Romania - The Wildlife of Transylvania

Tour Code: ROM01

An 8-day, single-centre, holiday to the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Romania in search of birds, butterflies and European Brown Bears.

8 days from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,745
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

We head to the forest-clad central Romanian province of Transylvania for this holiday, a region steeped in myth, folklore and superb wildlife. Based close to the Piatra Craiuli National Park amongst stunning scenery, rocky slopes dotted with Chamois and flower-filled meadows, we will make daily natural history excursions into the surrounding area. Wallcreeper and wheeling flocks of Alpine Swift may be among the birds recorded in the Zarnesti Gorge, while flowers such as Carpathian Bellflower and Alpine Lady’s Mantle will excite the keen botanists. Romania is home to Europe’s largest population of Brown Bear and we will spend time looking for the tracks of Wolf, Brown Bear and Lynx and then visit a hide in the evening to look for the animals themselves, with bears being seen regularly.

  • 7 nights based in a small family run hotel in the Transylvanian Carpathian Mountains
  • Watch Brown Bears from a hide in the forest
  • A general wildlife holiday focusing on birds, mammals, butterflies & other wildlife
  • Visit Castle Bran, alleged haunt of Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula!)
  • Beautiful mountain scenery
  • Learn how to identify the tracks of Wolf, Bear, Lynx and other forest mammals
  • Led by expert UK and local naturalists

Grading

Grade B. Easy to moderate day walks.

The Carpathian Mountains form a sweeping and majestic arc that rises in Slovakia and passes east along the Polish border before turning south into Ukraine and finally Romania. This is a relatively young mountain chain, an eastern extension of the Alps which rose around 60 million years ago and is still rising to this day. It is in Transylvania however, the forest-clad central Romanian province steeped in legend and folklore, that the Carpathians are at their widest and most majestic. This is a region famed for the supernatural, but for the naturalist such legends are but an interesting distraction from the wealth of wildlife to be found here. Fortunately, werewolves are difficult to locate these days, but Wolves and Brown Bears still roam the forests in good numbers, birds and butterflies are abundant, and the flora contains a profusion of species endemic to the region.

For centuries the people living within the elbow of the Romanian Carpathians have existed in harmony with a rich variety of birds and animals. The continuation of their ancient, low-intensity farming methods has allowed the wildlife to flourish and provides an insight into how our own landscape would have looked in days gone by. Add to this abundance of wildlife the soaring peaks of the Carpathians and one of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable holiday!

Our tour begins with a flight to Bucharest from where we drive for three hours out of the flat plains that surround the capital and into the cool, forest-clad mountains of the Carpathians. We will base ourselves for the week in the attractive mountain village of Magura, set within flower-filled meadows and commanding spectacular views of the surrounding forest-clad hills and jagged peaks of the Piatra Craiului National Park. From here we will head out each day to explore the beautiful mountains and valleys of Transylvania and to enjoy the birds, mammals and landscapes on a series of natural history walks.

Our exact itinerary will depend on the weather conditions and the advice of our local guide. We will, however, spend time exploring the forests, peaks and limestone gorges of the nearby Piatra Craiului National Park. This spectacular park is dominated by a jagged, 25-kilometre limestone ridge, widely regarded as one of Romania’s most beautiful sights, which reaches a height of 2,244 metres. Brown Bears, Wolf and even Lynx still roam the forests whilst, to date, 110 species of bird and 1,108 species of higher plant have been recorded, including two endemics. The lower slopes are sliced by a series of limestone gorges, such as the Zarnesti Gorge, home to Wallcreepers, Black Redstarts and wheeling flocks of Alpine Swifts. The forests are also the haunt of Black, Grey-headed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Sombre Tit, plus the majestic, but elusive, Ural Owl. There is also much to keep the botanist and lepidopterist interested including 41 species of orchid, Carpathian Bellflower and Alpine Lady’s Mantle, plus such butterflies as Scarce Swallowtail, Clouded Apollo and Meadow Fritillary.

During the tour we will look for the tracks of larger mammals by finding and identifying their prints, spoor and the other easily missed signs of the large carnivores that still patrol these hills. We hope to find Wolf and Brown Bear tracks and learn how to tell the former from the more common dog prints. Then, as the sun lowers, we will make our way to a specially constructed hide deep in the forest to watch the animals themselves. Wolves and Lynx are rarely seen, but the Brown Bears frequently descend from the hills in the evening and, whilst nothing is certain in the world of wildlife watching, we have a good chance of seeing one or more of these magnificent creatures. Indeed, Romania still holds the largest population of Brown Bears on the continent and, whilst they are not faring so well in other regions of Europe, in the Carpathians they are flourishing!

