Regionalni park Mura - Drava

The Mura-Drava Regional Park stretches around the village of Csokonyavisonta in southern Hungary, right on the border with Croatia. It forms part of the Hungarian Danube-Drava National Park (Duna-Dráva Nemzeti Park), which covers the entire Hungarian stretch of the Drava River, and of the wider Mura-Drava-Danube UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — the world's first five-country biosphere reserve, joining Hungary, Austria, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia since 2021.

Where exactly is it?

Csokonyavisonta lies in Somogy county, north of the town of Barcs, close to the point where the Mura River joins the Drava near Szent Mihály Hill. The landscape here is wild and largely untouched, criss-crossed with oxbow lakes and floodplain forests. The Danube-Drava National Park itself was founded in 1996 and covers almost 50,000 hectares, of which more than 18,000 hectares are protected under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance.

What will you see?

The terrain is a textbook lowland river valley: broad channels, sandy bars, old meanders and floodplain woods. Right next to the village sits the Csokonyavisonta Wooded Pasture Nature Reserve, a roughly 440-hectare protected area declared in 1977, sitting on sand hummocks typical of the Inner Somogy region at 120–140 metres above sea level. It preserves centuries-old solitary oaks and acidophilic sandy grassland plant communities, including species such as the variegated crocus and the loose-flowered orchid. Birdwatchers can look out for black stork, black kite, white-tailed eagle, European honey buzzard and several woodpecker species that breed here, while the large copper butterfly is one of the reserve's notable insects. The Mura River itself, despite its modest size, hosts more than 50 recorded fish species, many of them protected.

How do you get around and what can you do?

The area is a natural base for canoe and kayak trips. The Danube-Drava National Park Directorate runs both single-day and multi-day paddling tours with camping along the Drava between Őrtilos and Drávaszabolcs, including the Somogy county section of the Mura. For those who prefer dry land, hiking and cycling routes follow the flood embankments and skirt the edges of the floodplain forests. The park directorate also organizes guided nature walks and educational programs focused on wildlife observation — this is a destination for travelers who enjoy quiet, close-up nature tourism rather than built-up resort infrastructure.

When should you visit?

Spring and early summer are the best months: river levels are favorable for paddling, and the floodplain forests are in full leaf, making it a strong season for birdwatching. Autumn works well for hikers, since cooler temperatures and lower humidity make longer riverside walks more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mura-Drava Regional Park a standalone national park? Not exactly — it is part of a larger whole: the Hungarian Danube-Drava National Park and the transboundary Mura-Drava-Danube UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which spans five Central European countries.

Can you go canoeing here without prior experience? Yes. The national park directorate organizes both one-day and multi-day guided tours suited to different skill levels, with camping available at designated sites along the route.

What is the area's biggest natural highlight? The confluence of the Mura and Drava rivers near Szent Mihály Hill — a wild, little-altered stretch of river valley rich in fish, waterfowl and wetland birds.

Is there anything to see in Csokonyavisonta besides the rivers? Yes. The Csokonyavisonta Wooded Pasture Nature Reserve, with its centuries-old solitary trees and protected sandy-grassland plants, is a worthwhile short stop alongside a visit to the river park.