Hula reserve is a nature reserve with an interesting history. The Hula Lake drying project was a source for national pride during the mid 20th century, the area to be preserved as a swamp (about a quarter of its original size) has become, sponsored by the Jewish National Fund (KKL), Israel's first nature reserve. Not so long after people realized that drying the lake caused tremendous damage to the ecological system of that environment, and therefore, during the 70th it was decided to start and reconstruct the ecosystem by bringing back the water buffalos and about 200 water plants. And more recently, flooding of another territory of peat, making it kind of a "water filter" for springs flowing to the Sea of Galilee. The reserve has recently hit the headlines due to the discovery of a frog considered to be instinct.

This is a fun and easy day for the whole family. The reserve has a visitors center, parking space, a restaurant (a little pricy) and more…We will describe all the "must do"'s in Hula reserve, but feel free to carefully wander around in all the marked trails.

What to bring?
A comfortable pair of walking shoes, onion style clothing (in case it gets warm), a binocular if you have one, water.

How to get there?
Drive towards Qiryat Shemona on route 90. 3 km after Yesud Ha'Ma'ala junction turn right (east) towards Hula reserve and Dobrovin Farm.

What to do when you get there?
Watch the beautiful wild-life alongside the water canals in the reserve -plants and animals which live side by side in harmony. Follow the marked trails in order not to harm the natural habitats of the wild-life. Climb the floating bridge and spot water buffalos, ducks, water turtles, lilies, coots and herons as well as larger birds like cormorants, seagulls and pelicans. In the heart of the reserve stands a lookout tower from which you can observe the whole reserve, and in front of it lies a hideout hut from which you can peek at the water birds (bringing a good binocular is recommended even though there's a telescope at the tower. At the visitors center you can watch a spactacular audio-visual show about the reserve and the lake's story. A little secret: most of the water-buffalos are near the visitors center (do not feed! its dangerous for the animals and for you).

Dobrovin Farm
Within Yesud HaMa'ala village, outside the reserve (but nearby), stands Dobrovin Farm. The main building established in1909. The people lived in the farm were Israel-Bible loving converts and were an example for hard work. Most of them died of fever, but the family father lived until the age of 104. There's an interesting audio-visual presentation and the actual visit shows the preview of life in early 20th century. A fascinating experience.