Plitvice Lakes
Private Tour

The park has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on 26 October 1979, for its unique travertine formations, karstic rock (mainly dolomite and limestone) with associated lakes and caves.

The lake system is comprised of 16 lakes, divided in 2 groups due to their geological and hydrogeological characteristics:

Upper Lakes: Prošćansko Jezero, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Veliko Jezero, Malo Jezero, Vir, Galovac, Milino jezero, Gradinsko Jezero, Burgeti and Kozjak.
Those 12 lakes were grouped due to their larger surface and foundation on impermeable dolomite rock. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the park, the Galovački buk, with its 25 meters of fall is located in the upper lakes.

Lower Lakes: Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac and Novakovića Brod. Those 4 lakes were formed in permeable limestone, cut into a deep canyon with steep cliffs. The lakes end creating the Korana River that serves as a natural barrier between Croatia and Bosnia and flows for 134km until it reaches the river Kupa, in Karlovac. The highest waterfall in the park, Velik Slap, with its 78 meters, is located at the end of the lower lakes.

There are 2 theories as to the origin of the parks famous name. Some say it dates back to 1777 when it was 1st mentoned in documents due to a natural phenomena that have created the lakes as shallow basins. The word shallow translates to pličina or plitvak in Croatian. Other believe the river Plitvica gave origin to the parks name. Plitvica river flows into the Plitvice Lakes at the lower and final part of the lakes and is also the name of the village nearby.

Climate in the region varies from an average of 2.2°C during winter to 27.4°C in the summer, making the annual average around 10°C. Snow falls from November until March, and several lakes usually freeze during December and January. Annual precipitation rate is 1,500 mm (59.06 in), with spring and fall registering the largest rain quantities. Air Humidity is around 82%.

The water temperature at the springs is usually below 10°C and the lakes are home to the brown trout (Salmo trutta fario and Salmo trutta lacustris) that can be found through the 16 lakes.

Plitvice is the most diverse area in Croatia with regard to fauna and flora. Its climate conditions, location away from industrial development and early introduced protection measures made sure the park stayed nearly untouched and well preserved.

Scientists have so far listed 1,267 different plants out of 109 species that can be found within the area of the park, with its 55 different species of orchids being the most popular.

There is a wide variety of animals in the park area, being its most popular the brown European bear, which is also the parks symbol, present in the logo. The park has also cataloged over 50 species of mammals, 321 species of butterflies, 12 amphibian species, and 157 bird species. The lakes are also home to the brown trout that can be found throughout the 16 lakes.