Loading search...
The forest is simply beautiful and seeing it in Springtime was perfect.
B.T. Gloucestershire, Apr 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Poland's Primeval Forests
Tour Code: POL01A long-weekend spring break in search of the woodpeckers and other birdlife in Poland's magnificent Bialowieza Forest.
4 days
from
£1,845 (Inc flights)
£1,845 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,595
£1,595
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
A long-weekend break focusing on the birdlife of Poland’s primeval Bialowieza Forest. Tucked away on the easternmost fringes of Europe, the Bialowieza Forest is the largest tract of untouched primeval woodland on the continent and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This vast patchwork of trees and wet meadows is one of Europe’s most important wildlife habitats, and home to a wide variety of species including 9 species of Woodpecker (including Wryneck), European Bison and Elk. Birdwatching walks here - and alongside the nearby Siemianówka Reservoir - should yield such species as Red-breasted Flycatcher, Hazel Grouse, Nutcracker, Barred Warbler, White-winged Black Tern and many others.
- Enter the primeval forests of Bialoweiza at dawn
- Search for 9 species of woodpeckers including Three-toed & White-backed
- Chance of encountering European Bison
- Look for Pygmy Owl at dusk
- Pied, Collared & Red-breasted Flycatchers
- Scan Siemianówka Reservoir for migrant waders, terns and waterfowl
- Raptors including Lesser Spotted Eagle, White-tailed Eagle & Montagu's Harrier
- Led by an expert UK ornithologist & local naturalist guide
Grading
Grade A. Day walks only.
There are few places left in Europe that can claim to be largely untouched by the stampede of humankind. The Bialowieza Forest in Poland is one such place, tucked away on the easternmost fringes of Europe and straddling Poland’s border with Belarus. Within this vast tract of mixed forest lie 47.5 square kilometres of untouched primeval woodland, the largest remaining tract left on the continent and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Outside the Strict Reserve, as it is known locally, the managed portion of Bialowieza covers a further 580 square kilometres, a mosaic of mature and young woodland, riverine marshes, willow thickets and wet meadows that combine to create one of Europe’s most important bird habitats.
Many of Europe’s wildlife-rich areas are synonymous with particular families or species of animals and birds. The Spanish Steppes have their bustards, the Pyrenees are famous for Wallcreepers and for the birdwatcher, thoughts of the Bialowieza Forest immediately bring to mind the carpenters of the bird world, the woodpeckers. Here, all 10 of Europe’s woodpecker species can be found with varying ease and, with the invaluable help of the local birdwatchers who scour the forests each spring, we will endeavour to track down as many as we can during this exciting Naturetrek weekend.
We begin our holiday with a flight to Warsaw, the historic capital of Poland. From here we drive north-east to the small village of Bialowieza, where we will be based for three nights in a comfortable hotel on the edge of the village. During our time here we will explore the forests and marshes of the Bialowieza Forest, walking the trails that criss-cross this magnificent mixed woodland. By late April the forests will be alive with bird song as wave after wave of returning migrants stake their claims for the year. Collared, Pied and Red-breasted Flycatchers all breed here, along with Thrush Nightingale, Redstart, and both Icterine and Wood Warbler. Within this chorus of sound we will be listening out for the characteristic notes of the woodpeckers, from the explosive laugh of the mighty Black Woodpecker to the falcon-like chittering of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. White-backed Woodpeckers are early nesters and may already be feeding large young, and we hope to be able to locate the most elusive and sought-after of the Picidae family, the unobtrusive Three-toed Woodpecker. A sudden flurry of wings and leaves may herald an escaping Hazel Grouse, while other birds to look for, in and over trees, include Nutcracker, Crossbill, Hawfinch, White Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle, and even perhaps Pygmy Owl on an evening foray. Outside the true forest lies the ‘Palace Park’, another very productive area to explore. Here a patchwork of open woodlands, grassy lawns and small lakes provides habitat for Middle Spotted and Grey-headed Woodpeckers and Wryneck. The park is also the one place to search for the Syrian Woodpecker, the most difficult of the bunch to find and, although expanding north, on the very edge of its breeding range.
Early one morning we will be escorted into the Strict Reserve, Bialowieza’s true primeval forest. Here we will have a unique opportunity to explore a habitat largely untouched by human hands. Indeed, a walk amongst the swampy alder woods and ancient Limes, Hornbeams, Oaks and Spruces, with our guide talking through the ecology en route, is a truly magical experience and, for some, will be the undoubted highlight of this short tour.
