Białowieża Forest is the last remaining primeval forest in lowland Europe. It covers an area of over 1500 km2 in the tranquil corner of Poland. Saved from logging, this forest is now home to a few packs of Wolves and several Lynx. It is also renown for being world’s last refuge of European Bison – the largest land mammal on our continent.
We will spend four nights at a comfortable, family run B&B in a centrally located Białowieża village and go on daily safari-style drives and short walks to vantage points, trying to spot Wolves and Lynx in the wild.
Our local guides and researchers we cooperate with have followed a few packs of Wolves in this area for several years now. With the use of numerous camera traps, night and thermal vision as well as tracking on foot we have gained an unparalleled understanding of Wolves movements and pack ranges.
This expedition is timed at the best period and the probability to actually see Wolves is high. Lynx are, of course, a lot more difficult but each year some of our customers also see them. Bison, on the other hand, are nearly guaranteed – we have seen them on all our tours here at this time of the year in the last 15 years or more.
As all our expeditions, this one too can be intensive as we will focus on dawns and dusks leaving little time to sleep at night but a fair chance to catch up with sleep at midday. Together with gorgeous home made food, unscathed forest and landscape, this expedition is an exceptional experience.
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13:00 (at the latest) pick up from Warsaw F. Chopin Airport Okecie (WAW) and transfer to Białowieża Forest. After ca. 4 hrs drive we will check in at a comfortable B&B in the Białowieża village.
After a hearty Polish dinner the guide will introduce you to the area and talk about the plans for the next days. If time allows we will also offer a short evening trip already on the 1st day so that you can get accustomed to the area, see some wildlife or hear Wolves howling!
Meals included: lunch en route, dinner
We will be leaving early morning, when it is still dark, to be at the right spots at dawn. We will take a drive and a walk up to a vantage point or a series of them, trying to spot the large mammals at a safe distance.
On most days we shall be back at B&B for a hearty breakfast/brunch followed by a few hrs break at midday. On some days we may take a packed breakfast with us to eat in the field and be back at our lodge for lunch. You can use the midday break to catch up with sleep (suggested), enjoy the silence chilling out in the garden or go for a short walk in the forest.
In the afternoon, (or after an early dinner), we will meet up again and continue our exploration of the area until dark. We usually see at least some of the mentioned large mammals and we can guarantee that our crew does their best to get you close to these elusive beasts. You are also likely to see their tracks, droppings and other signs of activity.
At night, we may offer a few hrs drives spotlighting for large mammals and looking for beavers.
On top of chances to see the large mammals in the wild, you can expect to gain an understanding of the pristine Carpathian forest and the whole natural ecosystem complexity as our guides are passionate naturalists and well trained general biologists.
Although our focus will be seeing Wolves and Lynx, other wildlife will not be left behind. We usually see good numbers of European Bison, Red and Roe Deer, while other mammals like Beaver, Pine Marten or Red Fox are likely.
Birdlife of this area is equally rich and includes the resident Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls, Nutcracker, Hazel grouse as well as 8 species of woodpeckers.
These three days will be intensive but hopefully also rewarding in terms of wildlife and certainly – natural, unspoiled landscapes. What is more, dawn and dusk are the best time of day for beautiful light, mists and picturesque sunrise and sunsets.
Meals included: breakfast/packed brunch, dinner
This morning, after our usual substantial breakfast (don’t worry, you will get used to it by the end of the holiday) we will set off for a ca. 4 hours journey back to Warsaw. We plan to arrive at Warsaw airport by 15:00.
The tour ends when we arrive in Warsaw. Participants book a hotel there and flights home at their own expense.
Hotel: none
Meals included: breakfast, lunch en route.
You should bring the following necessary items:
You may consider bringing the following useful items:
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.
For lunches we may take packed sets (two sandwiches, piece of fruit, chocolate bar, water) to eat in the field or stop at a local cafe where possible.
Dinners are a substantial 3-course meal served back at our guesthouse.
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.
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.
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. If your card is held in EUR or GBP 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.
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.
Drop us an e-mail at info@wildpoland.com. I usually reply within two working days.
Promise to be friendly! - Łukasz ;-)
