Bear Sanctuary Belitsa
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa – a Unique Wildlife Experience
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa, widely known as the Dancing Bears Park, is one of Bulgaria’s most inspiring wildlife attractions. Established in 2000 as a cooperation project between FOUR PAWS and Fondation Brigitte Bardot, the sanctuary provides rescued brown bears with lifelong care in a safe and natural environment.
Discover Bear Sanctuary Belitsa
- Location and setting: Bear Sanctuary Belitsa is located in the Rila Mountains near the town of Belitsa. The sanctuary covers 12 hectares of natural surroundings where the bears have space to explore and choose how to spend their time.
- The bears: The sanctuary is home to rescued brown bears, including former dancing bears from Bulgaria and other countries, as well as bears rescued from other forms of inappropriate captivity. Each animal receives individual care according to its needs.
- Natural environment: The spacious forest enclosures allow the bears to display natural behaviours such as exploring, searching for food, resting in the shade and enjoying ponds and natural dens.
- Visitor experience: Guided tours provide an opportunity to learn about the individual stories of the bears, their behaviour and the sanctuary’s animal welfare mission. Tours are available in Bulgarian and English and usually take around 30–40 minutes.
Practical Information for Visitors
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa is open to visitors seasonally. Guided tours run every 30 minutes, and the last tour starts at 17:30. For the best experience, visitors are advised to allow approximately 1.5 hours for their visit.
Opening hours:
- April – June: 12:00 – 18:00
- July – August: 10:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 18:00
- September – November: 12:00 – 18:00
- December – April: Closed to visitors
- Last tour: 17:30
Group visits: Advance booking is required for groups of more than 9 people. For reservations and current visitor information, please contact the sanctuary at +359 888 00 23 58.
Why Visit Bear Sanctuary Belitsa?
A visit to Bear Sanctuary Belitsa combines wildlife observation with an educational experience in the heart of the Rila Mountains. Visitors can learn about rescued brown bears, animal welfare and conservation while observing these remarkable animals in an environment designed around their natural needs.
Please note that sightings of individual bears cannot be guaranteed, as the animals are free to choose where and how they spend their time within the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa is located in the Rila Mountains near the town of Belitsa, Bulgaria. It is within easy reach of Dobrinishte and Bansko, making it a convenient day trip for guests staying at Ruskovets Resort.
Visitors can observe rescued brown bears living in spacious forest enclosures designed to encourage their natural behaviour. Guided tours also provide information about the individual bears, their stories and the sanctuary’s animal welfare work.
Bear Sanctuary Belitsa is open seasonally from April to November and is closed to visitors during the winter months. Opening hours vary depending on the season, so visitors are advised to check the latest information before travelling.
Yes. Bear Sanctuary Belitsa was formerly known as the Dancing Bears Park. Today, the sanctuary provides lifelong care for rescued brown bears and focuses on animal welfare, education and creating conditions that allow the bears to express their natural behaviour.
