This birds and butterflies tour is designed to visit some of the most hidden places in Hungary using just three bases - the open steppes of the Hortobágy Puszta, the limestone hills and valleys of the Aggtelek, and the Bükk National Parks - some of the best areas in Central Europe for both birds and butterflies.

Surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, Hungary lies within the huge Carpathian Basin where you can find an amazing variety of habitats ranging from wet meadows, alkaline marshes and steppes, to extensive oak, beech, and evergreen woods, limestone slopes and volcanic hills.  No wonder Hungary is one of the richest countries in the Europe for butterflies, dragonflies and birds.

With the help of local butterfly guides we can expect to see between seventy and one hundred species including many rarities plus, of course, a wide variety of birds.  We will be surrounded by marvellous scenery and fascinating local culture at all times and will be using small comfortable hotels and family-owned inns.  Add to this the superb weather and you have the perfect ingredients for a really enjoyable holiday.

Day 1:  The tour begins with a flight from London to Budapest from where we begin our journey to the Hortobágy Reserve.  We will take our time, using roads that cross many excellent habitats, stopping at suitable butterfly-rich sites or to admire an Imperial Eagle or a mighty Saker Falcon.  Night at the Hortobágy Reserve.

Day 2:  This part of Hungary, very different scenically to what we’ll experience later, is a remnant of the Great Hungarian Plain or ’Puszta‘ which is the westernmost part of the vast Asian Steppe.  The region is well-known for its birds but there are some good butterflies too such as Lesser Fiery Copper, Knapweed Fritillary, Swallowtail, Scarce Swallowtail, Eastern Bath White, Small and Large Coppers, Silver-studded Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Chestnut Heath, and Grizzled Skipper.

This World Heritage Site is also rich in birds, and in particular the numerous fishponds with extensive reedbeds attract many species including Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, and a wide variety of herons, egrets, waders and warblers.  Night at the Hortobágy Reserve.

Day 3:  As we travel northeast towards the Aggtelek National Park we will stop at suitable places either for butterflies or for birds.  The drive will take a few hours but there will be much to distract us along the way including a colony of colourful Bee-eaters and flower-strewn meadows alive with various butterfly species.

The whole Aggtelek Region is of outstanding natural beauty with picturesque valleys, ancient hay meadows and attractive small villages.  We’ll visit one valley where all nine Hungarian hairstreaks occur and where the blues will include Chequered and Chapman’s, with a slender chance of finding the rare Iolas Blue.  Amongst the Satyrids, Woodland Brown, Speckled Wood and Dusky Meadow Brown occur.  Eastern Dappled White and Eastern Pale Clouded Yellow have both been recorded at this time of year, while the valezina form of the Silver-washed Fritillary and Pallas's Fritillary are common.  Night in the Aggtelek National Park.

Day 4:  We’ll start today with a walk from our hotel to a nearby stream that flows from one of the cave systems and where we’ll look for the symbol of the national park, the beautiful Fire Salamander.  We’ll then pass through Josvafo, a quaint village with many traditional 100-year-old houses.  The local stream and small gorge are perfect not just for butterflies but birds as well.  Raptors are widespread, so we’ll have a chance to encounter Honey Buzzard and even Golden or Short-toed Eagles, and we should see the prey item of many of these birds – European Souslik.

During the day we should also find many butterflies such as Sooty Copper, Purple and Lesser Purple Emperors, and Common Glider.  Map Butterflies are common here and we’ll also have a good chance for Large Tortoiseshell, and Weaver's, Heath, Lesser Spotted and Spotted Fritillaries.  Pearly and Chestnut Heaths are also common.  Night in the Aggtelek National Park.

Day 5:  Today we’ll visit a site that boasts a terrific list of butterflies.  South of Josvafo village a remote trail will lead us to such species as Pale Clouded Yellow, Scarce and Purple-shot Coppers and Duke of Burgundy.  We may find some rarities as well such as Eastern Short-tailed and Large Blues, while fritillaries will be represented by High Brown and Heath, although the top prize would be to find a Lesser Spotted Fritillary.  A few miles away to the north we will look for the first fresh Hungarian Gliders.  Night in the Aggtelek National Park.

Day 6:  Staying initially close to the hotel, we’ll try to catch up with any species we may have missed and a local valley should have Sloe Hairstreak, Scarce Copper, Chequered Blue, Marbled, and Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, Woodland Grayling, Pearly and Chestnut Heaths, and Woodland Brown.  At least six skipper species can be found here including Lulworth and Safflower Skippers along with White and Red Admirals.

A wide range of warblers, tits, shrikes and woodpeckers are present in this spot and we have a chance of seeing both Ural and Eagle Owls, as well as Rock Thrush, and Rock Bunting.  Brown Bears, Wolves and Lynx are occasionally reported but we would indeed be lucky if any of these came our way.  During the afternoon our journey to the Bükk National Park takes us through the Uppony Mountains where we’ll visit a spectacular gorge in search of some interesting blues and skippers, including possibly Safflower and Orbed Red-underwing.  Night in a small village at the border of the Bükk National Park.

Days 7-8: Over the course of our stay, we’ll visit a number of key sites within the National Park. The edges of the karst plateau form huge cliffs with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.  Fenton’s Wood White will be among the more challenging species to seek out, while Reverdin’s and Eastern Short-tailed are among several species of blue that also occur.  Twin-spot and Nickerl’s Fritillaries have been recorded in this area while other potential highlights are Berger's Clouded Yellow and Eastern Baton Blue.  We will continue our quest in the fields around Repashuta and the humid Hor Valley.  Several copper species fly in this area including Large, Scarce and Purple-edged, while Niobe Fritillary is also possible, and the Hor Valley is a good place for Cardinal and Poplar Admirals.

The surrounding woods are a good place to look for Black, White-backed and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Collared Flycatcher, Hoopoe, and Barred Warbler.  There maybe the chance for some sightseeing in the historical city of Eger with its medieval fortress, and we might even be able to fit in some wine-tasting at a local vineyard.  Nights in Bükk National Park.

Day 9:  Today we’ll travel to Budapest for our flight home.  On the way we’ll visit one of the largest remaining populations of Great Bustards in Europe - just an hour drive from the capital.  Later we’ll continue to the city to connect with our flight back to London where the tour ends.

To find out more about butterfly watching, visit www.learnaboutbutterflies.com

E-mail or phone +44 (0)1767 262522 for availability.

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Last updated June 2008.