Danube-Drava National Park Park

Address: Danube-Drava National Park (Duna-Dráva), Baranya County, Hungary

Hours: Varies by area and season

Admission: Free (park access); some visitor centres/exhibits may charge fees

Danube-Drava National Park is a protected area in southern Hungary that conserves floodplain forests, river channels and wetland habitats along stretches of the Danube and Drava rivers. The park covers riverine landscapes characteristic of the lower Danube and Drava and is important for freshwater biodiversity.

The area is notable for seasonal floodplain dynamics, river islands and oxbow lakes that support waterbirds and other wetland species. Recreational activities in the park focus on birdwatching, guided boat trips and nature trails where permitted.

The park was established to protect these riverine ecosystems and to conserve habitats shaped by regular flooding and river drift. Management combines nature conservation with traditional land uses in the surrounding rural landscape.

Geographically the park lies in Baranya County in southern Hungary, bordering the Drava and the Danube floodplain region and near towns such as Mohács and Pécs. The terrain is low-lying floodplain with many side channels and wetland areas.

• For best birdwatching and floodplain scenery visit in spring (April-June) when migrants and breeding birds are most active-arrive at dawn for the busiest bird activity and quieter observation spots.
• Talk to local visitor centers or reserve guides about boat or canoe trips into side-channels and oxbow lakes; many visitors stay on the main trails and miss the backwaters where waterfowl and beavers are easiest to see.
• Avoid weekend crowds by visiting midweek and consider small local guides who know seasonal hotspots (e.g., spawning/driftwood areas) inaccessible from the main visitor paths.