Freshen up with the stunning beauty of Acarlar Delta
by İklim Arsiya
Jan 01, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by İklim Arsiya
Jan 01, 2015 12:00 am
Acarlar Delta is Turkey's biggest and one of the most beautiful delta which located in northern Sakarya, between the Karasu and Kaynarca counties. It is a 7.5-kilometer-long and has long been the subject of attention and touristic interest. With its gorgeous natural environment, and an abundance of endemic plants and animals, this natural wonder is a breath of fresh air.
In terms of wildlife habitat and natural characteristics, Acarlar Delta is a rare natural beauty in Turkey. In 1998, the wetlands was designated a first-degree natural protected area, and there have been major efforts to preserve the beautiful forest, even with the large number of daily visitors. The delta is a great attraction for foreign visitors as well, not only because of its calm and stunning scenery, but because of the wooden walkways which crisscross the delta and connect the amazing picnic areas.
The Acarlar Delta is a rare natural beauty where sea, lake, sand dune and forest ecosystems come together to create a phenomenal environment that must be seen. The wetlands is most popular for its facile water violets which can be seen floating on top of calm waters. These water violets can only be seen in the Acarlar Delta area in Turkey, as they are rare and can only exist in certain ecosystems. With its rich plant flora and almost 200 different bird species that migrate to the area, the delta is a wonderland with its biodiversity. There are over 2,500 plant species that can only be found here, such as the lake onion, the marsh fern, the water earring, the white water lily and the bur marigold. The lake onion is a plant that the villagers who live in the area use as a medicinal plant.
There is so much to do and so much to see when you visit the Acarlar Delta. Visitors can see the amazing wildlife while riding the pedal boats, or join the hourly tours around the delta. There are numerous endemic trees, birds, fish and even surprises like wild blue ducks that leave you at loss for words!
After walking around and seeing all of the beauties of the longoz, it's time to eat! There is a small food-court style hut, overlooking the delta, where you can get a bite to eat, as well as resting while still enjoying the view. Visitors generally come for the day, but if you wish to stay for longer, there are hostel-type accommodation options to consider.
The Lotus Festival
A new tradition is coming into being at the annual Lotus Festival held at the Acarlar Longoz. There have been only two festivals organized so far, but it is hoped that the tradition will continue in the future. The event was mainly organized by the governor of the Sakarya Municipality, Mustafa Büyük, and the vice-governor, Adem Saçan. The citizens that attended the festival danced the "horon," a traditional folk dance particular to the Black Sea region in Turkey, held mud races in the delta, and also cruised around the wetlands in pedal and rowing boats. There were also special tours around the marsh, with information about the rare endemic species that dwell around the floodplain forest.
The governor also stated during the festival that their main focus and aim for such gatherings are to raise awareness about the Acarlar Delta and its natural beauty. He also stated that preserving the condition of delta is critical, and visitors must be extra cautious about placing their garbage and other belongings in the garbage bins located in certain areas.
Another beauty, the İğneada Delta
Besides the Acarlar Delta, there is another natural beauty that must be seen in Turkey, and that is the İğneada Delta in Kırklareli. With over 544 different plant species, 20 fish and 219 different bird species, this wetland forms an extremely rich ecosystem that is one of the biggest and most beautiful national parks in Turkey. In this region, you can find both salt and freshwater lakes, coastal dunes, marshes and mixed forests that are sure to leave an impression. The İğneada Delta is best known for its rare green woodpecker. This special bird is only seen in the İğneada region, and is just one of the rare species you can find when exploring the forests. The wetlands is also an important point for migrating birds in autumn and spring.
There are many places you can stay when visiting the İğneada Delta. One of them is the İğneada Resort, which is a five-star resort right on the sea with a spectacular view. There are many affordable tours you can go on to see the natural beauty of the delta, as well as a full week-long vacation. Whichever place you choose, make sure you don't miss out on an amazing wild life experience.
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