Poland in Winter

Tour Code: POL04

A 7-day winter adventure to Poland in search of large mammals such as European Bison, Wolf and Elk; species that are rare or even extinct in much of Western Europe.

7 days from
£2,595 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£2,295
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

This unique winter wildlife holiday focuses on the large mammals that are rare or extinct in western Europe, but still flourish in the remoter eastern corners of the continent. This holiday explores the meandering rivers of the Biebrza Marshes and the extensive forests of Bialowieza, including the primeval 'Strict Reserve'. Within this snowy landscape live Elk (Moose), Red Deer, Beaver and a variety of birds, along with the impressive European Bison. There will also be the opportunity to listen for Wolves howling in the forest.   

  • Spectacular snowy landscapes
  • Mammals rare or extinct in western Europe
  • Good opportunities for European Bison
  • Spend an evening listening for Wolves
  • Track mammals & other wildlife 
  • Winter birdlife includes White-tailed Eagle and the possibility of Waxwing & Nutcracker  
  • Expert guidance by a Naturetrek naturalist & local guides

Grading

This tour is graded A/B, consisting of day walks only. We will travel to each site by minibus, then take leisurely walks to explore the area, generally over easy terrain, although some paths can be rough and slippery underfoot. It will, however, be cold (often below zero degrees C) and there is likely to be lying snow on the ground. The holiday is therefore suitable for anyone who enjoys walking in the countryside and is of an ‘average’ level of fitness.

European Bison, Wolf, and Lynx. These are three of the many mammals, formerly widespread in Europe but now extinct or rare in the more densely populated west, that flourish in Poland. A number of these animals are easily observed, but some only with difficulty. The object of this unusual winter holiday is to search for the mammals of the Polish forests, and to study their tracks and signs. The advantage of travelling in winter is not only the snow cover which makes tracking so much easier, but also the cold weather at this season, which forces many creatures to shun their natural fear of man, and to appear less shy.

On our travels, we will also be able to enjoy the winter birdlife of Poland. It is true, of course, that many birds desert Poland during this season; but, like the mammals, those that do stay can be more easily found in the vicinity of man, where food is more readily available. Amongst those that we may see are such dramatic and attractive species as White-tailed Eagle, Rough-legged Buzzard, Waxwing and Nutcracker.

On our arrival in Warsaw we head northeast to Bialowieza, where we will explore the Bialowieza Forest in search of European Bison. The Wisent, as it is also known, is the largest land mammal in Europe and one that became extinct in the wild in the 1920s. Shortly after its demise, a programme of captive breeding was initiated, and in 1952 this magnificent animal was successfully reintroduced back into the forests of northeastern Poland. These forests now contain Europe’s last remaining herds of Wisent and the sight of one of these imposing animals slowly plodding through the snow covered forests is sure to be one of the lingering memories of the tour. There are feeding stations around the area which attract them out of the treeline and we have an excellent chance of seeing them during our time here. Throughout the forest we will also be looking for woodpeckers, plus Roe Deer, Raven and White-tailed Eagle. In the evenings there will be the opportunity to go and listen for howling wolves in the forest.

One morning we will visit the 'Strict Reserve', the heart of Bialowieza Forest, in the company of a locally licensed guide, who will share with us their extensive knowledge of the forest and the wildlife that can be found here. They are well versed in looking for birds and mammals, and will teach us how to decipher the tracks and other signs of Wolf and other larger mammals. Sightings of Wild Boar, Red Fox, Red and Roe Deer, Elk and Brown Hare are all possible. Birds of the area include White-tailed Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Black, Three-toed and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Waxwing, Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch, Crossbill and Nutcracker. Our base for the three nights while we search for the mammals, birds and other wildlife of the Bialowieza Forest will be the comfortable National Park Lodge, set in the heart of the Palace Park.

Following on from the forest, we will spend our next 3 nights at Dobarz close to the huge complex of marshes and riverine woodlands along the meandering Biebrza River. The Biebrza National Park is one of the most important wildlife sites in the whole of Poland and an excellent area in which to look for Elk, the largest cervid in Europe and the same species as the animal known as the Moose in North America. We rarely fail to see it here! We also hope to find a variety of interesting birdlife in the marshes, with a chance of such species as Golden and White-tailed Eagles, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black Woodpecker and Waxwing amongst the commoner wintering waterfowl, as well as looking out for European Beaver and Eurasian Otter along the banks of the frozen rivers.

Finally we must tear ourselves away from this beautiful countryside and return to Warsaw for our flight home.

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Warsaw and transfer Bialowieza
Day 2/3
Bialowieza Forest
Day 4
Transfer to Biebrza
Day 5/6
Biebrza Marshes
Day 7
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    In Bialowieza the accommodation is in the National Park Lodge, located in the centre of the Palace Park. Rooms here are comfortable, but not luxurious. In Biebrza the guesthouse is a small, family run affair with comfortable rooms. All rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    All meals from the evening meal on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7 are included in our price. Evening meals are normally traditional style Polish food.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 18th Jan – Fri 24th Jan SPACES £2,595
Book Tour Show Details
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.
£2,295
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£175

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 17th Jan – Fri 23rd Jan SPACES £2,795
Book Tour Show Details
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.
£2,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£225 
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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Wolf watching tours – See Wolves in their Wild Habitat




Wolves are shy and elusive, which is part of what makes the thrill of seeing a lone wild wolf crossing an open plain, or a pack of wolves feeding on a kill one of the natural world’s unbeatable experiences. The wolf’s howl is a sound that epitomises the wilderness. Whether across a snow-clad northern landscape or a stark Ethiopian plateau, we are pleased to offer you the chance to see, track or hear a wild wolf on our wolf holidays.


Naturetrek offers the chance to look for wolves in a variety of countries and landscapes. One of the additional attractions of seeing wild wolves is that they inhabit some of the most beautiful places in the world. From dedicated wolf-watching holidays in Spain, where wolf tracks can be seen right outside our guesthouse door, to watching Ethiopian Wolves hunting, we offer a wide range of wolf-watching experiences in Europe and beyond. Here’s a selection of our Wolf-watching holidays:




    

  • Wolf watching in Spain – a dedicated wolf tracking holiday in Spain’s remote north-western corner
    • 

  • Ethiopian Wolves – a chance to look for the rare and beautiful Ethiopian wolf in the Bale Mountains
    • 

  • Poland in Winter – a unique winter holiday focusing on the large mammals to be found in Poland, including a chance to see Wolves
    • 

  • Our Sweden’s Mammals tour explores the territory of local wolf packs, with the chance to hear them howl at night 
     
    • 





Our specialist recommends...






"Our 11-day 'The Wolves of Yellowstone National Park' tour heads for the world's first national park in search of its Grey Wolves. If you want a short break focusing almost exclusively on wolf-watching I'd recommend Wolf-Watching in Spain, while we've also had good wolf sightings in recent years on our holiday to Italy's Abruzzo National Park.” 

Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager




 


All Wolf Watching Tours

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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?

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!