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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

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 2-4: activities as listed below, if more than 4 participants - we will work in two or three 4-person groups

1 day: 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 (eagle and riverside hide) – 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

option: 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 5: departure, transfer from Warsaw airport to Bialowieza (230 km, ca. 4h drive)

1050 € (300€ deposit)

payment:

• 30% deposit (300 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

8-12 January 2025

13-17 January 2025 - 4 spots available

ask about other dates

Available dates

Bialowieza Forest (NE Poland, Bialowieza National Park)

Location

European Bison (Wisent), White-tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Common Buzzard, Woodpeckers, Hawfinch, Red Fox 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 on the first day: 14.00.

Approximate arrival time in the Warsaw Chopin airport on the last day: 14.00.

Transportation

Gallery of participants' photos

Participants' photos