INCREASING NUMBER OF TOURISTS IN FOČA’S RAFTING CAMPS

Rafting camps along the Drina and Tara rivers are having an exceptional summer season, with tourist numbers up by 15 to 20 percent compared to last year. This surge is attributed to favorable weather conditions and the increasingly rich offerings of the camps in Foča.

PHOTO: Radio Foča

In addition to rafting in inflatable boats, tourists can enjoy kayaking, quad and e-bike mountain tours, canyoning, and numerous hiking excursions. Foča is rapidly expanding its adventure tourism options and, together with Plužine in Montenegro—its partner municipality on the Tara River—is emerging as a regional tourism leader, says Milan Rudinac, owner of the "Wild River" camp.

While rafting remains the centerpiece of activities, kayaking is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among foreign visitors.

"We are a relatively small camp, focused on rafting, kayaking, and trips to Trnovačko Lake. During weekdays, our guests are mostly foreigners, and they're especially interested in kayak tours using both single and double inflatable kayaks. These trips are conducted on both the Tara and Drina rivers. On weekends, we organize standard excursions for domestic tourists from Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We’re pleased with the turnout so far," Rudinac told Radio Foča.

Kayakers use the same safety gear and suits as in rafting, though they are trained differently to maintain balance and paddle effectively.

"We do the same routes, but from a kayak, it’s a different experience—more exciting and immersive, as you're literally sitting on the water," Rudinac added.

According to him, tourists are coming from all over Europe and beyond. Besides the traditionally strong turnout from Serbia, this season has seen an increase in visitors from Poland and Hungary.

Accommodation in the riverside camps—tucked away in lush greenery—is provided in bungalows ranging from two to seven beds. The "Drina-Tara" Rafting Center is one of the largest, offering extensive lodging capacity and diverse activities.

Camp manager Vladimir Tešan confirmed that the season started strong.

"We have 15 to 20 percent more guests this year. May and June were great, and the weather helped a lot," said Tešan.

The magnificent Tara River canyon, its emerald color, and the thrilling ride through foaming rapids remain the main draw for visitors. However, each year brings new attractions.

One highlight is quad tours around the canyon rim, Zelengora Mountain, and its lakes. Other adventures include canyoning on the Hrčavka River and in Montenegro’s Nevidio Canyon, as well as hikes through Perućica, one of Europe’s last primeval forests, within the "Sutjeska" National Park.

This year, a new offering includes electric bike tours.

“Our new ‘E-bike Adventure’ on Tjentište includes visits to Perućica forest, Skakavac waterfall, and the National Park—all on brand-new, high-performance electric bikes, and at very affordable prices,” Tešan added.

The rafting camps also cooperate with the "Zlatni Bor" cheese farm and the "Velenići" Equestrian Club, located at the top edge of the canyon. These spots offer breathtaking views of Europe’s deepest canyon and surrounding mountains like Durmitor, Maglić, and Ljubišnja.

"We work with our friends at the ‘Velenići’ club to offer rafting and safari combos. Visitors can try zip-lining above the canyon and enjoy recreational horseback riding while touring a herd of purebred Arabian stallions," Tešan said.

More and more camps are adding swimming pools, but the river remains a favorite. The "Drina-Tara" camp has introduced two natural river pools, a landscaped beach, and lounge chairs—new additions that enhance the visitor experience.

The majority of guests here come from Serbia, with many Slovenians, Hungarians, and Bulgarians, and a rising number of American tourists this year.

Local cuisine is a vital part of the camping experience. Camps aim to feature traditional dishes made from farm-fresh ingredients.

At the “Paradise River” camp, operating for eight years, Srdjan Kulić says they serve regional specialties such as veal under the bell, grilled fish, goulash, prosciutto, bacon, kajmak, homemade fritters, and desserts.

"Veal and grilled fish are the top picks. Tourists love our food—just yesterday, two Swiss guests left thrilled with the veal," said Kulić.

Visitors can also enjoy sports like football, beach volleyball, table tennis, or relax by the pool. On weekends, there's live music in the evenings.

Besides rafting, this camp offers jeep safaris through the “Sutjeska” and “Durmitor” National Parks and the Tara Canyon, horseback riding and zip-lining in Velenići, hiking, canyoning on the Hrčavka River, and, more recently, cruises on Lake Piva in Montenegro.

"We provide organized transport to Lake Piva with a guide, followed by a 2.5 to 3-hour boat cruise. While rafting remains the most popular activity, we’ve had guests from the Netherlands who went on a jeep safari, and from Germany who did canyoning and hiking on Maglić," said Kulić.

Besides tourists from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the camp is regularly visited by travelers from Croatia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

"Some even arrive with their camper vans. They dine with us, reserve rafting tours, and we don’t charge for parking or pool access. Weekends are the busiest, with live music, while weekdays are quieter, often bringing families. Most importantly, our guests keep coming back," Kulić concluded.

Similar experiences are reported by other rafting camps in Foča. Each strives to expand its offerings and raise service levels year after year—and judging by the growing number of visitors, they are succeeding.