Belovezhskaya Pushcha is the oldest national Park of Europe situated in Western part of Belarus along the state border with Poland and partially on the territory of Poland. Name of the park comes from the name of Belovezha Castle ("belo" means "white" and "vezha" means "tower" in Polish and Belarussian languages) situated in Poland. Nowadays the national park occupies the area of 85 thousands hectares stretching from North to South for 65 km and from West to East for 10 to 30 km. Once the area was reserved exclusively for hunting for Polish kings (1410-1794) and Russian tsars (1794-1914). Nowadays Belovezhskaya Pushcha withing territory of Belarus possesses status of national park.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park is one of the most famous places in Belarus. The park is famous for its ancient nominal oaks that are considered to be more than 500 years-old. It is the only forest tract in Europe remaining actually intact. Variety of flora and mild climate form favorable conditions for life of forest animals. Here live 55 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, 11 species of amphibia, 7 species of reptiles. However, the most remarkable wild animal of the park - and the biggest one in Europe - is European bison called "zubr" in Belarussian.
In 1992 UNESCO listed the National Park as a World Heritage Site. In 1993 it got the status of a Biosphere Reserve and in 1997 was awarded a Council of Europe Diploma. Belovezhskaya Pushcha is one of the four most famous and unique original forestlands in the world.
The estate functions all year round.
Seeing Belovezhskaya Pushcha without visas
Foreign citizens can see the national park Belovezhskaya Pushcha without Belarusian visas.
The option is available for up to three days if the tourists cross the border via the border checkpoint Pererov–Belovezha, which is located in the center of the ancient forest at the Belarusian-Polish border. For 72 hours foreign guests do not need visas to travel inside the park along the approved tourist routes (routes for bicycles, pedestrians, and other ones).
Pedestrians and cyclists are eligible for the simplified border crossing procedure.