Private Kızılırmak Delta Tour: Birds of the Black Sea Coast
A great wetland where the Kızılırmak meets the Black Sea: reed beds, flooded forest and hundreds of bird species.
Photo: Leyla kılınç / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Duration
- Full day (about 6 hours)
- Region
- Black Sea
- Walking
- Easy
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
Best for Families · Returning visitors
Tour code BLK-H01
The essence
A private Kızılırmak Delta tour takes you to one of the great wetlands of the Black Sea coast, near Bafra. From the visitor center at Doğanca, a municipal shuttle takes you through reed beds, flooded forest, dunes and lagoons, and you climb the bird-watching tower. 358 bird species have been recorded here.
Highlights
- A great wetland of the Black Sea coast
- The bird-watching tower
- 358 bird species recorded
- Reed beds, flooded forest and dunes
- A Ramsar site since 1998
Program
-
Morning
Pick-up in Samsun
Your driver collects you from your hotel.
-
Late morning
The delta on the Kızılırmak Delta tour
The visitor center at Doğanca and the shuttle.
Opening hours & dress code -
Midday
The bird-watching tower
Birds over the lagoons and reed beds.
Opening hours & dress code -
Afternoon
Back to Samsun
Lunch on the way, paid on the spot.
In depth
Near Bafra, the Kızılırmak runs into the Black Sea through reed beds, lagoons and flooded forest. A private Kızılırmak Delta tour takes you there to watch the birds, from a shuttle and from a tower above the wetland.
The Wetland on the Kızılırmak Delta Tour
A great wetland
The Kızılırmak Delta is a large natural wetland on the Black Sea coast of Türkiye. Its habitats run from beaches and dunes to flooded forest, reed beds, mud flats and marshes.
The visitor center
First, your driver takes you to the visitor center at Doğanca. From there, a municipal shuttle takes you through the area, and we arrange the ride.
The Birds on the Kızılırmak Delta Tour
358 species
So far, 358 bird species have been recorded in the delta, and 140 of them breed here. It is also home to 15 of the 24 bird species under threat in Türkiye.
From our guides
Our suggestion Bring binoculars and a long lens for the birds over the lagoons and reed beds.
The tower
Then you climb the bird-watching tower for the view over the lagoons. The delta has been a Ramsar site since 1998, and since 2016 it has been on Türkiye’s Tentative List for World Heritage. After the bird-watching tower, the car takes you back to Samsun.
Good to Know on the Kızılırmak Delta Tour
Visitors enter the delta only at Doğanca; the 19 Mayıs and Bafra-side entrances are closed to pedestrians and cars. Next to the visitor center, the protected area also has a bird-ringing station and a cafeteria.
Would you like a day with the birds of the Kızılırmak Delta? With 358 species on the list, the season you come decides which birds we watch from the tower.
Before you go
-
- Entry
- Protected wetland; check access locally
Hours can change on religious holidays. Your guide confirms them the day before.
What’s included
Included
- A professional licensed guide, in the language you ask for
- A private vehicle and driver for the day, with pick-up from your hotel
- A 10 GB eSIM for one traveler in your group, our gift, valid for 30 days (data only)
Not included
- Shuttle in the delta and any fees, paid on the spot
- Meals and drinks, paid on the spot
- Tips
“I visited Istanbul with my mother, and I can honestly say that working with Soner and his team was one of the best decisions we made for our trip.”
From your guide
What to wear
Layers, a hat and shoes that can get muddy.
Best time
Ask us before you book: the birds change with the seasons.
Photos
Bring binoculars and a long lens for the birds.
Practical
Updated:
- Starts
- Morning, from your hotel
- Ends
- Your hotel
- Meeting point
- Your hotel in Samsun
- Walking
- Easy: short walks and the tower stairs.
- Accessibility
- Tell us your needs, and we plan the day around them.
- Cancellation
- Visiting status can change; we confirm it before your date.
Frequently asked questions
How do we get around on the Kızılırmak Delta tour?
Cars park at the visitor center at Doğanca, and a municipal shuttle takes visitors through the area.
How many birds live in the delta on the Kızılırmak Delta tour?
358 bird species have been recorded, and 140 of them breed here.
Is the delta protected?
Yes. It is a Ramsar site since 1998, a wildlife development area and a natural site, and it has been on the Tentative List for World Heritage since 2016.
Do I need binoculars?
Yes. Bring your own binoculars for the bird-watching tower in the delta.
What is your cancellation policy?
Every trip with us is private, so we agree the cancellation terms with you by email before you book, and you find them in writing in your booking confirmation. The deposit is non-refundable.
How long does the tour take?
A full day, about 6 hours. Since it is private, you choose how long to stay in the Kızılırmak Delta.
Do you pick us up at our hotel?
Yes. Your guide and driver collect you at your hotel in Samsun and bring you back at the end of the tour.
Can children join?
Of course. The walking is light, and we fit child seats in the car once you tell us their ages.
What about lunch?
Meals are not included. Your guide suggests a place on the way, and you choose what to eat.
Which language does the guide speak?
Your own language. Tell us which one, and we book a licensed guide who speaks it.
