Activity level:

easy/moderate walks

Eastern Europe / Hungary

Best birding in Hungary
Kiskunság and Bükk National Parks, 8 days
 
Our Hungary trip takes us to the best places in the country, first to the famous “puszta” of Kiskunság and then to the Bükk Hills. Similarly to Hortobágy, the scenic Kiskunság National Park still preserves parts of the once continuous Eurasian steppe, the so called “puszta”. The Kiskunság NP hosts one of the biggest populations of Great Bustards in Europe, but has other highlights to offer as well. Alkaline lakes and temporary flooded areas of grassland attract huge numbers of ducks, geese and waders. Species include Ferruginous Duck, White-winged Black Tern, Kentish Plover and other migrating shorebirds. We might be able to see Stone-Curlew, Collared Pratincole, Tawny Pipit, Red-throated Pipit and later in May Lesser Grey Shrike, Roller, Golden Oriole and Bee-eater.
Most of the Bükk Hills is characterized by vast beech woods and open limestone meadows with all the different karst forms produced by erosion such as fissures, sinkholes, underground streams and caverns. It is a perfect area for birding, where raptors soar above the valleys and dense deciduous woodlands provide home for woodland species such as owls, warblers and woodpeckers including Ural Owl, Black, White-backed, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and Syrian Woodpecker, plus Wryneck.

Fact File
- 8 days in Hungary visiting the famous Kiskunság and Bükk National Parks
- start and finish in Budapest
- using 2 accommodations located close to the sites

Highlights
- 3 days in the Kiskunság visiting huge flat steppes, alkaline lakes, fishponds and oxbows of the River Tisza
- 3 days in the Bükk hills visiting dense deciduous forests, limestone rock formations and quarries
- wide variety of birds and habitats
- plenty of herons, raptors, woodpeckers and other interesting bird species

Accommodation
4 nights in a small family run hotel built in a local style in the Kiskunság
3 nights in an excellent family run hotel by the foot of the Bükk hills with the best cuisine in the region

Departure Dates
23-30 May, 2010

Price
Ask for the actual price.

Our price includes:
- all travel as noted in the itinerary;
- all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
- 3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
- services of the leader(s);
- trip materials.

Not included:
- flights to and from Budapest;
- optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
- airport and other departure taxes, tips;
- food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
- excess baggage charges;
- telephone calls;
- alcoholic beverages;
- compulsory personal insurance.
If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level
Generally easy to moderate walks

Itinerary

1-4	After arriving at the Budapest Airport we head towards the Kiskunság National Park. Great Bustard, Saker, Red-footed Falcon, Ferruginous Duck, Pygmy Cormorant and Stone-Curlew will be our main targets.

5	We visit a fantastic wetland, breeding site of Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, herons, Ferruginous Duck. Black Stork and White-tailed Eagle breed in the gallery forest of the River Tisza and Spotted and Little Crake calls from the reeds. Then we drive to our hotel at the foot of the Bükk Hills.

8	Travel to Budapest, birding en route.