Bear Watching Serbia – Outdoor Adventures
The Tara National Park is the mountainous region of western Serbia that was declared as a national park in 1981. The park area covers 24.991,82 hectares of mountains Tara and Zvijezda bounded by the gorgeous Drina River Canyon between Bajina Basta (SRB) and Visegrad (BiH). Tara is a medium high mountain with an average elevation 1000-1200 meters. The highest peaks are Kozji Rid 1.591m, Zborište 1.544m, Janjac 1.473m.. The area of Mt Tara has been identified as an Important Plant Area (IPA) and important Bird Area – (IBA), and features untamed wilderness that affords up-close encounters with the wildlife and pristine landscapes. Over 80% of Tara NP is under dense forest with more than 1.000 plant species identified by now, including Serbian spruce (Picea omorica) – local endemic and relic species originating from the Tertiary. Also, Tara Mountain is shelter for over 140 bird species, and 28 species of fish, and 58 mammals species, as well as the largest population of brown bear in Serbia. In the area of Tara National Park there are 4 bear feeding grounds (used for its supplementary feeding) located 2, 3, 7 or 8 km from the closest settlements. Feeding grounds of bears are located in the Tara forest, equipped with feeder and wooden watching hide (small cottage for 4 people) with wildlife cameras around the site.
Golija Mountain is the highest mountain in Southwest-Central Serbia, S-shaped and 32 km long, located between Ibar and Moravica Rivers and the middle course of Studenica River and mountains of Radocelo and the Pester Plateau, covering the territory of Municipalities of Kraljevo, Raška, Novi Pazar, Sjenica and Ivanjica. Thanks to its magical and breathtaking beauties, well preserved natural wealth and real wilderness, as well as numerous cultural and historical sites, Golija Mountain is by many visitors considered the most beautiful mountain of Serbia. The highest peak of Golija Mountain is the Jankov Kamen peak – Janko’s Rock which is 1834 meters high, from where spreads majestic panorama all over the Stari Vlah region – up to Prokletije /Accursed Mountains/, Komovi, Kopaonik and Zlatar Mountains… On Golija Mountain there are 33 live villages with some 7500 inhabitants. Along the main ridge of Golija Mountain rise numerous breathtaking mountain peaks – Bojovo brdo (1748 m), Pašina česma (1725 m), Radulovac (1725 m), Odvraćenica (1674 m), Tičar (1492 m), Crni Vrh (1795 m), Čardak (1688 m), Kulina (1642), Jadovita (1560 m)…. Golija Mountain is serious and wild mountain that gets the highest rate of precipitation in Serbia, but it also features very pleasant and warm summers. By its stunning landscapes, rich in vast thick coniferous forests and endless wooded heights and endless meadows and beautiful lakes, Golija Mountain can only be compared to the nearby Kopaonik Mountain, of which it is twice larger.
Wildlife Tour 1 – Bear watching + outdoor adventure 3 days tour
Day 1 Morning departure from Belgrade and drive direction West Serbia and to Bajina Basta. Welcome “Highlanders’ Brunch”. Easy hike to one of the most attractive observation points from where spreads gorgeous panorama of the Drina River Canyon and the lush forests of the Tara Mountain. Multimedial Presentation of Tara National Park and brown bear monitoring and conservation activities. 3.45 pm Departure for Bear feeding ground together with Tara National Park rangers. After driving to the location (20 minutes), we take a 30 minutes guided hike through the forest to the one of bear feeding grounds. Before sunset we will check wildlife cameras and look for evidence of the bears presence, tracks and droppings. 5.30-9.00 pm Staying in the bear watching hide in absolute silence (without snacks, hot drinks, smoking, mobile phones, toilet) for 3,5 hours. 9.00 pm the final check of wildlife cameras and end of bear watching program. In case of groups larger than 6 participants, some participants will go horseback riding or hiking along the forest, while the others go bear watching. Transfer to nicely appointed apartments, accommodation, dinner, overnight.
Day 2 After breakfast transfer to the Tara National Park wilderness and half day outdoor adventurous activities – paddling along the Zaovine Lake and abseil down a steep slope, under supervision of professional outdoor instructors. Outdoor lunch. Afternoon boat ride along the most beautiful part of the Drina River Canyon. Transfer to accommodation, dinner, overnight.
