Romania Safari: Bears, Bison & the Last Great European Wilderness - Wildlife Adventure with Rolandia Bespoke

Original Article can be seen on our website blog HERE

For wildlife-loving guests wanting to experience nature thriving untouched, untamed and truly free, Romania and our DMC Rolandia Bespoke beckons. Here, deep in the heart of Europe’s last great wilderness, brown bears move through ancient Carpathian forests, the Danube Delta resounds to the call of rare birds and herds of European bison - back from the brink of extinction - roam in the shadows of the mountains once again.

Whether it’s tracking bison on foot with a ranger, observing bears from a secluded hide or bird watching whilst navigating the labyrinthine waterways of the Danube Delta, their wildlife itineraries are unbeatably immersive and regenerative - and, when it comes to food, drink and stays, peppered with plenty of indulgent comfort and refinement, thanks to Rolandia’s strong supplier relationships and passion for quality.

The result is a truly authentic wildlife travel adventure that promises to leave your guests feeling restored and enriched, while directly supporting conservation efforts.

A last refuge for European Wildlife

Few places in Europe still offer a true sense of the wild, but Romania remains an extraordinary exception, its landscapes - a vast patchwork of untamed forests, soaring mountains and labyrinthine wetlands - supporting some of the most important and diverse ecosystems on the continent.

At the heart of this natural wealth lie the Carpathian Mountains, a vast wilderness where some of Europe’s last remaining virgin forests still stand. These ancient woodlands provide a refuge for a staggering array of endemic wildlife, including an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 brown bears, 2,500 wolves and 1,000 lynxes, making Romania home to the continent’s largest populations of these elusive predators.

Equally spectacular is the Danube Delta, one of the world’s great biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning 4,150 square kilometres, this extraordinary wetland is a sanctuary for more than 300 bird species, from great white pelicans to rare pygmy cormorants, as well as 45 species of freshwater fish. Ranked third in the world for biodiversity (behind only the Great Barrier Reef and the Galápagos Islands), the Delta is a haven for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and conservationists alike - and certainly unparalleled anywhere else on the continent.

Contact Travel Kinship or Rolandia Bespoke for more information & example itineraries.

Here too, WWF Romania plays a crucial role, helping develop sustainable land practices with surrounding communities and protecting Romania’s large carnivores to make sure that bears, wolves and lynxes continue to thrive in the wild - as well as helping to reintroduce the European bison, a species lost from these landscapes for more than 200 years.

This is Romania’s new wilderness, one not just preserved, but reborn - and one which no nature lover can resist.

Rewilding Romania: Immersive Conservation Experiences with Rolandia Bespoke

For a taster of what your guests could participate in? Here are 4 of our current favourite wildlife experiences from Rolandia:

Track European Bison in the Wild & Learn about Conservation Efforts

For over 200 years, the European bison was absent from Romania’s forests, its presence nothing more than local legend and folklore - but today? Today, thanks to the success of rewilding efforts, travellers can trace the footsteps of these one-ton giants, with off-road 4x4 or on-foot-tracking expeditions that take them deep into bison territory to experience the wild as it should be.

Guided throughout, an experienced ranger helps guests track and observe the bison at their feeding sites and roaming freely through hidden corners of the forest. This is a journey that unfolds in silence and with an anticipation that builds with every step until suddenly - there they are, a mighty herd of Europe’s largest land mammal, moving slowly as one through the landscape.

As well as witnessing firsthand the bisons’ vital role in shaping and restoring the ecosystem, guests will gain insights into the remarkable conservation efforts that have brought them back and an understanding of their power as a symbol of hope and resilience for Romania’s wilderness.

Contact Travel Kinship or Rolandia Bespoke for more information & example itineraries.

Where to Stay to enjoy this experience and others in the region...

Bear Observation from a Secluded Hide

Romania is home to Europe’s largest brown bear population, but few are lucky enough to see these elusive creatures in their natural habitat - so this experience is truly one to treasure.

