Borki Nature Reserve in Masuria

In the heart of the Borecka Forest, between Giżycko and Olecko, lies the Borki reserve – the central and best-preserved part of one of the most valuable forests of the Masurian Lake District. It is a realm of oak–hornbeam–lime woodland and, above all, home to a free-roaming herd of European bison that has lived here since the 1960s. The easiest place to see them is the display enclosure at Wolisko.

A forest that survived

The reserve was created in 1958 with an area of 232 ha and enlarged in 2015 to 440.22 ha. It lies in the municipalities of Kruklanki and Kowale Oleckie, in the Borki and Czerwony Dwór forest districts. The dominant habitat is hornbeam–lime woodland with oak, maple, spruce and elm, and there are even single yew trees. The stands are multi-layered, the limes are 100–150 years old, and around 320 plant species grow in the reserve, including wild garlic, martagon lily and ostrich fern. Protection also covers rare birds such as the collared flycatcher and the white-backed woodpecker.

The whole Borecka Forest covers more than 18,000 ha, and woodland occupies almost 92% of its area. The terrain is hilly, with moraine hills rising above 200 m and lakes such as Szwałk Wielki and Łaźno.

The bison of the Borecka Forest

The bison story began with a ministerial order of 31 August 1955 establishing a Centre for Breeding Rare Animals. The first bison arrived on 14 April 1956 from the reserve in Niepołomice. From 1962 a free-ranging herd was kept alongside the enclosed one, and in 1969 the animals of the mixed Białowieża–Caucasian line began to be replaced by pure lowland bison from Białowieża. The founding group of the free herd numbered 15 animals; the first three calves of the Białowieża line were born in 1972. In 1984 the centre was taken over by the Borki Forest District. Since 1972 the bison have been fed in winter, for a season of about 180 days.

The Wolisko display enclosure

Free-roaming bison avoid people, so the Borki Forest District runs a display and breeding enclosure at Wolisko. In 2019 five bison were brought here, chosen so that their offspring would add genetic diversity to the wild herd. The enclosure welcomes about 13,000 visitors a year. Admission is free, but it opens only on selected days in season (daily in July and August), from 9:00 to 11:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 – the forest district publishes the dates for each year in a notice.

Tripto tip

Before you travel, check the Borki Forest District notice for the current opening days – outside them the gate stays shut. The enclosure opens for only two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon, so allow plenty of time to get there. In the reserve, stay strictly on designated roads and trails. The forest district office is in Kruklanki, at ul. Dworcowa 8A.