birds travelling between their breeding grounds in Eurasia and their winter quarters in the Mediterranean, Africa or further east.

Our holiday is centred around the Danube Delta and the Carpathian Mountains. About 90 kilometres from the mouth of the Danube, the river divides into three channels. Enclosed between them lie 3,000 square kilometres of reedbeds, shallow lakes and forested islands. It is a wetland area larger than the Carmargue and the Coto Doñana combined! Within the delta nest over 4,000 pairs of Cormorants, 3,000 pairs of Night Herons, 2,000 pairs of Squacco Herons, 1,200 pairs of Purple Herons, 1,500 pairs of Glossy Ibis and a large percentage of the European population of Great Egrets, Pygmy Cormorants, and Dalmatian and White Pelicans. Good numbers of grebes, ducks, terns, geese and five or more pairs of White-tailed Eagles make up the supporting cast! Needless to say, the delta is a truly wonderful place and, in ornithological terms, probably deserves the title of Europe’s single most valuable habitat.

We begin our holiday with a flight to Bucharest, capital of Romania. From here we travel to Vulcan, deep in the Transylvanian Carpathians. This chain of mountains is alpine in nature, with high rocky peaks rising above dense forests of spruce and Beech. We will be based in a guesthouse near Zarnesti, in an attractive small town that offers easy access to the surrounding peaks. From it, we will be able to explore the local pine woods and rocky crags in search of woodpeckers, Nutcrackers, Black Redstarts and alpine passerines such as Wallcreepers. Beyond the treeline, lush alpine meadows host a wealth of flowering plants. In the evenings we will watch for the Brown Bears and occasional Wolves that descend from the forests in search of food.

After two full days in the mountains we travel east to Tulcea, the gateway to the Danube Delta. During our stay in the delta, we will be travelling and sleeping aboard a floating hotel. On it, we will travel through the delta’s numerous channels and lakes, thereby gaining a unique perspective on the area and its wildlife. We will also have the opportunity to visit one of the isolated islands where we will be able to explore on foot and see the way of life in one of the remote villages of the area. By visiting several habitats within the delta, we should have amassed an impressive total of species by the end of our visit; however, the enduring memory of a trip to the delta is the sheer spectacle of hundreds of pelicans, herons and cormorants constantly flying to and from their vast breeding colonies.

We will spend the latter part of our holiday exploring the rich complex of lakes, marshes, steppe and woodland that lie immediately to the south of the delta. We will visit the Black Sea coast, and the salt marshes on the edge of Lake Sinoie where migrating waders feed alongside breeding Avocets, pratincoles and Kentish Plovers. To the south of the delta, a small lake merits our attention. Amongst its large gull and tern colony, grebes, Black-winged Stilts and Mediterranean Gulls breed. In forest nearby, a range of woodland species — including several woodpeckers, Sombre Tit and Ortolan Bunting — are found, together with an outstanding variety of butterflies and wild flowers. This is an excellent area for raptors with the possibility of Booted Eagle and Levant Sparrowhawk over the forest, whilst Eastern Imperial Eagles are sometimes seen soaring over the plains to the south.

Finally we must travel back to Bucharest, breaking the journey as we pass lakes worthy of our interest. We will leave Romania satisfied with the memories of some of the best birdwatching to be found in Europe, together with an exceptional range of plants and mammals.

Outline Itinerary

What's Included?

We stay in comfortable hotels or guesthouses near Zarnesti and in Tulcea, and on a floating hotel in the Delta. There are private facilities throughout.

All meals are included in the price.

We visited Romania, principally bird watching and spent time in the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube delta and the steppes. Our expert guides showed us many birds in those different habitats but their knowledge also extended to wild flowers, butterflies, moths and mammals, especially important for those whose interests were broader than birds alone.  The small group consisted of 14 plus 2 guides which worked wonderfully well and meant that everyone felt that their interests were catered for with easy access to expert knowledge delivered in a fun and relaxed way. Naturetrek provide a highly professional, and personal service of the highest quality. They supply detailed trip notes of earlier trips so we could properly assess whether the trip was what we wanted, assistance with making preparations, advice on clothing and equipment etc. Questions are answered promptly and with care and attention to detail and with thoughtfulness. All the staff we were in contact with over the booking, enquiries, on the trip and at their open day were so friendly and helpful. The whole experience was so positive.  D.S. Essex, Sept 23

A guided tour of wildlife sites in Romania. Amazing trip on the Danube Delta which must be seen to be believed. A crown jewel of European wildlife sites. Great combination of internationally experienced wildlife guide and extremely knowledgeable local guide. Comfortable accommodation and very well organised. Naturetrek are excellent at offering very well organised tours. Very helpful in answering questions beforehand and have found their tour descriptions very honest. Multiple site tours in remote areas inevitably involves travel but the descriptions are very honest and they have done a great job of breaking up journeys and involving sites of interest where available. H.C. Essex, May 23

It was a terrific experience which more than met our expectations. We were led by two superb guides whose knowledge and awareness of wildlife was exemplary. This is quite an energetic trip with long days of enjoyment. The accommodation was of a high standard even though Romania is not a major tourist destination. We were delighted to add many new bird species to our previous experience as well as seeing Brown Bears, Golden Jackals, Fire Salamanders, frogs, turtles and Suslik. The organisation was of a high standard throughout. We received detailed information and reviews and accounts of previous trips to this area soon after enquiring and even more detail after booking. The veracity of that information was impressive and we were pleased to have had such good preparation. When travelling to see wildlife we would expect surprises, adventure and some personal effort; there was plenty of such experience. As already mentioned, they employed guides and local facilities and personnel of the highest order. C.J. Hampshire, Jun 23

Naturetrek staff & guides are masters of the sensitive, widely informed, close encounter nature holidays. The itinerary was very varied covering the group's interests in botany, bird life, butterflies and mammals as we travelled through spectacular scenery. The chance to see wild bears was very special as were the four days spent on the floating hotel with trips on land and water in the Danube Delta. It was a privilege to meet such nice Romanian people running the hotels, restaurants especially at this difficult time in eastern Europe. Highly professional in every aspect, employing guides with an amazing depth & breadth of wildlife knowledge who also ensure that all the practical arrangements run smoothly. J.H. East Yorkshire, Jun 22

Never having been to Romania before it was a step into unfamiliar territory! So that was exciting! We met some lovely people on the tour and the guides were very knowledgeable and very informative so we learnt a lot not only about the birds but about Romania itself! We had a lot of fun spotting birds and seeing a wonderful setting in which they live. The Danube Delta was amazing as were the Carpathians - we had very comfortable accommodation and the food was different but delicious. We would heartily recommend this trip to anyone! The Tour operator was very helpful, all the paperwork was explained and was sent out in good time and gave us time to ensure that we had everything we needed for the trip and for the journey and good advice regarding currency and where best to exchange it. This is the second trip with this operator and we will shortly be looking at a third for next year. They are very reliable, helpful and the range of trips is amazing and covers every age range. Well recommended.  L.K. Argyll & Bute, May 22

