Fishing & Hunting - catch the part of Serbia

The hunting grounds of Serbia are among the best-known in Europe and the natural conditions are excellent for breeding almost all kinds of game . The many first-class trophys and the world and European champion specimens bred in Serbian hunting grounds – which stretch from the north to the south, from the flat plains of Vojvodina to the unspoilt mountainous regions – are ample proof of this.

Serbia has over 320 hunting grounds spread over an area of 6,500,000 hectares, 90% of which is managed by hunting associations. They comprise 24 enclosed hunting areas and 150 hunting lodges. The Hunting Association of Serbia formulates a price list for hunted game and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management determines the start and end of the hunting season. Hunting grounds are run by woodland management teams under the auspices of the state-owned Srbijašume and Vojvodinašume companies, as well as local hunting associations which are members of the Serbian Hunting Federation. High quality hunting weapons are produced in Serbia, too, and exported around the world.

Hunting tourism

Hunting tourism in Serbia is well-established and has strict rules of conduct, from crossing borders, travelling to the hunting ground, obtaining weapons and ammunition licences and qualified guides, as well as veterinary licences and all other requirements for exporting game. A hunters can hunt and train hunting dogs in hunting grounds only with the mediation of an authorised agency which has signed a contract with the user of the hunting ground. The hunter must possess documentation for hunting weapons, ammunition, optical sights and hunting dogs. Only the species of game listed on the hunting licence may be shot, and with the approval of the qualified escort. Before the hunter can remove the shot game and its parts (trophy, meat, skin) from the hunting ground, he or she must make payment according to the price list of the hunting association.

Forest Estate “Toplica” Kursumlija 

1. The Hunting Ground “Sokolovica” with the area of 16.087 ha, spreads on the altitude from 800 to 1.100 m. It is 290 km far away from Belgrade and 15 km from Kursumlija.

The hunting ground includes a fenced part, with the area of 466 ha in which European deer and wild boar are raised. Except already mentioned wild animal spieces, predators and roe deer game can also be hunted there.

Accomodation is available in Prokuplje, Kursumlija, as well as in Prolom and Lukovska Spas.

2. The hunting ground “Sumata” spreads on the South-Eastern slopes of Kopaonik Mountain, on the altitude from 300 to 1.200 m, with the area of 18.964 ha. It is 282 km far away from Belgrade, 73 km from Nis and 87 km from Krusevac.

Roe deer game and wild boar are to hunt for.

Accomodation is in the hotels in Prokuplje, Kursumlija and Prolom Spa.

3. The mountainous hunting ground “Kukavica” spreads on the altitude from 380 to 1.441 m, with the area of 16.443 ha. It is 100 km far away from Nis, 40 km from Vranje and 350 km from Belgrade.

Wild boar, roe deer, rabbit, fox and wolf are to hunt for.

Accomodation is in the hunting house “Furniste”.

4. The Hunting Ground “Obla glava – Oyren devica” spreads on the area of 12.770 ha, on the altitude from 240 to 1.200 m. It is 240 km far away from Belgrade, 40 km from Knjazevac and 60 km from Nis.

Wild boar, roe deer game, wood cook and wolf are raised in this mountainous hunting ground.

Hunters accomodation is in Soko Spa hotels.

5. The Hunting Ground “Lipovacka Forest” is located on the main road Belgrade-Cacak. It is 25 km far away from Belgrade, on the altitude from 160 to 290 m and belongs to the plain hunting grounds type. The hunting ground is open, with the area of 1.253 ha.

Roe deer, rabbit and pheasant are continuously raised wild species.

Hunters accomodation is in the hotels in Belgrade.

Sailing - fun is on the water!

Rivers in Serbia with an international or interstate navigation regime are the Danube, Sava and Tisa. The Velika Morava and Tamiš rivers are partly navigable and sailing is also possible on some lakes. Besides large cruise ships, owners can also take their boats out onto the the rivers and lakes, and boats and sailboats can also be hired.

Danube

The Danube is the most popular river in the world for river cruises, with vessels sailing during the day and docking in Novi Sad or Belgrade at night. Additional activities are organised for cruise passengers in the cities (coach trips and cultural and historical sightseeing for example).

The Danube is the longest river in the European Union and flows for 588 km through Serbia, from Bezdan to Timok.

