Oder Delta Safaris

Oder Delta is a unique region with a rich mosaic of large wild continental, marine and freshwater ecosystems. It is strategically located on one of the ecological crossroads in Europe being one of the most exciting wild areas in north-central Europe. There is a fantastic landscape of 250 000 hectares along the Polish-German border. Formed during the last glacial period some 10.000 years ago the unspoiled nature of wide coasts, rivers, forests and meadows is a true paradise for a unique rich fauna.
More than 80% of the area is protected as Natura 2000 site. Wolinski National Park in Poland and several different protected wilderness areas, like the Wilderness Area Ueckermünder Heide, the Peene river mouth reserve on the German side are amongst the protected areas in the region. The nature reserves Olszanka, Czarnocin, Uroczysko Święta and Świdwie on the Polish side are also important protected areas in this region. Other vast parts of the wetlands of very high ecological value are not protected but are only extensively used as meadows, or not used at all. They form mosaics of riverine forests, willow shrub habitats and half-open landscapes. The Swina Delta is the only inverse delta in Europe created by the sea inside a coastal lagoon.
The Oder Delta is an important stop-over site for migrating water birds using the East Atlantic Flyway annually recording more than a quarter of a million bird species. BirdLife International declared vast sections of the delta as “Important Bird Areas”.
The abandonment of agricultural lands happening during the last decades has created opportunities for natural regeneration and for unique areas. This has benefitted rising populations of the white-tailed eagle now having the highest breeding density in the European Union. A careful hunting policy on both sides of the border, together with favourable habitat conditions has created large populations of roe deer, red deer and wild boar. The area therefore offers a healthy prey base for large carnivores. Wolfs and elk are already reproducing in the area. Nearly unknown fact is that around 160 individuals of the European bison roam totally free only 90 km east of Szczecin Lagoon. The Harbour porpoise reproduces in the Baltic Sea north of the Wolinski National Park and the Grey seal is expected to start reproducing again in the Pomeranian Bay.
The Oder Delta is officially eighth area of the Rewilding Europe initiative ”Rewilding Europe wants to make Europe a wilder place, with much more space for wildlife, wilderness and natural processes. Bringing back the variety of life for us all to enjoy and exploring new ways for people to earn a fair living from the wild”
Read more about Rewilding Europe: http://www.rewildingeurope.com
Follow Rewilding Oder Delta on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RewildingOderDelta
Oder Delta is one of the top places in Europe for watching white tailed eagles. You can discover flocks of wild European bison and the European beaver on guided tours. Elk and wolf inhabit heathlands and riparian forests. Many Red List species live in this pristine and largely undiscovered natural world. Amongst them are lesser spotted eagles, ospreys, aquatic warbler, whiskered terns, black storks, kingfishers and cranes.
Discover the Big Seven of the Oder Delta representing the key species living in the wild. Spread the word that watching wild animals in Europe is possible. The “Big Seven” are: white-tailed eagle; European bison; European beaver; elk; wolf; Atlantic sturgeon; grey seal. Also the Konik horse lives semi-wild in the meadows of the Oder Delta. (see the attached map)
You can discover this great landscape of Oder Delta on guided walking, driving, riding or boat tours we offer you.