The Białowieza National Park was established in 1932. It is one of the two oldest national parks in Poland and one of the first in Europe. The area of the park is 10 501.9 ha, of which 4 747 ha are under strict protection. The king of the forest and the crest animal is the bison, the largest mammal in Europe. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and obtained the status of a world biosphere reserve.
The park covers part of the Bialowieza Primeval Forest, which is the only lowland forest in Europe, preserved in its natural state, which means that the forest is the only part of the forest in Europe that has never been cut down and natural processes continue here, hence the uniqueness of Bialowieza nature.
The largest area of the park is covered by oak, linden and hornbeam forests. Deciduous trees are dominated by huge oaks, hornbeams, maples, ash and alders, while among conifers – pines and spruces. Due to the very fertile soil, trees here reach huge sizes.
A closed bison breeding center was established in the Park, as well as show farms with a bison, deer, Polish horse and a wolf.
The best base for exploring the forest is Bialowieza, a town close to the border with Belarus, hidden in the heart of the forest.
Tourists visiting the Bialowieza Primeval Forest usually want not only to relax, but also to experience contact with nature, observe the local flora and fauna, take part in guided walks around the park including tracking animal tracks, and photography workshops. Around Bialowieza, there are also educational paths, bicycle routes, Nordic walking routes, and walking routes. It is worth seeing the modern exposition of the Nature and Forest Museum and the historic complex called the Palace Park. From spring, you can take advantage of an extremely interesting attraction, which is a trolley ride on the tracks built for Tsar Nicholas II.