Lake Bafa

Antique temples and ruins, Byzantine monasteries, defences from the middle-ages and a uniquely beautiful landscape typify the Turkish Aegean. Colourful oriental markets with friendly people provide the setting for an interesting cultural and walking vacation.
Our holiday resort lies on the picturesque shores of Lake Bafa, in the midst of a rich landscape and far away from the tourist crowds. The lake, once the Gulf of Herakleia, is surrounded by green, forested hills and olive groves.
The wild, craggy Latmos mountains tower to the north and east – home of the ancient myth of Endymion and the Moon goddess Selene.
The earliest prehistoric cliff paintings in western Asia Minor and carved stone evidence from Carian, Greek-Hellenic and Byzantine times are to be found here. Painted caves and monastery ruins remind us of early Christian settlements. The clear, starry night sky to the south is impressive and in the spring there is a wealth of beautiful wild orchids and anemonies to admire.
Our holiday resort on Lake Bafa is an ideal starting point for excursions to famous historical sites, for walks around the lake, in the mountains or along the Aegean coast and for trips to visit the colourful local markets.

Holiday Resort Lake Bafa

Run on an environmentally friendly basis and integrated into the local social framework, our holiday resort on Lake Bafa has practised “eco-tourism” since 1985. Not only have we been commended in the press, on radio and television but we have also been awarded a WWF Environmental Prize.

board & lodging

Birding Lake Bafa

You will stay in our own private holiday resort, in a small chalet of local architecture situated amongst the olive groves on the shore of Lake Bafa with a wonderful view of the mountains. Here you are close to the wetlands of the Great Meander and the picturesque rocky region of the Besparmak Mountains (1360 meters) as well as the ancient towns of Herakleia and Latmos. The bird species found at Lake Bafa varies according to the time of year.Habitats are White-tailed Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Dalmatian Pelican, Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorant, Ruddy Shelduck, Chukar Partridge, Little Owl, Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Eagle Owl, Krueper’s Nuthatch, Western Rock Nuthatch, Sombre Tit, European Penduline Tit, Cetti’s Warbler, Wood Lark as well as Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Smyrna Kingfisher.
From March till May you will find interes-ting varieties i.e. Cinereous Bunting, Cretzschmar’s Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Schrike, Olive-tree Warblers, Rufous Scrub Robin, Eurasian Scopos Owl, European Bee-eater, European Roller, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Lesser Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, White Stork, Blue Rock Thrush. In winter and during the migration times there are numerous ducks and various sandpipers, Great Spotted Eagle, Short-eared Owl, Merlin.

Ornitour Lake Bafa

Climate and Vegetation

Lake Bafa lies at sea level and in winter the temperature never falls below 0°C. Consequently, tender plants such as eucalyptus and bougainvillea grow here quite happily. When the first rains fall in November, wild flowers such as friar’s cowl, corncockle and cyclamen begin to flower.
Until March it can be cool, but sometimes also warm and sunny. January is the wildest, wettest month and rainfall between November and March is mostly of short duration but sometimes heavy. It seldom rains in April and May and from June until October it remains mostly dry. The hottest time of the year is from mid-July until mid-August.