The trip was partly based in the Carpathian Mountains where, in addition to a good range of birds, we had some excellent sightings of a target species - Brown Bears. Another highlight in the Carpathians was a close encounter with Wallcreepers - normally a difficult bird to observe. The tour continued to Tulcea on the Danube where we transferred to a small houseboat (towed) in order to explore the smaller backwaters of the Danube delta. The accommodation was comfortable and the food also very good. The range and quantity of the wildlife observed from the boat and also from short walks on shore was astonishing. It is difficult to see how the same experience could have been provided without the local knowledge and equipment of the operators. The local guide, Christian, in particular was first class. Naturetrek dealt with all aspects of the administration in a friendly and competent manner. We have travelled with them to various destinations before and are shortly to travel with them again - this time to Brazil for the second time. P.S. Norfolk, May 22

We enjoyed the attentions of expert and helpful guides (both local and UK based), a very good standard of accommodation in both locations (the floating hotel experience was quite special). In addition to seeing all the fauna and flora we could have hoped for (and much more) our group was treated to a very comprehensive guide to Romania, people, food, customs and history. From our greeting at Bucharest to our sad farewells to guides and fellow group members at the same airport, we all felt rather spoilt and well taken care of. First stop, after a long drive into the mountains, was a rather lovely, family run guest house in Transylvania. Food (and wine) here was excellent, we were well looked after breakfast, lunch (we made ourselves from the ingredients provided by the guest house staff) and dinner - it was a wonder we were able to walk in the mountains at all. A particular highlight of this part of the holiday was seeing the European Brown Bears in their natural habitat. After 3 days of this we had another long drive down to the coast, where we were put up in our floating hotel, this was of the highest standard - even though everything on board was (understandably - it's a boat) compact. Food and wine again was excellent and the staff could not do enough for us. The floating hotel was our base for our smaller (but comfortable) boat excursions into the waterways of the Danube Delta. Again an absolute delight, even for the non-twitchers among us, the variety and uniqueness of the environment, fauna and flora on show here was stunning. The holiday ended (all too soon) with our transfer back to Bucharest airport, leaving behind a little sadness, but many wonderful memories. Would recommend - and would love to go back sometime. This was our second holiday with Naturetrek - we had previously had a wildlife tour of Poland (2017) and so were expecting great things - we were not disappointed, in fact this experience surpassed the previous by a margin - and has set the bar even higher.  Naturetrek obviously do their research very thoroughly, in terms of accommodation, guides, and locations, and it pays off.  Have already booked next year's holiday with Naturetrek - let's see if they can get even better (it will not be easy). D.K. Argyll & Bute, May 22

We travelled by minibus with an excellent Romanian driver, expert bird guide and British ecologist. We explored the woods and hills of the Carpathian region spotting the rich bird life, plants, insects and mammals. We had a fabulous excursion to see European brown bears. On the Danube Delta we stayed on a floating hotel and had day trips out on a boat exploring the many canals and lakes. Wonderful opportunities to see and photograph the many bird species in this unique habitat. Accommodation was comfortable and meals delicious and sustaining; we were up at 6.30am each morning!! Every aspect was well organised from booking, travel communication, delivery and follow up (we had an excellent report complied of all we had seen and when by the British ecologist). Our flight out was cancelled by BA with only a week to go but Naturetrek found a replacement flight with Blue Air without drama or panic. The three staff who travelled with us were not only expert in their fields but totally professional and concerned for our wellbeing. R.W. Kent, Apr 22

We saw lots of birds and also bears. Beautiful quiet countryside. Drifting down backwaters of the Danube in the sunshine, surrounded by croaking frogs and cuckoos calling, was very pleasant and peaceful. Everything was very well-organised. Nice clean unpretentious hotels. Good food - all the hotels and the "Floatel" coped really well with my gluten-free diet. Well-informed guides.   R.H. Oxfordshire, May 22

We had a truly wonderful time exploring Romania. It was our first trip there and exceeded out expectations in every way. The guiding was top-notch and Marcus and Christian shared their knowledge and experience lightly and freely, adding to our great pleasure.   T.S. Gloucestershire, Apr 22

We visited the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube Delta, and mainland sites near Tulcea and the Black Sea. The local Romanian guide was excellent and the English leader supplied by Naturetrek was absolutely great. Both went to a lot of trouble to ensure everyone saw the wildlife they found and the trip was a great success. Accommodation and food were both exemplary, and the floating hotel on the Danube was an unforgettable experience. Naturetrek have organised an outstanding holiday in this package, and employed a first-rate team to run it. C.W. Suffolk, Apr 22

There were 14 guests and 2 guides, one who travelled with us from London and the other a local guide. Birds and mammals were the focus but there was much interest and enthusiasm in the natural environment and several of us were left with the desire to return to explore the flora and fauna further. There were many highlights, but for me it had to be the mammals: firstly brown bears - twelve in total including cubs, with a red fox trying to steal the show, in the mountains. Then we were privileged to see a European wild cat, a golden jackal and souslik in the Danube delta. The birders on the trip were not disappointed with the extensive range and number of birds - over 160 ticks on the bird list! Added extras included tortoises and butterflies. Having a local guide gave us huge insight to the country and with local knowledge our whole experience was elevated, certainly exceeding my expectations. M.P. Bristol, April 19

Interesting trip to Romania to see birds and brown bears and other wildlife. Beautiful countryside - mountains, hills and meadows. Many birds and insects and wildflowers to see. Wonderful walks through unspoilt meadows and woodland. Boat trip through the quiet channels of the Danube Delta. Lovely holiday. Excellent informative and caring guides. Excellent food and good accommodation. J.L. Hampshire, May 19

I had no idea how varied this holiday would be! From the wide vistas of mountain scenery while hiking in the Carpathian Mountains, to leisurely sunny days spent floating along the many channels of the pristine Danube Delta. Viewing birds galore, the entire 10 days were bursting with wonderful experiences. Some highlights included the many beautiful butterflies in Romania, each species carefully identified by our guides. Seeing a total of seven wild Brown Bears, including 2 cute cubs, from a bear hide in the deepest forest. Bran Castle, the only touristy spot in all of Transylvania! Our visit to Greci, a traditional village in the Danube Delta. The vast number of birds inhabiting the Delta and therefore the importance of protecting this gem. Swimming in the Black Sea with 'the locals'. J.L. Bermuda, Aug 18

This is the best Naturetrek holiday that I have been on. It far exceeded my expectations. Please note that the accommodation in small family run hotels and on the boat is outstanding and far from basic. The organisation in Romania is very slick and efficient combined with exceptional warmth and friendliness. Nothing was too much trouble. The tour leaders were knowledgeable and informative and were always approachable. I would recommend this holiday to anyone and will do so to my friends. J.K. West Yorkshire