From the safety of the Bunea or Comisu hides, both carefully chosen through years of study to offer peerless bear spotting potential as well as a spectacular window into the pristine wilderness of the F?g?ra? Mountains beyond, guests can watch and listen, immersing themselves in the rhythms of the forest as they wait for this most extraordinary encounter.

Imagine it. Settled in silent anticipation, the silence profound and eyes trained on a shadowy treeline, there’s the rustle of unseen movement - and then, a bear. Giant and magnificent, it steps cautiously into the clearing and, for minutes that feel like hours, moves with its primal instincts intact, unaware of its human watchers.

This is nature at its most raw, unscripted and unfiltered - a life-changing experience to cherish forever.

Contact Travel Kinship or Rolandia Bespoke for more information & example itineraries.

Every experience includes overnight lodging (see below), expert-led wildlife tracking, round-trip transfers from the village of Ruc?r and locally sourced organic meals for a solo, couples or group experience as indulgent as it is adventurous.

And here amongst the peaks of the F?g?ra? Mountains (also known as the Transylvanian Alps), there are countless additional adventures to be had too - exploring the medieval cities of Bra?ov and Sibiu, hiking some of the most incredible routes in Europe and travelling the Transf?g?r??an Highway, often cited as one of the world’s most scenic roads, among them.

Birdwatching in the Danube Delta

Spanning over 4,000 square kilometres, the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta is a labyrinth of lakes, reed beds and winding waterways - one of the last true wildernesses in Europe, and a paradise for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. This incredible wetland biosphere is home to more than 300 species of native and rare birds, from Great White Pelicans and White-Tailed Eagles to vibrant kingfishers, as well as 45 species of freshwater fish, from carp and catfish to the prized Danube sturgeon.

Here, guests can glide through hidden channels in comfortable boats, guided by expert ornithologists who know the Delta like the back of their hand. This is a nature experience that is tranquil and thrilling in equal measure, watching nature’s great spectacle without disturbance - just perfect for bird lovers and avid photographers alike.

Where to Stay

Leb?da Boutique Resort

This exclusive riverside sanctuary offers a luxurious escape that blends comfort with immersion in nature, offering gourmet dining, a tranquil spa and privileged access to the Delta’s breathtaking biodiversity and serene waterways.

Delta Boutique & Carmen Silva Resort

This stylish Delta escape is a fabulous mix of modern comforts and authentic charm, with gourmet dining, serene river views and effortless access to the Delta’s stunning wildlife all on the menu.

Contact Travel Kinship or Rolandia Bespoke for more information & example itineraries.

Rewilding Experiences in Romania

Travellers can get involved in…

• Conservation work, joining expert conservationists in habitat restoration efforts from tree-planting and controlled grazing to ecological monitoring. This is a great opportunity to learn how these initiatives plan to restore balance to the Carpathian ecosystem and keep forests, grasslands and wildlife corridors protected for generations to come.
• Large carnivore monitoring, working alongside conservation teams to track wolves, lynxes and bears by studying trails, using motion-sensor cameras and gathering information on their behaviour - a rare- behind-the-scenes experience perfect for those with a fascination for Romania’s apex predators!
• Specialist-led wildlife photography & research expeditions, offering guests privileged access to Romania’s most pristine landscapes to capture images of elusive predators and/or document rewilding efforts.

And after an exploration of Romania’s untamed beauty?

There’s no doubt that the combination of Romania’s wild landscapes and Rolandia Bespoke’s unmatched expertise offers a nature adventure unlike any other - one replete with rewilded beauty and fascinating wildlife, where guests don’t just observe but actively engage with its conservation and revival.

And afterwards?

For those with time to spare, the magic doesn’t have to end here. Beyond the untamed wilds of the Carpathians and the Danube Delta, Romania is rich with cultural heritage and gastronomic delights - its medieval villages, painted monasteries and vibrant traditions just waiting to tell their own stories.

And for more information and/or an introduction to the Rolandia Bespoke team, get in touch with us at Travel Kinship today.