In Europe there are still wild corners to explore

Wild nature is not as far away as it seems. There are virgin spaces in Portugal; and an hour and a half by car from Rome. They are very special places in Europe. Pure inspiration to travel.

It seems incredible, but Europe is a great unknown. It has the largest network of nature reserves in the world, Red Natura 2000, and there are still wild corners that allow you to live unique experiences based on virgin nature, from the north of the Arctic to the vast eastern forests and the rugged Mediterranean coast. They are few, but more and more, because the pan-European organization Rewilding Europe was born in 2010 with the aim of “making Europe a wilder place”, reversing human intervention in nature and preserving virgin spaces, respecting wildlife and natural resources. natural processes.

Fly Camp experience on the Great Route of the Côa Valley, north of Portugal / European Safari Compani.

At present there are already more than ten intervened areas, based on a new approach to the conservation and reconstruction of natural spaces, and they constitute some of the most beautiful, wild and best-preserved wildlife areas in Europe. Like the Great Côa Valley in Portugal; the Danube Delta, between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania; the southern end of the Carpathians, in Romania; the Velebit mountains, in Croatia; the central Italian Apennines; the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria; the Older Delta, on the border between Germany and Poland; or Swedish Lapland. Also in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it is possible to enjoy reserves where herds of bison live in freedom, such as the Dutch national park of Kraansvlak and De Maashorst. Or in the Oostvaarders Plassen nature reserve, in Belgium.

On safari in Europe

Nature is not the only one that wins. The reconstruction of routes and spaces is boosting local economies. Along with natural interventions, Rewilding Europe develops support actions for businesses linked to sustainable tourism channeled through the European Safari Company, which offers unique experiences based on virgin nature in the intervention areas, the result of projects that are collectively integrated into various tourist programs.

Marsica brown bear, endemic subspecies of the Central Apennines (Italy) / Bruno D’Amicis / Rewilding Europe.

Thus, taking a vacation and going on a safari in Europe – yes, in Europe – can help preserve the wilder side of the continent. The tourist offer ranges from a network of accommodation, some very exclusive, to all kinds of activities related to nature.

Among the main attractions, the possibility of enjoying the native fauna – bison, bears, vultures, eagles, chamois, wild horses…– that lives in absolute freedom; and walk through jungle trails off the beaten track with expert nature guides and all the comforts.

Unique experiences

For example, it is possible to tour the Côa Valley, in Portugal – on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback – for several days along a 200 km marked route and enjoy the experience of staying at Fly Camp, in a tent at the bare but with all the comforts and services, including dinner with a private chef under the stars and spectacular views. Or tour the European savannah in the Danube Delta, one of the last remaining mosaic savannahs in Europe, to spot the wild herds of large herbivores (horses, wild cows, red deer) with Land Rover rides in the company of expert guides. .

In the case of the Older Delta, with the interventions of Rewilding Europe and the offer deployed by the European Safari Company, it has become one of the key points of biodiversity in Europe and one of the best places to observe birds of prey and large herbivores. , including bison, through a network of canoe routes.

One more example, the summer fishing experience in the wild Rane River, territory of the Sami communities, with accommodation at Sorbyn Lodge. Or a luxury safari in winter at the world’s first glamping site, Aurora Safari Camp, to see the Northern Lights, enjoy escapades into the wild Nordic taiga forest, observe wildlife in the snow. Includes a four-day hike on one of National Geographic’s top 10 hiking trails in the world, the Kungsleden, with return by helicopter.