My congratulations to Naturetrek for an extremely well planned and thoroughly enjoyable trip...Overall, I can only praise all the personnel involved in this tour and look forward to my future travels with Naturetrek. A.S. Oxfordshire

This was truly a superb tour. We had a lot of fun amid the serious stuff of finding and identifying birds, all of which we were able to get excellent views, thanks to the expertise of Daniel and Chris. Daniel is a most charismatic character, full of enthusiasm and bonhomie...and Chris’ credentials and birding abilities are undoubted. T.M. Gloucestershire

The holiday exceeded our expectation. The accommodation was far better than you led us to expect - condition for tourists in Romania improve by the day. John Carruthers was the epitome of an ideal tour leader - patient, considerable and permanently cheerful. Dan Petreseu is a skilled and energetic local leader, unflagging in his encouragement of everyone and with excellent skills. All of the areas that we visited had plenty to offer to the naturalist, but the sheer spectacle of the Danube Delta was outstanding. Finally, this was an excellent group to spend a holiday with. A.K. Yorkshire

Our guides were both excellent at spotting birds… Mihai had an excellent knowledge of history, geography, geology and botany…The bear hide experience was magical! We saw lots of bears right from the start. The highlight was the Danube Delta. The trips were very well planned. The houseboat was very comfortable with excellent food. W.S. Herefordshire

The three different areas(of Romania)were amazing, and 16 bears well who can ask for more. The large group were all very nice but best of all were the guides. I’m now looking at other trips that Geoff Carr leads, he is truly perfect…he is really knowledgeable about so many things but best of all a really wonderful personality and sense of humour. The local guide Florin Palade, again a wealth of knowledge and absolutely everything on history, geography, geology etc and again a great personality with perfect English and German. The local botanist in Dobrogea was brilliant not just about botany but all other subjects thrown at him. A better team could not be found. W.S. Essex

I had been to Romania many years ago in mid-winter but did not enter the delta or visit the Carpathian mountains - I was delighted with both and could not have enjoyed it more. I did not expect to see any new birds, but was very happy to see good (variety of) birds again and seen in great numbers. J.G. Yorkshire

An excellent trip – the Flotel was superb. Both leaders hearing and sighting of birds was exceptional and Florin was particularly enchanting with his sense of humour and knowledge of his lively country. We were very lucky to see 16 bears with 2 mothers that had 3 cubs each. M.C. Cambridgeshire

You can't beat birdwatching by boat, relaxing, stimulating, can you just imagine putting the boat into the bank and sitting in your comfortable chair watching the black woodpecker enlarging his hole, or slowly following literally hundreds of pelicans as they fish in the shallow waters. L.L. Worcestershire

Outstanding trip. Friendly and knowledgeable trip leader and local guide. First class organisation, accommodation and meals. Well done Naturetrek. A.P. Dorset

This was my first Naturetrek trip and it far exceeded my expectations. The range of habitats meant we saw a vast number of species which were expertly identified and explained by the knowledgeable (and patient) leaders. B.C. London

Danube Delta trips - very relaxing watching scenery and wildlife from top deck of hotel on the small boat. Jason was informative and endlessly patient about identifying birds and insects, while Daniel had a wealth of knowledge and information about the Delta area and Romania as a whole. M.M. Cambridgeshire

Whether we were in the Transylvanian mountains or the down on the delta, the variety and wealth of wildlife was exceptional. The contrast between regions added to the spectacle and the ability of our two guides to get us to the right areas to get close views and photographs added to the enjoyment. Accommodation was always of a high standard for such a trip as were the meals, both in the hotels and during the day. We were a mixed bunch of naturalists, photographers and sightseers yet our guides brought us all together so that we worked as a team of observers and nature specialists and could not have got more from the holiday. A truly enjoyable experience. R.D. Dorset

It was a packed 10 days in which we experienced some most wonderful wildlife sightings, with chance to observe and learn from our extremely knowledgeable guides Our highlights were watching the bears, watching a Penduline tit building it's intricate nest & the spectacle of thousands of pelicans flying above our heads as the sun began to set, but there was so much more! The itinerary also gave us opportunities to 'see' Romania; the countryside with associated activities, the villages, castles & the Royal lodge, even a chance to see the centre of Bucharest on our way to the airport. The accommodation was welcoming & comfortable, the floating hotel moored against the reeds in the Delta with the frogs was a really memorable experience. J. & E.K. Somerset

A wildlife holiday focusing on 3 locations in Romania lasting 10 days in September. It is the first time I have travelled with Naturetrek who delivered a first class experience at a competitive price. The pre-tour information was comprehensive , communication was good and the tour guides in the field were excellent. H.R. Oxfordshire

We had a great time in Romania this year. We visited a whole host of different places and were lucky enough to see a range of native wildlife including bears, birds, wild cats, reptiles, butterfly's, insects and flora. The places we visited offered a glimpse into the natural history, geology and geography of this fascinating area. We stayed on a floating hotel in the Danube Delta. The time here was interspersed with trips out on a smaller boat to explore the small channels and lakes. Many species of frogs and birds live here. My personal highlights were the stone curlew and the little sousliks seen out in the steppes area near to the floodplains of Tulcea.  L.B. Hertfordshire, June 18

A great mix of habitats from mountain meadows & open wood, to gorge walks, followed by a cross country transfer to the delta stopping at lakes and wildflower meadows. Our home on the delta was the 'mother ship' moving along the main channels with great views from the upper desks. You might say the hide moves past the birds. Mooring up at lunchtime and evening/overnight for meals and overnight. Each day am/pm the group moves on using a well appointed day boat meeting the mother ship in a new location. Catering was fine adapted to suit all group members and a birthday cake too. Lucky me. A great way to mark a special birthday. Our third base was a comfortable town based guesthouse, allowing trips to lagoons & hills. Along the coastal area. The mix of birds, bears, flowers, butterflies/insects, reptiles etc although challenging at times was just what we wanted. For those who might be less mobile this trip would be a great choice. M.C. Lincolnshire, May 18

An excellent 10 day tour incorporating all that is great about bird watching in Romania. Naturetrek organised everything including our flights from Manchester and our hotel and transfers in Bucharest where we spent a couple of extra days. The guides were brilliant and had a wealth of knowledge about the area and it's wildlife. The accommodation in all three locations was wonderful and our hosts could not have done any more to make our stay very comfortable. Our first experience with Naturetrek but it will not be our last. A.H. Cheshire, May 18

Seeing and photographing bears in the wild - a return visit after a 20 year gap to the Delta. Our second local guide Lorenzy had an interest in his country, in addition to birds, and enjoyed sharing it with us. Andy was very approachable, knowledgeable, and patient at pointing out how to identify the various birds. B.M. Essex

