Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is a beautiful experience for any nature lover and a must-see for birdwatchers! The park gathers some fifty thousand birds among the wonderful natural monuments it houses inside. As such, it provides the extraordinary opportunity to become part of another world. Getting a peek at these birds’ natural habitat as well as their behaviors is a rare treat, indeed.

Bird-watching 

Approximately 230 different species of birds populate the area spanning the four lagoons of Karavasta, Godulla, Godulla e Pishës, and Spiaxho. Among them, the most popular is the Dalmatian Pelican, a very rare and beautiful bird. The population residing in the Karavasta Lagoon represents about 5% of the entire global population of this particular species. As such, if you are in the vicinity of the lagoon, be on the lookout for these majestic creatures. The famous curly pelican, as well, is responsible for one of the most beautiful spectacles in the lagoon! Often, a massive flock of white and gray birds overtakes the lagoon. Their reflection is beautifully mirrored in the water as they fly over its surface!

Photo courtesy of Arian Mavriqi

Photo courtesy of Arian Mavriqi

Photo Courtesy by Arian Mavriqi

While at the beginning of the 20^th century, there were over 250 pelican pairs, the current number has fallen to about 53. In order to preserve these birds, hunting in the park grounds is strictly forbidden. Interestingly, this decision was taken following the acclaimed author Jonathan Franzen’s critique of the previous lax attitude on hunting in the area.

Photo Courtesy by Arian Mavriqi

To read more about bird-watching opportunities in Albania, click here.

More to see

Other species in the park include the wader, laurel, eagles, and wild ducks, among others. Yet, the area’s exotic birds and species are only one of the many reasons to visit this park. The entire area includes the lavish Divjaka pine forest, Kular Island, Divjaka Oasis Dunes, Pelicans’ Island, the Lagoon’s Littoral Cordon and the famous four-century-old pine tree, a truly wondrous sight. The lagoon waters are no less rich in flora and fauna than its land and air. Ox and eels are two fairly common sights.

Photo Courtesy by Arian Mavriqi

Photo Courtesy by Arian Mavriqi

For all the sea lovers, Divjaka beach is located only 1 km (0.7 mi) southwest of the park entrance. Its sand, extending across 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) near the pine forest, gives a warm welcome to all the  Adriatic Sea lovers. But, remember to bring your anti-mosquito spray with you! As beautiful as it all is, these pesky creatures are a slightly unpleasant part of the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Directions: Take the SH4 Durrës–Fier Highway until the roundabout of Cerma e Sipërme (38 kilometers/23 miles). Then, take the road to Divjaka for 17 kilometers (10 miles).