If you want to see a range of European wildlife Wild Poland will always come good. I have been with them six times before and always found them excellent.
– Colin, UK, Jan 2020
Visit Poland's top National Parks - Białowieża Forest and Biebrza Marshes - at the absolutely best time to find Wolves, Lynx, European Bison, Elk (Moose) and Beaver.
We are often asked when is the best time to see Wolves or Lynx. Analysing years of all our guides’ sightings and hundreds of trail cameras recordings – this is our choice for the most reliable period for these two elusive predators. At the same time, seeing wild European Bison, Elk (Moose) and Beavers is nearly guaranteed.
In March Wolves are still very active all over their territories. Lynx have their mating season and become much more conspicuous. Finally, Bison, Elk and Beavers are seen more easily as they look for fresh greens in the undeveloped vegetation.
You are welcome to spend this week discovering the Białowieża Primeval Forest, eastern Poland, home to well over 800 European Bison, a few packs of Wolves and several Lynx. Tailored for you is also a trip to the breath-taking Biebrza Marshes with Poland’s largest Elk (Moose) and Beaver population.
Our passionate guides with years of experience know these areas like the back of their hand. We have planned for numerous small group trips, driving through the forest to vantage points and tracking Wolves and Lynx on foot. We have even booked a small boat for a Beaver Safari in case high water levels required it. We will do everything for you to maximise your chances of spotting these mammals and we have proven it on a few of our earlier Spring Festivals.
This festival is also timed at fabulous activity of 8 species of Woodpeckers, Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls or Hazel Grouse. But there is so much more! Eagles, Cranes, Geese, Whooper and Tundra Swans, Otters, Pine Martens or hundreds of amphibians on the move. If the weather is right, we may even witness a rare spectacle of Moor Frogs turning blue for a few days of spawn.
You will also get a chance to visit the Strict Protection Area of the Białowieża National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pristine, natural forest of huge, centuries-old trees that are home to the rarest Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers.
Finally, according to our mission, we will continue to recommend numerous options for self guided walks so you can discover the forest at your own pace and benefit from some private time.
All photos and videos below were taken on our previous trips
Behind each picture there were several happy customers. The next festival - this can be you...
How it works
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Join us in Warsaw by 13:00 and transfer to the Białowieża Forest.
Days 2–8
Wildlife watching in the Białowieża Forest and other areas – do it yourself or join our guided trips.
Day 9
Transfer to Warsaw, finish by 14:00.
The basic price includes the transfer and half board accommodation
The festival starts and ends in Warsaw. Participants arrive at Warsaw at their own expense. We meet at 13:00, 15 March 2025 downtown Warsaw in front of the Palace of Culture and Science and transfer to our lodge in Narewka village just at the edge of the Białowieża Forest. If you arrive by train or a car – contact us for detailed directions.
The lodge is located at a riverside with direct access to the river where Kingfishers and Beavers live. We have also seen wild Bison there! A few minutes walk takes you into the Białowieża Forest with its variety of woodpeckers, Hazel grouse and so on.
On the last day, we transfer you back to Warsaw. We plan to arrive at Warsaw and finish by 14:00. Basic participation costs include the transfer, accommodation, plentiful breakfasts and 3-course dinners. If you feel like watching wildlife on your own – it’s all you pay for. You will even receive a detailed map of the area and suggestions for self guided walks to help your personal exploration.
Wildlife watching trips are optional; charged on the spot
On the grounds of our lodge we will run the Festival Office where you will be able to find out and subscribe to our guided wildlife watching trips on a daily basis. We will offer at least 3–4 different trips each day according to current wildlife situation and weather. These trips include transportation, guiding and all entry fees.
The trips will be priced according to their length and driving distance. A typical trip is 4-6 hrs long and costs 200–350 PLN (ca. €45–80). There is no limit to the number of people taking part in a festival but our guided trips always run in small groups, 3–12 persons, usually max. 7 persons.
This way you compose your own itinerary on the spot and are charged for the trips you choose, separately. Only debit or credit cards are accepted (Visa and MasterCard), so no cash is needed. All trips start and finish at the lodge.
A variety of reasonably priced trips will be offered
Below is a small selection of trips from our previous festivals. The exact trips offered may differ from these. We may also offer additional short trips according to current wildlife situation and your suggestions, even for single species or a historical tour of wooden villages. Many trips will take place at dawn and dusk of course ? for best wildlife activity, leaving enough time in the day to rest.
Wolf & Lynx Patrol, 4hrs
Dawn or dusk trip in the predators’ territory. This is the trip that each year brings us some Wolf or Lynx sightings and we will repeat it in various options every day. We also often see Cranes, Owls, Woodpeckers, Pine Marten, even Bison!
Bison Safari, 3-4 hrs
Driving or a short walk at dusk or dawn in search of wild European Bison. Other likely species include Wild Boar, Red Deer and even some of the Woodpeckers. We have also seen Wolves a few times on this trip!
Biebrza Marshes, 2 days, incl. hotel & food
Two days trip with an overnight stay at the Biebrza Marshes for fantastic bird migration (Cranes, Geese, Swans) and our flagship Beaver Boat trip and Elk (Moose) Safari. But there is also a pack of Wolves and a few Lynx just in the forest by our lodge there!
UNESCO Site, 4–6 hrs
A visit in the core area of the forest, the Strict Protection Area of the Białowieża NP and a World Heritage Site. Pristine habitat, high chances of the rare Woodpeckers.
Forest at dusk, 4-6 hrs
Experience the true forest during this evening walk. Reconnect with nature and yourself staying out late listening to the sounds of the forest, watching Owls, spotting Bison, Racoon Dogs, Badgers and more.