Loved Romania! Local guides were very knowledgeable and helpful with species identification. Particularly enjoyed being on the floating hotel - the staff were delightful and they catered to every need in the party, especially regarding diet. Saw some amazing birds, butterflies etc. and would like to return to see more of the Delta area. Everything ran like clockwork and there were a brilliant set of guests. P.H. Northamptonshire

Romania is ace. Guides were knowledgeable. Floating hotel was very good and staff helpful. Excellent birds, butterflies and flora to see. Would like to return. Food was plentiful and of a good standard, including picnics with delicious local cheese, cucumber and tomatoes. S.H. Northamptonshire

The itinerary included a variety of landscapes which in turn provided a wide range of different bird and flora species. The river boat hotel was delightful - it provided a very special way to observe birds up close an from a distance. D.S. West Sussex

An all round excellent trip. Outstanding leaders - Laurentiu's knowledge of Romanian birds and wildlife was extraordinary, Ed's role as host as well as his birding skills - excellent team. A spring trip to Romania is definitely to be recommended. J.H. Midlothian

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip to Romania, especially spending time on the Delta. The amount of wildlife there is just incredible, and I will never get bored of seeing kingfishers – however many we see in one day! Although, seeing the bears was definitely the highlight for me. R.J. Belgium

Everything worked really well. Enjoyed everything. DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING, PLEASE. R.B. Wiltshire

The information supplied by the tour leaders was paramount to the enjoyment of this trip. As well as information on wildlife they were very informative on the history of the country, geology, changes on the landscape brought about by human settlement. The tour of Bran Castle led by Laurentiu was outstanding. Overall the two leaders worked together as a perfect team. A.P. Norfolk

The tour leaders were very knowledgeable, very interesting and very lovely people. They told us a lot about the country, it's geography, it's history, it's customs, etc, as well as imparting their knowledge on it's wildlife. Morning coffee served to us on the boat was greatly appreciated, and the food & coffee on the picnics, and the venues chosen for them were excellent also. Being towed along on the Floating Hotel was IDYLLIC and the whole system was well thought out, transferring to the smaller boat to explore canals. 10/10! M.P. Norfolk

This was a superb wildlife experience - particularly the quality and quantity of birds in the Delta. Living on the floating hotel meant that we were immersed in this fantastic habitat 24 hours a day - excellent. All 3 guides were excellent. J.W. Hertfordshire

Dates & Prices

Tour Leader: Marcus Kohler

Tour Leader: Emily Richens

The Lake District, Scotland and southern France constituted many of Emily’s family holidays. Always by road, these trips inspired her taste for adventure (not to mention local foods) and love of exploring off-piste. Not one to stick to well-trodden paths, some of Emily’s most memorable wildlife encounters have been unexpected and often fleeting; from lekking Longhorn moths in a Hampshire woodland to a Common Dolphin mother and calf swimming right beside her whilst paddling on Scotland’s west coast!

Her Master’s research at Bristol University took her to South Africa where she spent 6 months in the bushveld tracking Dwarf Mongooses! Experiencing this lifestyle strengthened her love of the outdoors and skills in tracking wild animals. Her most memorable encounter occurred on her final day, when she witnessed a Serval attack on ‘her’ troop of mongooses!

Emily fell in love with the Scottish Highlands whilst working as a ranger and wildlife guide, where she covered everything from Black Grouse leks and finding Golden Eagle nests, to discussions about the legacy of the Highland Clearances and of course the importance of Scotch whisky!

Although passionate about wildlife, she has a drive to learn about every aspect of a place and to appreciate and understand the bigger picture.

Rowing plays a major part in Emily’s life outside of work, and she regularly trains for races.

Tour Leader: Keith Buchanan

Keith Buchanan has more than 30 years' experience of working on biodiversity and landscape issues in the UK and internationally. Until August 2008 Keith was designing and leading a major project for Natural England to understand the impact of climate change on wildlife and landscapes. Prior to that he was a Programme Director within the Countryside Agency, and responsible for that Agency's work in relation to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, climate change and land management. Since 2008 he has been freelance, and has led wildlife watching groups to many parts of Europe ,the Caribbean and South America and worked on biological expeditions in Indonesia, Central America, South America, Madagascar and South Africa.

Tour Leader: Andy Smith

Andy lives on the edge of Dartmoor in South Devon. He’s been a keen birder and naturalist for as long as he can remember and has enjoyed a varied career divided between conservation work in Britain and Ireland, school teaching and wildlife tour leading. He started leading for Naturetrek way back in 1997 and has now led over 150 tours to a wide range of destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Antarctica. When not currently leading tours Andy teaches geography and history to teenagers and in his spare time he explores the natural history of Dartmoor and the South Hams and serves on the records committee of Devon Birds. He also makes regular trips to the west of Ireland to visit his children and grandchildren. 

Tour Leader: Mark Wood

Tour Leader: Paul Harmes

Paul has always lived in the south of England on the Downs near Brighton in East Sussex. Many of his early years were spent in exploring this area. His interest in the natural world gradually developed from about the age of eight and he began to take a special interest in plants, although reptiles and amphibians, mammals and insects are also a passion. Paul is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, an active member of the Sussex Botanical Recording Society and the Botanical Society of the British Isles, which he represents as the county recorder for East Sussex. In 2003, he took voluntary severance from the National Grid Company plc and started his own botanical and ecological survey company. Paul enjoys sharing his knowledge of the natural world with other like-minded and interested people.

Tour Leader: Andy Bunten

Andy Bunten has been an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife ever since he can remember. Educated at Cambridge, Newcastle and Imperial College, he then embarked on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the RSPB. He initially worked in RSPB Scotland then headed south to be the Regional Director for the South East of England for 5 years before, in 1991, moving to the North of England to take up the reins of Director there. An experienced lecturer, Andy has cruised extensively completing over 20 trips ranging from South America to the Philippines and from Argentina to Svalbard. Now an Environmental Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller and has led wildlife groups to numerous places around the world including the Seychelles, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, Borneo, Norway and Spitsbergen. Over the last few years, he has led Naturetrek holidays in France, Romania, Hungary, Sweden, Spain and Scotland. He loves leading trips!

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Tour Reports

Why naturetrek.

