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, full of dead wood literally stuffed with insects this forest is now home to eight species of woodpeckers: black, green, grey-headed, white-backed, three-toed, great-spotted, middle-spotted and lesser-spotted. Their old nest holes are also occupied by good numbers of Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owls.
We will aim to see them all in just a few days, we have done it many times before! Early spring, just before the foliage develops, is by far the best time of the year. Moreover, this is also the best time to see Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker or… the largest land mammal on our continent: European Bison which are pretty much guaranteed on this tour.
Białowieża forest is also home to four packs of Wolves and several Lynx. Although seeing them is rare, we will visit some of the best sites and each year some groups do see them!
We will spend four nights at a comfortable, family run guesthouse in a centrally located Białowieża or Narewka village and go on a few forest walks each day. You will see several different forest habitats and the best preserved patches of the Primeval Forest.
What is more, on our return to Warsaw, just before saying goodbye, we will try to find the ninth woodpecker species: the elusive Syrian Woodpecker which became increasingly common in our capital city last years.
As all our expeditions, this one too can be intensive as we plan to be out at dawn each day and spend a few hrs each night looking for owls but will have a chance to catch up with sleep at midday. Together with gorgeous home made food, unscathed forest and landscape as well as a very small group, this expedition is an exceptional experience.
Take a look at the photographs and videos below – they were all done on our previous trips!
click ⊕ to expand
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 hotel in the Białowieża Forest.
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 Owls or hear Wolves howling!
Hotel: Dworek Gawra or similar
Meals included: lunch en route, dinner
We will start each day at dawn – the best time of woodpeckers, Pygmy Owl or Hazel Grouse activity. We will take a walk in the best habitats and be back for breakfast. It is not rare to see several woodpecker species on a single morning!
On most days we will also offer a short trip after breakfast and be back for a hearty lunch followed by a few hrs break at midday. On some days we may take a packed lunch with us to eat in the field and be back at our lodge a little later. 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 village.
In the afternoon we will meet up again and continue our exploration of the area until dark to get more woodpeckers, other birds and the crepuscular Pygmy Owl.
We will end each day with a hearty Polish dinner, and on a few nights chosen for best weather – we will offer a night trip for Tawny and Tengmalm’s Owls.
Although our focus will be seeing woodpeckers and owls, other wildlife will not be left behind. We usually see good numbers of other birds – Nutcracker, Crested, Coal, Marsh or Willow Tits, Hawfinch, mammals – European Bison, Red and Roe Deer, while other mammals like Beaver, Pine Marten or even Wolves and Lynx are likely. On top of chances to see the mentioned birds and mammals, you can expect to gain an understanding of the Primeval Forest ecosystem as our guides are passionate naturalists and well trained general biologists.
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.
Hotel: Dworek Gawra or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, 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 for lunch and still spend a couple of hrs looking for Syrian Woodpecker in the city parks.
The tour ends after 16:00 when we drop you off at your hotel in Warsaw or the WAW airport. Participants book a hotel there and flights home at their own expense. If you plan to fly home on this day – remember that your flight mustn’t depart until after 18:00 hrs!
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 ;-)
