THE AREAS OF THE DANUBE-DRÁVA NATIONAL PARK THAT LIE ALONG THE DRÁVA RIVER

The Dráva River
The 700 km long Dráva River springs in the Italian South-Tyrolese Alps, touches upon Austria, Slovenia and Hungary, and flows into the Danube at the Croatian Aljmas. It enters Hungary at Őrtilos and exits under Drávaszabolcs. The distance between these two points is 165 km. The effective Hungarian section is in fact much shorter, because the Hungarian-Croatian state borders do not follow the river’s track. This is why there are numerous left-bank Croatian grounds, and right-bank Hungarian ones.

The unperturbedness of the Dráva River makes it one of the most valued waters of Hungary. More than 50 types of fish live in the clean waters of the River. The Dráva sand- and gravel banks are extraordinarily valuable habitats: this is the only place in Hungary where the German tamarisk can be found and where the little tern nests. Rare floral species can also be found along the Dráva River. The wood anemone, the trifoliate bitter-cress and the dead nettle grow here. The untouched woodlands of the region give home to black storks and the white-tailed eagle. The entire Hungarian part of the Dráva River is belongs to the Danube-Dráva National Park and is under protection.

Dráva Gate Exhibition Centre
The Dráva Gate Exhibition Centre is located near Barcs and offers numerous options to get to know the natural and cultural-historical features of the protected areas along the Dráva River. It is also ideal for every age group for some real relaxation. We have separate programmes for kindergarten- and school groups and corporate collectives.

Exhibition
The new building that was opened in 2008 boasts an exhibition on the natural gems of the Dráva River. The exhibition presents the most important habitats and the protected animals living in these. An over-sized aerial photograph can be studied to learn about the natural and artificial changes in the riverbed.

Conference room
Our Exhibition Centre has an impressive conference room equipped with multimedia features and can seat up to 80 people.
Dráva Gate Grill and Coffee Shop
In our restaurant, we manage family events, school reunions, corporate events and catering for school groups. Advanced booking required. 4-40 people.
Telephone: +36 30/275-0653, +36 82/491-134

Field programmes
Üde Rétek Learning track
The learning track gives a possibility to view a Hungarian grey cattle herd grazing on the meadows. At the end of the learning track, there is a bird observation tower from where the water world flora and fauna can be observed.
Indigenous domestic animals presentation
Near the Exhibition Centre there is a farm, where indigenous animals such as the grey cattle, the Hungarian Racka sheep, donkeys, Hucul horses and Mangalica pigs can be viewed by the visitors.

Opening hours
March 15 - October 31: Tuesday to Sunday 9.00-17.00
November 1 - March 14: only visitable upon advance request
Entry prices:
Adults: HUF 500/person
Students, pensioners: HUF 300/person
Family ticket: HUF 1200
Group discount: over 20 people HUF 250/person

Professionally guided tours and nature knowledge work-shops in the Dráva Gate Exhibition Centre
With the help of our colleagues we organise professionally guided tours and nature knowledge work-shops. The contents of these can be chosen from the following:

• Presentation on the Danube-Dráva National Park’s natural treasures.
• Film and slide-show about the Danube-Dráva National Park’s protected animal and plant species.
  
• The Dráva River’s geography, history, hydrologic data and natural treasures.
  
• Water quality assessments.
  
• Guided visit of the exhibition.
  
• Tour along the Üde rétek learning track.
  
• Presentation of indigenous domestic animals.
  

Nature knowledge work-shops in the Nature Knowledge Centre of Drávatamási
There are various nature knowledge programmes at the disposal of students:

• The Danube-Dráva National Park’s natural treasures.
• Bird-catching.
  
• The Dráva River.
  
• Wood carving and creating wooden objects.
  
• Water quality assessments.
  
• Forest ecology.
  
• The programmes are principally for kids between 10 and 16.
  
• The level of the presentations adapts to the participating group’s demands.
  

