BIRDWATCHING | 6-hour | 295 € | Nature park Kopacki Rit, Eastern Croatia. This private 6-hour birdwatching program with a professional guide will show you why is Kopacki rit reserve included in the List of Important Bird Areas (IBA) and also in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

Kopacki rit Nature Park in North-East Croatia, in the Baranja region, is a part of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve which is under UNESCO protection. It is one of the largest wetlands in Europe and with its 293 bird species an ornithological significant area. It makes up 78 percent of the total bird fauna in Croatia.

Although it is still not so well known birding destination, the park is worth visiting. There is no mass tourism. It plays an essential role in local tourism, prolongs the tourist season and brings benefits to local people and the whole environment.

The ideal period for birdwatching in Kopacki rit is from the middle of April to the middle of September. With the appropriate equipment (field glasses, spotting scope ) it is possible to observe both popular bird species and, with a bit of patience, rarities such as the Black Stork or Imperial Eagle.

The tour can be adapted for both: beginners who want to know more about this interesting and popular hobby, and birders for whom the observation of birds is a recreational activity done through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes.

Departure dates 2024:

• from the middle of April until the middle of September - every day
• dates on request
• reservations at least 3 days in advance

Price: 295 € per person / 6 hours

• The excursion price is based on a minimum of one (1) participant.
• Individual guests can join an existing group.
• Definite departure will be confirmed to participants by e-mail.
• Participants interested in a private trip may contact Inlandia for an individual offer.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

• Birdwatching programme with an English, German or Hungarian-speaking professional guide specialized in birdwatching.
• Entrance fee for Nature Park Kopački Rit.
• Insurance and costs for the organization and realization of a trip.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE  /  Additional costs:

• Transfer to another starting/ending point (of your interest).
• Equipment for bird-watching.
• Beverages and picnic lunch.
• Lunch in a local restaurant. Approx. 20€ - 35€ for a menu.
• Personal expenses and tips.
• Additional health and cancellation insurance, which can be arranged by e-mail to info@inlandia.com
• All other expenses not covered by the programme.

You need to bring:

1. All the necessary equipment that you will use in the bird-watching: basic equipment is binoculars and a digital camera (with or without a tripod); for the more serious bird watchers spotting scopes and a hide are necessary if you want to get a much closer look at birds and take photographs by digiscoping - a technique using a digital camera and a scope to take long-range shots.  
2. Lightweight, waterproof, warm clothes, hat, sunglasses, sun cream.
3. Lunch and drinks.
4. Notebooks and pencils are recommended for writing down interesting and needed information.

Find the ideal accommodation - withour recommendation: Country Estate Didin Konak

Note* For those who are more interested in experiencing Kopacki rit in Eastern Croatia, we recommend our excursion Canoeing Kopacki Rit

• Nature Park Kopacki rit
• 293 bird species

Kopacki Rit Nature Park is one of the largest wetlands in Europe, and ornithologically significant area (293 species of birds) and the largest freshwater fish hatchery in the Danube region (about 60 species). It is situated in Eastern Croatia, in the picturesque plains of Baranja, between the rivers Drava and Danube. It stretches across an area of 240 km². The high biodiversity of 2.000 biological species reflects the rich flora and fauna of the park. Due to its exceptional natural values, Kopacki Rit has been included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and the List of Important Bird Areas (IBA). More than 7500 areas in over 170 countries have been designated on the IBAs list from 2004. In 2012, the Kopacki Rit Nature Park was declared part of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO protection.

The 293 bird species, up to now, have been registered in Kopački Rit, which makes up 78,1% of the total bird fauna in Croatia (375 species). The diversity of birds is especially high during spring and autumn migrations, and then in the summer. Approximately 70% of species living in the park's area can be seen in one single tour, which means that birdwatchers can see as many as 60 bird species in one day.

Some of the bird species in Kopacki rit:

• White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is particularly attractive, and they are well-established in the Kopacki rit. We can often see ten to twenty specimens if there is enough food. They feed on meat; sometimes they eat injured birds or geese, wild boars and marsh turtles. Fish have also a special role in their food.
• There are large colonies of cormorants and grey herons (Ardea cinerea) during the nesting period. Kopački rit is a paradise for different species of herons. The most numerous are the Grey Herons. A large colony exists in the area called “Ćošak šume” ("Forest Corner") counting more than a thousand pairs. They like to build their nests high up on the treetops. There is also the purple heron (Ardea purpurea) which used to be the most numerous species in Kopački Rit. Today they nest irregularly in only a couple of pairs.
• The park is also known for the Ferruginous Duck (Anas platyrchynchos) - the most numerous of all ducks in Kopački Rit. They built their nests on trees in spring when the water level is high. The number of these ducks rises to tens of thousands during autumn and winter.,
• The Wild Geese (Anser anser) are great flyers and the ones that come to Kopački Rit nest in Sweden and Finland. They must constantly keep their feathers in good condition to keel over long journeys.

There are also white and black storks, egrets, Black-headed Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Imperial Eagle, …