Must See Hungary - Kiskunság National Park

Totalling 76,000 hectares (187,720 acres), Kiskunság National Park consists of half a dozen 'islands' of protected land, though much of the park's alkaline ponds, dunes and grassy 'deserts' with juniper trees are off limits. Bugac village is the most accessible part of the park. Here you can see the famous Hungarian cowboys ride at the popular horse show.

The horse show is the park's highlight. You may come across a couple of noble Nonius steeds being made to perform tricks that most dogs would be disinclined to do, but the real reason for coming is to see the csikósok (cowboys) crack their whips, race one another bareback and ride 'five-in-hand'. This is a breathtaking performance in which one csikós gallops five horses around the field at full tilt, while standing on the backs of the last two.

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• national park