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Level of fitness required
low
- staying 10-12h in a photohide
- low temperatures (below zero) during photo sessions
- walk to the hides (max 700m), sometimes following a path in snow
Possible inconveniences
Bison & raptors of Bialowieza, 7days, Poland
Details of the tour
Bialowieza Forest is the best preserved piece of old, primeval European lowland forest. It is the realm of European Bison which was nearly extinct a few decades ago but which population was rebuilt thanks to the efforts of scientists and conservationists. In winter Bison gather near numerous feeding places and it is relatively easy to find and photograph them. The forest is also rich in other kinds of wildlife: Elk, Red Deer, Wild Boar, Wolf, Lynx, etc. Beaver are very common along the rivers along with Otter and American mink.
Winter is the best time to photograph winter raptors: White-tailed Eagles, Goshawk and Common Buzzard, sometimes also Golden Eagle and Rough-legged Buzzard.
Note! If there are more than 4 participants - we split the group and make all field activities (safari and hides) in groups consisting of max 4 participants.
Day 1: arrival, transfer from Warsaw airport to Bialowieza (230 km, ca. 4h drive)
Days 2-6: activities as listed below, if more than 4 participants - we will work in two or three 4-person groups
2 days: bison safari – photographing European Bison and other species (chances for: red deer, elk, wolves) in the area; ca. 100-150 km drive everyday (4x4) + short walks (max 2-3km)
2 days: raptor hides – 2 full days in the raptor hides (ca. 11-12h in a hide, from dawn to dusk; entering and leaving the hide always in the dark), photographing birds of prey and scavengers (raven, red fox), chances for wolves
1 day: woodpecker/garden hide – photographing various forest birds (woodpeckers, tits, jay, nuthatch, hawfinches, greenfinches, etc.) and Red Squirell at forest feeders; also chances for: Sparowhawk, Goshawk, Pine Marten
Note: our guides don't stay in the hides with photographers!
Day 7: departure, transfer from Warsaw airport to Bialowieza (230 km, ca. 4h drive)
Optional activity:
Photo-walk in the Strictly Protected Area of the Bialowieza National Park. It is the oldest part of the forest and you can visit it only with a licensed guide. It is a must for every nature-lover as this forest is really exceptional!. You will be guided by Renata Krzysciak-Kosinska - biologist (PhD), former Head of the Scientific Unit of the Bialowieza NP. Photowalk can be combined with a half day bison safari or half day woodpecker hide session. Duration: 4h, distance to walk: 7km
Price: 150 Euro / group plus tickets (2 Euro pp)
1350 € (400€ deposit)
payment:
- 30% deposit (400 Euro) - to be paid when booking the trip
- the balance - 30 days before departure
Price
Itinerary
- accommodation (double/twin room)
- meals (packed lunch and dinner)
- transport (local and to/from Warsaw airport)
- guiding
- use of the photohides
Included in the price
- alcoholic drinks
- optional activities
- personal insurance
- flight tickets
- all items of personal nature
- single room supplement - ca. 20€ / person / day
Not included in the price
16-22 December 2024
10-16 February 2025
16-22 February 2025
Available dates
Bialowieza Forest (NE Poland, Bialowieza National Park)
Location
European Bison (Wisent), Red Fox, White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Woodpeckers, Hawfinch, etc.
Main topic
min 4, max 12
Number of participants
Guides
Marek Kosiński, Marian Batura
guesthouse or B&B in Bialowieza village, twin/double rooms with bathrooms, limited availability of single rooms
Accommodation
provided by the guesthouse or in the nearby restaurant; late dinner on the first day, packed breakfast and dinner on days 2-6, breakfast only on the departure day
Meals
- lenses from 100 to 500mm
- warm winter clothes and boots
- warm slippers or socks for the hides
- chemical foot-warmers (recommended)
- head torch
- tripod with a detachable tripod head
- thermos flask for hot drinks
- snacks for hide sessions
- powerbank for fans
Recommended equipment
- local: 4x4
- airport transfer: minibus
Note on the airport transfer: We offer only one airport transfer (both directions) for the whole group by minibus. Approximate departure time from the Warsaw Chopin airport: 14.00. On the last day your flight home should not be earlier than at 15.00.
Transportation