The section through Serbia can be divided into four main parts:

• The Vojvodina plain– this part of the Danube’s course has all the characteristics of a lowland river: it floods at high water levels, creating many inlets and river islands which are inhabited by characteristic animal and plant species. The most important destinations on this part of the course are Apatin at 1401.1 km from the head of navigation, Karađorđevo at 1310 km, Bačka Palanka at 1298.6 km, Novi Sad at 1255 km, Sremski Karlovci at 1244 km and Zemun at 1173 km.
• Belgrade – Đerdap (Iron Gate)– As it flows through Vojvodina, the Danube receives water from the Tisa and Sava rivers and becomes a large and powerful river, the wildlife and landscape changing downstream from Belgrade. The main destinations on this part of the course are Belgrade at 1170 km upstream, Pančevo at 1154 km, Vinča at 1145.5 km, Grocka at 1132 km, Smederevo at 1116 km and Veliko Gradište at 1059 km.
• Đerdapska Klisura gorge – This, the largest river gorge in Europe, extends upstream from 931 km to 1048 km and is divided into two parts: the upper gorge, which comprises the Golubačka Klisura gorge and the Gospodin Vir gorge, and the lower gorge, which comprises the Kazanska Klisura gorge and Sipska Klisura gorge. The main destinations on this part of the course are Golubac at 1042 km upstream, Lepenski Vir at 1004.2 km, Donji Milanovac at 991 km and Tekija at 956.2 km.
• Kladovo-Timok Confluence – Leaving the Đerdapska Klisura gorge, the Danube continues its journey surrounded by gentle slopes through the 80 km-long Đerdapsko Jezero lake, from 943 km to 863.5 km upstream, from Karataš to Prahovo. The main destinations on this part of the course are Kladovo at 993 km upstream, Brza Palanka at 883.5 km and Prahovo at 861 km.

Sava

The Sava river is an international waterway which flows through four countries: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Large vessels can navigate the river from Belgrade to Slavonski Brod (377 km) and smaller vessels to Sisak (583 km).

Tisa

The Tisa river begins in Ukraine and flows through Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Serbia. It is navigable for a length of 532 km and flows through Serbia for 168 km. The Tisa has interstate waterway status which means that boats flying the Hungarian or Serbian flag may freely navigate it.

Bicycling - race through Serbia

Bicycle Alliance of Serbia(BSS) has registered a large number of cycling club sand several clubs for mountain cycling. The country organize a large number of competitions in various disciplines and categories, but the most important is the international cycling race”Race through Serbia”, founded in 1939. The race takes place in June and has about 300 international participants. Occurs along the Danube River is 1,040 km long asphalt, passing through Serbia and bears the EuroVeloroad 6, which means that itis on the Atlantic-Black Searoad, the European Cyclists Federation(ECF). Mountain biking trail sexist in Zlatibor, Mokra Gora, Tara mounta in Homolje, Stara Planina, etc…

Apart from providing entertainment for cyclists, the serbian’s landscape is versatile and perfect with its stunning valleys, gorges, rivers and especially with the traditional hospitality of the Serbian people.

The section of the Danube Bike Trail (DBT) through Serbia bears the designation EuroVelo-Route 6which means that it lies on the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) Atlantic – Black Sea route.

The signpost system on the DBT in Serbia is unique in its conception and design compared to the systems in other Danube countries and in some respects it is unique in Europe. The signpost system in Serbia and the Cartography Huber printed map correspond to and complement one another. It is thanks to this that Serbia is attaining to the standards of cycle tourism in Danube countries such as Germany and Austria.

DBT signposts in Serbia:

• marked length: main route 668 km, alternative routes and detours around 370 km – a total ofaround 1040 km
• numbered junctions: around 460
• number of signposts: around 950

On the DBT in Serbia there are three categories of route:

• Main route – the most beautiful and peaceful, but also includes unpaved and packed earth stretches along river embankments
• Alternative routes – always on paved roads, a way to avoid unpaved stretches on the main route
• Detours – recommended for those who have the time and inclination to stray from the Danube

Skiing - winter's fairytale

Serbia offers skiing with developing facilities, set in beautiful scenic mountains, with traditional Serbian hospitality. Skiing in Serbia allows visitors to enjoy a no-frills ski experience in a completely different culture. The skiing is mainly best for beginners. The beautiful mountains are home to good snow coverage throughout the country’s long cold winter, and they provide a stunning backdrop to the slopes.

The main ski resorts of Serbia are Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Tara, Zlatar and Stara Planina, offering smaller areas for locals to visit.Being a country with more than a hundred mountains, Serbia is suitable for all sorts of skiing and snowboarding holidays. Some of the lower Serbian mountains like Zlatibor, Divčibare and Goč offer perfect conditions for beginners to learn the basics, while higher mountains like Kopaonik and Stara Planina challenge even the most experienced skiers and snowboarders. Thanks to the recent construction of the new resorts, slopes, ski lifts and snow cannons – skiing conditions have been significantly improved and after many years Serbia is considered to be a great destination for a budget ski holidays in the environment of almost untouched nature.

Resorts

 Kopaonik

In the south of Kraljevo, situated between two tops of 2.017 m (Pančičev vrh) and 1.976 m (Suvo Rudište), Kopaonik is the leading ski centre in Serbia. Kopaonik appears like a complete winter sports resort, with 22 tracks of an overall length of 60 km, including 4 black tracks, 6 reds and 11 blue and 4 tracks for children. In addition to the Alpine skiing, one can practice paragliding, snow-boarding, or spend quality time in fun-park for the half-pipe and excursions of “free ride”; alpinism, free-climbing and the walks in ski-safari to the highest tops. Of course, basic ski runways in the valleys, through splendid forests of fir trees and motor bike-ski in low altitude. In the summer, we suggest various activities like trekking, mountain-biking, horse-back riding, photo safari in the Jeep, rafting and paragliding in the large National park of Kopaonik.

