The Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest is the habitat for over 150 bird species, which include white and black storks, cranes, woodpeckers, and lesser spotted eagles. There is also a wide variety of mammal species in the forest, ranging from small ones (common shrews, pygmy shrews, and harvest mice) to big ones (deer, boars, wolves, foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, martens, weasels, lynxes and stoats). Muskrats and beavers inhabit the banks of rivers and streams, whereas hares can be found in the open fields. The Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest is also home to one of Polish five herds of the European bison.
It was decided in 1988 to establish the Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest Landscape Park to protect over 126 thousand ha of forest and river valleys.
The Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest is famous for its perfect conditions for horse riding. Whether pony-rides for children, cross-country cart rides, or horse rallies through the primaeval forest, across streams or rivers far away to the Belarusian border, horse riding in the Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest is always an exciting experience.
No matter the weather or season, the Knyszyńska Primaeval Forest has a rich and varied tourist offer for everyone. A summer’s hiking rally or winter’s sleigh ride, a visit to the Arboretum or to the ski slope – it is all up to you.