European Bison Reservation
European Bison Reservation
European Bison Reservation
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4.0
349 reviews
Excellent
158
Very good
100
Average
59
Poor
19
Terrible
13
nidriks
Dorset, UK168 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
As many have pointed out, this is a chance to see the famous Bialowieza bison that you be lucky to see in the wild. I spent 6 weeks in Bialowieza back in 1996 and saw wild bison on my first day there. Whole other 6 weeks, not a jot.
The animals in the park, bison, deer, lynx and wild cat, a couple of elk, wild boar, wild horse and wolves seem well cared for and content. They have large areas to roam, with a number of pens for each species rotated to let the grass grow.
The only animals I didn't see were the wolves. They must have been hiding in the back of their forested enclosure. Sadly, that was the animal I most wanted to see. I assume they were there. The signage had wolf behaviour diagrams.
It wasn't expensive to get in but it will only probably take you an hour to walk around the park. I was lucky to catch a keeper feeding the deer so it took me a little longer.
Definitely worth a trip if you're in Bialowieza.
The animals in the park, bison, deer, lynx and wild cat, a couple of elk, wild boar, wild horse and wolves seem well cared for and content. They have large areas to roam, with a number of pens for each species rotated to let the grass grow.
The only animals I didn't see were the wolves. They must have been hiding in the back of their forested enclosure. Sadly, that was the animal I most wanted to see. I assume they were there. The signage had wolf behaviour diagrams.
It wasn't expensive to get in but it will only probably take you an hour to walk around the park. I was lucky to catch a keeper feeding the deer so it took me a little longer.
Definitely worth a trip if you're in Bialowieza.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CatherineReichardt
London, UK188 contributions
July 2019
We did two guided tours into the Bialowiecza National Park (one 'twilight tour' and another 'night tour'), but although we saw bison, they were several hundred metres in the distance.
This 'reservation' gives you the opportunity to see the animals up close, but should more accurately be described as a zoo. The conditions are variable - the lynx and the wolves are in enclosures that are far too small and make no attempt to simulate their natural environment, whereas the paddocks where the bison and red deer live are much better. For those interested in birds, we saw about a dozen species of birds here which are habituated to people, so easier to spot than they are in the forest.
The layout is flat and very family friendly, and easily accessible for those with prams, push chairs and wheelchairs. There are good bathroom facilities in the main building, and a couple of portaloos located around the site, which is great for a family-focused attraction. There's also a lot of shade, which was very welcome on a sweltering hot summer day.
This place is fairly small, so it will keep you occupied for a couple of hours maximum, unless you have kids, who will love the excellent adventure playground and its zipline (no extra charge).
One other unexpected and very welcome touch is that there's a free kennel at the entrance for people who are travelling with their dogs (which aren't allowed inside). All you have to do is ask for a kennel key when you pay your entrance fee, and your dog can stay in a covered kennel enclosure with a small outdoor area for the duration of your visit. This is such a good idea, as it prevents people who travel with their dogs from leaving them locked in the car where they could overheat - it's the first time we've seen this, and would strongly urge other tourist attractions to consider replicating this.
There is no cafe or shop, so bring your own picnic.
There is parking, but the parking area is too small to cater for the number of visitors in high summer. There is extra parking on the access road, but as the reserve is on the outskirts of Bialowiecza, it's probably nicer to walk or cycle here.
This 'reservation' gives you the opportunity to see the animals up close, but should more accurately be described as a zoo. The conditions are variable - the lynx and the wolves are in enclosures that are far too small and make no attempt to simulate their natural environment, whereas the paddocks where the bison and red deer live are much better. For those interested in birds, we saw about a dozen species of birds here which are habituated to people, so easier to spot than they are in the forest.
The layout is flat and very family friendly, and easily accessible for those with prams, push chairs and wheelchairs. There are good bathroom facilities in the main building, and a couple of portaloos located around the site, which is great for a family-focused attraction. There's also a lot of shade, which was very welcome on a sweltering hot summer day.
This place is fairly small, so it will keep you occupied for a couple of hours maximum, unless you have kids, who will love the excellent adventure playground and its zipline (no extra charge).
