Wildlife and nature of Poland

The Białowieża Forest is a primeval forest, still partially untouched by humans. It is one of the last remaining large areas of primeval forests in the European lowlands. In addition to the wolf and the lynx, you can also see there the world's largest population of free European bison. The European bison is a symbol of the Białowieża National Park and its trademark. Interestingly, in the past, European bison used to live in the forests of Western and Central Europe, and their territory extended eastwards to the Caucasus mountain range. In Poland, bison have been protected as animals intended only for royal hunts since the 11th century. The first accurate records of the state of bison in the Białowieża Forest date back to the beginning of the 19th century, and in 1857 the maximum number was recorded - 1,878 individuals. At the beginning of the 20th century, the bison population numbered over 700 individuals. The World War I and increased illegal hunting contributed to the rapid decline of the bison population in the Białowieża Forest. At the beginning of 1919, only traces of four animals were recorded, and in the spring (April 12th), the remains of the last bison in the forest were found. In the 1930s, the decision was made to reintroduce the species to the Białowieża Forest. The main goal of the Białowieża breeding program was to reintroduce pure European bison back into the wild. In 1935, the male Björnson was imported from Stockholm. Unfortunately, this bull soon died after fighting Borusse, another bison. Fortunately, the male Plisch, who was later brought from Pszczyna, left behind numerous offspring. According to the stud book, 103 bison were alive after World War II (43 males, 60 females), 44 of which (20 males, 24 females) were in Poland. Since then, Polish bison breeding has developed excellently. It has given rise to many foreign breeding programs. After 1946, more than 350 bison were exported from Poland. Currently, our country has the largest population of this species! Today, many bison herds can be seen in the Białowieża Forest. It is worth spending a few days in the Białowieża National Park and in its surroundings to have a chance to meet this magnificent animal! It is worth going there in winter or early spring, because then there is a much greater chance of seeing these animals in their natural habitat. Spring is a great time to see also other wildlife. If you want to know more about the Białowieża Forest and places worth visiting, feel free to contact us!

From the Białowieża National Park, we recommend a trip to the nearby Biebrza National Park. Of the 23 Polish National Parks, the Biebrza National Park is the largest one in Poland and one of the largest Parks in Europe! Stretching along the Biebrza River, it is a waterfowl and marshland bird sanctuary unlike any other in Europe. The Biebrza National Park is home to 263 species of birds, both resident and migratory. Among the 56 species recognized as endangered in Poland, 21 nest in the Park, including, for example, the white-tailed eagle, the golden eagle and the greater spotted eagle. For many bird species, the Biebrza National Park is the most important breeding area in Europe, as the wetlands are the basis of their existence. The Biebrza marshes are the only refuge ensuring the sustainability of these species in Central Europe. The park's rich fauna is of course represented by the king of the Biebrza National Park: the elk, but you can also see here: deer, roe deer, wild boar, wolves, foxes, beavers, otters, brown hares, shrews and many species of invertebrates (butterflies, spiders, reptiles, amphibians). The Biebrza National Park is an attractive tourist region. There are many hiking trails, observatory towers and 2 river trails in the park. While being on a boat on the Biebrza river, you can look out for beavers and otters! There are campsites, a water sports equipment rentals (including kayaks) and a tourist information center. The main access point is Osowiec, which has a direct train connection to Warsaw, Białystok, Ełk and Grajewo. The headquarters are located in Osowiec. If you want to see Polish nature, fill out the form and we will organize a trip for you through the Polish wilderness!

The Bieszczady Mountains are an extraordinary place on the map of Poland. Until recently, they were rarely visited by tourists, even domestic ones. We had a saying in Poland that if someone wanted to take a break from everyday life and city stress, they should drop everything and go to the Bieszczady Mountains! In the last decade, the Bieszczady Mountains have become much more popular, but there are still many villages and places where you can hide away. The Bieszczady Mountains cover a large area, and many people come here mainly to spend time at Lake Solińskie or to hike in the mountains. However, there are many alternatives and ways to get to know the wilder side of the Bieszczady Mountains. In the Bieszczady Mountains, you can encounter many species of wild animals. If you are a good observer, you will be able to spot bison, wolves, deer and even lynxes among the large mammals. There are several ways to observe wild animals in the Bieszczady Mountains. You can go on a jeep expedition before sunrise. This way, you will get to clearings and forest roads where you can encounter wild animals. However, this is not an environmentally friendly way, and it's very easy to scare the animals away with the sound of the engine. Another option is to use special observation huts, which are mini cabins hidden in the woods. In such a hideout, you can spend a night or two and look out for animals in the evenings and early mornings, while walking in the forest during the day. Hideouts are also not a good solution because the animals are given food and that is why they come so close to the hideouts. We recommend early morning and evening walks, and patiently waiting at observation towers, where experienced guides can take you! In addition to animal observation, we also recommend hiking in the beautiful mountains of the Bieszczady National Park, canoeing down the San River and horseback riding! If you would like to visit the Bieszczady Mountains, take a walk in the forest, go hiking in the mountains, go horseback riding or cycling, let us know and we will create a personalized program for you!