Birding Trip Moldova (22 April – 2 May 2026)

My sister Hester and I went on a self-organized 11-day birding trip to Moldova in April 2026.
We started in the capital of Chisinau where we stayed for 2 nights. The following days were spent in the south of the country near Lake Belau. Then a drive north via Codru and Capariana to our lovely B&B Popas Regal in Cobani. Then via Saharna Monastery to the famous Orheiul Vechi and finally back to Chisinau.

Hereunder you will find our program and some information about the places we visited.

General
Officially the Republic of Moldova, this Eastern European country was part of Romania between 1918 and 1940. From 1940 to 1991, the country belonged to the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe. The country lies largely between the Prut and Dniester rivers and borders Romania and Ukraine. Moldova is about the size of the Netherlands.  The capital of Moldova is Chisinau. The Moldovan landscape is characterized by vast plains with numerous vineyards and, in the north, the largest caves in the world. While most of the country is hilly, elevations never exceed 1,500 feet, the highest point being the Bălănești Hill. Moldova also boasts many traditional villages.
Transnistria, the Eastern border region with Ukraine, has a special status. Transnistria, which is pro-Russia, has declared its independence, meaning the Moldovan authorities have no influence over this region. It seems that traveling here is quite safe these days, but we didn't go because of our tight itinerary and the uncertain situation in this part of the country.

Birding
Moldova is a largely rural country with important wetland corridors, floodplain forests and steppe remnant areas that support over 300 bird species and a variety of other wildlife — especially along the Prut and Dniester valleys.

Flight
Wed 22 Apr: AMS (15:40) - RMO (19:30) (02h 50min)
Sat 2 May: RMO (12:30) -  AMS (14:40) (03h 10min)
FlyOne - € 304 pp – including carry-on bags

Car Rental
SUV (Dacia Sandero Stepway) – 10 days – Euro 238,63 (Rental Company: FlizzR)

Currency
Moldova has the Moldovan Leu.
Leu 10 = Euro 0.50
Leu 100 = Euro 5,-
ATM’s are not very common outside Chisinau, so it is advisable to bring enough cash when travelling around the country.

Accommodation
Chisinau: Tulip Residence & Spa (22,23 April (Euro 161) + 1 May (Euro 80))
GPS: 46.992159, 28.837267
Văleni: Pensiunea La Gura Cuptorului (24,25,26 April (Euro 125). GPS: 45.636643, 28.174954
Pădurea Domnească Nature Reserve: Popas Regal (27,28 April (Euro 198)). GPS: 47.762410, 27.317722
Orheiul Vechi Cultural-Natural Reserve: Valea Stâncii (29,30 April (Euro 148)). GPS: 47.311712, 28.974135

Places of interest
Restaurant Fuior, Chisinau: One of the best restaurants in Chisinau. GPS: 47.024895, 28.836176. Booked for 23 April at 19:00 h.
Monastirea Curchi (60Km North of Chisinau): most beautiful monastery in Moldova: GPS: 47.334157, 28.654316
Cricova Winery: biggest underground wine cellar. GPS: 47.148012, 28.861389
Saharna (North-East): Lovely pelgrim village in the middle of nature (22 waterfalls) with the Holy Trinity Monastery: GPS: 47.694717, 28.966017
Capriana (25km North-West of Chisinau): One of the oldest monasteries in a forest area (GPS: 47.116261, 28.510351).
Flee Market Chisinau (best on Sunday): There are two around the train station: GPS: 47.012366, 28.858180.

Program
Wed 22-4  Flight Amsterdam (15:40) – Chisinau (19:30). Pick-up rental car (20:00). Night in Chisinau
Thu 23-4   Exploring & birding Chisinau + Valea Morilor Lake. Diner at Fuior. Night Chisinau
Fri 24-4     Drive to Lake Comrat & Lake Belau. Night at Văleni
Sat 25-4    Birding Lake Belau & Lake Manta. Night at Văleni
Sun 26-4   Birding Lake Belau, Lower Prut & Lake Manta. Night at Văleni
Mon 27-4  Drive to Codru, Visit Capriana Monastery. Afternoon birding at Plaiul Fagului. Night at Cobani
Tue 28-4   Birding Domnească. Night at Cobani
Wed 29-4  Drive to Costești-Stânca Reservoir. Visit  Saharna. Night at Valea Stâncii
Thu 30-4   Drive to & birding Orheiul Vechi. Visit to Curchi Monastery. Night at Valea Stâncii
Fri 1-5       Birding Orheiul Vechi. Drive to Chisinau. Night in Chisinau
Sat 2-5      Return rental car (11:00). Flight Chisinau (12:30) – Amsterdam (14:40)

Distances
Chisinau – Văleni: 206km (3 hours)

