Highlights of this trip
Few places in Europe tell the story of nature’s return as powerfully as Romania’s Southern Carpathians. Ancient forests, free-roaming European bison, remote mountain landscapes and passionate conservationists come together in one of Europe’s most ambitious rewilding regions.
This unique journey takes you behind the scenes of three of Romania’s leading conservation organisations – Conservation Carpathia, Rewilding Romania and WWF Romania – offering a rare opportunity to experience not only spectacular wildlife and landscapes, but also the people working to restore them.
Together, we’ll follow the story of rewilding across the Southern Carpathians: hiking through ancient forests, tracking wildlife, spending a night in a remote wildlife hide, searching for European bison with local rangers, and meeting communities where nature restoration is creating new opportunities for both people and wildlife.
Highlights
- Stay in a remote wilderness camp surrounded by European bison habitat
- Spend the night in the beautiful Bunea Wildlife Hide
- Hike through the spectacular Southern Carpathian Mountains
- Learn to read tracks and signs of bears, wolves, lynx and wildcats
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes visit with Conservation Carpathia
- Meet the team behind Rewilding Romania’s inspiring restoration work
- Track free-roaming European bison with local wildlife guides
- Experience authentic Romanian hospitality and local cuisine
- Stay at the inspiring WeWilder Campus in the Tarcu Mountains
- Discover how rewilding benefits both wildlife and local communities
Photogallery
what does this journey look like?
DAY 1 – Arrival in Romania
Into the Wild Carpathians
Arrive in Bucharest, where you’ll meet your host before travelling into the Southern Carpathians.
Our destination is the remote Poiana Tămaș Camp, nestled within the landscapes of Conservation Carpathia. Surrounded by forests and mountains, we’ll spend our first evening settling into comfortable safari tents before gathering around the campfire for dinner and an introduction to one of Europe’s most ambitious rewilding projects.
Overnight: Poiana Tămaș Camp
DAY 2 – Tracking Europe’s Wild Heart
Conservation Carpathia
Today we head into the mountains alongside local wildlife experts. Walking through forests, alpine meadows and river valleys, we’ll learn how to recognise the signs left behind by bears, wolves, lynx, wildcats, deer and wild boar, while discovering how healthy ecosystems depend on these iconic species.
Rather than searching for guaranteed sightings, this day is about learning to understand the landscape through the eyes of nature.
Tonight we stay at the beautiful Bunea Wildlife Hide, where there’s an excellent chance of observing wildlife from the comfort of this unique forest accommodation.
Walk: Approximately 10 km
Overnight: Bunea Hide
DAY 3 – Into the Heart of Rewilding Romania
Leaving the forests of Conservation Carpathia behind, we travel west towards Hațeg for another remarkable rewilding landscape.
Upon arrival in the Hațeg region, we meet the team of Rewilding Romania, who introduce us to their vision for restoring natural processes and supporting thriving wildlife populations across the Southern Carpathians.
Over a shared dinner, we learn more about the challenges and successes of rewilding in Romania.
Drive: Approximately 5 hours
Overnight: Chalet in the Hațeg region
DAY 4 – Rewilding in Action
Landscapes Returning to Life
Today is dedicated to exploring the work of Rewilding Romania on the ground.
Together with local guides, we’ll venture into the surrounding landscapes to discover how rewilding is transforming forests, rivers and mountain ecosystems. Along the way, we’ll learn about the growing role of nature-based economies in supporting rural communities & we will meet some locals.
The day ends with another delicious local dinner, sharing stories with those helping shape Romania’s wilder future.
Overnight: Chalet in the Hațeg region
DAY 5 – The Return of the European Bison
WeWilder & the Tarcu Mountains
This morning we continue to the Tarcu Mountains, home to one of Europe’s most successful European bison reintroductions.
At the inspiring WeWilder Campus, we’ll discover how conservation, entrepreneurship and local communities work hand in hand. Later, we hike to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the landscape now inhabited by dozens of free-roaming European bison.
Dinner is enjoyed together on campus.
Walk: 5–8 km
Overnight: WeWilder Campus
DAY 6 – Following the Bison
Wildlife & Rural Traditions
Today we experience the Tarcu Mountains through the eyes of local wildlife guides.
In the morning, we head into the field to track Europe’s largest land mammal – the European bison. We’ll learn how the herds are monitored, how they shape the landscape, and why their return is such an important milestone for European rewilding.
During the afternoon, we spend time with the local community. Depending on the season, this may include traditional haymaking, cheese making or other rural activities that offer a glimpse into everyday life in the mountains.
