If you're planning a trip around wildlife in Montenegro or Albania and wondering what you might encounter, prepare to be surprised. The Balkans is one of Europe's last great wildlife frontiers, a region where bears still roam mountain forests, wolves howl across river valleys, and pelicans the size of small children patrol vast spring-fed lakes. With over 40% of Montenegro and 2/3 of Albania covered in forest and mountain wilderness, this corner of the western Balkans shelters species that vanished from most of Western Europe long ago. For birdwatchers, nature lovers and wildlife photographers, Montenegro and Albania offer some of the best wildlife watching in Europe. The Balkans is one of the most species-rich regions in Europe for birdlife, with over 270 bird species recorded in Montenegro alone. Rare and migratory birds flock to key sites including Lake Skadar, a candidate UNESCO biosphere reserve that stretches into Albania, and the salt flats near Ulcinj, where flamingos, cormorants, Dalmatian pelicans, eagles, and all manner of waders can all be spotted (with patience and some good binoculars!) On our cross-border hiking journey from Albania to Montenegro for example, we follow the Via Dinarica trail through some of the most untouched wilderness in Europe: the Albanian Alps, Valbona Valley, Accursed mountains down to the shores of Lake Skadar. Scroll down to find 15 of our favourite wild animals of the Balkans, and where to find them. What wildlife can you see in Montenegro and Albania? Montenegro and Albania are home to a wide range of wildlife across mountains, forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats. Species commonly found in the region include brown bears, wolves, lynx, golden eagles, flamingos, pelicans, and dolphins, alongside many smaller mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Mammals: Brown bear, Golden Jackal, wildcat, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, chamois, red deer, wild boar, otter
If you’re planning a trip around wildlife in Montenegro or Albania and wondering what you might encounter, prepare to be surprised. The Balkans is one of Europe’s last great wildlife frontiers, a region where bears still roam mountain forests, wolves howl across river valleys, and pelicans the size of small children patrol vast spring-fed lakes.
Serbia is one of the Balkans' best-kept hiking secrets, with great mountain trails that rival Montenegro, Bulgaria or Albania. From the Eagle Canyon to the Stara Planina - an ancient range stretching all the way to the Black Sea, and the Zlatibor range on the Serbian-Montenegrin border, hiking in Serbia has much to offer. Like most Balkan hiking destinations, tourism is still in its infancy here so most often you will have all that spectacular scenery to yourself. Village guesthouses dot the mountain routes and it's here you'll find the authentic taste of Balkan mountain culture and hospitality. Read on to discover the best hiking trails in Serbia, all featured in our guided Serbia holidays. And don't miss the video below showing some of the beautiful places we explore! Stara Planina, Serbia's 'Old Mountains' Eastern Serbia is largely uncharted territory by foreign tourists, including the Stara Planina range which stretches 550 kms from Serbia to Bulgaria. The name 'old mountains' suit it in more ways than one - people still live a traditional way of life in stone villages with small family farms. Expect to find homemade rakia and every kind of pickle stored in the house! The area is dotted with naturally occurring karst waterfalls and the ruins of Felix Romuliana: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient Roman palace complex built by Emperor Galerius. Worth a detour on your way in or out. We explore Stara Planina on our 7-Day hiking holiday in Serbia, rambling around waterfalls and serious ridgelines, and, if we’re lucky, spotting some wild horses. This range has it all, from half-day strolls to full summit days. Midžor Peak — Serbia's Highest Summit (2,169m) Distance: 16km Difficulty: Moderate, 6–7 hours at a comfortable pace. No scrambling, no ropes, just good boots and stamina. We do
Serbia is one of the Balkans’ best-kept hiking secrets, with great mountain trails that rival Montenegro, Bulgaria or Albania. From the Eagle Canyon to the Stara Planina – an ancient range stretching all the way to the Black Sea, and the Zlatibor range on the Serbian-Montenegrin border, hiking in Serbia has much to offer. Like
Hiking in Kosovo: the ethereal beauty of Rugova Canyon Kosovo is the most underrated but exciting new destination for adventurers. Balkans travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies shares her firsthand account of hiking and wild swimming in the Rugova Canyon. Last year in June, in search of wild swimming, I hiked the Liqenati lakes trail in Kosovo's Rugova Canyon with Fatos, who leads our Kosovo multi-activity holiday. We met in Peja (or Peć), a town set like a full stop at the end of the dramatic Rugova gorge. Behind it are Kosovo's rolling plains; ahead, the valley walls tighten and the limestone cliffs rise sharply, funnelling the road deep into the mountains. From Peja to the Liqenati lakes After spending a night in Peja, I met Fatos early in the morning and we drove a short way to the start of the Liqenati lakes hiking trail. The first part of the climb was the steepest and most challenging, and already the sun was beating down, carrying the scent of hot soil and pine up from the ground. When the terrain evened out and we were able to speak without huffing and puffing, Fatos told me some of the history of the area. 30 years ago, it would have been impossible to cross these mountains from Kosovo to Albania. When communist dictator Enver Hoxha sealed Albania off from the rest of the world, families living in these borderlands were split overnight, stranded on opposite sides of the mountains. For nearly 50 years, they didn’t see one another. The closest people could come was to stare across the valley through binoculars, sending signals just to show: “I am alive.” That was all. Today, you can cross freely on foot (provided you have the right visa, a guide or hiking permit). It's a reminder that despite
Hiking in Kosovo: the ethereal beauty of Rugova Canyon Kosovo is the most underrated but exciting new destination for adventurers. Balkans travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies shares her firsthand account of hiking and wild swimming in the Rugova Canyon. Last year in June, in search of wild swimming, I hiked the Liqenati lakes trail in Kosovo’s
This week, we invited journalist and travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies to be a guest blogger and tell us which Balkan countries are on her radar in 2026. Camilla lived in Serbia and often travelled to Bosnia and Kosovo for a change of scene. She wrote about Balkans travel for The Financial Times, The Guardian and Telegraph Travel. I first stumbled into the Western Balkans as a student backpacker in the 2010s and was instantly drawn to its rich culture and gorgeous landscapes. It wasn't long before I made the Balkans my permanent home, as a writer based in Belgrade. With free reign to wander, I came to know the many wonderful places on the Undiscovered Balkans radar. Every country has so much to recommend, but if I was to pick the top three rising stars for 2026, it would be these: Beyond Belgrade: Serbia's wild places I may be bias given I lived there, but 2026 really is the moment for Serbia to step into the spotlight. The country saw record visitor numbers in 2024 and 2025, travel magazines are calling it 'Europe's most under-the-radar destination', and it has affordable prices that make slow, immersive travel possible. I say visit now before Serbia becomes the next big thing! Belgrade, Tašmajdan park in the snow Serbian hospitality is soulful and spontaneous, guesthouses are rustic and full of charm, and cities feel refreshingly untouristy. Venture beyond Belgrade’s café-lined streets and legendary nightlife to the wild 'Eagle Canyon', or the mighty Iron Gates at Djerdap Gorge on the Danube river, where you can kayak for hours to peaceful birdsong. Going with a local guide is the best way to enjoy a Serbia adventure. Belgrade has seen peaceful student protests ongoing for a year, but these are confined to
This week, we invited journalist and travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies to be a guest blogger and tell us which Balkan countries are on her radar in 2026. Camilla lived in Serbia and often travelled to Bosnia and Kosovo for a change of scene. She wrote about Balkans travel for The Financial Times, The Guardian and
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