There is so much more to enjoy in this spectacular region. Butterflies are abundant, and there are numerous other birds and plants to find that are not mentioned above. It is, however, impossible to visit Transylvania and completely ignore the folklore and stories that abound here. We will, therefore, take a short break from the wildlife to visit nearby Castle Bran, the alleged haunt of Vlad the Impaler, on whom the Dracula stories are based. Finally, for those who wish, we can arrange an excursion into the nearby medieval town of Brasov before we must sadly retrace our steps back to Bucharest to catch our flight home.

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Bucharest and transfer Magura
Day 2/7
Wildlife excursions from Magura
Day 8
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    We stay in a comfortable tourist guesthouse offering excellent home cooking; all rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All meals are included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 20th May – Tue 27th May 1 £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
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.
£1,745
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£225
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Phillips
David Phillips

Tour Leader: David Phillips

David’s enthusiasm for nature began at an early age. During family camping holidays in the New Forest in Hampshire he would enjoy looking for newts and snakes and watching birds and deer.  David has also been interested in astronomy since childhood. As a student he took astronomy courses as part of his degree and became chairman of the university's Astronomical Society. For the past 18 years he has worked in the travel industry and, during that time, he has organised and led many natural history and astronomically themed tours. He has seen ten solar eclipses across six continents and spent many nights viewing the spectacular Northern Lights from northern Iceland, one of his favourite places.

David is interested in many aspects of the natural world from studying the stars and planets above to watching birds, butterflies and mammals and down to the flora and the geology beneath his feet.

Back in the UK David carries out butterfly surveys for Butterfly Conservation and is also involved in a project spearheaded by the RSPB that involves working with local farmers to provide supplementary seed to support a population of breeding Turtle Doves. In the spring he spends many mornings in the field monitoring the birds.    

Tue 27th May – Tue 3rd Jun 6 £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
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.
£1,745
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£225
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Phillips
David Phillips

Tour Leader: David Phillips

David’s enthusiasm for nature began at an early age. During family camping holidays in the New Forest in Hampshire he would enjoy looking for newts and snakes and watching birds and deer.  David has also been interested in astronomy since childhood. As a student he took astronomy courses as part of his degree and became chairman of the university's Astronomical Society. For the past 18 years he has worked in the travel industry and, during that time, he has organised and led many natural history and astronomically themed tours. He has seen ten solar eclipses across six continents and spent many nights viewing the spectacular Northern Lights from northern Iceland, one of his favourite places.

David is interested in many aspects of the natural world from studying the stars and planets above to watching birds, butterflies and mammals and down to the flora and the geology beneath his feet.

Back in the UK David carries out butterfly surveys for Butterfly Conservation and is also involved in a project spearheaded by the RSPB that involves working with local farmers to provide supplementary seed to support a population of breeding Turtle Doves. In the spring he spends many mornings in the field monitoring the birds.    

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 19th May – Tue 26th May SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
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.
£1,745
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£245 
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Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides


There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  


Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.


Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?


    

  • All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
    • 

  • All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
    • 

  • We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
    • 



What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?


    

  • Travel with a group of like-minded people
    • 

  • Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
    • 

  • Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
    • 



In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  




Our specialist recommends...






"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader




All Botany Tours

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Bear Watching Holidays – See Bears in their Wild Habitat


Bears are many people’s favourite mammal. They are immensely strong and have unpredictable temperaments, yet inspire great affection in most of us.


The Naturetrek programme includes a number of specially designed bear-watching holidays which employ local expertise to provide clients with wonderful opportunities to see their favourite mammals.


Naturetrek Bear-watching tours


Most species of bear are retiring in habit and rarely seen during the day. However, a prodigious appetite leads many species to gather seasonally in big numbers, which makes them far easier to watch!


Our bear tour groups are limited in size and accompanied by Naturetrek naturalist leaders, and also usually assisted by resident experts. Although focused on bear-watching, all Naturetrek bear tours offer many opportunities to observe the other wildlife of the area.


We also see bears on other Naturetrek tours such as Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on many European tours.


Where can I see bears?



Is it possible to see bears on other Naturetrek tours?


Yes. While not specifically searching for bears, we regularly have sightings of Sloth Bears on Indian and Sri Lankan tours, and Brown Bears on our Kamchatka cruise and many European tours.




Our specialist recommends...







"In Europe one of the most reliable places to see the European Brown Bear is northern Finland, where it is possible to get very close views from hides. Watching Grizzly Bears catching Salmon in western Canada is undoubtedly one of the greatest of natural history thrills. But for the ultimate bear-watching experience, and my personal favourite, it has to be a trip to the Arctic to see Polar Bears." 

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




 


All Bear Watching Tours

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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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!