Natural Wonder of the Mediterranean: Belek

You are invited to an enjoyable holiday in Belek, offering a visual feast amongst the most beautiful shades of green with fascinating mountain tops, stone pines, eucalyptus trees and rivers. As one of the popular destinations with its lively nature, rich flora and diversity of animals, Belek is a pure miracle of ecotourism thanks to its natural aspects and eco-friendly facilities…

Green Serenity
Green Serenity
Amazing Views
Amazing Views
Miracle of Nature
Miracle of Nature
Colorful Guests
Colorful Guests

Immerse Yourself in the Earthy Smells of Belek

  

A natural wonder with its rich flora, Belek boasts a great variety of natural life. Forests in the region cover the dunes and constitute the largest vegetation. Mediterranean pine forests are known as endemic plants of the region. In addition, under the dense pine forests, there are Mediterranean shrubs and scrub vegetation as you descend to sea level. These forests are rich in flowers and fauna. The most beautiful country scenery is found here.


Belek’s natural diversity comes from the great variety of its flowers. Fifty-eight families, 118 species and 16 sub species are known to be found in Belek. The rarest flowers are found in dune vegetation (51 species from 27 families) and pine forests (51 species from 31 families). In 1995, 40 previously unknown plant species were found in Belek, and a list of 48 exotic species from 28 botanical families was made.

 

The flora and fauna diversity was first investigated in 1995 in the region. The research that was initiated during these years yielded the book Belek'te 250 Bitki Türü ve Belek'in 20 Endemik Bitkisi, in 1999 thanks to the collaboration of Akdeniz University Biodiversity Research and Development Center and Belek Tourism Investors Association. According to the book, 574 plants, 29 endemic plants (which grow only in Turkey) and Serik Pear (Pyrus serikensis), which is a relic endemic (grows only in Belek in the world) have been identified in Belek Tourism Center. 

Research showed that Sage, Salvia, Phlomis Lycica, Bellflower, Campanula Betulifolia, Polygonum, Sideritis, Egnik, Comfrey, Knapweed, Dyer’s Alkanet, Arnebia Decumbens, Small Hyacinth, Echinata, Purple Clove, Strawflower, Immortelle, Pamphylia, Cornflower, Moon Daisy, Valeriana, Figwort, Stone Rose, Wild Pear, Wild Cloves, Wild Onions and Zingit, are among the endemic plants in Belek. 

While the overall number of plant species is 12,000 across Europe, it is about 9500 only in Turkey. This proud figure rises even more when it comes to endemic plants. Endemic plants grow naturally only in limited areas in the world. This makes Belek a biological heritage for the entire humankind.


Hyacinth
Hyacinth
Strawflower
Strawflower
Bellflower
Bellflower
Sideritis
Sideritis

Bird Paradise

Today, the concept of vacation is gradually changing and the desire to return to nature and be a part of it is increasing. As a result of urban sprawl and pollution, we desire to return to nature. Those who plan their holidays with this approach choose Belek where they can meet their eco-tourism expectations.


Belek allows for bird-watching (ornithology) with the opportunity of watching the migrating birds at its best, and here, many species spend the winter and reproduce. More than 200 bird species have been observed in and around Belek; 30 of them are summer visitors, 56 are winter visitors, 60 are transit migrants, three are summer visitors and transit migrants, two are both summer and winter visitors, seven are winter visitors and locals, and one is a transit migrant, five of them are transit migrants and summer visitors, three of them are transit migrants and winter visitors, one of them is a transit migrant, summer visitor and local while the remaining 11 species cannot be identified as they have not been observed enough. In the light of this information, it is seen that the area is on the migration routes of birds and is an important wintering ground.


Bird species observed in the area include the Little Grebe (Tachbaptus ruficollis), Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), Great White Egret (Egretta alba), Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea), White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Ruddy Shelduck (Todarna ferruginea), Teal (Anas crecca), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus), Hawk (Buteo buteo), Red Hawk (Buteo rufinus), Kestrel (Falco tinunculus), Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Redshank (Tringa ochropus), Little Tern (Sterna albifrons), Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Ruddock (Erithacus rubecella), Bush Warbler (Cettia cetti), Long-Tailed Tit (Aegitalos caudatus), Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps Cristatus).   


BETUYAB (Belek Tourism Investors Association) is the natural supporter of all efforts in investigation and classification of these bird species. In Belek, also known as the “Bird Paradise”, you will feel the happiness resonating with the sound of nature.


Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps Cristatus

Great Crested Grebe, known as Podiceps Cristatus in Latin, is a bird from the grebe family. It is also called Elmabaş or Tepelidalgıç. Upper part of these birds is dark brown and lower part is shiny white. Crest and collar feathers on head and around neck of males are not well-developed in females. They usually live on the coasts of marshes. They can be spotted on the seashores in winter. They feed on water bugs and fish.

Podiceps Cristatus
Podiceps Cristatus

Little Grebe - Tachybaptus Ruficollis

Little Grebe is a bird from the grebe family which is averagely 23-29 cm in length. It can be defined with not only its characteristics but also pale yellow spot on its bill. Little Grebe is an excellent swimmer and diver. It can pursue fish and aquatic invertebrate prey underwater. It feeds on mostly insects and occasionally crustaceans and small fish.

Tachybaptus Ruficollis
Tachybaptus Ruficollis

Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax Carbo

It is the largest dark-colored sea bird species in Turkey. It has white cheeks and throat, and orange or yellow sac. As web-footed birds, Great Cormorants are relatives of Pelicans. Their long beaks are hooked and wings are very strong. They catch fish by plunging in water. Great Cormorants can stay and swim underwater for a long time, chasing fish. They fly very close to the surface of sea while searching for preys.

Phalacrocorax Carbo
Phalacrocorax Carbo

Little Bittern - Ixobrychus Minutus

Little Bittern, a small heron, is generally seen flying low and fast above marshes. It has easily distinguishable, oval-shaped, pale spot on its wing. While the female has brown upperparts and streaked underpart, the male is more colorful.

Ixobrychus Minutus
Ixobrychus Minutus

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron is a bird from the heron family. It is a small heron which is 40-49 cm long with 82-95 cm wingspan. It is a stocky species with a short neck and short, thick bill. It has brownish-yellow back.

Squacco Heron
Squacco Heron

Hoopoe - Upupa

Hoopoe is 28 cm long. It has long, curved bill and orange-brown feathers. It has a tufted crest and short wings. Its habitat is woods and vineyards in the Ethiopian regions. It settles in open spaces with old trees, pine forests, non-evergreen forests, orchards and vineyards. It can nest in all kinds of cavities. It feeds on pests, insects, snails and worms. It can easily accommodate itself to humans. Hoopoes move in groups during migration. Apart from migration, they like living alone.

Upupa
Upupa

Gift from the Ancient World: Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Antik dünyanın bizlere en önemli hediyelerinden biri olan Caretta Carettalar, tüm insanlığa ilham verircesine Akdeniz sahillerine yayılmıştır. En önemli yumurtlama bölgesi Belek, Adana Yumurtalık, Anamur, Köyceğiz ve Dalyan sahilidir. Belek kıyıları, Caretta Carettaların tüm Akdeniz’deki en büyük yumurtlama alanıdır.


2016 yılı içinde Belek’te 2500'den fazla yuva tespit edilmiş ve koruma altına alınmıştır. Deniz kaplumbağaları yaklaşık 110 milyon yıldır yeryüzünde yaşıyor ve “yaşayan fosiller” olarak tanımlanmaktadır.  Okyanuslara gidiş - gelişleri tesadüfen olan bu türlerin sıklıkla yuva yaptığı üç önemli ülke; Türkiye, Yunanistan ve Kıbrıs.


Yuva yapmak için doğdukları kumsala gelen Caretta Carettaların boyları 115-150 cm, ağırlıkları ise 70-90 kg arasında değişiyor. En önemli besin kaynağı mavi yengeç olan Caretta Carettalar, Mayıs ayından itibaren yumurtlamaya başlıyorlar ve bu süreç Eylül ortasına kadar devam ediyor.  Belek'te bulunan profesyonel ekipler, 45 ile 75 gün arasında değişen kuluçka sonrası yumurtaları kontrol ederek, yavruların güvenli şekilde denizle buluşmasını sağlıyor.


Sakin karakterleri ile huzur veren Caretta Carettalar, Belek'in mucizevi doğasında sizi bekliyor. Siz de yavru kaplumbağaların maviliklere uzanan yaşam yolculuğuna şahit olmak için bu eşsiz fırsatı kaçırmayın.


Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
Caretta Caretta
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