Orawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshops

Orawskie Ranczo is a small family educational farm (zagroda edukacyjna) in the village of Harkabuz near Raba Wyżna, where Orawa meets Podhale. The hosts, Magdalena and her family, grew up here and, as they write, wanted to create a place in the countryside that brings families, children and young people back closer to nature and shows what modern farming can look like. It all began in 2020, during the pandemic, with a dream of a big tipi, which has since become the farm's symbol.

The farm is first and foremost a home for its animals, so the daily rhythm follows their needs. Fallow deer, goats, sheep, hens, rabbits and quail live here; the animals are used to people, enjoy being stroked and are not afraid of visitors. That is why the farm is not open to everyone every day: a visit has to be agreed with the hosts in advance.

Why go

It is above all a place for families with children and for school and kindergarten groups. With the hosts you can feed the fallow deer, goats, hens and other animals, hold a hen or a rabbit and learn how they live. The sessions combine biology, farming and ecology with local cultural heritage, history and traditions.

An important part of the programme is craft workshops with natural materials: wood, hay, straw and dried plants. Children learn patience and precision and take their work home. In summer the farm holds a "Holiday Adventure" every Wednesday, in autumn sessions on harvesting, mowing and pickling, and in December pre-Christmas weekends and St Nicholas's Day. Another option is a forest outing: children listen to and identify birds, look for animal tracks and play field games, and it can end around a bonfire. Children's birthday parties by the tipi can also be arranged.

It is a calm alternative to Zakopane's crowded attractions: no queues, small groups, and children do not just watch animals through a fence but help look after them with the hosts. Wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty and shoes for grass and mud — this is a real farmyard, not a city zoo.

What you can do

• Feed the animals — fallow deer, goats, sheep, hens and rabbits — under the hosts' supervision.
• Workshops with natural materials: straw, hay, wood and dried flowers; in spring, Easter palms and painted eggs.
• A forest outing about birds, animal tracks and plants.
• Seasonal meetings: summer Wednesdays, autumn programmes, December weekends.

Practical information

Address: Harkabuz 28B, Raba Wyżna municipality. Coming from Raba Wyżna, the farm is on the right just before the crossroads. It is about 20 km from Nowy Targ and about 40 km from Zakopane; a car is the easiest way to get there, and there is parking.

Hours: Monday–Saturday, by prior booking only (as of October 2026). Entry is ticketed: family, individual and group packages; ask by phone for prices. The hosts also bring workshops to schools and kindergartens within 80 km.

Contacts: Magdalena, +48 507 863 589, [email protected].

Nearby

• Chabówka railway rolling-stock open-air museum — about 10 km.
• Orawa Ethnographic Park in Zubrzyca Górna — about 15 km.
• Nowy Targ market — cheese and local produce.

Official website: orawskieranczo.pl

Photos: orawskieranczo.pl.