Established in 1932, the Białowieski National Park is one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe. It covers the central part of the Białowieża Forest, which is known worldwide for its vast, virgin forest and the breeding grounds of the European bison. Hunted to near extinction in the early XX century, the bison were reintroduced from captivity, and today the largest bison herd to be found in the forest is made up of over 700 animals.
The park constitutes an area of mixed forests with an unusual abundance of diverse tree varieties which grow in their natural state, untouched by man, with many of the trees reaching heights seldom seen elsewhere in Europe. The park’s wildlife is particularly abundant: the Białowieża Forest constitutes the nesting grounds for 120 species of birds and, in addition to bison, other larger mammals such as elk, red deer, wolf, lynx, and beaver are frequently seen here. In the special exhibition reserve, visitors can not only come in close contact with the bison but also elks, wild boars, and red deer.
The most protected part of the park is a designated conservation area with access to this area only in the company of a guide. The magnificent Royal Oak Trail is also worth mentioning and visiting. The Białowieski National Park has been recorded on the UNESCO list of World Biosphere Reserves and the UNESCO list of World Heritage.
Please visit the Białowieża National Park official portal for more information.
The herd roams freely, so there is no exact time for them to appear. If you are lucky, and depending on the season, you can catch a glimpse of the magnificent bison on a live webcam with sound support and night vision.
