The European Nature Trust’s new Travel Supervisor Bryony Sharma reflects on seven days of inspiration in the Romanian Carpathians. On this stunning all new Coexistence Adventure, a small group of nature lovers looked for bears, wolves and lynx, all in support of Romania’s most ambitious conservation project.
“Warmed from sunshine and a day’s hiking, we emerged from the ancient old-growth forests of the Făgăraș Mountains. This is an area tipped by Foundation Conservation Carpathia to become the ‘Yellowstone of Europe’, a 200,000 hectare expanse, where nature and communities alike can thrive. We emerged to the panoramic views of Comisu Wildlife Hide, greeted by hot tea, wine, and fresh bear prints on the ground. The chance of seeing the bears that had driven us up through the mountains felt within reach.”
The Journey Begins
Embarking on my first Coexistence Adventure as The European Nature Trust’s new Travel Supervisor, I was so excited to uncover the essence of what these special trips are all about: connection, experience and genuine impact.
Our seven-night journey began at the charming ecolodge Equus Silvania, where we were welcomed by Barbara and Christoph Promberger, founders of Foundation Conservation Carpathia.
This Romanian NGO is currently on track to deliver one of the most ambitious targets in European conservation history: to create a new world-class National Park for Europe, rivalling the likes of Yellowstone.
Over locally crafted products, they shared the scale of their work and the vision driving it. Looking out across the Făgăraș Mountains and the vast ancient beech forests around us, we discussed the ecology, history, and culture that make this landscape so unique.
This area within the heart of Europe’s Carpathian Mountains – the Făgăraș Mountains – has retained huge tracts of virgin forests, the largest populations of bears, wolves and lynx, alongside a rich regional culture steeped in local tradition and lore. But during the fall of communism, the forests here – which have underpinned local culture for millennia – faced the real risk of large-scale deforestation. When the iron curtain fell, formerly public forests were given back to relatives of their pre-communist owners, resulting in an intense spike in the amount of ancient forest clearance.
In response, Foundation Conservation Carpathia was established, now with the goal of protecting the forest habitats in perpetuity through the creation of a new National Park. We learned that this in turn, would go on to create a ‘green economy’ for the benefit of local people, creating a virtuous loop where nature benefits the regional economy.
Having now reintroduced beaver and bison to the area (and Griffon Vultures soon to be reintroduced), supported local nature-based businesses with millions of pounds of financing through their Conservation Enterprise pillar, restored more than 5 million native saplings, the project is well on its way to becoming a National Park.
After an evening of stories, inspiration and restful sleep, freshly made breakfasts with local products from Foundation Conservation Carpathia’s FoodHub fuelled us, as we laced up our hiking boots for the challenge ahead. On Day 2, we were due to set out for a 250-metre climb at the base of Piatra Craiului. Here, we would be staying overnight at the stunning Comisu Wildlife Hide to enjoy the comfort of authentic accommodation in the wilderness, looking for bears with a panoramic glass front wildlife hide.
New friends of varying ages and fitness levels encouraged each other along the way. Our expert guide pointed out fire salamanders, rare fungi, and bear claw marks, etched into trees –constant reminders of the wildness surrounding us.
Into the Wild
With the prospect of bears, wolves, and reintroduced bison on our minds, we set out for Day 2’s adventure. Dividing into groups based on desired hiking challenge, we made our way deeper into the mountains towards our wildlife hides.
As the evening settled in, fires were lit, stories shared, and we waited in quiet anticipation. From our hides, eight individual bears were spotted across the night, as we delighted in locally produced cuisine, beer and wine.
The following days took us from mountain highs to expansive lakes, and back up through the mountains to a traditional shepherd’s hut that stands today much as it did years ago. At the base of the stunning rockface of Piatra Craiului stands the beautifully appointed Poiana Tamas Wilderness Camp – our accommodation in the mountains for Day 4 of our trip. Warm log fires, tea, and homemade soup brought comfort as we prepared for a night in the wilderness, surrounded by bear tracks, boar prints, and signs of European bison.
From Wilderness to a Piece of History
Descending from the mountains, our next stop was the charming Zabola Estate. Stopping off at Foundation Conservation Carpathia’s Beaver Visitor Centre, we first learned how species missing from this ecosystem are being reintroduced with the support of the European Union’s LIFE programme.
On arrival to Zabola Estate, we were quickly awed by the 500-hectare grounds which boast forests, gardens, and history, as well as bear hides, horses, and a spa.
Unwinding from the wilds into our new luxury for the next few nights, we were graciously hosted by Zabola Estate’s Custodian, Gregor Roy Chowdhury. With food, drinks, music, and conversation flowing, the historic and modern Romania blended seamlessly.
The experience ended on a high. Driven off-road by Gregor himself – who happens to be a Transylvanian Count himself – we entered Zabola’s newly renovated bear hide and watched as five bears and three boar appeared before us, a rare and unforgettable encounter that rounded off the journey.
A Shared Impact for Romania’s Nature
What really made this trip so special, was the sense that we were each equally contributing to protecting the nature we were seeing. With the full guidance of ecologists at Foundation Conservation Carpathia, we were continually learning about the conservation projects that our contribution – simply by being here – will help to grow.
From this trip, The European Nature Trust’s guests raised a total of £25,400 for conservation efforts, a sum that we hope to match from our forthcoming September itinerary. With this May 2026 contribution, that marks more than £100,000 raised for nature conservation projects in the first year of our Coexistence Adventures operating.
Join Our Next Romanian Coexistence Adventure
September 13th–20th, 2026
This Romanian Carpathian Adventure offers rare access to one of the last truly wild landscapes in Europe. A behind-the-scenes look at conservation in action, where ancient forests are actively protected and restored.
The week unfolds through hiking, exploration, and time spent with expert local guides who know this land intimately. Every story comes from lived experience, and every step taken directly supports the conservation efforts you witness, with 50% of your total trip costs going directly to Foundation Conservation Carpathia.
Discover the full itinerary here
For those seeking more than a typical holiday, this is something different.
Enquire and book your spaces using the form below.
