Rewilding efforts are enhancing the remarkable biodiversity of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. Helping nature-positive businesses in the landscape turn ecological wins into memorable visitor experiences can lead to a more promising future for local communities and amplify the resurgence of wildlife.
Georgy Kurtev
Strengthen nature tourism
With its breathtaking landscapes and spectacular biodiversity, Bulgaria Rhodope Mountains Has huge potential for nature-based tourism – a potential that is growing rapidly rewilding efforts Depend on Rewilding Rhodope The team drives nature restoration and wildlife revitalization. However, the expansion of this type of tourism is currently limited by a lack of tourism products and tourist accommodation.
40,000 euro loan Rebuilding European Capital The Rebuilding European Enterprise Lending Facility will help drive positive change in the region. It will allow Marin Kurtev, owner of the nature tourism company nature mazarovoconvert the existing property into a guesthouse for up to 12 visitors, renovate several wildlife habitats and purchase new boats for kayaking trips along the Alda River.
Staffan Widstrand/Rewilding Europe
common prosperity
As Marin's business grows, creating more local jobs will help Nature and humans thrive together The Rhodope Mountains continued to grow in size.
“My goal is for Mazarovo Nature Park to be a showcase of how tourism supports nature restoration and rural development,” he explains. “By expanding our wildlife and adventure offerings, enhancing our accommodation services and developing educational and cultural programs to connect visitors more closely with local nature and communities, we can make the region a thriving hub for sustainable tourism.”
Staffan Widstrand/Rewilding Europe
Reconnect people and nature
Nature Madzharovo is located in the small town of Madzharovo in southeastern Bulgaria, on the banks of the Arda River. Cooperate with Rewilding Rhodope team, the business offers a wide range of activities in the wild landscape of the Rhodope Mountains – including adventure tours, Kayaking and rafting, bird watchingand wildlife photography.
The opening of the new guesthouse will attract more tourists to Rhodope, help Nature Madzharovo meet growing demand for seasonal accommodation, and introduce more people to the wild beauty of the area. The expansion will strengthen the local economy and allow Marin to hire at least two additional team members. Local builders and craftsmen will be involved in the refurbishment, further supporting livelihoods and skills within the community.
Rewilding Europe Capital's loan will also help Nature Madzharovo enhance its popular wildlife viewing sites, giving visitors the opportunity to observe and photograph some of the Rhodope Mountains' most iconic species. In addition to refurbishing existing hides, where lucky visitors may see eagles, bald eagles and wolves, the funding will support the construction of new hides for viewing other species such as waterfowl and songbirds. Rewilding Europe regularly features stunning wildlife images captured by Malin and his son George, many captured from these hides, to showcase the extraordinary biodiversity of Eastern Europe.
Immersive wildlife experience
The new hotel in Nature Madzharovo will be more than just a place to stay. It will be a gateway for an immersive journey through the landscape, showcasing the beneficial impacts of rewilding and nature-positive tourism.
The Nature Madzharovo team has a long-standing relationship with the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation and has collaborated on many occasions – from supporting construction Gray vulture's aviary Mentoring activities and other joint initiatives. The business has also helped increase griffon populations through supplementary feeding and provided Hiking in search of the Conic Horsereintroduced by the Rewilding Rhodopes team to enhance natural grazing.
“We offer authentic, nature-based experiences in one of Europe’s wildest and most beautiful regions,” says Marin Kurtev. “Our activities combine adventure, wildlife and cultural exploration, guided by local experts with in-depth knowledge of the area. By choosing us, visitors can enjoy a range of unforgettable experiences while also supporting local livelihoods and natural recovery.”
“By choosing us, visitors can enjoy a range of unforgettable experiences while also supporting local livelihoods and nature recovery.”
Emerging biodiversity hotspots
With its relatively unspoiled landscape, rich habitat diversity and low levels of human disturbance, the Eastern Rhodope region is a haven for wildlife and one of Europe's most popular birding hotspots. Ongoing rewilding efforts have seen cornerstone Herbivores such as Red deer and fallow deer, european bisonand mustang Once released, it will bring benefits to local carnivores such as wolves and scavengers such as vultures. The area is a A prosperous group of griffins It is also important habitat for the globally threatened Egyptian vulture, which is currently being reintroduced.
Mazarovo, once known for its thriving mining industry, now relies mainly on small-scale farming. However, nature-based tourism has huge potential to play a more important economic role, Vulture conservation efforts have revitalized the town. The partnership between Nature Madzharovo and Rewilding Rhodopes is creating new revenue opportunities, supporting nature restoration and fostering a new sense of pride in local communities.
Nature Madzharovo intends to be one of the first companies to join the Eastern Rhodope wild placenew travel booking platform Launched this summer by Rewilding Europe. This will see the company become part of a growing network of wildlife tour providers across Europe. The network and platform aim to drive growth in wildlife tourism by providing nature-loving travelers with meaningful, impactful experiences in wild landscapes.
Invest in a brighter future
Nature Madzharovo is passionate about sharing the beauty and diversity of Eastern Rhodope while protecting and enhancing the wild nature on which our business depends. With the support of Rewilding Europe Capital, Marin and his team are investing in the region's natural environment and people, bringing hope for a brighter future for all.
“We are very pleased to be working with Nature Madzharovo as the company already has a track record of delivering positive impact on nature and local communities, and this impact will continue to grow,” said Daniel Veríssimo, European wildlife conservation financing expert.
“At Rewilding Europe Capital we want to invest in new and existing businesses that enhance the impact of rewilding across Europe – both on land and at sea. If you own or know of a business that you think would benefit from working with us, or if you would like to find out more please contact me“.
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