Why is Uvac Serbia a must-see, you might ask?
Well, picture the following scenery in your head. You are standing on the 100-meter-high observation deck on a cliff with an altitude that ranges from 760 to 1,322 meters. The air is so fresh it makes you dizzy while your eyes soak up all the greenery surrounding you.
Given that you climbed up here on foot, you are offered rakija, a traditional drink, as a form of welcome – but also to recuperate.
You take a couple of more steps and gaze around… And this is what emerges from the Uvac Canyon abys! The river is curving through the mountain range cutting it in two and thus creating – one of the best-known views in all the Balkans!
NATURE IN SERBIA
Even visitors who don’t know much about the country, have probably heard about nature in Serbia. There are 463 protected natural areas in this small state, 5 national parks, 16 nature parks, 67 nature reserves, etc. A total of 6% of the territory is under some kind of protection because of its maintained natural ecosystems and vivid landscapes.
And what if we tell you that all that nature is to be found in an area that is about 60% the size of New York? You heard it right. The whole country is approximately 80,000 square km. That makes it easy to go around and to get from one place to another in no time.
Having said that, let us take you back to this jewel of nature in Serbia.
UVAC SPECIAL NATURE RESERVE
Uvac Special Nature Reserve, the second largest of its kind in Europe, is the reason why Uvac Serbia is so popular among nature lovers. Located in western Serbia and surrounded by mountains, it spreads over 7,500 hectares. Even though the Reserve is well known for its caves because of the special soil qualities, which are still mostly unspoiled, the breathtaking views of the river meanders are the thing that allures most tourists.
The two observation decks called Veliki vrh (Great Peak) and Molitva (Prayer) can be reached on foot. Visitors usually take long walks through the lavish greenery or a boat ride that will bring them beneath the cliff with the viewpoint. Expect some steep goat trails to follow before reaching the top. But what a rewarding view is waiting for you up there!
Another interesting fact about the Reserve: it is home to 130 bird species – griffon vulture among others.
GRIFFON VULTURE
Why is griffon vulture so fascinating? The species was almost extinct in this part of Europe before Uvac Special Nature Reserve started to address the issue.
When you see the bird with huge wings that range up to 3 meters, cruising the sky above and shielding the sun – don’t worry, it’s not the rakija effect starting to kick in. It’s the griffon vulture!
This bird can cover long distances and fly as high as 12,000 meters (just like an airplane). On occasion the griffon vulture has flown from Serbia to Greece, Israel and it has even taken a 35,000 km trip over Yemen.
Griffon vultures never attack people given that it feeds on dead animal flesh. And it can absorb almost any disease or poison it swallows, without damaging its health. It is known to be able to absorb even anthrax.
Uvac Special Nature Reserve started with about 10 birds and now proudly looks after more than 600. It’s possible to see two other restored species in Uvac Serbia – the Monk’s Vulture and the so-called Egyptian Eagle. These species feed on dead animal bones, practically leftovers after a griffon vulture’s meal, which is extremely important when it comes to restoring a healthy environment.
UVAC CANYON
Once you see the Uvac Canyon, no other view will be quite sufficient or good enough. The landscape is beautiful whether from the clifftop or the riverboat. Mild hills that surround the Uvac Canyon are perfect for taking walks or trying some delicious Serbian food with accommodation owners.