Tara National Park

Tara Overview

Tara National Park, known locally as Nacionalni park Tara, is a gem of Serbia’s natural heritage. Spanning an area of approximately 93 square miles (240 square kilometers), it is situated in western Serbia, near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The park is nestled within the Dinaric Alps and encompasses a significant portion of the Tara Mountain range, offering visitors breathtaking vistas and pristine landscapes. Its elevation varies dramatically, with peaks like Kozji Rid and Zborište providing remarkable viewpoints over the lush terrain below.

The park’s terrain is characterized by rugged limestone gorges, dense forests, and sweeping plateaus. One of the most iconic features is the Drina River Canyon, a deep and picturesque gorge that meanders along the park’s western boundary. The canyon, one of Europe’s deepest, offers dramatic cliffside views and turquoise waters.

Dense coniferous and deciduous forests cover over 75% of Tara National Park, making it one of Europe’s most forested areas. Serbian spruce, an ancient and endangered species endemic to the region, stands out as a unique and symbolic feature of the park’s flora. Other vegetation includes diverse wildflowers, moss-covered boulders, and beech trees that lend the park a vibrant and ever-changing seasonal palette.

Tara National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife. Brown bears are perhaps the most notable residents, as the park is considered one of their last strongholds in the region. Other mammals include wolves, lynx, wild boar, and roe deer.

Bird enthusiasts will find delight in spotting golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the rare Ural owl, among more than 130 bird species documented in the park. Additionally, the park’s rivers and streams are rich in aquatic life, including trout and grayling, which thrive in the cold, clear waters.

Popular features of Tara National Park include Banjska Stena, a famous lookout point that offers panoramic views of the Drina River Canyon, and the charming Rača Monastery, a 13th-century Serbian Orthodox site tucked within the forest.

Visitors also flock to the Zaovine Lake, an artificial reservoir surrounded by wooded hills, perfect for fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying the serene beauty. Trails crisscross the park, making it a haven for hikers and mountain bikers, while guided tours offer educational insights into the park’s unique ecosystems.

Conservation efforts in Tara National Park have focused on protecting its biodiversity and iconic Serbian spruce. While challenges like illegal logging and habitat fragmentation persist, the park’s management has achieved significant successes in wildlife monitoring and sustainable tourism.

Reforestation projects and community engagement initiatives are helping to preserve the park’s delicate ecosystems. Ecotourism plays a vital role in supporting these efforts, with visitors encouraged to explore responsibly and contribute to the park’s protection.

Park Map

Tara National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Bird Species

Tara National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, offering a wide variety of bird species that thrive in its forests, mountains, and river areas.

Golden eagles are majestic raptors often seen soaring above the park’s mountains, hunting small mammals and birds with their keen eyesight.

Peregrine falcons are fast-flying predators that nest in the park’s cliffs and rocky outcrops, known for their incredible speed in hunting smaller birds.

Western capercaillies are large, ground-dwelling birds found in the park’s forests, particularly known for their elaborate courtship displays during the mating season.

Eurasian eagle-owls are the largest owls in Tara National Park, often heard at night as they hunt small mammals and birds in the dense forests.

Griffon vultures are large scavengers that soar above the park’s mountains, searching for carrion, playing a key role in the park’s ecosystem.

Common buzzards are frequently seen gliding above the park’s open areas and forests, using their keen eyesight to hunt for small mammals and birds.

Woodpeckers are common in the park’s woodlands, using their strong beaks to peck at trees in search of insects and to create nesting cavities.

Black storks are large, rare birds that nest in the park’s remote areas, foraging in rivers and wetlands for fish, amphibians, and small mammals.

Sparrowhawks are agile raptors that hunt smaller birds in the park’s forests, using their speed and precision to catch their prey mid-flight.

Cranes are graceful, migratory birds that pass through the park’s wetlands, known for their distinctive calls and elegant courtship dances.

Popular Species

Tara National Park is home to a variety of species that thrive in its dense forests, rugged terrain, and river valleys.

Brown bears are one of the most iconic species in the park, often spotted in the remote forested areas as they forage for food.

Balkan lynx are elusive predators found in the park’s dense forests, where they hunt deer and smaller mammals, contributing to the ecosystem’s balance.

Red deer are frequently seen grazing in the park’s meadows and forest clearings, providing a majestic sight, especially at dawn and dusk.

Wolves are top predators in Tara National Park, hunting deer, wild boar, and other prey, helping regulate populations and maintain ecological balance.

Chamois are agile herbivores that inhabit the park’s rocky cliffs and higher altitudes, known for their surefootedness and ability to navigate steep terrain.

Wild boars are commonly found foraging in the park’s forests, using their strong snouts to dig for roots, tubers, and small animals.

Roe deer are smaller and more elusive than red deer, often spotted grazing in the park’s open meadows and woodland edges.

Foxes are adaptable predators frequently seen in the park, hunting small mammals, birds, and scavenging food, often active at dawn and dusk.

European hares are fast and agile, commonly seen in the park’s open fields and grasslands, grazing on vegetation and evading predators with their speed.

Pine martens are small carnivores that thrive in the park’s forests, feeding on small mammals, birds, and fruits, often seen darting through the treetops.