Berezina River Biosphere Reserve

Berezinski Biosphere Reserve is located in the northern part of the country in Vitebsk Region’s Lepel and Dokshitsy districts and Minsk Region’s Borisov District.

Contact information

Berezinski Biosphere Reserve

State environment protection institution

3, Tsentralnaya Street, Domzheritsy, Vitebsk Region, Lepel District, Belarus

Berezinski Biosphere Reserve is an isle of virgin nature that makes up an inseparable part of the natural heritage of Belarus and Europe. It was set up in 1925 to preserve the unique landscape of an area covered with broadleaved and spruce woods and study the natural processes that take place in this area. In 1979 UNESCO put Berezina River Reserve on the international list of biosphere reserves.

The abundant flora of the reserve counts over 2,000 plant species (798 vegetative plants, 216 mosses, 463 mushrooms, 317 algae, 238 lichens), including 139 endangered ones.

The fauna is represented by 52 mammals, 217 bird species, 10 amphibians, 5 reptiles, 34 fish species. All European predators can be found in Berezinski reserve.

Swampland and woodland make up the most valuable part of the reserve from the point of view of science and environment.

The reserve has 69 rivers, including the 110-km-long Berezina — Belarus’ only river where navigation and timber-floating is banned. In addition, there are seven lakes in Berezinski with a total area of 1,748 hectares (Lake Plavno, Palik, Olshitsa, Manets, Domzheritskoye, etc.)

Reserve visitors have at their disposal numerous excursions (by car, boat or on foot) that involve observation of animal species in their natural environment, environmental routes, the museum of nature and environmental enlightenment center. There is a possibility to hire a guide and a translator.

Accommodation available at Plavno and Serguch hotels (3 km away from Minsk-Vitebsk highway), Shalash cottages (on the shore of Lake Plavno), Nivki (on the shore of Lake Manets), cottages near the lakes of Domzheritskoye and Olshitsa. Rental agencies offer bicycles, boats and motorboats, skis and snow-tractors.

Visitors who stay at local hotels and cottages receive fishing permits. The administration of the reserve annually arranges around 30 hunting tours and photo safari.