Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park: A Hidden Gem in Belarus

So, we finally made it to Brest for our vacation, and one of the top things on our list was a trip to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. We'd heard so much about this place, and we were ready for the cute little faces and big round eyes of the animals.

We drove to the park from Brest, which is about 65 kilometers away. If you're driving from Brest, the trip can take anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a pretty spacious parking lot, which wasn't a surprise given how many tour buses come through here. You can buy tickets right at the entrance, in the pavilion. We could've walked around the park on our own, or taken a guided tour on a bike - we even had the option to rent one. Since it was a weekend, we decided to check out the animal enclosures and the nature museum. A ticket to the animal enclosures costs 17 Belarusian rubles, which is around 464 Russian rubles, while the nature museum ticket is 14 Belarusian rubles, or 382 Russian rubles.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.We're really loving our time in Belarus so far - the nature, the history, the people, and the cozy atmosphere all have us hooked.

Before we even entered the park, we were blown away by how massive it is.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.If you're a first-timer to Belovezhskaya Pushcha and aren't sure where to go, don't worry - there are plenty of signs along the way to guide you.

Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Belarus.Walking around the entire park on foot is pretty much impossible, so we opted for the guided bus tour instead. And let me tell you, it was totally worth it - we even got to see the Grandfather Frost's residence, which is located 12 kilometers deep in the park. Of course, we didn't make it there, but we did get to explore the park's trails, visit the animal enclosures, and check out the nature museum.And let me tell you, the fall foliage in Belovezhskaya Pushcha is absolutely stunning - the yellow and burgundy leaves create this magical atmosphere that's hard to describe.

Bialowieza Forest Belarus.As we were walking towards the enclosures, we spotted a four-legged worker of Bialowieza Forest proudly running towards us. Bialowieza Forest Belarus.The animal and bird enclosures are located near the park entrance. This isn't a zoo, and the animals are kept in large enclosures that closely mimic their natural habitats.

Our tour started with the cages housing a white-tailed eagle, a lynx, a stone marten, a badger, and other fascinating creatures.

Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus.The complex surrounding the enclosures is designed with pathways and benches, allowing you to choose which animals to visit first. If you get tired, you can sit down and take in the fresh air while listening to the birds singing. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus.There aren't many cages with small animals, so we headed towards the larger enclosures. That's where you'll find the bigger animals: roe deer, rare horse breeds, aurochs, noble stags, wild boars, foxes, wolves, and brown bears.

And here's our first encounter – adorable roe deer and stags. The stags were too cool to bother with us, just lying down and taking a nap in the rain. The roe deer, on the other hand, are super friendly and love taking carrots from our hands and getting petted.

Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Nah, girls, it's true!

Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. We fed the elk and then headed over to meet the bison. In one enclosure, there were both adult bison and calves. A massive animal slowly approached us, with eyes that were so gentle and devoted - they really looked right through you.

Białowieża Forest, Belarus. I was a bit surprised to see the special enclosures in the zoo, but the adult bison had already figured out how to squeeze under the bottom of the fence and get to the treats. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Our next encounter was with a tarpan-horse hybrid. These little guys are smaller than regular horses, but they're incredibly strong and agile. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. The last enclosures we visited were with predators - we saw wolves and lynxes. Unfortunately, we didn't get any meat, but the raccoons were having a blast with the carrots. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. Białowieża Forest, Belarus. After our animal encounters, we headed to the nature museum, which is located in the administrative building and has an amazing collection of flora and fauna.

Bialowieza Forest Belarus. I was blown away by the taxidermy museum - it's like stepping into a real-life forest, but with animals that are, well, not alive. I get why it might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you've seen wildlife in their natural habitats. But the collection is seriously impressive, with all sorts of flora and fauna that call Bialowieza home.

Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. Bialowieza Forest Belarus. The exhibits are divided into several sections, each with its own lighting and sound effects that really make you feel like you're right there in the forest.

Bialowieza Forest, Belarus. I've got to say, the museum's collection of butterflies is a real showstopper - people go wild for it!

Bialowieza Forest, Belarus. There are a few cafes on site where you can grab a bite to eat or sit down for a proper meal. We opted for 'Sosny' - it's a cozy little spot that's perfect for a warm day. You can sit outside and enjoy the scenery while sipping on a cup of tea. We were craving some draniki with mushrooms, mashed potatoes with a side of bacon, and a cup of tea. It cost us 19 Belarusian rubles or 512 Russian rubles. The menu's got a great selection of national dishes and the atmosphere's super welcoming. Just be aware that it's a small cafe, so it might get busy with tourists.

Bialowieza Forest, Belarus. Sosny Cafe. Bialowieza Forest, Belarus. Sosny Cafe. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to linger, but I'd highly recommend staying in Bialowieza Forest for at least a few days. They've got everything you need - accommodation, equipment rentals, and guided bus tours. There are also plenty of walking and cycling routes to explore, as well as some lovely asphalt paths for a leisurely stroll through this incredible natural wonder.

Bialowieza Forest, Belarus. Bialowieza Forest is truly a special place - I could go back again and again!