 Stara planina

Stara planina, the biggest mountain in the Eastern Serbia, makes the natural border with Bulgaria. It is situated 70 km from Nis, 100 km from Zajecar and 330 km from Belgrade. The ski centre “Babin Zub,” on 1722 m above sea level, consists of three trails, recently constructed four seat lift with capacity of 1500 skiers per hour and ski-

lift anchor with a capacity 1200 skiers per hour. According to the plan Stara Planina would soon become one of the largest and most important ski centres in Serbia.

This belle is covered in snow for almost five months a year. Being between 1,100 and 1,900m high, it has excellent potential for the construction of long alpine skiing runs.

Babin Zub ski resort comprises runs in the following locations: Konjarnik, Suncana Dolina, and Markova Livada. 

Stara planina

Jabucko Raviste has the first gondola lift in Serbia. The eight seater gondola takes skiers from the hotel further to the chairlifts and runs. This part of the resort also has a four seater chairlift, and a ski lift, so that it is also connected with the part of the resort in Babin Zub. More than 13km of excellent runs, with various levels of difficulty, are prepared for skiers of all categories.



 Zlatibor

A vast plateau full of pine trees that get incredible golden glow in the sun’s rays makes Zlatibor one of the most beautiful mountains in Serbia. Serbian capital of mountain tourism, buzzing with tourists during the summer and during the winter alike, is located at an average elevation of 1,000m, and is surrounded by peaks Tornik (1.496m), Čigota (1.422m) and a number of lower ones.

Zlatibor

This mountain of great beauty is full of spacious clearings crisscrossed with mountain streams, which attract tourists from all over the world. Because of its distinctive climate and air currents that can only be found here, harmonious relationship between forested areas of pine, fir, spruce and vast meadows covered with colorful plants, clean air, clear water, a large number of sunny days, beautiful ski runs, Zlatibor has developed into a famous mountain tourist resort with the longest tradition in Serbia.

Tornik ski resort is located at an elevation of between 1,110 – 1,490m, 9 km from the tourist resort of Zlatibor. The total capacity of the ski area is about 5,400 skiers per hour. Tornik ski resort is equipped with a six seater chairlift, with the capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, two T-bar ski lifts with total capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour. Four runs, Cigota, Tornik, Ribnica and Zmajevac are covered by an artificial snowing system, so this ski resort no longer depends on weather conditions.

Goč 

Goč is an ideal place for skiing for beginners and children. Resting homes and a ski club are situated 920 m above the sea level.

Goč

There are two 300 m long ski tracks with 2 ski lifts for beginners and children. Close to the Dobre Vode Hotel there is a 1150 m long track followed by a one seat ski lift. On the half-way of the track there is an intermediate stop. The upper part of the track is gently inclined which is suitable for beginners, whereas the lowest part is quite steep. Five tracks, varying in length and inclination, are marked for Nordic skiing. 

Goč is situated 200 km away from Belgrade with two highways leading to it: from Kraljevo via Kamenica to the Dobre Vode peak and from Vrnjačka Banja to Strašinci.

 Divčibare

Divčibare

The town of Divčibare is situated 980 meters above sea level and has a mild climate, rich flora and fauna, abundance of streams and water as well as suitable terrain configuration. Nearby heights and gentle bends are covered with snow for at least 3 to 4 months per year. All this makes Divčibare equally attractive during both summers and winters. Crni vrh, a 850 meters long ski track with a two-seat ski lift with 1200 skiers an hour capacity, is also within its winter tourist offer. A spa resort can as well be found in the central part of Maljen mountain. As of this winter, skiers will be able to reach the longest ski track on the north slope of Crni Vrh using the two-seat ski lift. The starting point of the ski lift is at the Pepa Hotel. The track is 800 meters long and being well lit during nights, allows the luxury of night skiing. Three smaller ski tracks, up to 300 meters long, are located at the Zmaj Resort, at Stevan Filipović Resort on Golubac and at the Stražara height. Divčibare valley has excellent ski tracks for Nordic skiing.

Ski equipment can be rented and serviced in hotels and resorts and there is a ski school open every winter. Well maintained walk paths and mountain tracks are longer than one kilometer and it takes 30 to 45 minutes of leisure walk to cover the distance. All the tracks are visibly marked and their start is in the town centre going towards the mountain peaks Paljba (1.051 m), Velike pleći (1.037 m) i Crni vrh (1.096 m). Divčibare is an ideal place for rest and recreation. It is the right choice for families with children, for the people who would like to escape hectic city life and for those who would like to spend their holidays in peace and quiet.