Tracking wolves in Poland’s wild Carpathian mountains

There is a very special wilderness in the far southeastern corner of Poland, on the borders of Ukraine and Slovakia. This is a place where time seems to have stopped and where biodiversity seems untouched by civilization. Impressive landscapes, endless forests, and snow-covered mountain tops make this landscape breathtaking. The Bieszczady is definitely one of the wildest places within Europe, but it is not devoid of human habitation. This area is not an isolated wilderness far away from humanity and our destructive ways. The Bieszczady area is full of villages, hikers, dogs, and human infrastructure. This area proves that there is hope in Europe and that we can co-exist with wildlife. Responsible forest management, respect for carnivores, and year-round protection for sensitive species is all it takes for wildlife to thrive in this area! The Bieszczady mountains are probably one of the last places in Europe where none of the native mammals are (regionally) extinct at the moment. Healthy populations of the European wildcat, otter, beaver, most of the mustelids, and large herbivores thrive here. The most spectacular one being the European Bison, these impressive bovids were reintroduced into the Bieszczady mountains in the early 70s, and today the area has the second-largest free-roaming population in Europe. Even more impressive is that the entire large carnivore guild is still present. Wolves are doing great and so are bears, the Eurasian lynx population is one of the largest in Poland but these shy animals are notoriously difficult to see.

For this trip, the focus will mostly be on the apex predator of the area, we will use the wolf packs to guide us through the landscape and learn about all its inhabitants and natural beauty. We will visit (old) rendezvous spots, track wolves, listen to howling, and hope to get quality sightings of this enigmatic species. The focus is on seeing and learning about the behavior of this often-misunderstood predator. We will see and learn how these intelligent, social canids do everything to keep the pack alive and how they navigate an often dangerous and challenging landscape. Wolves are not easy to see, they are shy and cautious. Early mornings, hikes, night drives, and a bit of luck are required to get good and prolonged sightings of the species. We do have a lot of experience in this area and the best guides available to make this happen; nevertheless, we can’t guarantee sightings but what we can guarantee is that you will leave with an amazing experience, learn a lot about wolves, and will be in their presence for the entire time during your stay. We use the local accommodation and local foods of the best quality and will work around the clock to get you up close and personal with the wolves and other wildlife of this unique area.