Getting There
There are plenty of options on how to get there.
Here are a few options on flights we have found but suggest you check fully as this list is not exhaustive. We have found the cheapest option to be to fly to Dubrovnik. As Montenegro is reported to be the biggest growing tourist destination over the next 10 years, we expect it won't be long before one of the budget airlines is offering cheap flights to one of the airports in Montenegro. As well as the capital, Podgorica, there is also an international airport in Tivat but we can currently find no direct flights to Tivat from the UK.
Jat Airways offer flights from London Heathrow to Podgorica. It is then around a 3 hour drive to Zabljak - see below.
British Airways offer flights from London Gatwick to Dubrovnik. It is then either around a 4 or 6 hour drive to Zabljak depending on the route you take - see below.
Ryanair offer flights to Bari in Italy. You then need to catch the Montenegro Lines ferry to Bar and then it is around a 5 hour drive to Zabljak - see below.
Thompsonfly offer flights from Manchester, Luton and London Gatwick to Dubrovnik from May to October.
Flybe offer flights from Birmingham to Dubrovnik from May to October.
If you have flown to Dubrovnik and are going to take the road via Budva, we suggest that you stay somewhere along the coast for one night, especially if you will be completing your drive in the dark. You can rent a privately owned room for as little as 30 euros. For more details on this please contact us.
Montenegrin drivers can be scary!! The first route below is the main road to Belgrade and so is very busy. As it heads up through the mountains and follows the canyon it is also very bendy. The second route is much quieter but equally as bendy.
The maps below provide details of routes from Dubrovnik to Zabljak, however, they are also suitable for use from Podgorica and Bar. The first is the route we suggest you take during the winter. On the second route the final stretch of road is not always kept clear of snow and is sometimes inpassable.
The following describes the journey shown on the above map.
On leaving Dubrovnik airport turn left and follow the road to the Croatian/Montenegrin border. Continue following the road to Herceg Novi and then around Boca Bay all the way to Kotor. At Kotor take the left turn to Tivat/Budva after the harbour. Follow the road through the tunnel and on until the cross roads, then turn left towards Budva. Follow the road through Budva and then take the left turn to Centinje. Before you get into Centinje take the turning right to Podgorica. Once in Podgorica you need to take the road to Belgrade (Beograd). (From Bar take the road to Podgorica and and then the road to Belgrade (Beograd).) Follow the road along the canyon and up into the mountains to Kolasin and on to Mojkovac where you need to bear left (don't go over the bridge). Follow the Tara River along the canyon until the Tara Bridge where you need to bear left again. Zabljak is signposted here. Continue on this road through Borje. The lodge is situated on the right hand side about a mile further on. If you go past the Zabljak sign or Hotel Enigma you have gone to far.
During summer months or when you know that the road is clear you can take an alternative route from Dubrovnik. Instead of turning left out of the airport, turn right, follow the road towards Dubrovnik and take the right hand turn after the large red supermarket on the right towards the Bosnian boarder. Cross the boarder into Bosnia and head towards Trebinje. In Trebinje take the road to Niksic and the Montenegrin boarder. Cross the boarder into Montenegro and continue towards Niksic. At the roundabout in Niksic take the last exit and follow the road all the way to Savnik. In Savnik you need to take the turning to Zabljak. This final stretch of road is narrow and uneven. When you arrive in Zabljak continue to the town centre. At the crossroads turn right and follow the road for about 2-3 miles, past the Hotel Enigma. The lodge is situated on the left hand side. If you get to Borje you have gone to far and need to turn around.