Price: Up to 20 participants: HUF 10000/group
Over 20 participants: HUF 500/person

Other programmes along the Dráva River

Upon advance booking, the following services are at the disposal of our visitors:
-bicycle rental: HUF 500-1000/day

- professionally guided tours along the Dráva River in the Danube-Dráva National Park:
Babócsa: Basakert, Erzsébet Island, Mérus forest reserve.
Vízvár: Floodplain forest learning track.
Heresznye: the Dráva River high bank.
Csokonyavisonta: Fás meadow.
Darány: Barcs juniper grove with Racka sheep herd.
Őrtilos: Mura-Dráva mouth and Szentmihály Hill.
Mattyi Madár memorial park.

Learning tracks
Zákány-Őrtilos Railway-side hiking tour, Vízvár floodplain learning track, Erzsébet Island learning track, Drávaszentes Üde Rétek learning track, Darányi Juniper grove learning track, Csomoros Island learning track, Mailáthpuszta learning track, Boros-Dráva learning track, Keselyősfapusztai learning track

Professional guides for all areas or for the learning tracks can be requested.
Price: groups up to 20 people HUF 8500/1-4 hours, HUF 17.000/5-8 hours,
Above 20 people HUF425/person/1-4 hours, HUF 850/person/5-8 hours

One-day canoe trips on the Dráva River

The wonderful water wild-life of the Dráva River is best discovered by canoe. You can choose from a 10 km tour (Barcs-Drávatamási) and a 20 km tour (Barcs-Szentborbás). These can be complimented with a bicycle tour as well. Advance booking and appointment is necessary.

Price:    Barcs-Drávatamási:  HUF 15.000 basic fee + HUF 3.000/ 4-person canoe
            Barcs-Szentborbás:    HUF 25.000 basic fee+ HUF3.000 / 4-person canoe
            Bicycle rental fee:  HUF 800/day

Canoe tours on the Dráva River

Necessary permits for Dráva River water tours can be obtained from the DDNPI, until 31 March of the given year.

Accommodation along the Dráva River

Drávaszentes:
There are three triple rooms at the disposal of our visitors in the Dráva Gate Exhibition Centre. These have their own bathroom, fully equipped communal kitchen, own parking and extra beds can be added. Bicycle rental possible: half day HUF 500, whole day HUF 1000
7570 Barcs-Drávaszentes, Fő u. 1.
Tel.: +36 82 461-285, +36 30 474-3591
Prices: adults: 1 night: HUF 3700/person, from 2 nights: HUF 3200/person/night
children from 3 years: 1 night HUF 2700/person, from 2 nights: HUF 2200/person/night
Accommodation in 4-8 person tents
adults: HUF 1200/person/night, children from 3 years: HUF 1000/person/night

Drávatamási:
On the shores of the Dráva River in Drávatamási, our guests are welcomed in an all mod-cons house with two twin rooms, a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. Extra bed upon request.
Bicycle rental possible.
7979 Drávatamási, Fő u. 52.
Tel.: 82 461-285, 30 474-3591
Prices: adults: 1 night: HUF 3200/person, from 2 nights: HUF 2500/person/night
children from 3 years: 1 night HUF 2200/person, from 2 nights: HUF 1700/person/night

Szentborbás
The building is located directly on the shore of the Dráva River. Four beds, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, toilet and terrace all for the comfort of our guests.
Camping possibility in the large courtyard.
7918 Szentborbás
Tel.: Levente Várnai +36 30 641-8731, +36 30 689-6760
Prices: adults: HUF 2000/person/night, children from 3 years, extra bed: HUF 1200/person/night

Vízvár
This simple accommodation is located near one of the Dráva River backwaters. We primarily recommend it to guests interested in fishing.
Prices: adults: 1 night: HUF 2000/person, from 2 nights: HUF 1500/person/night
children from 3 years: 1 night HUF 1000/person, from 2 nights: HUF 800/person/night