About 15 kilometres northeast of Zalakaros, Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) is a shallow wetland and wildlife reserve at the southern end of Lake Balaton, where the Zala river enters the lake. The reserve is one of the most important bird habitats in Hungary and Central Europe, hosting large colonies of great white egrets, grey herons, cormorants, and spoonbills, as well as nesting populations of bittern and marsh harrier. During migration, rare species pass through regularly.
The reserve has walking and cycling paths, observation towers, and a visitor centre at Fenékpuszta. You can hire a rowing boat to explore the reed beds in summer, or join one of the guided walking tours that operate from the car park at the main entrance. The best times for birds are dawn and dusk; bring binoculars. The reserve is protected, and access to the innermost areas is restricted, but the outer wetlands are freely walkable.