Zoos

Forest Park of Surprises in Ustroń

On the slope of Równica in the Zawodzie district of Ustroń, at Zdrojowa 16, runs the Forest Park of Surprises — an unusual zoological garden where deer, mouflons and alpacas roam freely among visitors, and feeding the animals is one of the main attractions of the visit. The park welcomes guests daily all year round, winter included.

The Polish forest up close

In the park you will see all the animals of Polish forests: red deer, roe deer, wild boar and even bison — the latter living alongside the deer. Among the cervids strolling freely around are males too, including fallow deer with impressive palmate antlers. The youngest visitors can feed the animals without restrictions, and the walk follows almost 3.5 km of paths with a fairy-tale alley, a playground and goats.

Falconry and the owl house

The park's calling card is its falconry: birds of prey flying shows take place at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and in the summer season also at 4:00 pm. Falcons, kites, buzzards and eagles take to the air — the white-tailed eagle is the park's symbol — while the staff tell engaging stories about the birds' habits. In the owl house, shows feature the barn owl, tawny owl and snowy owl. The Hunting and Gamekeeping Museum also operates on site, and from the meadows you can see Czantoria.

In practice

The park is open Apr–Oct 9:00 am–6:00 pm, Nov–Mar 10:00 am–4:00 pm. In the summer season an adult ticket costs PLN 40 on weekdays and PLN 49 at weekends and holidays, reduced PLN 30/39; children under 3 enter free, and with the Large Family Card you pay PLN 5 less. Tickets are not sold online, and parking is free. The forest paths are pushchair-friendly only on dry days.