Top Birding Areas

1) Chișinău
Chisinau is a very green village with a lot of wild birds - best places being Dendrarium Park, Gradina Botanica and Valea Trandafirilor.
Valea Trandafirilor (Rose Valley) (GPS: 47.001078, 28.851290)
Valea Trandafirilor is an urban park including the remains of an ancient Slavonic sanctuary. The central section of the park is decorated with several lakes covering nine hectares. This park was close to our hotel so we visited it twice.
Dendrarium Park (GPS: 47.031286, 28.807842)
This park is a premier, 83-hectare urban birding destination, offering a mix of mature woodland, landscaped gardens, and small ponds that host a diverse range of birds. It is considered one of the best locations in the city for a relaxing birding walk, often featuring singing birds and squirrels. However, we couldn’t find time to go here.
Gradina Botanica (Chisinau Botanical Garden) (GPS: 46.976349, 28.877661)
The Botanical Garden spans over 100 hectares and serves both as a center for botanical research and conservation and as a public park, featuring specialized zones such as a dendrarium, rose garden, rock garden, and several lakes. We did not visit the botanical garden due to lack of time.
Valea Morilor Lake (Chișinău) GPS: 47.018617, 28.819246
Urban lake with surrounding woodland and reed edges. There are walking paths around the lake and inside the surrounding woods. You may see here: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Blackbird, Nuthatches and seasonal waterfowl — good for easy birding without leaving the city. We didn’t see much here because it was very windy when we visited this area.

2) Lake Comrat
GPS: 46.325963, 28.669321. 80km south of Chisinau, in the autonomous region of Gagauzia.
Small lake with swamps south of the dam. Breeding Bluethroats, sometimes Sakers hunting the spotted sousliks, and many, many more. One of the best birding places in Moldova.

3) Lake Manta
GPS: 45.833693, 28.167888. 15km North of Lake Beleu. Lots of birds here. Just park near the old building and walk around.

4) Lake Beleu (Lower Prut)
Location: Cahul region (within Lower Prut area); 204 km south east of Chisinau. Park here: GPS: 45.586499, 28.152425 (near Birdwatching tower). For the past few years, a ringing station (with tents) has been set up here for two weeks in April (GPS: 45.605953, 28.121569), which we were able to visit. The road up to this grassy field is great for birding.
Habitat: Large shallow lake with extensive reedbeds, mudflats and floodplain grasslands.
Birds & Wildlife: ~170 species documented — Common Kingfisher, Thrush-Nightingale, Grey-faced Woodpecker, Squacco Heron, Great Reed Warbler, Western Marsh Harrier, White-winged Tern etc. Otters and possibly European mink may also be observed.
Best for: Migration birding and observes a mix of waterbirds and grassland species.

5) Lower Prut (Prutul de Jos) Biosphere Reserve
Location: South-western Moldova, around Slobozia Mare / Cahul. Same as Lake Beleu.
Habitat: Floodplain wetlands, shallow lakes, river channels and reedbeds.
Birds & Wildlife: Over 240 bird species recorded here including pelicans, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Western Marsh Harrier and many ducks, waders, gulls and herons. Common pelicans also nest here in large numbers.
Why visit: This is Moldova’s richest birding area and prime wetland bird habitat — especially good in spring and autumn migration.
Best place to see Isabelline Wheatear: GPS: 45.597318, 28.189666).

6) Codru Forest Reserve
Location: Central Moldova, near Strășeni. GPS: 47.045834, 28.567629.
Habitat: Mature broadleaf forests — the largest remaining contiguous woodland in the country.
Birds & Wildlife: Over 50 mammal species and many forest birds such as woodpeckers, owl species, hawks and small passerines. Rare birds like Black Stork and Eagle Owl breed here too.
Good for: Forest birding and larger mammals.

7) Pădurea Plaiul Fagului (Plaiul Fagului Forest)
GPS: 47.294782, 28.030984. Plaiul Fagului Reservation is a stunning natural sanctuary amidst rolling hills and expansive forests. The landscape is diverse, featuring lush meadows, dense beech forests, and tranquil streams, all teeming with wildlife. The area is well-maintained with marked trails that allow for leisurely walks or more challenging hikes.

8) Pădurea Domnească Nature Reserve (Domnească Forest )
Location: Glodeni district along the Prut River (northwest), near Romanian border. GPS: 47.614502, 27.405265. It is a beautiful area where reintroduced European bison are kept in a fenced enclosure that you can walk around. We managed to spot nine different individuals amidst the dense undergrowth.
Habitat: Floodplain forest, swampy woods and meadows.
Birds & Wildlife: More than 150 bird species; important area for storks, herons, lesser spotted eagle and honey buzzard.
Other wildlife: Deer, wild boar, foxes and diverse mammals and reptiles in forested areas.

9) Costești-Stânca Reservoir
GPS: 47.836206, 27.221409. This reservoir is a lake with an area of 59 square km, located on the Prut river at the border between the Republic of Moldova and Romania. It has a dam that is located between Costeşti (Moldova) and Stânca (Romania). Not too much birds around, but it is lovely to walk around the lake.

10) Orheiul Vechi Cultural-Natural Reserve
Location: Central Moldova (east of Chișinău). GPS: 47.322998, 28.960594. This reserve is part of an archeological complex with monasteries, fortifications, ruins and caves.
Habitat: River valley, floodplain, forests and rocky cliffs around the Răut River. The reserve is part of the Orhei National Park.
Birds & Wildlife: Around 100 nesting bird species covering wetland, woodland and farmland habitats. You can see many woodland and open-country birds here.
Also here: Wild fauna like roe deer, small mammals, and scenic limestone features make this a striking nature + history stop.