One other unexpected and very welcome touch is that there's a free kennel at the entrance for people who are travelling with their dogs (which aren't allowed inside). All you have to do is ask for a kennel key when you pay your entrance fee, and your dog can stay in a covered kennel enclosure with a small outdoor area for the duration of your visit. This is such a good idea, as it prevents people who travel with their dogs from leaving them locked in the car where they could overheat - it's the first time we've seen this, and would strongly urge other tourist attractions to consider replicating this.
There is no cafe or shop, so bring your own picnic.
There is parking, but the parking area is too small to cater for the number of visitors in high summer. There is extra parking on the access road, but as the reserve is on the outskirts of Bialowiecza, it's probably nicer to walk or cycle here.
Written 25 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Time Traveler
Espoo, Finland42 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Suits very well for families with small children. Easy walk around the park is not much of an adventrure. The forest around is beautiful and bisons seen close interesting enough. They just don't really seem too happy being in the zoo, but someone told us they get released to nature and others replace them once in a while. Hopefully so.
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna R
Adelaide, Australia612 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
The reserve has evidently been updated in recent years, it is very well appointed and has been modernized. However, for a chance to see the big bison, you need to book a guided tour of the forest. Here, the animals such as the Polish horse, zubron (a hybrid of bison and domestic cattle) and deer can be seen at close range. There is an educational display and a small shop in the reserve, and also a couple of stalls selling local products (honey, candles) and souvenirs. A great attraction for children.
Written 26 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassie K
8 contributions
July 2018
This was an amazing experience and I particularly loved seeing the giant bison and the wild horses as well as the lynx.
Written 1 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malgorzata O
1 contribution
May 2019 • Friends
Very disappointed. This is basically a glorified zoo, which would be okay if there are conservation efforts being made. My main issues were two fold. Number 1. The inclosures for the lynx and other cat were way too small. Number 2. I saw an injured bleeding wolf. There was no one to alert so I went back to the ticket desk and asked for someone in charge. The worker said he will call him later but I insisted he do it now and waited. I don’t understand how they expect to run this kind of institution with on worker at the booth. There should be grounds keepers roaming the property at all times and an on call 24/7 vet. I left feeling horrible. Would not recommend.
Written 19 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcinWZ
Wetzlar, Germany403 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
Lots of forest animals to see and show to kids and adults alike - not too far from Bialowieza village - hikeable with a bit of determination ;)
Written 8 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jola F
Walsall, UK36 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
We didn’t see any bison in the protected area of the Białowieża National Park so we decided to go to the Bison Reservation. We saw several sleepy bison and one wolf in a small fenced in area.
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xxxxx
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg45 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Unfortunately, there were hardly any animals present in the reservation, except 2 zubrons. Very disappointing visit: why presenting horses or deers when people come to see bizons?
Written 25 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
velkoadmiral
29 contributions
July 2018 • Couples
My wife and I love animals and of course wanted to use the chance to see the Bisons, ideally in the park.
Now it is not easy at all to get to the park (which is probably very good for the park and the bisons). However, this information is not that easy to extract from the National Park website - so we did not have a chance to get the tour that would fit our time possibilities.
For such people the Bison Reserve is a 100% chance to see the animals.
Frankly, it is a tiny zoo place, with a little herd of the bisons, a little herd of deer, some wild pigs and a well hidden lynx. I've seen certainly better ones in my life.
Now, if you want to see the Bison and you travel across half of Europe to see one, than you will certainly want to visit the place to see the animal, as it may be your only chance to do so. But if you want to travel half Europe to see the Bison Reserve place, I would probably advice to find another place.
Now it is not easy at all to get to the park (which is probably very good for the park and the bisons). However, this information is not that easy to extract from the National Park website - so we did not have a chance to get the tour that would fit our time possibilities.
For such people the Bison Reserve is a 100% chance to see the animals.
Frankly, it is a tiny zoo place, with a little herd of the bisons, a little herd of deer, some wild pigs and a well hidden lynx. I've seen certainly better ones in my life.
Now, if you want to see the Bison and you travel across half of Europe to see one, than you will certainly want to visit the place to see the animal, as it may be your only chance to do so. But if you want to travel half Europe to see the Bison Reserve place, I would probably advice to find another place.
Written 10 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it easy to get to the reservation from Warsaw by bus or train?
Written 13 August 2017
You'd have to travel into Bielska Biala and then get a taxi or trip to the reserve. Unless you've a real passion for bison I wouldn't think it's worth the effort
Written 15 August 2017
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