Arrive before 2:00 PM on Day 1.
On the final day, we reach Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) by 1:00 PM. Book flights that leave after 3:00 PM.

The tour begins and ends at Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP).
Start time: 2:00 PM on Day 1
End time: around 1:00 PM on the final day

Yes, sometimes. Weather, logistics, or wildlife may require reversing the order: Dobrogea first, then the Danube Delta.

We offer birdwatching or photography tours. Each program clearly states whether it focuses on birdwatching or photography.

Birdwatchers are welcome on photography tours, but photography tours prioritize light, composition, and image quality over species numbers. This means more time is spent with fewer subjects to achieve optimal shots.

Photographers can join birdwatching tours. These tours focus on seeing many species, so the pace is faster, and stays are shorter at each location.
Choose a birdwatching tour if you prefer high species diversity and a faster pace. Choose a photography tour if you want more time for images at each location.

All experience levels are welcome. Beginners get camera guidance; advanced photographers receive tips and portfolio opportunities.

A telephoto lens is crucial. Bring a second camera or lens for wide shots.
Recommended:

• Telephoto: 300–600mm (or 100–500mm) for birds
• Mid-range zoom: 24–70 / 24–105 for environmental images
• Wide angle: 14–24 / 16–35 for landscapes and habitat scenes
• Beanbag for boat stability (highly recommended) + optional tripod/monopod
• Rain protection for the camera + a dry bag for boat sessions

May to early July is warm or hot (27–33°C). Pack layers for cool mornings and sun protection for Dobrogea.
· a windproof jacket for fast boat rides in the Delta
· insect repellent (recommended)

Essentials:
· Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42 recommended)
· Sun protection: hat, sunscreen SPF 30+, sunglasses
· Light waterproof jacket / rain layer
· Comfortable, non-slip shoes (boat decks can be wet)
· Waterproof bag / dry bag for phone and camera
Bring enough cash for drinks and the Letea entry fee (about €10 each).
We supply bird checklists, field guides, life jackets, half-board meals, and excursions as applicable.

Breakfast and dinner are included. We accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice.
Lunch is optional and costs €15–25 per person, payable in cash (RON or EUR).

Menus reflect Danube Delta traditions: mainly fish, plus vegetables, eggs, dairy, and alternatives.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Water is included. Other drinks can be bought locally or on board.

In Dobrogea, we may use mobile hides if appropriate. We place hides ethically to avoid disturbing wildlife. If this is not possible, we skip hides.

No. We do not guarantee wildlife. The tour is scheduled for the peak activity of key species.

We adapt as needed. The Delta has shelters. Dobrogea has alternatives. We adjust timing and routes to conditions.

Yes, if you have authorization and a valid European permit. We recommend safe, legal flying times and places, and avoid sensitive areas.

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Yes. We do not assign shared rooms across separate bookings. Solo travellers book single rooms with a supplement.

Yes, every visitor needs a Danube Delta entry permit.
We arrange your permits. No extra steps needed.
More details: www.ddbra.ro

Romanian citizens: national ID card.
Foreign nationals: bring a valid passport.
All guests must always carry an ID during Delta excursions due to the border location.

Mosquitoes are most active in July–August near still water and at dusk; less so during the day on the water.
Use a strong repellent such as Autan or Antibrum, available in Romanian pharmacies. In peak summer, wear long sleeves and trousers at night.

Signal is reasonable in Delta villages but often absent on open lakes. Near Ukraine, Ukrainian roaming SMS messages may appear for informational purposes only.

There is one ATM in the Biosphere Reserve (Sulina), but it often fails in peak season. Bring sufficient cash from Tulcea; card payment is unreliable.

April–June is peak birdwatching: breeding colonies of Great White Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, and herons. See wildflowers, a lush delta, and long days. This is the ideal overall experience.

July–August is summer, with excellent pelican and waterbird numbers. There are up to 15 daylight hours, but it can be hot on open water. September–October brings migrating raptors, wildfowl, and waders. It is cooler and less crowded then.

March is early spring. First migratory birds arrive. It is still cool, and the clear light improves photography.

Yes. We have some Canon-compatible gear for rent. Request in advance to reserve it.

Available (subject to availability):
· Canon 500mm f/4 L IS II
· Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II
· Canon 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 IS II
· Canon 100–500mm f/4.5–7.1 IS
· Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 L IS
· Canon 16–35mm f/2.8 L II
· Canon Extender / Teleconverter 1.4x III & 2x III

We may have EF-to-RF adapters for Canon RF bodies. Please let us know which camera and lens you have.

Send your request before the tour with your camera model (Canon R5, R6, 5D, etc.).
· the lens(es) you want
Specify your camera and the requested days. We’ll confirm availability and details.

