Big Game Hunters…But No Shooting!

Explore Poland’s fabled Białowieża Forest as part of ‘The Travelling Naturalist’ photography break departing December 5th.

This small group guided tour focuses on the large, yet elusive mammals of Poland’s Biebrza Marshes and Bialowieza Forest. Studying tracks in the snow, the group will look out for European bison, wild boar, elk, red deer and, if extremely lucky, some the country's predators.The snowy adventure begins in the spectacular and wildlife-rich Biebrza National Park in north-east Poland. Driving through the National Park, travellers will look out for elk and learn about wolf ecology – all the while keeping an eye out for tracks in the snow.

Wolves in Poland have been protected over the last 15 years and the population is currently estimated to be around 1,000 wolves. Further along the river guests may even see white-tailed eagles sitting on the ice or feeding on leftover carcasses killed by wolves. Other notable species in this area include otter, as well as polecat and American mink.

It then moves on to Bialowieza Forest, one of the last primeval lowland forests in Europe, consisting of oak, lime, ash and spruce, and one of the largest areas of virgin woodland on the continent.The forest is probably most famous for its reintroduced herd of European bison and the group hope to see some of these huge and surprisingly elusive beasts as well as a range of other mammals includes red and roe deer, wild boar, pine marten, stoat and weasel and a host of birdlife

Price: from £1,595pp sharing, including 6 nights’ accommodation, all meals, guided activities, naturalist guide, transfers and return flights from London to Warsaw with The Travelling Naturalist (01305 267994, thetravellingnaturalist.com). Departs: 5 December 2020 or 22 February 2021.