These encounters beautifully demonstrate how healthy ecosystems and thriving communities can support one another.
Walk: 8–10 km
Overnight: WeWilder Campus
DAY 7 – Farewell Romania
Journey to Timișoara
After breakfast, we leave the Carpathians behind and travel to Timișoara for your onward train journey or flight home.
As we travel west, there is time to reflect on a week spent discovering not only Romania’s extraordinary wildlife and landscapes, but also the inspiring people working every day to bring nature back.
Drive: Approximately 2 hours
Travel by Train
We encourage travellers to consider arriving in Romania by train.
Travelling overland is not only a low impact way to reach your destination, but also allows the journey itself to become part of the adventure. As Europe gradually unfolds outside your window, before reaching the Carpathians. You experience the changing landscapes, cultures and ecosystems that connect our continent.
For those who prefer, flights to Bucharest and from Timisoara, are also possible.
CONSERVATION AND GIVING BACK
At MOYO Nature Travel, we believe travel should leave places better than we found them.
Part of the proceeds from this journey directly support rewilding initiatives in Romania, including the inspiring work of Conservation Carpathia, Rewilding Romania and the restoration of wildlife and natural processes across the Southern Carpathians.
Your journey also contributes to the MOYO Training Foundation, which develops Nature Positive training programmes for guides, tourism professionals and local communities. By helping tourism become a stronger force for conservation, every traveller contributes to a future where nature, people and travel thrive together.
Practical information
Dates & Availability
This 7 days / 6 nights experience in Romania takes place from Sunday 16 till Saturday 22 May 2027.
Costs (Included & Excluded)
From €2695 per person (based on 2 people sharing a room)
Included:
- 6 nights accomodation
- All meals during the trip
- A Dutch and English speaking host with you for the duration of the trip
- Guided excursions and activities by local guides
- Pick up from airport or train station at the trip start and drop off at the endend
- Donation to Conservation Carpathia and Rewilding Romania as part of our commitment to conservation & communities.
Excluded:
- International flights or train to Bucharest and return from Timisoara
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional extensions
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, drinks).
Logistics / Transport
Train or fly to Bucharest, where our host will pick you up. You will be dropped off again at Timisoara trainstation or airport.
Ask us for more information on logistics.
Accommodation
Accommodation in comfortable double/twin rooms and a night in a wildlife hide with shared accomodation.
Solo travellers also welcome, you will be paired with someone of the same sexe.
Food
All meals are included, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Dietary preferences can be accommodated with advance notice.
Health & Safety
Experienced local guides accompany you on all hikes and experiences.
Small-group experience (max 6 people) ensures personalized attention.
Local team & guides
Aukje van Gerven
Aukje van Gerven, founder of MOYO Nature Travel, will be your host throughout this journey. A passionate nature lover, she brings together a unique combination of experience in nature tourism, rewilding and hospitality.
From the moment you arrive, Aukje will be there to welcome you at the train station (or airport), drive you between accommodations and conservation projects, and accompany you throughout your time in Romania before seeing you safely on your journey home.
With more than twenty years of experience in sustainable tourism and creating meaningful nature experiences, Aukje has dedicated her career to connecting people with the natural world.
For Aukje, nature travel is about far more than spotting wildlife. It is about meeting the people working tirelessly to restore nature, understanding the landscapes they protect, and experiencing the deep connection between people and the natural world.
Throughout the journey, she creates space not only for discovery, but also for reflection, meaningful conversations and memorable encounters.
With her enthusiasm, expertise and personal approach, Aukje acts as a bridge between the local conservationists and guides you'll meet, and the travellers who come to experience these remarkable landscapes—helping you gain a deeper understanding of both the place and the inspiring people working to protect it.
Paula Bora
Growing up at the foothills of the Retezat Mountains, where the European bison has long been a local symbol, Paula Bora developed a deep connection to the landscapes she now helps restore and considers it a privilege to contribute to the species' return to the Carpathians. After studying Marketing, she chose to use her skills to strengthen local communities through social economy, entrepreneurship and sustainable development. At Rewilding Romania, she works to transform the challenges of rewilding into socio-economic opportunities, believing that nature is best protected by creating opportunities for people to thrive alongside it.
Alina Floroi
Alina Floroi is passionate about finding treasures every day. Curiosity initially led her to journalism, but then exploration led to creating realities or helping other projects in this direction. She joined the WWF Romania initiative in Armeniș for several years in increasingly frequent collaborations, which turned into a full-time involvement in the WeWilder team as “a good at everything”, important skills to launch and keep the WeWilder Campus alive.
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