Beginning in Slovakia and southern Poland, the Tatra Mountains and Transylvanian plateau are the broadest part of the Carpathians and home to some of Europe’s most elusive and special wildlife.
Mountains, forests and meadows characterise much of the Carpathian Mountain range in Romania and Slovakia. Many of Europe’s most elusive mammals still live here including brown bear, wolf, European lynx and European bison. Over 300 species of bird are found across the range, including nightjar, numerous woodpeckers, and raptors such as golden eagle, Ural owl and eagle owl.
The Carpathians are one of the last areas in continental Europe to support large populations of carnivores (more so than the Alps), with the brown bear population being the second largest in Europe (about 800 in Slovakia).
The Carpathian forests are alive in spring and summer with insect life – there are over 35,000 species of insect here including a host of butterflies.
This short trip over a long weekend offers the possibility of spotting brown bears and other animals in Piatra Craiului National Park, in the Carpathian Mountains. More than one third of all Europe's wolves, bears and lynx roam through the unspoilt forests of this spectacular range.
Find out more about Bears in the Carpathian Mountains
This tour explores the meadows and forests of the picturesque Pieniny and Tatra Mountains, Niepołomice Forest and Zator Fishponds in search of southern Poland’s prolific birdlife. Our visit coincides with the autumn migration and highlights may include black stork, pygmy owl, hazel grouse and lesser spotted eagle.
Find out more about Birding in Krakow & the Carpathians
This tour focuses on the rich diversity of butterflies, dragonflies and moths which thrive in the mountains of southern Poland. We expect to see about 90 species of butterfly, including large blue, violet copper, large chequered skipper, large tortoiseshell, Apollo and Pallas’s fritillary.
Find out more about Butterflies & Moths of Southern Poland
Starting in the Carpathian Mountains, we search for European brown bear before continuing to Romania’s other top wildlife destination, the Danube Delta. This magnificent wetland area is home to more than 300 species of birds and an exciting range of mammals, including golden jackal and otter.
Find out more about Romania’s Wildlife Highlights
