Kis-Balaton (Small Balaton)

One of the most interesting landscapes in the tapering southwestern corner of Balaton is Kis-Balaton. This exceptional wetland habitat is a nature conservation area and was once the bay of the lake, before Zala River gradually filled it up with debris. So the Kis-Balaton became one of the country's largest marshes, from which only an island emerges.
Inner areas covered by water, under high protection, can only be visited on a specific route by bus in an organized form. In the Kis-Balaton House in Zalavár, visitors are informed about the history and the future of Kis-Balaton and its surroundings; discover the functioning of the Water Protection System, its role in the water quality of Lake Balaton and the unique flora and fauna of the particularly protected nature conservation area. Starting from the Kis-Balaton House, a part of Lake Hídvég can also be visited by bike until as far as the side-road of Zalavár Balatonmagyaród, where you can enjoy the beauties of nature and the piece. The Excursion Centre on Kányavári Island can be visited without restriction.

Places of interest at Kis-Balaton and surroundings are: Kis Balaton House, Chapel of Saint Stephen (Szt István kápolna), Cyril-Method Monument, Buffalo Reserve in Kápolnapuszta, Folklore Museum in Vörs, Spa of Zalakaros and Lake of Hévíz

The Fauna

The fauna is extremely rich, we can find dragonflies, 32 different species of fish (among which 6 are protected), frogs, water-salamanders, grass-snakes, lizards and pond turtles. Protected species of fish are the following: mud-minnow, common loach, spiny loach, thunder-fish, freshwater goby and gudgeons. Umbra and loach species living in oxygen-poor swampy waters are highly protected. The avifauna with its 232 species (among which 38 are highly protected) is considerable even compared to other nature conservation areas. 13 of the highly protected species breed in the Kis-Balaton region, they are: great egrets, little egrets, herons (purple and grey), Eurasian spoonbills, squacco herons, white storks, white tailed eagles, white owls, lich-owls, curlews, landrails, bee-eaters and the ferruginous duck.

The Flora

In the Kis-Balaton region 29 protected and one highly protected plant species can be observed. The most considerable and well-known species are: mud nettle, a kind of goldcup, cowslip, snow-flake (highly protected), moor-grass, poison-flag and white water lily.

More information: http://www.kisbalaton.hu/safari_on_kis_balaton.html