Wild Balkans Adventure

Discover the Wild Heart of Greece and Macedonia

The European Nature Trust and conservation partners Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) and Callisto invite you to one of Europe’s most unknown conservation landscapes – the wild Balkans. This is our newest wildlife and nature focused Coexistence Adventure, spotlighting inspiring conservation efforts and unveiling hidden, mountainous gems.

This 8-night, cross-border adventure takes you into one of Europe’s most ecologically rich and lesser-known regions, including some of the most unique wildlife travel destinations. Take the leap into nature, journey across the wilds of North Macedonia, discover the rugged beauty of Greece’s Pindus Mountains, and release your wild side with this stunning adventure.

Why This Wild Balkans Wildlife Adventure?

A biodiverse wilderness of beech, fir and black pine forests, steep ravines, and remote plateaus. Discover the wild heart of North Macedonia, before venturing to the stunning region of northern Greece.

The landscapes of these two countries form one of Europe’s true hidden gems, providing vital corridors for the largest brown bear populations in southern Europe. On this wildlife watching, landscape and cultural trip, we will try to observe bears, wolves, wildcat, otters and a vast array of birdlife, including pelicans. This adventure includes a UNESCO-recognised ecosystem at Prespa lake, immersive exploration of North Macedonia’s hidden gem in Mavrovo National Park, and journeys deep into Greece’s stunning Pindus Mountains. Often called the “spine of Greece”, the Pindus link dozens of peaks above 2,000m, forming a continuous mountainous corridor that shapes the country’s climate, rivers, and biodiversity.

This Adventure aims to spotlight inspirational conservation efforts. Our partners, MES and Callisto, work to safeguard Balkan wildlife and biodiversity through science-led, cross-border programmes. Their core focus is on the protection of critical habitats and the ecological connectivity that allows wildlife to move freely across the Pindos–Prespa landscape. On this adventure, you’ll be guided by biologists and conservationists from MES and Callisto as you travel across North Macedonia and Greece, enjoying authentic local culture, as well as the region’s wildlife.

Join us on this adventure, with 50% of your total cost a direct donation to support the conservation of the Balkan’s wild heart.

Wildlife and Landscapes in the Wild Balkans Adventure

Your Conservation Impact

Conserving Wildlife Corridors Across the Balkans
The Pindos-Prespa region – a landscape linking the Prespa region of North Macedonia with the rugged Pindus Mountains in northern Greece – is ecologically crucial for wildlife movement in Europe. It is home to significant populations of large carnivores, including brown bears,wolves and jackal.

Prespa is one of the richest bird areas in Southeast Europe, with more than 260 recorded species using its lakes, wetlands, forests, and alpine slopes throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Pindus Mountains of Greece regulate the country’s climate, biodiversity, and freshwater systems.

However, human activity has fragmented parts of this landscape, reducing its ecological connectivity and placing greater need on conservation efforts.

How This Adventure Supports Conservation
Our partners at MES and Callisto are working to research and protect these landscapes while supporting local communities to live alongside bears and wolves. 50% of your total trip cost goes directly to MES and Callisto. This funding contributes to vital field research, including wildlife monitoring, conflict prevention initiatives, habitat restoration and much more to be discovered on the journey.

50% of Your Trip Cost is a Donation to two foundations

Your participation helps fund:

• Wildlife monitoring
• Habitat and forest restoration
• Effective bear and lynx population monitoring
• Establishment of wildlife corridors across borders
• Community engagement and education
• Carnivore damages and conflict prevention

Your Journey through the Wild Balkans

Day 1 – 3 | North Macedonia | Mavrovo Lake & National Park
Your journey begins in North Macedonia; you’ll arrive to the capital city of Skopje, with a scenic drive to your first accommodation in the beautiful mountainous village of Galicnik, in the Mavrovo National Park. On arrival, you’ll be welcomed at the Hotel Neda by expert guides from the Macedonian Ecological Society.

Day 2 begins with an early morning wildlife watching opportunity with ecologists from MES, searching for bears and red deer. More importantly, the Mavrovo National Park is one of only three remaining strongholds for the elusive and critically endangered Balkan Lynx, with a permanent population of 18 individuals. You’ll learn how MES are working to translocate more lynx to the area as part of a large project to genetically reinforce the population. You’ll return to Hotel Neda for a traditional breakfast, and prepare for the day’s stunning hike in Mavrovo National Park. If you’re on the May trip, the forests will be in their full splendour; in October, you’ll hike through an autumnal landscape, with the dense old-growth forests carpeted in a palette of orange, ochre and umber.

