There are several areas where bird watching is particularly good. There is a Society for the Protection of Birds in Northern Cyprus called KUSKOR and they will advise you of where and when to go. Tel: +90 392 815 7337.

There are several offical camping sites in the Girne and Gazi Magusa areas which offer services such as washrooms, toilets, restaurants and bars. However the more intrepid visitor may wish to venture out into the wild, where there are no such facilities. There are no restrictions on such activities except that lighting fires in forest areas is an offence.

There are several caves in Northern Cyprus that you are free to explore. One, known as the Hot Cave, north of Agirdag village on the southern slopes of the Five Finger mountains, is a partially collapsed natural formation. Warm air emanates from the cave, hence the name. Do not attempt to enter the cave. Another natural cave in Girne area is the Guvercinlik Cave near Alevkayasi. Access to the cave involves some fairly difficult climbing. Proceed with caution.

There are three more caves in the Gazi Magusa area. Probably the most beautiful cave is Incirli Cave, a hundred mete long passage which contains an amaizing collection of stalatites and stalagmites. The cave is opened on Sundays (or by special arrangement with the village muhtar). There is a small entrance fee. Gastro Cave between Kuruova and Kaleburnu villages is a man made cave containing three rooms. Finally the omniously named Execution Cave, near Kaleburnu. There is set to be a golden earthenware jar hidden somewhere in the cave.

There is at present two go-karting tracks, one in the Girne area Tel: (+90 542) 851 0439, and another near Alaykoy Lefkosa Tel: (+90 533) 866 6173

There are several stables offering riding lessons in the Girne and Gazi Magusa areas. Some stables also allow customers to hire horses to take out.

Hunting is the greatest passion of many a Turkish Cypriot man. The season runs from October to February and is limited to Sundays only. Hunting areas are strictly controlled by the government and hunters must be licensed. The most popular prey for hunters are partridge, wood pigeon and hare.

Northern Cyprus has one National Park in the Karpaz Peninsula. Here a large number of birds, wild donkeys, turtles, rare flora and amazingly beautiful beaches can be found.

With its wealth and variety of landscapes Northern Cyprus is an ideal place for keen photographers. Care should be taken not to take photographs in the vicinity of military installations as it is strictly forbidden.

There are a number of beaches along the northern coast where Loggerhead and Green Turtles lay their eggs in the sand between June and October. If you wish to join a group to watch them, or to actively help out in the task of helping to protect them, please contact the Turtle Protection Society. Tel: +90 392 815 2496 / 815 5135

Some tour companies and hotels organise their own bus tours of the island. If your company does not do so and you wish to join a tour, contact the Tourist Information Office.

Hiking tours for people from all ages and physical disposition are organised by a number of centres in the Girne area and are generally conducted in the Girne mountain range. One particular tour party, organised by "Mountain Climbing Sport Association", meets every Sunday between October and the end of April, and twice a month (again on Sundays) between the summer months from May to the end of September. During the winter the tour programme is published at the beginning of every month, explaining the route and where to meet etc. All walks, as well as being good exercise, endeavour to show walkers interesting natural and historical features. The tours generally start at 7:30 a.m. and finish between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. It is essential that you wear proper grooved walking shoes. You must also take your own water, and a hiking stick is advisable. Tel:(+90 542) 851 18 00 (Mustafa Cemal-Chief of the association)

There are several beaches in Girne and Gazi Magusa, which offer a variety of water sports ranging from water skiing, parascending, wind-surfing and Jet skiing. And for diving, Tel: (+90 392) 822 3430.

With an average of only 51 people per square kilometer, Northern Cyprus holds the enviable reputation of being relatively free of pollution, industry or high concentrations of population. And with 387 km of coastline and pine, cypress and maquis covered hillsides; Northern Cyprus is something of a haven for wildlife. Northern Cyprus plays host to over 1600 plant species of which 22 are endemic, 350 species of birds, of which 7 are endemic, and 26 different species of reptile and amphibian. The two main reasons for this amazing diversity are, firstly, that Cyprus was not affected by the last ice-age (which wiped out many species from areas further north), and secondly, that Cyprus forms a resting, and nesting, station for birds migrating between Africa and Eastern Europe.

Yacht and boat tours are available throughout the summer from Girne Harbour. There are many vendors, so take time to find a suitable service. There are also tours which depart from the port in Gazi Magusa and sail along the Karpaz Peninsula.