Holiday in Poland, wetland wilderness

The Northeast of Poland contains one of the very last completely unspoilt European habitats.

In this wild and relatively undiscovered corner of Europe, are located three magnificent National Parks that still contain a huge variety of endangered species living in their natural wetland habitat.

This unusual and exciting wildlife encounter takes us deep into the marshes, river systems and swamp forests of Biebrza, Narew and Bialowieza National Parks.

Here, amid the meandering lowland rivers, flooded wild meadows and the best-preserved fragment of ancient lowland forest anywhere in Europe, can be found European bison, wolves, lynx, elk, deer, wild boar, beavers and an incredible array of birds. Our guide is an English-speaking naturalist who has studied this area extensively and will provide a highly informed insight into the fauna and flora of the region. Using a variety of watercraft and travelling on foot will allow us to get incredibly close to the wildlife.

The journey begins with the short flight to Warsaw, where we are met and driven to Biebrza National Park for a briefing and short walk into the wetlands. We have four days to explore Biebrza, moving around by kayak, on foot and by horse-drawn cart to reach the best viewing places. We track wolves and elk, and go looking for beavers, as well as enjoying the panoply of wetland birds and birds of prey. We are likely to see storks, herons, swans, ducks, snipes, eagles, goshawk, buzzards and myriad other species.

The whole area has also long been a rich melting pot for a mixture of different peoples, cultures and religions, with Poles, Lithuanians, Ukrainians, Jews and Tartars all sharing their lives here. It is a country of small family farms and friendly people, living like their forefathers, often without running water, electricity or money. They still plough their fields using horses and simple, self-made machines. There will be opportunities to meet the locals and sample traditional Polish food and drinks such as bigos, pierogi, babka, and kielbasa.

After Biebrza, we visit the baroque pearl of Tykocin, with its exquisite seventeenth-century synagogue, before continuing to Narew National Park, often called Poland’s Amazon. Here the Narew River meanders tortuously through the landscape, forming countless oxbows and water meadows. Travelling silently by punt through the reed beds of the Narew River is an experience not to be missed. We also make a hike through the wetlands, visiting the traditional wooden architecture of the region, as well as keeping a keen eye out for rare birds such as bittern and marsh harrier.

The final leg of the journey takes us past Tartar villages and orthodox churches en route to Bialowieza Primeval Forest. Bialowieza is one of the last surviving tracts of wild wood that once covered most of Europe in prehistoric times. The forest contains over 1,000 plant species, and the forest floor is carpeted with a rich array of plants that delight the eye and stimulate the senses. The fauna in the Bialowieza Forest is as diverse as the flora, with a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The only remaining European bison roam freely here as well as the tarpan, an extremely rare species of wild horse. A thousand years ago, bison crossed Europe in thunderous herds. By the beginning of this century, however, over-hunting had reduced these herds to a few bison living in the Bialowieza Forest. Today, breeding programmes have swelled the numbers to over 300, and all bison are protected.

The attributes that make the Bialowieza Forest a biological wonder have also made it a magnet for archaeologists. Because much of the area has been largely undisturbed, artefacts and sites still remain from pre-Slavic civilizations.

We have three days to explore this wonderland, tracking bison, visiting a mysterious and powerfully moving stone circle in the middle of the forest, and interpreting the rich flora and fauna, before sadly bidding farewell and returning to Warsaw for the flight home.

Please note that the itinerary may vary slightly according to the time of year and wildlife prevalent in certain areas. Each day is easy paced and leaves plenty of time for extra activities. Suitable for families. May to early/mid-June is good for migrating birds in voice. Later June – birds are still abundant, but slightly less active and quieter. The flowers and plant life start to bloom, with numerous butterflies and amphibians. Early September – still good for water based activities such as kayaking, as it tends to remain warmer and the bird migration can start; particularly good for water fowl, ducks, and storks. During September departures in Bialowieza, you also the chance to experience the deer rut, the haunting call of the tawny owls, and prevalent birdlife. Water activities can start to be colder later in September, but the forests are full of Autumnal colours.