Hungary's Winter Birding Bonanza

Tour Code: HUN07

A 6-day birdwatching holiday to Hungary, incorporating Hortobágy and Bükk National Parks, in search of the country's finest avian late-winter highlights, including a spectacular roost of Long-eared Owls!

6 days from
£1,795 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,595
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

This 6-day holiday sets out to enjoy some of the very best birdlife during Hungary’s late-winter season. Starting off from Budapest airport, it is a relatively short drive to see one of Europe’s most spectacular gatherings of Long-eared Owls, with over 500 individuals found in a single village in the winter of 2023! We then visit the famous Hortobágy National Park. In winter, the sheer abundance of wildfowl and great flocks of other bird species which attract birdwatchers from all over Europe will be the main focus. Staying close to the heart of the park, we will seek two rarer species of geese – Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted – which join the huge flocks of Greylag and Greater White-fronted Geese. Great Bustards roam the fields here, while the area is magnificent for birds of prey, most notably Eastern Imperial Eagle, Hen Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard and Saker. Following on from the Hortobágy, we venture north to Bükk National Park to visit vast, ancient forests which are home to six species of woodpecker, all of which should be in full voice and display as they mark out their territories. Although spring migrants are yet to arrive, these will be replaced by some of the scarcer residents here, including Ural and Eurasian Pygmy Owls and we will even search for Wallcreeper at nearby quarries.

  • View a huge roost of Long-eared Owls
  • Visit Hortobágy National Park 
  • Red-breasted and Lesser White-fronted Geese likely
  • Walk ancient forests for a variety of woodpeckers
  • Possible chance of Wallcreeper
  • Comfortable accommodation throughout
  • Led by local expert naturalists 

Grading

Grade A/B: day walks are fairly easy but potentially on slippery ground

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Budapest and drive to Hortobágy National Park, via a Long-eared Owl roost
Day 2/3
Hortobágy National Park
Day 4/5
Bükk National Park
Day 6
Final morning at Bükk National Park; depart
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Food:

    All food when in Hungary is included

Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 1st Mar – Thu 6th Mar SPACES £1,795
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Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£185

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

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!