Expert-Led Bird-watching & Bear-watching Tour in Romania
10-day wildlife tour — Carpathians · Danube Delta · Black Sea Coast
About This Tour
10-day Birdwatching & Bear Watching Tour in Romania, exploring the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube Delta, the steppes of Dobrogea, and the Black Sea coast. This long-established itinerary is our best-selling wildlife tour in Romania, offering exceptional birdwatching across a wide range of habitats, from mountain forests to coastal wetlands.
Highlights
- ✓Evening Bear watching in the Carpathian Mountains — Wolf and Lynx also possible
- ✓Hiking Piatra Craiului National Park gorges in search of Wallcreepers
- ✓4 nights on a 4-star floating hotel in the Danube Delta
- ✓Large numbers of pelicans, herons, Pygmy Cormorant and Glossy Ibis
- ✓Birdwatching Black Sea lagoons for migrating waders and warblers
- ✓Levant Sparrowhawk and Long-legged Buzzard in Măcin National Park
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Fly to Bucharest — Transfer to Zărnești
Transfer from Bucharest Airport to Zărnești (2.5 — 3 hours). Welcome dinner at a local 4-star guesthouse in the heart of the Carpathians.
Zărnești — Piatra Craiului National Park
We visit Zărnești Gorge in Piatra Craiului National Park, one of the most spectacular limestone landscapes in the Romanian Carpathians. We continue along a traditional shepherd's track through the forest, with opportunities to track large carnivores in mature spruce, fir, and beech forests. Bear and deer tracks are almost always observed. Possible birds: Wallcreeper, Treecreeper, Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Crossbills, Black Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Honey Buzzard.
Zărnești — Strâmba Valley — Bear Hide
Morning birdwatching walk along forest edge to the ancient Christian site of Colțul Chiliilor. After a packed lunch, gentle walks across forest meadows and clearings. Possible species: Ural Owl, Eurasian Nutcracker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and many passerines. In the evening, we visit a bear hide located deep within the forest, observing Brown Bears from a purpose-built hide.
Transfer Zărnești — Tulcea — Embark Floating Hotel
After breakfast, we leave the Carpathians and travel to Dobrogea and the Danube Delta. In the evening we arrive in Tulcea and check in aboard the comfortable 4-star floating hotel. Dinner and overnight on board, ready for birdwatching in the Delta.
Danube Delta — Channels, Lakes & Pelican Colonies
We explore the heart of the Danube Delta, navigating narrow channels, lakes, reed beds, bird colonies, and extensive willow forests. We encounter large pelican colonies (White and Dalmatian Pelican), Cormorants, egrets, and herons. The reed beds offer excellent Acrocephalus warblers including Savi's, Sedge, Paddyfield, Moustached, Marsh, Reed, and Great Reed. Other species: Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Kingfisher, Penduline Tit, Little Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Red-footed Falcon.
Danube Delta — Letea Forest
Boat trip to the famous Letea Forest, a strictly protected area of ancient Balkan oak woodland growing on maritime sand dunes. This unique habitat offers excellent opportunities to observe mammals, reptiles, woodland bird species, and an outstanding diversity of flora including endemic trees and flowering plants. We also visit the traditional village of Letea.
Danube Delta — Tulcea
Final morning exploring the channels and lakes of the Danube Delta for exceptional birdwatching opportunities before sailing back to Tulcea. In the evening — arrival in Tulcea harbour, dinner on boat, where we will spend the night on the boat.
Tulcea — Măcin National Park
We explore Dobrogea by car through Parchesh and the Măcin Mountains National Park — the oldest mountain range in Europe. Open rocky landscapes and steppe habitats with Long-legged Buzzard, Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Ortolan Bunting, Corn Bunting, Hoopoe.
Babadag Forest — Sinoe-Razelm Lake — Black Sea Coast
South through traditional Dobrogea villages to Babadag Forest (woodpeckers, Honey Buzzard, Imperial Eagle), then to the Sinoe — Razelm Lake Complex. Lunch at Histria — saltmarsh with Dalmatian Pelicans, herons, waders, Balkan Yellow Wagtail, Acrocephalus warblers. Walk to the ancient Greek-Roman port of Histria. Views of the Black Sea coast.
Transfer Tulcea — Bucharest
Early morning departure from Tulcea to Bucharest (4 — 4.5 hours including a coffee stop). Arrival at Bucharest for onward travel.
✅ What's included
- Accommodation throughout (guesthouses + floating hotel)
- Full board (all meals)
- All transfers by minibus
- Day trips by boat in the Danube Delta
- Expert English-speaking naturalist guide
- All entrance fees
❌ Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
What wildlife is guaranteed on this tour?
In the Danube Delta, Great White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle and 50+ waterbird species are virtually guaranteed. Our Carpathian bear hides deliver sightings on over 95% of evening sessions — wild brown bears visit reliably at dusk. Wolf and other large mammals are possible but not guaranteed.
When is the best time for this combined tour?
May — June is optimal: pelicans are breeding and displaying in the Delta, spring migration peaks, and bears emerge hungry after winter making them highly active. September is also excellent — clear skies, autumn migration in the Delta, and bears feeding intensively before hibernation.
How physically demanding is the 10-day tour?
Moderate fitness is sufficient. Danube Delta sections involve boat trips and flat walking. Carpathian sections include gentle forest walks (2 — 4 hours) and seated observation in hides. The pace is relaxed — this is wildlife watching, not trekking. Minimum recommended age is 8 years.
Are the bear watching hides ethical and legal?
Yes. Our partner hides are licensed by Romsilva (Romanian State Forestry) and operate under strict wildlife welfare protocols. Supplementary feeding uses only natural foods — corn, sunflower seeds, apples. No meat baiting or substances that alter bear behaviour. Hides have operated sustainably for over 15 years.
What camera equipment should I bring?
For birds: a 400 — 600mm telephoto lens gives the best results. For bears: a 300 — 500mm lens is ideal in the hide. Bring a sturdy tripod or beanbag. A versatile 100 — 400mm zoom handles both subjects well. We can advise on local equipment hire if needed.
What is included in the price?
All 9 nights accommodation (floating hotel in the Delta + mountain guesthouse in the Carpathians), all meals throughout the tour, a dedicated naturalist guide for all 10 days, all boat excursions on the Delta, private transport between locations, bear hide sessions, and all entry fees. International flights and travel insurance are not included.
How do I get to Romania for this tour?
Fly to Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) — well-connected from all major European cities by budget carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair) and full-service airlines. The tour starts at Bucharest Airport. All transfers are included in the price.
Photo Gallery