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

• Two Castles in One Day Tour – 12 hours
• Bucharest City Tour by Night – 1.5 hours
• Bucharest City Tour & Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours
• Bucharest Evening Tour & Traditional Dinner – 3 hours
• Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours
• Half-Day Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours
• The Last Days of Communism Tour – 4 hours
• Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery Tour – 5 hours
• Wines of Wallachia Tasting Tour – 8 hours
• One Day Tour from Bucharest to Constanta (the ancient city of Tomis) – 10 hours
• The Real Dracula Tour – 11 hours
• Experience Bulgaria Tour – 11 hours
• Transylvania Break Tour – 2 days
• Danube Delta Tour – 2 days
• Transfagarasan & Medieval City of Sibiu Tour – 2 days
• Medieval Transylvania Tour – 3 days
• Private Half-Day City Tour of Bucharest – 5 hours
• Private Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Bucharest – 8 hours
• Slanic Salt Mine & Wine Tasting Tour – 8 hours
• Peles Royal Castle & Wine Tasting Tour – 9 hours
• In the Footsteps of Dracula Tour – 11 hours
• Private Trip to Peles Castle & Bran Dracula Castle – 12 hours
• One Day Tour to Bulgaria – 11 hours
• The Black Sea & Danube Delta Tour – 2 days
• Medieval City of Brasov Tour (Kronstadt) – 2 days
• Medieval City of Sibiu Tour (Hermannstadt) – 2 days
• Bucovina & Transylvania Tour – 3 days
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Danube Delta Tour from Bucharest

At the end of a 2800 km long journey, flowing through several countries across Europe, the Danube empties into the Black Sea forming a largely unspoiled wetland, a veritable paradise for bird lovers, fishers, and seekers of solitude alike. Danube Delta is included on UNESCO’s World Heritage list and is one of Romania’s most fascinating attractions.

Come along on the unforgettable Danube Delta Tour in Romania from Bucharest to visit Constanta – the largest and oldest city on the Romanian Black Sea coast and to experience the beauty of authentic Romanian nature in the Danube Delta .

Small group shared tour by car/minibus

429 Euros adult, 409 Euros child 7-11

Operating days

Tuesday – Sunday

Groups discounts

5% for 2 people, 8% for 4 or more people traveling together (call us for a discount code)

Departure Time

Departure & return location.

Pick-up & drop-off at your hotel (or any address in the city)

English (other languages available on request for an additional fee)

Price Includes

• Transportation by A/C van/minibus
• Certified English speaking tour guide
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off
• 1-night accommodation in a double room with breakfast at 3* hotel
• Boat ride in the Danube Delta
• Meals - other than breakfast
• Entrance fess

Single supplement

€30, mandatory for single travelers and payable to the guide at the start of the tour

Additional benefits for our customers

• 10% discount at best restaurants in Bucharest including famous locations as Hard Rock Cafe, Caru’ cu bere, Hanu’ lui Manuc, Pescarus
• 20% discount at Museum of Senses

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 48 hours before the activity starts

Tour Highlights

• Small Group Tour for a more personal and intimate experience. A chance to discover the Romanian Black Sea coast and the Danube Delta while making new friends.
• Funny, Friendly, Experienced Guide: Feel welcome, relaxed, and able to enjoy the tour to its fullest. Ask your burning questions and learn from your knowledgeable guide.
• Visit the Romanian largest and oldest city on the Black Sea Coast - Constanta (the ancient city of Tomis)
• Explore the unique beauty of the fascinating Danube Delta in Romania
• Enjoy a boat ride on the Danube Delta's narrow and tangles channels for birds watching

Know before you book

• This tour is running with a minimum of 2 people. If you make an online booking for a single traveler, the total amount will be blocked on your card and either charged if we can confirm the tour on your date or rejected if the tour cannot be confirmed for your date.
• If you are traveling alone, it is mandatory to book a single room (regular price + single supplement) .
• We cannot take children under 7 on our shared tours. We strongly recommend booking a private tour (with the same itinerary) in this case.
• 3* is a good standard for hotels in the Danube Delta, and we did not have complaints. However, if you want to book a 4* or 5* hotel for this trip, we recommend booking the private tour.

Day 1 Bucharest - Constanta - Danube Delta (360 km)

The Danube Delta Tour from Bucharest starts with a pickup from your hotel at 8:00 am and drive to Constanta, the oldest city of the Romanian territory (657 BC) . Constanta is the largest harbor at the Black Sea and the fourth largest commercial harbor in Europe.

In the Old Town of Constanta, you will visit the Museum of History & Archaeology ,  the Roman Edifice  with mosaic (the largest mosaic from the Roman Empire),  the statue representing Publius Ovidius Naso ,  the Muslim Mosque built by the first king of Romania, Carol the 1st, as an homage to the local Muslim community (going up in the Minaret Tower you can have a splendid panoramic view of the whole city of Constanta), the Orthodox Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul (monument of Byzantine architectural style),  the Aquarium Constanta , the first public aquarium in Romania,  the Genoese lighthouse  first built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in the present shape between 1858-1860.

After lunch, you will journey toward the  Danube Delta , just in time for dinner & accommodation.

Day 2 Danube Delta - Bucharest (290 km)

After breakfast, a boat will be ready to take you for a few hours’ trip in the delta’s heart.

The Danube Delta is the largest river delta in Europe and home to 300 species of bird and 160 species of fish. There are about 20 protected areas including the 500-year-old Letea Forest and Europe’s largest pelican colony.

At the end of the boat trip, you will continue your itinerary toward  Tulcea . This city (mentioned for the first time in the 8th century BC) is known as  “The gate to the Danube Delta” , and it is located on the site of seven hills. Tulcea’s ancient name was Aegyssus, and it was a Greek settlement initially. You will have lunch and head to Bucharest, arriving in the evening.

Can I cancel my booking if I cannot travel because of the restrictions/health concerns for COVID-19?

Of course, you can cancel at least one day before departure.

If I make a booking, is the tour guaranteed to go?

At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place. If your booking is for two or more travelers, the tour is guaranteed to go.

Can I make a booking for a solo traveler?

Of course. The total amount will be blocked on your card and either charged if we can confirm the tour on your date or rejected if we cannot confirm the tour for your date.

Related Tours

One Day Tour to Bulgaria

Mogosoaia Palace & Snagov Monastery Tour

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The Danube Delta (Delta Dunarii)

A unesco natural world heritage site.

• DANUBE DELTA HIGHLIGHTS

Interesting Facts

Places to explore.

• Facts & Figures

The Delta seen by visitors

• DANUBE DELTA ESSENTIALS
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• Danube Delta Podcast

Danube Delta - Highlights

The mighty Danube River flows 1,788 miles from its springs in Germany's Black Forest to the Black Sea. Just before reaching the sea it forms the second largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas: 2,200 square miles of rivers, canals, marshes, tree-fringed lakes and reed islands. The Danube Delta is a wildlife enthusiast's (especially a bird watcher's) paradise.

Some 300 species of birds make Danube's Delta their home, including cormorants, white tailed eagles and glossy ibises.  The bird watching season lasts from early spring to late summer. Birds are not the only inhabitants of the Delta. There is also a rich community of fish and animals; from wildcats, foxes and wolves, to even an occasional boar or deer. Altogether, 3,450 animal species can be seen here, as well as 1,700 plant species.

For more information about Tulcea please visit www.romaniatourism.com/tulcea.html

» The Danube River is the most international river on the planet - its course runs across — or forms a part of the borders of  several countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and four capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade.

» The Delta is formed around the three main channels of the Danube, named after their respective ports: Chilia (in the north), Sulina (in the middle), and Sfantu Gheorghe (in the south).

