Danube Delta Bird Watching and Wildlife Photography Tours
Bunica Maria is an eco-friendly property offering a range of tours in Romania which include Danube Delta birding, wildlife photography and culture tours. The wildlife itineraries range from 3 to 6-day tours or we can design tailor-made tours upon request.
Bunica Maria is located only 200 meters from the Danube River Bank-Sf. Gheorghe Arm, in the village of Mahmudia, a gateway to the Danube Delta, Natural Reserve and bird paradise. An ideal location for birding the Danube Delta which is regarded as one of the largest wetlands (2861 sqm) and offers the most extensive area of compact reed beds in the world.
In the area, there are the Bestepe Hills (which translates “5 hills”), on top of which you can admire the entire panorama of the Danube Delta. You can visit historical attractions like the ancient city of the Roman-Byzantine Salsovia, ecclesial site Halmyris (Dunavăţu de Josavat) and Halmyris Monastery and enjoy birdwatching sessions on the river Danube or on the beautiful lakes of Gorgova, Potcoava, Uzlina, Isac and many others. The lakes are accessible by boat.
With more than 1200 species of plants and trees, 331 species of birds (it is estimated that 174 are breeding here), 100 species of fish, the Danube Delta is home to 98% of Europe’s aquatic fauna (3400 species). The not breeding species are guests in the winter and pass through during spring and autumn.
According to the geographical origin, birds belong to the following types: European, Mediterranean, Siberian, Mongolian, Arctic and Chinese. Migration takes place in the South-North direction during spring and the North-South in the autumn. Out of the 331 species of birds, 12 species are protected by law, declared “monument of nature”, because they are endangered. The Danube Delta is the most representative delta ecosystem in the world, and the third area as biodiversity, after The Coral barrier – Australia and The Galapagos Islands – Ecuador.
Built in classical style, following elements of traditional and rustic Romanian design, the location of this eco-friendly property retains the charm of a bygone age, but with all modern facilities including private bathrooms, air conditioning, TV cable, free Wi-Fi and central heating. You will also have access to free parking, a playground for children in a secure space, outdoor grill, shared kitchen and living room. On top, you can enjoy our small library or have a nice, quiet dinner on the patio.
Photo credits: Adrian Nasturica, Bogdan Stancu, Constantin Musat, Lorenzo Sestieri, Andrei Prodan
Wildlife – A very important point is to help local people to understand the real value of their living place, the real value of the Danube Delta, as not only a living place, but a very important place for the world. During out tour we are using one of the lowest carbon emission and consumption boat engine from the market. In the near future we hope that we will have the financial power to buy an electric engine. Using the binoculars and the photo cameras is a safe way to admire nature and wildlife but also to protect them and keep them untouched.
Local projects that we visit include the near by ecological reconstruction zone Carasuhat. The project is sustained by World Wildlife Fund.
The Carasuhat area is the first ecological reconstruction area from the Danube Delta. Why is so important to promote this area? Because is a proof of how nature can take care of itself. In only 5 years with no human intervention this area became an independent closed ecosystem: wetland, water and land vegetation, mammals, birds etc. After the first 3 years, some birds started to use this area for breeding: Avocets, Lapwings, White-tailed eagles, Stilts. Starting with 2018 it seems that is a great place for Pelicans. They are not breeding here yet, but the thing that thousand of them are feeling confortable to stay here from June till the time of migration to Africa it is an encouraging fact for the future.
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