Białowieża National Park

Białowieża National Park

Poland has thousands of historic sites, but only one can claim to be the oldest, the Białowieża Forest. Situated on the border of Poland and Belarus, in the Podlasie region, this ancient forest is a unique place. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977 and two years later it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the last remaining European lowland deciduous and mixed forest. Białowieża represents the forest which once covered much of Europe. This primeval forest is a habitat for animal and plant species common to both Eastern and Western Europe. This is the only place in the world where European Bison can be seen roaming free. Bison are an iconic symbol of the area, with around 900 individuals, representing nearly 25% of the world's total population. The forest is also home to species such as elk, wolves, Roe Deer and Red Deer, lynx and wild boar. Among the pine, oak, spruce and beech that make up the majority of the forest are trees that are much older than man could ever hope to be. The forest is home to more than 900 different species of plants. Rare bird species such as the Peregrine Falcon, the White Stork and the White-Tailed Eagle fly through the scenic woodland. About 40 square miles of the forest are under protection as a natural park. Visiting this part is only allowed as part of a guided tour or formal scientific expedition. Visitors can explore on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, and there are numerous hiking and cycling trails through the forest. Organized bird watching with an expert guide is also a popular way to make the most of a forest visit.