» The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve has the third largest biodiversity in the world (over 5,500 flora and fauna species), exceeded only by the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador.

» The Danube Delta is home to over 60% of the world's population of pygmy cormorants ( phalacrocorax pygmeus ), 50% of red-breasted geese ( branta ruficollis ) and the largest number of white pelicans ( pelecanus onocrotalus ) and Dalmatian pelicans ( pelecanus crispus ) in Europe.

» It also is home to the world's largest reed bed expanse – 625, 000 acres / 240,000 ha.

» Some 15,000 people inhabit the Delta area, living in 28 villages and one city (Sulina).

» The area was first attested by Herodot of Halicarnas (484 – 425 B.C.).

» More then half of the Delta Biosphere Reserve is virtually intact.

Chilia Arm (Bratul Chilia)

Tulcea – chilia veche - periprava.

Access: Scheduled boat service between Tulcea and Periprava with stops in: Ceatalchioi , Plaur , Pardina , Tatanir , Chilia Veche

The youngest arm of the Danube Delta stretches for some 72 miles along the border with Ukraine and has the greatest flow of water (approximately 60%) of the three arms. Its shores are home to several scattered villages – Patlagean, Ceatalchioi, Pardina, Tatanir – and Chilia Veche , a settlement with a long history (initially a Greek colony called Achillea).

Lake Rosca ( Lacul Rosca), a strictly protected reserve located between Chilia Veche and Periprava, is home to Europe's largest white pelican colony; the area also harbors geese, egrets and storks.

Periprava, downstream from Chilia Veche, is the last site served by passenger boats on the Chilia arm. South of Periprava, you can explore the impressive Letea Reserve ( Padurea Letea ) with trees more than 500 years old. Oak, black poplar, elm, ash and thorny shrubs are smothered in the tropical creeper named periploca, a Mediterranean plant with reddish-brown bark and simple, glossy leaves, giving the Letea Forest its tropical looks. Here, you may encounter black-bellied foxes, wild horses, boars, falcons and white-tailed eagles. The surrounding sand dunes are home to tortoises and lizards.

Note: Access to Letea Forest is permitted only with a guide (warden) on the designated route .

You can find accommodations in nearby Letea Village and spend a few days touring the surrounding waterways.

Sulina Arm (Bratul Sulina)

Tulcea – crisan - sulina.

Access: Scheduled boat service between Tulcea and Sulina with stops in: Partizani, Maliuc, Crisan

The Sulina Arm, shortest of the three, stretches some 42 miles from Tulcea to Sulina. Although it only carries 18% of the total water flow, Sulina is the main navigation route for passenger and commercial traffic. Between 1880 and 1902, a canal was dug to facilitate river traffic, shortening the natural course of the Sulina arm and allowing for easier access to villages in the Delta.

Maliuc (15 miles east of Tulcea)

Maliuc is one of the Delta's youngest settlements. Lake Fortuna , one of the region's largest lakes, lies just to the north of Maliuc. Pairs of swans and numerous moor hens and wild ducks mingle with other species while white pelicans often gather in huge numbers to feed and roost around this lake. 

Crisan (28 miles east of Tulcea)

Crisan is the main stepping-off point between Tulcea and Sulina.A fishermen's village with a few houses spreading over the right bank and a fishery on the opposite shore, it makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding lakes and canals. Private guestrooms and B&Bs are available. From here, you can rent a boat, or lotca , from the locals, and travel on the Old Danube Canal to Mila 23 or to Caraorman ( Black Forest in Turkish) village and Caraorman Forest , a strictly protected reserve with brown oak trees, white and black poplars, white willows and fluffy ash surrounded by sandbanks. Owls, white-tailed eagles, falcons, wildcats, boars and wolves, as well as many rare plants, thrive in the area.

Note: Access to Caraorman Forest is permitted only with a guide (warden) on the designated route.

English engineers measured the course of the Danube in miles, starting with mile 0 in Sulina on the Black Sea coast.  Hence, 23 miles inland, you will find Mila 23, a quaint traditional fishing village. Located on a bend of the Sulina arm known as the 'Old Danube' ( Dunarea Veche ), Mila 23 is one of the main settlements of the Lipoveni, descendants of Russian refugees who fled from religious persecution in the early 18th century and who make their living from fishing, livestock breeding and reed harvesting in this vast area. As this is a good starting point for trips to the nearby waterways, many villagers rent rooms to visitors.

Sulina, the terminus point for cruise liners sailing across the Delta, was mentioned for the first time more than 1,000 years ago under the name of Selina in a work written by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenetes. This port town once bustled with traders from Europe and the Middle East, adventurers and sea pirates. The town served as headquarters for the European Danube Commission during the 19th century when the Danube was turned into a waterway suitable for commercial shipping. This huge project attracted workers from all over Europe, and the Anglican, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim and Jewish tombstones in Sulina's cemetery bear witness to this former international community.

Notice the 19th century Greek Church of Saint Nicholas on the waterfront. The 60-foot-tall lighthouse, located in the middle of town, was built in 1802 and restored in 1870 by the Danube Commission. Enjoy a stroll along the 25-mile-long fine-sand beach.

Sfantu Gheoghe Arm (Bratul Sfantu Ghoerghe)

Tulcea – sfantu gheorghe.

Access: Scheduled boat service between Tulcea and Sulina with stops in: Balteni de Jos, Mahmudia, Murighiol

A number of interesting villages dot the banks of the Sfantu Ghoerghe arm, which stretches for some 67 miles and carries 23% of the Danube's total water flow. Mahmudia and Dunavatu de Jos were founded either atop or near Greek, Roman and Byzantine vestiges.

Murighiol , a traditional fishing village, is home to the ruined Roman city of Halmyris, one of the most important ancient sites in Romania. The city was continuously inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 7th century AD. Although a basilica and a crypt containing the tomb of Epictet and Astion, the earliest Romanian Christian martyrs, have been discovered here, much of the ruins remain unexcavated. A visit offers the chance to see an ancient city still in the process of being uncovered.

Murighiol is the jump-off point for boats to Uzlina . Located 24 miles east of Tulcea, Uzlina is home to the offices of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and the Jacques Cousteau Foundation. The Cormoran Tourist Complex in Uzlina provides facilities for hiring boats and guides to venture into some of the more interesting parts of the Delta.

First mentioned in 1318, the fishing village of Sfantu Gheorghe is well-known for its traditional cooking, including the famous black caviar ( icre negre ). A 30-minute walk will take you to one of the longest strips of beach on the Romanian Black Sea coast.

Visit historic sites, explore the waterways in a canoe or traditional fisherman boat, catch a sunset you'll never forget, sample wine from vineyards dating back to the Roman Empire and savor some of the finest caviar in the world, the beluga sturgeon from the Black Sea!

