Article Wildlife adventure in Poland

I am #NaturallyCurious

Unique natural locations in Poland offer the chance of a lifetime to view awe-inspiring animals. Forests cover nearly 30% of the country; consider the meadows, swamps, lakes, and rivers that are home to many species of animals, and it adds up to wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature. Plus, 23 national parks and 125 landscape parks protect it all!

Forests, swamps and their inhabitants

The best time to track deer and moose in Poland is during the mating season from autumn-winter, but even in July or August, it’s not uncommon to spot moose or European bison near Hajnówka.

Wildlife lovers must visit the Białowieża Forest, the last fragment of primeval forest in the European Lowlands. In the Polish part, you’ll find several hundred bison in the wild and an unusual trail among oak trees hundreds of years old, bearing the names of Polish and Lithuanian princes and kings who once hunted in the forest.

Feline fans should visit the Kampinos Forest, home of the mysterious lynx. Spotting this notoriously shy predator is a challenge, but worth a try. The Kampinos National Park refuges have a lot to offer for nature and wildlife enthusiasts of nature and wildlife.

Birdwatchers’ paradise

Many bird species’ migratory routes cross over Poland. On fallows, see the European roller, and on stubble, the ruff. Floating mats (layers of mosses and other vegetation covering the surface of lakes) welcome cranes, and you can see eagles hunting over meadows. Ornithologists can watch birds to their hearts’ content in the Warta Mouth National Park, the Biebrza wetlands, the Masurian Oświn Lake, and the Milicz Ponds in the Barycz Valley.

If you visit the Biebrza Marshes (the largest wetlands in Central Europe), with luck you’ll come across the short-eared owl, the Eurasian curlew, sandpipers, cranes, grouse, terns, and more. Almost three hundred species of wetland birds pick Poland’s largest national park as their breeding area.

All creatures great and small

Encountering members of the lower orders is as fascinating as meeting the mighty giants. The Pieniny Mountains are the territory of the most beautiful Polish butterfly – the Apollo. In the Bieszczady Valley of the San river lives the Aesculapian snake, and in the Kampinos Forest the moor frog, which changes coloration during its mating season.

Polish nature is unique

Poland is famous for successful reintroduction experiments. In addition to the bison, the Polish Konik, beaver and lynx have been restored to nature in this way.
Poland’s countryside is largely wild and pristine. Even in the 11th century, the first Polish king, Bolesław Chrobry, initiated wildlife protection by introducing limits on beaver hunting.

A rich, diverse natural habitats are an important part of Poland’s tourism appeal; the country is among the top European countries in terms of biodiversity conservation. Sea, mountains, clean lakes, many rivers, green lowlands, forests, wild animals and a wealth of flora – you will find it all in Poland!