Day 3 After breakfast departure to Belgrade with break for visit to the Potpec Pecina Cave. Traditional brunch with homemade rakija. Late afternoon arrival to Belgrade and end of program and services.
Price : 555 EUR per person /double occupancy/ Minimum 6 participants
Included : transportation with high tourist class bus, welcome Highlanders’ brunch, entrance fee for the Tara National Park, transportation with 4×4 vehicle and bear watching under supervision of rangers, 2 HB at the comfortable 4 stars apartments within the Tara NP, half day outdoor adventurous activities in Tara National Park under supervision of professional outdoor instructors /all equipment assured/, outdoor lunch on Day 2, boat ride through the Drina River Canyon, entrance fee for the Potpec pecina Cave, traditional brunch with homemade rakija on Day 3, 24 hours support, professional escort and logistics of Panacomp Wonderland Travel
Wildlife Tour 2 – Bear watching + Outdoor Adventures 4 days tour
Day 1 Morning departure from Belgrade and drive direction West Serbia to Bajina Basta. Welcome homemade Highlanders’ brunch. Easy hike to one of the most attractive observation points from where spreads gorgeous panorama of the Drina River Canyon and the lush forests of the Tara Mountain. Multimedial Presentation of Tara National Park and brown bear monitoring and conservation activities. 3.45 pm Departure for Bear feeding ground together with Tara National Park rangers. After driving to the location (20 minutes), we take a 30 minutes guided hike through the forest to the one of bear feeding grounds. Before sunset we will check wildlife cameras and look for evidence of the bears presence, tracks and droppings. 5.30-9.00 pm Staying in the bear watching hide in absolute silence (without snacks, hot drinks, smoking, mobile phones, toilet) for 3,5 hours. 9.00 pm the final check of wildlife cameras and end of bear watching program. In case of groups larger than 6 participants, some participants will go horseback riding or hiking along the forest, while the others go bear watching. Transfer to the nicely appointed apartments, accommodation, dinner, overnight.
Day 2 After breakfast transfer to the Tara National Park wilderness and half day outdoor adventurous activities – paddling along the Zaovine Lake and abseil down a very steep slope and horse-back riding, hiking, under supervision of professional outdoor and riding instructors. Outdoor lunch. Afternoon boat ride through the most beautiful part of the breathtaking Drina River Canyon. Transfer to Zlatar Hotel or nicely appointed rustic rural tourist household, dinner, overnight.
Day 3 After breakfast transfer to Golija Mountain and half day outdoor activities in the wilderness and thick forests – practicing survival skills in rough terrain, mountains, plains, rivers and lakes /making knots, fastening ropes, rescue operations of “injured” person, lighting fire, identifying edible plants, making shelter …./. Outdoor lunch. Easy hike to one of the peaks of the Golija Mountain, from where spreads magic panorama of almost all mountains in Serbia and north Montenegro. Transfer to luxury appointed rural tourist household in Ivanjica which provides tourist services and accommodation. Big traditional dinner, by the pool. Overnight.
Day 4 After breakfast departure to Belgrade. Break for visit to the Potpec Pecina Cave, followed with traditional brunch and and tasting of homemade rakija. Late afternoon arrival to Belgrade and end of program and services.
Price : 680 EUR per person /double occupancy/ Minimum 6 participants
Included : transportation with high tourist class bus, welcome Highlanders’ brunch, entrance fee for the Tara National Park, transportation with 4×4 vehicle and bear watching under supervision of rangers, 1 HB at the comfortable 4 stars apartments within the Tara NP, half day outdoor adventurous activities in Tara National Park area under supervision of professional outdoor instructors /all equipment assured/, outdoor lunch on Day 2, boat ride through the Drina River Canyon, 1 HB at Zlatar Mt Hotel/nicely appointed rural tourist household in Zlatar Mt, half day outdoor adventurous activities in Golija Mountain under supervision of professional outdoor instructors /all equipment assured/, 1 HB at the luxury appointed rural tourist household in Ivanjica, entrance fee for the Potpec pecina Cave, traditional brunch with homemade rakija tasting on Day 3, 24 hours support, professional escort and logistics of Panacomp Wonderland Travel
