Countryside experiences on horseback - Count Kálnoky’s Transilvanian Equestrian Center

🌿 Are you looking for a peaceful place where your children can discover the simple joys of country life? We warmly welcome you to Rudi’s mini farm! 🐐 🐑🐰 Here, time slows down, and you and your little ones can enjoy an authentic experience, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can feed and pet the animals, relax in the fresh air, and discover a charming place where playful goats, fluffy bunnies, and other friendly animals bring you smiles and unforgettable moments as you spend quality time together and create beautiful memories with your loved ones. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🎟️ The entrance fee is 20 lei, and children under 3 years of age get in for free. 📍 We look forward to seeing you in Chichiș, at Rudi’s Mini Farm - the place where childhood comes to life! 💚 📸 Bugja Rudolf

🐴 We recommend the Horse Lovers Riding School in Chiuruș not only for riders, but also for those who want to relax actively or get away from the noise of the world for a few hours. It is also the perfect place for families with children. In addition to horseback riding, you can enjoy craft activities, the traditional hat making of Chiuruș, archery, face painting and an outdoor cinema. Protective equipment for riding is provided on site (helmet, back protector). 📌Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 17:00, with prior arrangement. For children and beginners the recommended riding time is 30 minutes; for adults and advanced riders the recommended riding time is 60 minutes. Horseback riding on the terrain lasts approx. 1-1.5 hours. 

🦌🐗 The journey into the world of mouflons, red deers, fallow deers and wild boars starts from the Saciova Hills guesthouse in the early evening, when the feeding takes place. Here the animals live in their natural habitat. You will be taken to the wildlife park by horse-drawn carriage - another special experience, especially for children. Finish the evening with a gourmet wild game meal at Saciova Hills! 📍 Location: Saciova - the wildlife park of Saciova Hills ⌛ Duration: 2-2.5 hours ❗️ An appointment is required 24 hours in advance of your visit! A group is formed of min. 4 pax. 📸 Saciova Hills

☀️ The Ostrich Garden in Întorsura Buzăului is an ostrich farm, being a great place for nature lovers and for those who want to learn more about these fascinating birds. Here, visitors can admire ostriches of all ages, from week-old chicks to breeding families. Ostriches are the largest birds in the world, unable to fly but can reach impressive speeds when running. These birds are known for their large eggs and their skins used to make clothing. 🎨 For the little ones, the Ostrich Garden offers a special activity, the painting workshop. Children can paint ostrich eggshells in the company of ostriches while learning more about these wonderful creatures. The location is open daily, so visitors can spend plenty of time discovering all the secrets of ostriches.  This farm is an educational and fun experience for the whole family, offering the opportunity to spend time in nature and learn more about these fantastic birds. We look forward to seeing you! 🧡

Kormos Residence was one of the villas of the dictator, who was also notorious for his hunting. It is no wonder that the Cormoș Valley from Filia also offers bear watching among its programs. This is a real adventure at the foot of Southern Harghita mountains. You can set off on a journey of discovery led by a qualified forester. On the edge of the quiet forest clearing, there is a small hut that provides adequate security for watching the true masters of the wilderness. The experience affects all your senses and the moment will be inscribed in your unforgettable memories… The Cormoș bear watching is a special encounter with nature that you will take with you forever!

Zonda equestrian centre is located 15 km from Târgu Secuiesc, in Valea Scurtă and it is an ideal place for horse riding – and not only for professional riders. Beside the riding programs, there are also rooms for rent, where guests can participate in family or team building activities. 

