The Kızılırmak Delta, also called the Bafra Plain , is a natural wonder with a fascinating location right where Kızılırmak flows into the Black Sea.
This region, which is also referred to as the wetlands and delta plain complex , is located within the borders of Samsun province and shares its borders with the districts of Bafra , Ondokuz Mayıs and Alaçam .
We have compiled all the information about the Kızılırmak Delta, which is one of the largest deltas in Turkey and covers an area of 56 thousand hectares :
General Information About the Kızılırmak Delta
11,600 hectares of the 56 thousand hectares of land it covers in total consists of wetland ecosystems.
What makes the Kızılırmak Delta interesting, which hosts countless different natural habitats such as fresh and salty marshes , open water surfaces , coastal dunes , beaches , flooded forest , pasture , forest , meadow , reed , broad -leaved forests , river , lake and sea . The other feature is that it was declared as “ waterfowl habitat ” in 1994 .
The delta, which has all the characteristics of Samsun in terms of climate, has a temperate climate in general. While summers are hot and dry, winters are warm and rainy. Fish Lake, Uzun Lake, Gıcı Lake, Tatlı Lake, Altınlı Lake, Paralı Lake, Cernek Lake, Liman Lake, Tuzlu Lake and Sülüklü Lake located on the eastern coast of the delta; Karaboğaz Lake and Mülk Lake on the west coast are also worth seeing. There are 355 plant species in the Kızılırmak Delta, which has a rich flora and fauna.
Kizilirmak Delta Bird Sanctuary
Kizilirmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, which is a waterfowl habitat , is home to 465 different bird species . It is highly probable that you will come across small cormorants , pike -tails , small egrets , white terns and small gulls during migration in the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, which corresponds to approximately 76% of Turkey, where 465 bird species have been seen so far .
Some of the important bird species that breed in the Kızılırmak Delta, where 50 thousand to 100 thousand waterfowl live in winter , are red heron , gray duck , black stork, apple – head stork , Hungarian duck , big goose , reed rooster , swamp swallow, crane, small forest eagle , pasbas . patka and spinning wheel .
The Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary, which has its name written on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Tentative List , also contributes significantly to Samsun’s tourism.
There are 2 Bird Watching Towers , Management Center, Visitor Center and Image Observation Center in the Bird Sanctuary in the Kızılırmak Delta, which is formed by the alluviums carried by the Kızılırmak River . In addition, there is a sales section where you can buy souvenirs.
Some of the other bird species seen in Bird Sanctuary, where 15 of 24 endangered bird species are found all over the world, are as follows:
- Little Kestrel
- tarda
- Sea Eagle
- King Eagle
- vertical tail
- Al-Necked Goose
- Dwarf Cormorant
- Crested Pelican
- Black Stork
- Stork
- Crane
- Duck Yagmurcan
- Heron
Activities to Do in the Kızılırmak Delta
The Kızılırmak Delta, where reed farming , fishing , animal husbandry , agriculture and hunting are very popular, is known as the place that has best preserved the nature of the Black Sea Region. As it is, the activities to be done in the natural habitats in the delta are quite diverse.
You can also participate in trekking and hiking activities, especially bird watching and photography . In addition, large-scale events with high participation are organized in certain periods.
Undoubtedly, camping will be the most enjoyable nature activity that can be done in the Kizilirmak Delta Bird Sanctuary .
Food and Drink in the Kızılırmak Delta
You can taste the most delicious dishes of the Black Sea cuisine in Samsun , one of the most modern cities of the Black Sea . But, especially for those who want to taste the specialties of this region, we recommend that they start with nokul , wrap with broad beans , Bafra / Samsun pita (also known as Black Sea pita), goose pilaf , Oymaağaç kebab , corn soup , haluçka , katik stretched and pickled pickles .
Among the best and quality eating places in the region are Çalıkuşu and Beyaz Ev in Samsun Çiftlik Mahallesi, Öz Terme Pide Saloon on Cumhuriyet Street , Muhtar’s Place on Samsun-Ankara Road İnanç Menemen Çakallı, Samsun Pidecisi Nuri Usta in Karadeniz District , Pamuk Kardesler Fish Restaurant and Fevzi’s Place Gourmet Fish Restaurant in Batıpark , Meat Workshop in Cumhuriyet Mahallesi , Chef Grill & Steakhouse in Mimar Sinan District and Gülhan Restaurant on Samsun-Bafra highway are located .
Accommodation in the Kızılırmak Delta
In addition to being an economical accommodation option, camping is an indispensable activity for the region, which also allows you to enjoy this untouched nature in the best possible way .
You can reach the most beautiful spots where you can set up your camping tent by setting off from the town center of Bafra and passing through the villages in the Bird Paradise.
So much so that at certain times of the year, you can follow the nature camp activities and activities in the Kizilirmak Delta Bird Sanctuary.
Those who do not want to stay in or around the delta can choose the hotels in the town center of Bafra. Thanks to early booking, you can make your stay in Bafra more economical.
How to Get to the Kızılırmak Delta ?
Getting to the Kızılırmak Delta, which is 30 km away from Samsun city center, is actually quite easy.
Those who want to go to Kızılırmak Delta, which you can easily reach from Bafra district center, by public transport should go to the bus and minibus stops in Ondokuz Mayıs or Bafra district centers.
Another transportation method to the Kızılırmak Delta, which you can easily reach with your private vehicle, is car rental services.
In the delta, you can enjoy nature to the fullest by cycling or walking.
The distance of the Kızılırmak Delta Bird Sanctuary to the surrounding provinces and districts:
- Bird Sanctuary – Bafra town center: 18 km
- Bird Paradise – Samsun city center: 61 km
- Bird Sanctuary – Ondokuz Mayıs: 24 km
- Bird Sanctuary – Alaçam: 47 km
- Bird Sanctuary – Atakum: 67 km
- It is 1100 km from Izmir, 539 km from Istanbul and 148 km from Ankara.