Bird Watching

Some of the most important species include:

The White Pelican ( Pelecanus onocrotalus ) In March, swaths of white pelicans leave the Nile Delta and the Red Sea to come nest in the Danube Delta. The Delta is home to Europe's largest breeding population (some 3,500 pairs). Best seen: March to October

Dalmatian Pelican ( Pelecanus crispus ) After decades of decline, this species' numbers have slowly begun to increase in the Delta. Currently, some 150 pairs have been spotted in several small colonies. Best seen: April to October; some pairs may stay over the winter.

Small Egret ( Egretta garzetta ) A migratory species protected by law, the small egret lives in marshy areas and nests in small willows. Best seen: April to October; some pairs may stay over the winter.

Pygmy Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax pygmeus ) Best seen: April to October; some pairs may stay over the winter.

Ferruginous Duck ( Aythya nyroca ) The Danube Delta may be the last place in Europe to see this declining species. In August and September, large numbers often gather at Somova Lake, just west of Tulcea. Best seen: March to October

Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) In winter, thousands of this species – almost half of the entire world population – reside on the Razim-Sinoe lagoon and coastal plain to the south of the Delta. Best seen: Late October to March

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) More than 30% of the European population nests in the reed beds of the delta. Best seen: April to September

The Delta's waters teem with some 160 species of fresh- and salt-water fish.

Type of fish: Pike ( Stiuca in Romanian) Fishing areas: Lake Fortuna, Sontea Channel, Holbina area, Bogdaproste, Lake Rosu, Lake Lumina, Uzlina area Season: Early July to December

Type of fish: Pike Perch ( Salau in Romanian) Fishing areas: Channel 5, Lake Sinoe, Sfantu Gheorghe village area Season: June to September

Type of fish: Carp Fishing areas: Sontea Channel, Sfantu Gheorghe Branch, Dunarea Veche, Chilia Branch Season: Early July to September

Type of fish: Cat Fish ( Somn in Romanian) Fishing areas: Sulina Branch, Chilia Branch Season: April; July to October

Danube Delta Facts & Figures

1,678,000 acres including 254,517 acres marine. The entire delta region comprises 1,974,000 acres of which 1,678,000 acres are in Romania and 301,468 acres in the Ukraine. The Razelm-Sinoie lagoon complex adds a further 218,000 acres.

Sea-level to 49 feet

Physical Features

The Delta has been classified into 12 habitat types as follows: - aquatic habitats - lakes (2.60 ft - 8.2 ft depth) covered with flooded reedbeds, - 'plaur' - flooded islets, - flooded reeds and willows, - riverine forest of willows and poplars, - cane-fields, - sandy and muddy beaches, - wet meadows, - dry meadows (arid), - human settlements, - sandy and rocky areas, - steep banks, - forests on high ground.

The prevailing continental climate, with only 18 inches of annual rainfall, is influenced by proximity to the sea and the humidity rising from countless inland lakes and small waterways.

This is the largest continuous marshland in Europe which includes the greatest stretch of reedbeds probably in the world. The marsh vegetation is dominated by reeds Phragmites australis which form floating or fixed islands of decaying vegetation ('plaur') with some Typha angustifolia and Scirpus sp . Reeds cover some 420,000 acres and 'plaur' 247,000 whilst the total area not included is only 36,570 acres.

There are also water lilies Nymphaea alba ,   Nuphar luteus and Stratiodes alloides . The higher ground supports stands of Salix, Populus, Alnus and Quercus. Sandy areas are covered with feather grass Stipa sp. and other steppe species.

Forest elements are best observed in Letea Forest, occurring in a series of bands along dunes up to 820 feet long and 33 feet wide, where trees reach 115 feet in height. The species present are Quercus robur, Q. pedunculiflora, Populus alba, P.nigra, Fraxinus ornus, F. angustifolia, F. palisae, Pyrus pyraster, Tilia tomentosa, Ulmus sp., and the occasional Alnus glutinosa . Among the shrubs are Crataegus monogyna, Euonimus europea, Cornus mas, C. sanguinea, Rhamnus frangula, R. catharctica, Viburnum opulus, Berberis vulgaris, Hippophae rhamnoides, Tamarix spp . and occasional Corylus avellana. The distinctive feature of the forest is the abundance of climbing plants including Periploca graeca, Clematis vitalba, Vitis sylvestris and Humulus lupulus . In spring, the ground is carpeted with Convallaria majalis . Particularly rare and threatened plants include Convolvulus persica, Ephedra distachya, Merendera sobolifera, Plantago coronopus and Petunia parviflora.

Over 300 species of bird have been recorded, of which over 176 species breed, the most important being:

• Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (3,000 pairs)
• Pygmy cormorant P. pygmeus (K) (2,500 pairs comprising 61% of the world's population)
• White pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus (2,500 pairs comprising 50% of the Palaearctic breeding population)
• Dalmatian pelican P. crispus (E) (estimated at 150 pairs, perhaps now only 25-40 pairs, on the floating islands on lake Hrecisca, which represents 5% of the world population)
• Night heron Nycticorax nycticorax (2,100 pairs), squacco heron Ardeola ralloides (2,150 pairs)
• Great white heron Egretta alba (700 pairs)
• Little egret E. garzetta (1,400 pairs)
• Purple heron Ardea purpurea (1,250 pairs)
• Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus (1,500 pairs)
• White stork Ciconia ciconia (many)
• Mute swan Cygnus olor (500 pairs)
• White-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (V) (8 pairs)
• Marsh harrier Circus aeruginous (300+ pairs)
• Osprey Pandion haliaetus (3 pairs)
• Saker falcon Falco cherrug (1-2 pairs)
• Red-footed falcon F. vespertinus (150 pairs)
• Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicensis (1,700 pairs)
• Common tern S. hirundo (20,000+ pairs)
• whiskered tern Chlidonias hybridus (20,000+) and black tern C. niger (10,000-20,000 pairs)
• White-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala possibly still breeds
• Slender-billed curlew Numenius tenuirostris (K) has occurred on passage (28 in 1971 and one or two in 1989)

The Delta holds huge numbers of Anatidae in the winter with counts of 500,000 white-fronted goose Anser albifrons (but only 64,000-77,500 in 1982), up to 500 lesser white-fronted goose A. erythropus , 45,000 red-breasted goose Branta ruficollis (a globally threatened species with almost 95% of the world wintering population present here), 150,000 teal Anas crecca , 200,000 mallard A. platyrhynchos , 14,000 pintail A. acuta, 40,000 shovelor A. clypeata , 32,400 red-crested pochard Netta rufina , 970,000 pochard A. ferina, 13,000 ferruginous duck A. nyroca , and 1,500 red-breasted merganser Mergus albellus . In winter there is a concentration of some 30-40 Haliaeetus albicilla.

The Delta is very important for fish with 45 fresh water species present including threatened representatives of the Acipensenidae .