Pygmy Owl, 4hrs
A thrilling dawn or dusk trip trying to spot Europe’s smallest owl – the Pygmy Owl. This time of day is also best for general wildlife activity and we will visit some unscathed patches of the forest.
Woodpeckers, 4hrs
A short drive and a few walks in various forest habitats to find White-backed, Black, Three-toed, Middle-spotted, Lesser-spotted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers.
Siemianówka Lake, 8–10 hrs
A full day trip to the Siemianówka Reservoir where White-tailed Eagles, other birds of prey and hundreds of Cranes, waders and waterfowl can be seen.
Boreal Forest experience, 4hrs
A fantastic early morning walk in a pristine coniferous forest for best chances to see the rare Black and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Hazel Grouse, Pygmy Owl and Nutcracker.
Early Spring Amphibians, 4hrs
A visit at one or more flooded patches of the forest for a spectacle of spawning frogs and toads. It is early in the season but up to five different species can be seen if the conditions are good.
Forest at night, 4 hrs
Join one of our crazy guides for a night walk through the forest to experience the primeval call. Chances of seeing and hearing Tengmalm’s and Tawny Owls, nocturnal mammals and… your heart beat.
Forest off-trails, 4 hrs
Experience the forest from the wild animal’s perspective away from roads, tracks and paths. Learn the basic tracking and orientation skills and deepen your understanding of nature.
Reports from previous early spring tours and festivals
To give you an idea of previous sightings at this time of the year
15th April 2023
10th February 2023
31st March 2019
28th March 2018
12th April 2017
24th March 2016
26th March 2015
Key information
You should bring the following necessary items:
- waterproof trekking boots,
- waterproof outer layer,
- warm hat & gloves,
- binoculars.
You may consider bringing the following useful items:
- wellington boots,
- gaiters,
- scope on a sturdy tripod,
- thermo flask/cup,
- small torch/headlamp.
I don't know any Polish. Can I easily communicate in English?
Yes, the Festival language is English and all our guides speak it well. What we cannot guarantee, however, is that all the hotel staff are fluent. Therefore our staff will be there to assist you in a rare case that you may require help.
Can I join your trips without booking accommodation? (I will be in Białowieża in these dates and have my own accommodation)
Yes, the Festival is open to other visitors who just ‘come by’ so you can visit our festival office and join any of the trips with enough spaces available.
Can I book some of the trips in advance?
No, unfortunately not. The detailed daily programme strongly depends on the current wildlife situation and weather. Therefore we will only offer trips on the spot and only for 1-2 days in advance.
We don’t have a fixed plan. We will try to repeat any trips which continue gathering interest – so that everyone has a chance to participate.
Eating & drinking
Polish food is very good, usually made from fresh produce. We are certainly meat eaters, not shunning from the fatty cuts. Pork and poultry are most popular. Soups are also a very Polish dish and while we do like our broth and borsch, many other soups are a full meal in itself.
Breakfasts tend to be hearty and often consist of fried or scrambled eggs, boiled or fried sausage, cold cuts, cheese, tomatoes and bread. A sweet version consisting of cheese/jam filled pancakes or racuchy (pancakes with apples) is also quite common.
Lunches are not included but there are enough cafeterias and groceries a few minutes walk from our venue to try a different place each day. Polish cuisine offers a large variety of hearty meals from pierogi (dumplings) to soups and groceries are well supplied. Additionally we will also offer packed lunches (paid extra) to take with you on a trip. These will be prepared by the restaurant of our venue and consist of two sandwiches, a piece of fruit, chocolate bar and a small bottle of water.
Dinners are a substantial 3-course meal of a warm soup, main dish and a dessert served back at our guesthouse.
Vegetarians & vegans
These days vegetarians are usually well catered for, but please let us know at the time of booking. However, it can be difficult for vegans, as dairy produce and eggs occur in the vast majority of meals. Therefore we recommend that you bring some supplementary items.
Travel & medical insurance
We (Wild Poland) are fully insured tour operator as required by Polish and European law. However, all participants must additionally be covered by personal travel and medical insurance, preferably from the time of booking. This should cover you fully against the cost of cancellation by you, lost baggage, medical care and repatriation.
We do not provide or check personal travel insurance policies. See our booking conditions › for more details.
Payments & currency - card or cash?
Poland’s currency is PLN, also abbreviated as ‘zł.’ and generally EUR are not accepted.
At Wild Poland we accept card payments only and charge in PLN – both for booking your place online at this website and for paying for the trips you choose on the spot. Unfortunately, we cannot accept any cash.
Cards are now widely accepted at restaurants, groceries etc. but you may wish to have some PLN in cash to pay for your drinks, souvenirs etc. There is a cash machine in the Białowieża village.
How is my money protected?
First of all, we are a registered tour operator in Poland. All holidays by Wild Poland are protected by the Mazovian Province and our tour operator insurance. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Province executives guarantee to refund any money you have paid to us for any future booking.
Secondly – you get 100% money back guarantee with Wild Poland. By booking, you will be asked to pay a small deposit to confirm your place. It allows us to book the hotels etc. in your name. In a rare case that we have to cancel the departure because of insufficient number of participants, you will be refunded the full deposit amount. Small differences in the refunded amount may occur because of varying exchange rates.
Finally, we use Poland’s leading online payments gateways. Any critical credit card details are only entered at their secure pages and we have no access to, nor do we withhold any credit card details.
Booking
100% Money Back Guarantee with Wild Poland
By booking, you will be asked to pay a small deposit to confirm your place. In a rare case that we have to cancel the departure because of insufficient number of participants, you will be refunded the full deposit amount.
When booking a guaranteed tour within 30 days of departure you will be asked for a full payment instead of just the deposit.