Yes. The 500mm and 600mm f/4 primes excel for birds in flight and low-light photography. Teleconverters are available.

Yes. If available, rent gear for selected days—for example, only in the Delta or Dobrogea.

Our in-house gear is Canon-based, but we may assist with other brands if possible.

Sometimes. We can arrange Nikon or Sony gear through partners, subject to availability and model. Ask when booking.

No. Partner rentals depend on availability. Request early.

Request rental gear at the time of booking or as early as possible. Prime lenses are in high demand during peak season.

Romania has one of the largest brown bear populations in the EU, with several thousand individuals in the Carpathian Mountains. This is about 60% of Europe’s brown bear population (excluding Russia). Bears are mostly concentrated in Harghita, Covasna, and Brașov counties.

From our licensed Carpathian hides, the bear encounter rate during peak season can reach up to 95%, depending on weather and timing. Bears are habituated to the hides and visit feeding points at dusk. Typically, 2–6 bears are seen per session, and sow-with-cubs sightings are common in spring and summer.

Our partners’ hides are licensed by Romsilva (Romanian State Forestry Authority) and follow strict wildlife welfare standards. Supplementary feeding uses only natural foods: corn, sunflower seeds, and apples. No meat baiting or substances that change bear behaviour. Hides have run sustainably for over 15 years.

April to June is excellent—bears emerge from hibernation hungry and are very active. July to October is peak season, with long evenings and most bear activity. September and October are especially good as bears feed intensively before hibernation.

The Danube Delta is Romania’s premier birdwatching destination and one of Europe’s top birding sites, with over 300 recorded species, including the Great White Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican (rare), Pygmy Cormorant, White-tailed Eagle, and hundreds of passage migrants. The Dobrogea plateau adds steppe species such as the Eastern Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, and Roller.

April to June is optimal for breeding species, when they are at their most active and colourful. July and August offer excellent concentrations of waterbirds. September to October brings the spectacular autumn migration. March sees early arrivals. The Delta offers outstanding birdwatching year-round.

The Danube Delta hosts over 360 bird species, including 250+ breeding species, making it Europe’s most important waterbird breeding area. It supports one of Europe’s key breeding populations of Dalmatian Pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) — a globally vulnerable species — with approximately 450–500 breeding pairs recorded in Romania. The Delta also holds major colonies of Great White Pelican, as well as strong breeding numbers of Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, and multiple heron and egret species.

May is the single best month: all breeding species present, colonies at maximum activity, passage migrants still moving through, and days lasting until 21:00. April and June are nearly as good. September–October is an excellent time for migration along the Via Pontica flyway. The delta has significant birdwatching value year-round.

Three factors combine to make the Danube Delta exceptional:

Scale — 5,800 km² of intact wetland habitat concentrated in one accessible area.

Diversity — 23 distinct ecosystems from reedbeds and floating islands to sub-Mediterranean forest and Black Sea interface.

Concentration — waterbird colonies of a density found nowhere else in Europe, viewable from a slow boat at close range without disturbance.

Binoculars (8×42 or 10×42) are essential and should be brought by every guest. A telescope is useful but not required — many of the best sightings in the delta are at close range from the slow exploration boat. Just Wildlife Tours guides carry spotting scopes. For photography, a 500–600mm lens is recommended for birds in flight; 300–400mm is sufficient for pelicans and herons at close range.

The closest hub is Tulcea, reachable by train or car from Bucharest (approx. 4 hours). Direct flights from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Vienna, and other European cities serve Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport. Just Wildlife Tours departs from Tulcea port — transfer assistance from Bucharest can be arranged on request.

March – April
Pelicans arrive, breeding starts, and the first summer migrants appear. Cool temperatures, but excellent birding.
Key species: Pelicans, Marsh Harrier, hirundines, passage waders

May – June
Peak diversity. All breeders present, colonies at maximum activity, long golden hours.
Key species: All Delta breeders + Roller, Bee-eater, Pratincole, waders

July – August
Post-breeding concentrations, juveniles, and early wader migration. Hot; fewer species overall, but outstanding pelican views on lakes.
Key species: Pelicans, egrets, waders, early raptors

September – October
Migration peak on the Via Pontica. Raptors, storks, and heavy passerine movement. Red-breasted Geese arrive in Dobrogea.
Key species: Raptors, storks, Red-breasted Goose, waders

November – February
Winter: spectacular goose and duck flocks in Dobrogea. Fewer species in the Delta itself, but uncrowded and atmospheric.
Key species: Red-breasted Goose (8,000–24,000 wintering birds), White-fronted Goose, Rough-legged Buzzard