Otter Lutra lutra , stoat Mustela erminea , and European mink Mustela lutreola , as well as wild cat Felis sylvestris are to be found on the floating islands. The mink population, although its size is unknown, is significant in European terms.

The forest areas contain several rare reptiles, including Vipera ursini , Elaphe longissiuma , and Eremias arguta deserti .

Cultural heritage

The very long history of trading along the Danube is evident from remains of Greek and Roman settlements (including a lighthouse). Villages surrounding the Delta show a Turkish influence.

Local population

Estimated at between 12,000 and 16,000, depending on the definition of the area covered and residence status. The population is distributed along the three main waterways, Chilia, Sulina and Sfintu Gheorghe, the main source of drinking water. The local population has been involved in small-scale, low-intensity use of natural resources supplemented by outside interests, such as fishing (10,000 boats are registered), cattle grazing and beekeeping, thought on the whole to be integrated to preservation of natural heritage.

The centre of commercial activity in the Delta is the freeport of Sulina. In the late 1980s the town underwent rapid expansion with 500 new dwellings being built, an hotel and a shipping centre to handle 3,500 ships annually. Other urban developments have taken place at Chilia Veche, Sfintu Gheorghe, 1 Mai, Unirea and Independenta.

Conservation value

The Delta is the meeting point of Palaearctic and Mediterranean biogeographic zones and represents a unique dynamic wetland ecosystem containing a rich biodiversity of wetland habitats. The site is internationally significant for birds, both breeding and migratory, including a number of globally-threatened species. It is also a vitally important buffer system between the hydrographical basin of the River Danube and the Black Sea.

(Excerpts of an article by Ms. Nina Darnton . Ms. Darnton is a New York-based freelance journalist).

Delta Blues - The Danube, Romania

A VISIT TO THE DANUBE DELTA usually begins in the Romanian town of Tulcea, a two-hour drive from Constanta. As I boarded a small, brightly painted boat and headed for the delta, I entered a world that seemed almost anachronistic. Here, at the gateway to the 2,200-square-mile Danube delta wetlands, I found lakes and channels with crystal-clear water, and a network of islands, covered in swaying reeds, that would be blanketed by wildflowers in summer. The delta is a haven for bird-watchers; willow, ash, and white poplar trees provide nesting sites for more than 300 species of birds over the course of a year. The silence was broken only by chirping and the sound of oars cutting through the water as fishermen rowed by.

IN LATE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER, the delta, bursting with life, is a breeding ground for hundreds of bird species, including the majestic white-and-pale-pink Dalmatian pelican. Like the pelicans, a number of birds found here nest in colonies, some as many as 5,000 strong. In summer, bird-watchers can see thousands of pelicans and huge flocks of the crimson-backed glossy ibis, with its long, curved beak. During breeding time, when the birds' colors are at their most brilliant, you might catch sight of some other rare species, such as the pygmy cormorant or the red-breasted goose. Or you might hear the call of an egret, and then spot a group of pelicans lifting gracefully into the air in a blur of black-and-white-tipped wings.

"You go out on one of these boats," says Gomoiu, the reserve's first governor, describing a trip on the delta. "You leave your line over the back all day to catch your dinner and then you see thousands of pelicans so close you can feel their breath."

Danube Delta Essentials

Visitors need a permit to enter the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Permits can purchased from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (ARBDD) as well as from travel agencies and hotels in Tulcea. Park fees: - 5 Lei (approx. $2.50) / visitor (day permit) or 15 Lei ($4.00) / visitor (week pass). plus - 10 Lei (approx. $2.50) / car / day. - 20 Lei (approx. $5.00) / boat / week. Separate permits are required for fishing or hunting. Recreational fishing permits are offered for free.

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (ARBDD) Address: Str. Portului 34 A , Tulcea Telephone: 0240 518.945 E-mail: [email protected] www.ddbra.ro Open: Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Closed: Sat. & Sun.

Please E-mail Us if you require a list of tour operators that can help with Danube Delta tours.

To experience the best of the Delta's flora and fauna, consider a multi-day trip. The best options to reach more remote areas or wildlife sanctuaries are a private boat or kayak (independent travel or guided tour). Be sure to pack a strong mosquito repellent when exploring the Danube Delta.

Danube Delta Boat Transportation - Scheduled Service

Navrom operates Danube Delta scheduled boat transportation from Tulcea to Sfantu Gheorghe, Periprava and Sulina as well as from Crisan to Caraorman and Mila 23. Tickets are sold at Tulcea's Navrom terminal.

Navrom Delta S.A. Address: Str. Portului 26 Tel: 0240 511.528 E-mail: [email protected] www.navromdelta.ro

Transportation with private motor boats, rowboats and kayaks is available in Tulcea as well as in other villages in the Danube Delta.

Accommodation

Accommodations options range from hotels to floating hotels, B&Bs and private homes in the following locations: Chilia Veche, Crisan, Dunavatu de Jos, Gura Portitei, Isaceea, Mahmudia, Maliuc, Murighiol, Mila 23, Samova, Sf. Gheorghe, Sulina, Tulcea, Turcoaia, Uzlina

Camping sites are available in: Crisan, Murighiol, Shores of Lake Rosu ( Lacul Rosu )

To get a full flavor of the local cuisine you can sample some Danube herring, grilled sturgeon fish and zander croquettes, tastily washed down with Aligote, Muscat or Merlot wines at one of the many restaurants in Tulcea. Or you can try the local version of Russian borsht prepared fresh by fishermen in one of the nearby villages.

Fisherman's soup – In a big cast-iron kettle, water is brought to a boil with vegetables and some 10 to 15 species of small fish. The liquid is then strained and the small fish discarded. Big chunks of sturgeon, carp or pike are then boiled in the broth. The fish soup makes two dishes: first, the broth is served with a wooden spoon and then the big chunks of fish are sprinkled with chili pepper or garlic. Afterwards, the saramura , prepared from big chunks of carp broiled on the stove or on a spit, is served with polenta and garlic sauce.

Tourist Info

Tulcea Tourist Information Center (Centrul de Informare Turistica Tulcea) Address: Str. Garii 26, Tulcea Telephone: 0240 519.130 E-mail: [email protected] www.primaria-tulcea.ro Open: Mon. – Fri.: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tulcea Tourist Information Center offerss maps, brochures, information and trips to the Danube Delta.

Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (ARBDD) Address: Str. Portului 34 A, Tulcea Telephone: 0240 518.945 [email protected] www.ddbra.ro Open: Mon. – Fri.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Services: information, Danube Delta tours, park permits and fishing licenses.

Crisan Information Center (Centrul de Documentare si Educatie Ecologica Crisan) Address: Crisan - Malul Drept, next to Hotel Lebada Open: May to October: Tue. – Fri.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m. – noon

Sulina Information Center (Centrul de Informare Turistica Sulina) Address: Strada I-1 118, Sulina Open: May to October: Tue. – Fri.: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sat. & Sun.: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

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