To fully understand 1990ies Bosnian Genocide and in the same time Srebrenica Genocide, there is no better way but to visit Eastern Bosnia, Srebrenica and Potočari Memorial Centre, and in the same time we can not only talk about Genocide events at just one micro-location (Srebrenica), but we have to put whole Eastern Bosnia into a context of the story.
Also, tour will uncover reasons behind the breakup of Yugoslavia with detailed story of worst Genocide in Europe since WW2.
During the tour you will have honor to visit local family and have lunch at their home while getting insight how local communities live today.
At the same time it will give answers to what Srebrenica is today, what it had been yesterday, and day before, but most of all what Srebrenica could become in a future, if denial as last phase of Genocide continues to happen.
Departure Times Daily at 8 AM.
Pickup Locations If you are staying in the old town of Sarajevo meet us at our office. If you are bit away from us, please let us know and we can organise advance pickup.
Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is not physically demanding. Due to the distance of the locations, we use vehicles during the tour.
As soon you arrive to Memorial Centre at Potočari, you will have a chance to participate at locally guided tour and history class at Memorial Centre with official guide. Local guide in charge is survivor of those events and person whose experiences and stories are extremely important part of the tour. Memorial Cemetery where over 6500 people, in past years have been buried, before exhumed and identified, while some over 1500 victims are still missing, will be the most striking and mind blowing part of the visit.
Other important elements of the visit will take place at former Dutchbat UN base, where you’ll get a chance to see amazing newly open (Feb 2017) Museum of “Srebrenica Genocide – failure of international community”, understand importance of Memorial Room, see number of documentary movies, study chronological photo exhibitions, get stunned by graffiti remains, learn personal stories and stories of in-base mass grave and other elements of importance related to overall story of Srebrenica Genocide.
>Srebrenica Genocide Memorial at Potočari
After some three hours of visiting Potočari Memorial Centre, it’s time for a short, 6 km ride to Srebrenica town. Visiting this small, historically rich, ‘silver town’ (Bosnian for silver is ‘Srebro’) will give better insight in the meaning of the “Worlds largest concentration camp during the 90’s”. Short walking tour for interesting photography and understanding what Srebrenica as small town really is.
>View of the valley with the town of Srebrenica – Bosnia and Herzegovina
The most important highlight of the day is lunch with the local family in Srebrenica. As the unemployment rate, Genocide denial and severe discrimination of predominantly Bosniak people in Srebrenica is frequent, Funky Tours has dedicated its work to empower local communities to be active participant of sustainable tourism.
People of Srebrenica love to share their personal stories, those beautiful ones, equally as the terrible ones. Don’t be afraid to listen, understand and actively support the sustainability of life in Srebrenica today.
Food is homemade with vegetarian options. Taste is totally beyond your imagination.
After you are done with lunch and Srebrenica town explorations, it is time to head back. Expect to be in Sarajevo around 6 or latest 7 pm.
>Traditional Bosnian food prepared by the Srebrenica local family
Finally today, facts are known, as what exactly happened in Srebrenica is beyond any reasonable doubt. Simply, numerous trials at ICTY have proven it, but true reasons and role of the Dutchbat UN forces at Srebrenica, and overall UN role, is still very hard to fully uncover. The mission of this tour is to clear it out.
Denial, as last phase of Genocide and ethnic cleansing in Easter Bosnia still continues.
What Do I Need to Bring?
It was great, I was the only person in the car with the guide and it felt a lot more like a roadtrip with a friend than anything else. Enis, the guide, told me everything I wanted to know about history, culture, politics and life overall in Bosnia. He is obviously very knowledgeable about the war history and genocide and taught me a lot about that. The lunch with the family was also fantastic. It was like visiting my grandmas, the house lady gave me an infinite amount of food and promised to find a wife if I come back. Very warm and welcoming people. It really was the best tour I’ve ever done and although an important part, Srebrenica history was from being the only thing I’ve learned. A must for everyone!
Okay let me tell you this. I’ve been all around the world and I’ve been on countless tours – the best way to see and learn about new cities when I arrive.
This was by far THE BEST tour I’ve ever been on. The tour guide Almir was so incredibly awesome, that when I went on the first tour of the Siege of Sarajevo, I was due to leave the next day for Serbia – I cancelled my trip and stayed longer so I could go on another tour with him! It was worth it.
As a foreigner, trying to grapple with the past of Bosnia and the impact the war has had on its people – this learning experience has helped broaden my understanding in such a monumental way. Having the 1:1 experience of meeting a mother who has lost loved ones in the genocide (I wasn’t even aware of the genocide before coming here – something I am ashamed to admit), was very moving and I am so grateful for such an experience. The home cooked Bosnian food was just delicious and exactly what I had been searching for on this trip.
Thanks Funky Tours and to Almir – your stories, insight, wisdom and first had accounts of war will remain with me forever, and I hope to use the knowledge to educate and inspire others in the future and along my own journey in my travels.
I’ll be back again – I assure you! Love to Sarajevo.
It’s a long drive out to Srebrenica from Sarajevo, but with Almir it never for a moment feels boring. Any questions you have about Bosnia and even the Balkans in general, he can surely have the answer.
Beautiful scenery juxtaposed against a hard topic, handled excellently. Absolutely 100% recommend.
Funky Tours all-day learning about the persecution of Bosniaks (Muslims) and the Srebrenica Genocide with Almir, the most excellent guide ever, who defended his people and lived to share his immense knowledge and own experiences during and after the Siege of Sarajevo. In addition to driving through gorgeous nature with a huge history, and visiting the important relevant sites, you get the massive honour of having lunch with a lovely local family who supports themselves by inviting people to their table.
My own suggestions, be respectful of course. and I’d say ‘feel free to ask’ shouldn’t mean very intrusive painful questions which they will answer cos they are sweet and patient but check your positionality and avoid re-traumatising the guide and the kind hosts.
It is vital we never forget genocide.
Regarding the super tasty food, IMO avoid eating 2 days in advance cos Balkans have massive portions 🙂
We spent two days with Adnan G, with one day centered on the Srebrenica genocide. Adnan’s ability to share his own experiences from the siege of Sarajevo with his deep knowledge of the war in Bosnia, with his exquisite humanity, empathy and generosity made our time together incredibly potent. I would wish all people could learn with Funky Tours – about this particular time in the world, as well as how to for learn about difficult history beyond defensiveness, deception and denial. The lunch with Leila in Srebrenica was deeply moving – her generosity of heart in sharing her story and the beautiful meal she made will feed us throughout our lives. This was a phenomenal experience with phenomenal people. Adnan, Elvir, and everyone else we met from Funky Tours – thank you for doing this important work.