On Day 3, we’ll try to observe more wildlife with Macedonian Ecological Society. Observing brown bears is difficult and never guaranteed, but with MES ecologists we will greatly improve our chances. The afternoon we’ll enjoy beautiful forest trails, on guided ecological walks where we’ll understand the subtle nuances of the forest ecosystem, looking for signs of the abundant birdlife.

Days 4 – 6 | Wild Greece | Agios Germanos & Prespa
Day 4 sees you journey south into Greece, with a scenic drive through forested mountain regions. You’ll arrive in the village of Agios Germanos, overlooking the Great Prespa Lakes. One of the most beautiful and traditional settlements in the region, the village has preserved its distinctive architecture of stone houses that give a sense of another era. Set at an altitude of 1,100 metres on the slopes of Mount Varnountas, it commands sweeping views across the lakes below. Staying at the stone-walled and charming Agios Germanos Hotel, we’ll be welcomed by conservationists at Callisto, experts on large mammal conservation. After a short walk in the surrounding area with Callisto, we’ll enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner.

Day 5 will begin with early morning bear watching opportunities led by Callisto’s biologists. After breakfast, we’ll head out to the Trinational Point of the stunning Lake Prespa. We’ll enjoy a hike of around 5km – one of the longer optional hikes planned on the itinerary – following the cove of Psarades bay. Along the trail, take in the distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere of the Prespa juniper forests, one of the region’s most important habitats. This landscape supports an exceptional concentration of biodiversity, where more than half of Greece’s bird, amphibian, and mammal species can be found. Our walk will culminate with a boat trip on Lake Prespa, where we’ll get closer to the birdlife in the stunning, panoramic landscape.

On Day 6, we’ll try our chances to observe bears again with Callisto, which is never guaranteed. We will look for signs of bear presence, understanding the role of Greece’s brown bears in the ecosystem. After a lunch in Lefkonas, we’ll visit a local shepherd; you’ll see how Callisto assists local communities and wildlife by providing them a special breed of guarding dogs that keep bears at bay. Later in the afternoon we enjoy a hike in the traditional village of Agios Achillios. Having crossed the pontoon footbridge, the trail loops around the island, famous for its basilica of the same name, built in the 10th century AD.

Day 7 – 9 | Wild Greece | Zagori, Vikos Gorge
Day 7 begins with early wildlife watching and departure south. The journey follows the Sarantaporos River, a tributary of the Aoos/Vjosa, Europe’s longest free-flowing river and the first to ever have National Park status declared along its length. We’ll continue through ancient black pine forest for a guided hike along the river corridor. A stop in Gannadio provides time for lunch before continuing into the Zagori region, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape in the Pindus Mountains.

Day 8 begins with an iconic trekking route from our beautiful accommodation at the Aberratio Boutique Hotel to Kokkino Lithari, offering sweeping views of the Astraka Towers and the Vikos Gorge – the world’s deepest canyon, relative to its width. The group will be split into an easier and more challenging hike. After a fulfilling day, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner with Callisto conservationists.

The following morning, we’ll depart after breakfast for travel to the Ioannina national airport for onward travel in Greece; or continue onto Corfu for your direct flight home or extended island stay.

Wild Balkans Adventure Accommodation

Hotel Neda
Our first three nights are at 3-star Hotel Neda, a traditional mountain guest house set in the stunning backdrop of forested mountains and the historic village of Galičnik, North Macedonia. Stay in comfortable and traditionally styled rooms with a terrace overlooking scenic mountain views and a restaurant specialising in traditional North Macedonian food.

Agios Germanos Hotel
The beautiful, stone-walled Agios Germanos Hotel exudes authenticity and charm. This 4-star property is set near Lake Prespa, providing a peaceful base for wildlife watching excursions. You will stay in comfortable, traditionally decorated private rooms, each with an en suite bathroom and shower facilities.

Aberratio Boutique Hotel

Located in the traditional village of Aristi, in the heart of Zagori, 3-star Aberratio Boutique Hotel offers a welcoming mountain retreat surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the Pindus Mountains. The hotel comprises three interconnected stone-and-wood buildings, designed in keeping with the traditional architectural character of the region. Its twelve spacious rooms combine natural materials, warm earthy tones and contemporary comforts, creating an atmosphere that reflects the simplicity and hospitality of mountain life.