Uniqueness: The territory of the Nature Reserve is a large complex of lakes, forests, transitional mires and raised bogs. The core of the Nature Reserve is Osvejskoe Lake, the second largest natural body of water in Belarus. There are many floating islands on the lake. Among them, the so-called “floating” Host Island stands out, which is a floating island “wandering” across the lake, overgrown with trees and shrubs. Osvejskoe Lake holds the largest island in the country – Du Island – with an area of almost 5 sq.km.
The fauna of the Reserve is represented by nine species of amphibians, five species of reptiles, 164 species of breeding birds and 30 species of mammals (almost 70% of all species of Belarus). The protected area is permanently inhabited by Brown Bear, Lynx, Badger, and Bison. Very rare bird species include Black Stork, White-tailed Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Golden Eagle, Osprey, Willow Grouse, Little Grebe, Great and Little Bittern, Common Kestrel, Common Crane, Eurasian Curlew, and Short-eared Owl.
The Nature Reserve has the international status of an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar wetland.
Ecotourism services: ecological routes, accommodation services at the Visitor Centre and Hunter And Fisherman’s Lodge, rental of a motor boat accompanied by a specialist, rental of a rowing boat, SUP boards, kayaks, bicycles and camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, rugs), rental of recreational facilities (gazebo, barbecue, fireplace), organization of wildlife observation.
Ecological routes: Osvejsky Cruise water route (2 hours), Safari Tour car route with visits to several observation points and watching wild animals and birds (80 km), Uninhabited Du Island walking route (4.5 km), Lisnjansky Cruise water route (15 km).
