Where they are
The Tara is in northern Montenegro. Rafting trips start around Žabljak and the Durmitor National Park and finish at or near Šćepan Polje on the Bosnian border. The Neretva rafting most visitors mean is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the upper river around the town of Konjic, between Sarajevo and Mostar.
What sets the Tara apart
- Depth. The Tara canyon reaches about 1,300 metres, the deepest river canyon in Europe.
- Protection. The upper canyon is inside a UNESCO World Heritage national park.
- Length options. From a 14 km morning trip to two-day trips with a night at a riverside camp.
- Base. Žabljak, a mountain town with lakes and hiking on the doorstep.
What sets the Neretva apart
The Neretva is known for its clear green water and for being close to Sarajevo and Mostar, which makes it easy to combine with a city trip in Bosnia and Herzegovina. If your route runs through Bosnia rather than Montenegro, it is the practical choice.
Which to choose
- Staying in Montenegro: the Tara. It is the country's signature trip and it is combined easily with Durmitor.
- Travelling Sarajevo – Mostar: the Neretva is on your way.
- Want the most dramatic canyon: the Tara, ideally the 36 km day through the deepest part.
- Only have a morning: the Tara's 14 km trip with three starts a day.
Doing both
Šćepan Polje, where Tara rafting ends, is a border crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina. A route that rafts the Tara, crosses there and continues towards Sarajevo or Mostar lets you do both on one trip. Check border rules and your car rental's cross-border policy before you go.
Questions and answers
Is the Tara or the Neretva better for rafting?
They suit different trips. The Tara has the deeper canyon and fits a Montenegro itinerary; the Neretva is convenient if you are travelling between Sarajevo and Mostar.
Which country is the Tara in?
Montenegro. Its last stretch forms part of the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Šćepan Polje.
Can you raft both on one trip?
Yes, if you cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina at Šćepan Polje after rafting the Tara.