If time permits we may also drive north to explore the woodlands and marshes in the vicinity of Siemianówka Reservoir. Lake Siemianówka is a superb area of open water and marsh, formed by the damming of the Narew River, and holds a rich assemblage of resident and migrant bird species, including White-tailed Eagle, Citrine Wagtail, passage waders, marsh terns and grebes. The surrounding forests are also another excellent place in which to look for a few more woodpeckers, in particular Three-toed.
Back in Bialowieza, and if fortunate, we may find one of the forest’s most famous inhabitants, the European Bison or Wisent. This magnificent mammal became extinct in the wild in the 1920s, but was successfully reintroduced into the forest 30 years later. Today the Bialowieza Forest contains one of Europe’s last remaining herds, with approximately 250 Bison ranging freely within the Polish section. If we are lucky enough to come across one during our time here, it will undoubtedly provide yet another highlight, and an added bonus, to our short but varied birdwatching weekend.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Warsaw and transfer Bialowieza
Day 2/3
Bialowieza Forest
Day 4
Transfer to Warsaw and fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in a comfortable hotel with private facilities.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
Reviews
-
-
We very much enjoyed the Easter weekend. The organisation was excellent and, combined with the superb weather, it was an excellent wildlife holiday. All in all we had an unforgettable time. Thank you.
M. & J.D. Bristol -
I really enjoyed this trip, the highlights being the European Bison and the Three-toed Woodpecker.
C.P. Shropshire -
This was my third Naturetrek trip and I have always rated the trip leaders very highly and Richard is no exception. He was thoughtful to all the participants, taking time with everybody, both experienced and less so. Likewise, local guide Tomasz, went out of his way to try and provide for all the participants' 'wanted' birds and the bison. Without both (and Pawel the local driver), so much in this wonderful short break could have been missed. A wonderful setting and a fabulous holiday.
D.F. Glamorgan -
First met Richard a few years ago when he led our Morocco trip. He was first class then and was still first class for this trip to Poland. Another wonderful adventure that Naturetrek has managed to create. Loved every minute of it! Our local guide was excellent, the accommodation was perfect and the minibus was very comfortable too. We managed to see a good range of birds and even some bison too; what a treat that was. One of our group was on her 27th Naturetrek tour - I can see why. I'm now into double figures because I can't see a reason why I would travel with anyone else. Keep up the great work.
D.S. Highland -
Richard Bashford did everything to make our holiday successful, a few days seemed like a week. Our thanks to all at Naturetrek for a very memorable holiday.
L.C. London
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 25th Apr – Mon 28th Apr
SPACES
£1,845
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£115
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 24th Apr – Mon 27th Apr
SPACES
£1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£175
Array
(
[168] => stdClass Object
(
[id] => 168
[parent_id] => 165
[level] => 2
[path] => tour-focus/shortbreak
[title] => Short Break
[alias] => shortbreak
[description] => Short Break Wildlife Holidays
Among our programme is a significant range of short breaks, designed specially for those wishing to enjoy some of Europe’s top natural history highlights at the best time of year. All of these holidays have the bonus of being short-haul and supported by like-minded wildlife enthusiasts.
Naturetrek Short Break Wildlife Tours
Short breaks are becoming increasingly popular and in response to the high demand for this type of holiday we are continuing to increase our programme both within the UK and abroad. Most of our short breaks are within Europe, for convenience of travel.
For some of our mini-breaks there is an option to travel by plane or train, and we offer a choice of duration and type of break, from a weekend’s birdwatching in the Somerset Levels to a 6-day whale watching tour in the Azores.
A selection of our UK short breaks:
- A winter bird watching break in Norfolk
- An autumn holiday to enjoy the Red Deer rut in Ardnamurchan, Scotland
- A wildlife weekend in the New Forest
A selection of our overseas short breaks:
- In Spain we look for the world’s rarest cat, the Iberian Lynx
- Wolves on the plains in rural northern Spain
- An exploration of La Brenne’s exceptionally rich butterfly-life in northern France
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer two superb short breaks to the lovely island of Madeira in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds. It’s hard to beat our Just Brown Bears trip for families, while if you fancy something off the beaten track, try Estonia in Early Spring for some excellent spring birdwatching."
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
[params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/RlWlvE3qiKAS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg [image_alt] => Bird Watching ) [metakey] => Birds [note] => 02 [parent] => stdClass Object ( [id] => 165 [parent_id] => 1 [level] => 1 [path] => tour-focus [title] => Tour Focus [alias] => tour-focus [description] => [params] => stdClass Object ( [category_layout] => [image_az] => [image_alt] => ) [metakey] => [note] => ) ) )
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