Count Mikes Stud Learn how to ride or join a horseback tour on the Estate. The Count Mikes Stud Farm awaits its visitors to enhance body and mind with a replenishing ride. The horse stud existed since the late 17th century since Mihály MIKES. As a curiosity the Empress Elisabeth of Russia brought 28 Transylvanian horses in 1758 in order to create a stud in St. Petersburg. During WW I. in 1917 the horses were moved for protection towards today's Austrian border. Count Ármin MIKES had his horses racing in Vienna in 1918 with the family colours yellow and red. In 2018 English thoroughbred and Szekler mares where bought and are being crossbred with Arabs to re-establish the former renowned breed. • Horseback lessons in paddock  • Guided cross-country riding  • Kid's ride  • Multi occasion ticket  Cross Country Riding Tours 1.   To Aratás plateau and back Itinerary: Estate - Aratás plateau– Gelence (village) – Estate Length: 4-5h Maximum no. of participants: 4 persons, weight limit 85 Kg Difficulty: advanced (good handle of horse) Meal plan: picnic basket Optionals: cultural visit at the 13th century Saint Emeric church at Gelence Recommended equipment: raincoat, long trousers, boots. Protective gear is provided for you by Stud Farm. Description: You will be travelling on the back of Vidám, Fickó, Laci or Sári following the side-ridge road towards the top of the Estate’s forest. On your ride in the conservation area – a beautiful deciduous forest – you will pass the Wolfe hole and our oldest bear watch area. You have all the chances to spot deer on your way into the wild. Almost at the top there is our fascinating Hanging Terrace from where you have superb view on the Carpathians (even as far as the Fogaras Mountains). Finally, you’ll arrive to the highest point of your trip, the Aratás plateau (1100m alt.), from where you will be heading North. Eastwards, all the ridges of the Curve of the Mountains will be seen. This used to be the boundary of Europe for about 1000 years and the end of Christian world. To the west you can take a glimpse of Gelence to where you will be heading. Gelence is the home of the world-famous Saint Emeric church with all the murals from the middle age. Pursuing the line of the forest you will get back to the Estate.  2.   On the trails of the 19th century Mikes Stud Itinerary: Estate - Aratás plateau– Jakabhavas – Kovászna – Hankó valley – Estate Length: 7-8h Maximum no. of participants: 4 persons, weight limit 85 Kg Difficulty: advanced (good handle of horse) Meal plan: picnic basket Recommended equipment: raincoat, long trousers, boots. Protective gear is provided for you by Stud Farm. Description: The 4 Szekler horses, Vidám, Fickó, Laci or Sári are the reproduction of the old bloodline bread by count Ármin Mikes in the old times. Back then, the Summer pastures of the Stud was Jakabhavas (alpine area of the Carpathian Curve) where lush grass, clean water and terrain to train was at hand to breed strong and agile equine.  On your rout you will be heading towards the crest passing the bear hide and the Hanging Terrace of the Estate. Once at 1100m alt. you will turn South-East into the wilderness to reach Jakabhavas. On the way the whole geographical basin will open in front of you. In the old times the logged timber has been moved into the valley by narrow gauge railway. The last tracks are still to be seen. When replenished by nature, the trail slopes down to Kovászna (one of the most well-known spa places of Romania based on Co2 exhalations and fizzy mineral water) from where you shortly get back to Zabola.

 …we built a hut for humans to see the bears in their natural habitat.  The Carpathians in Romania give home to over 45% of Europe's bear population. Over the centuries Transylvanian people lived with the bear in a certain balance.  Nowadays the bear is still very much there, he uses The Wild Carpathians as his habitat. We created an access where we can take part in moments of his life.  We are upkeeping two different Bear Watchings, one in Zabola directly connected to the castle park and one in Bükszád, one hour-drive away from Zabola.  The bear watching program lasts about 3-4 hours, it costs 120 euro/2 pax, any additional person is charged with 15 euro (up to 9 people). Transport, camp fire and drinks included. 

Hungarians have a saying that "The bear is not a toy". Well, it's true. Even if bears sometimes look friendly and playful, they are wild animals, so it is strictly forbidden to make selfies with them! Fortunately, there is the possibility to observe them in their natural habitat, even more, we can photograph them.  The wildlife observatory was designed by the world-wide-known wildlife photographer, Bence Máté, to provide the possibility for nature lovers to enjoy the closeness of bears without anybody being hurt (neither the man, nor the animal). - location: near by the Saint Anne Lake, walking distance 400 m  - pre-registration: required  - designed for: wild life photographers, tourists  - seasonal: open all year  - duration: 2-2,5 hours (2 hours before sunset)  - nr. of seats: 45  - photo consitions: great  - comfort: great  - recommended photo lens: 200-500 mm  - recommended clothing: according to season, dark top, rain jacket  - price: 140 lei/pax (with money-back guarantee in case you have not seen any bear)