Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve

The Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is situated in the northern part of Belarus. It is 125 km fr om Minsk and 140 km from Vitebsk. The village of Domzheritsy in the Lepel district is an administrative centre of the protected area.

The territory that covers 85 thousand hectares had long been protected by local dukes. It was granted the status of a reserve in 1925. During the occupation by Nazi Germany, natural resources were damaged: structures for elks and beavers were destroyed, a museum was destroyed, its unique collections were burnt. Since 1958, scientific activity on enriching flora and fauna has been developed here. In 1979, the reserve was granted the status of a biosphere reserve.

All four types of ecosystems typical for Belarus are represented in the reserve. This is dense forests and swamps. In addition, there are meadows, rivers and lakes in the reserve.

Pine, alder, birch grow in the woods of the Berezinsky reserve. Asp and ash trees can be found as well. Especially oak groves are beautiful.

Nearly half of the entire territory of the Berezinsky Reserve is covered with swamps.

Thanks to efforts of zoologists, it was possible to preserve and multiply the population of brown bears in the natural complex. Nowadays, there are 35 animals – it’s one-third of the total number of these animals in Belarus. In addition, more than one thousand beavers build their houses, about three hundred moose and even 35 bison live in the Berezinsky forests. Also, small animals such as otters and badgers can be found here.

There are many species of birds in the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve. For example, black storks, snake eagles, cranes. Ornithologists are very interested in predatory birds – eagles, falcons, golden eagles.

Pike, bream, perch, roach inhabit rivers and lakes. More than three dozen species of fish are represented here.

The Museum of nature is functioning in the administrative centre of the Berezinsky reserve wh ere you can get acquainted with animals and plants of these lands.

Every year hundreds of tourists come here for fishing. Employees of the natural complex work hard to create comfortable and beneficial conditions. It is allowed to hunt roe deer, wild boar, deer, and moose.

Tourists can stay in hotels and cottages that meet European standards of service. In local restaurants, you can enjoy dishes of different world cuisines, including traditional Belarusian dishes.