Explore the fabled Białowieża Forest and spend time in specialist hides as we photograph a wonderful array of wildlife during the height of winter when this ancient woodland becomes even more picturesque.
Accompanied throughout by experienced photographic leader Sean Weekly, we have five full days for wildlife photography in Białowieża Forest, the last remaining swathe of primeval forest that once covered much of northeast Europe. The forest is home to an incredible diversity of potential subjects, and we hope to photograph European bison, wild boar, red fox, raptors and a variety of woodpeckers. Although seldom seen, there is even a chance of European lynx and wolf.
The winter months in Białowieża Forest are the optimal time for wildlife photography despite the colder temperatures. With less foliage in the tress and a high chance of snow on the ground, it is easier to see and track the various birds and mammals that reside in the forest, whilst also providing more striking setting for our images. We will split our time between exploring the forest for its native mammals on foot and by vehicle, alongside time in specially built hides which are perfect for capturing images of not only the mammals, but also Białowieża’s raptors, woodpeckers and other intriguing birdlife.
The hides are located strategically throughout the forest in the best locations for the specific species we hope to photograph including the woodpeckers and raptors. Typically, the hides are heated and equipped with chemical toilets. The hides are constructed for photography with different openings allowing for a range of perspectives and fittings meaning you will only need to bring a tripod head for the hide photography. The only exception to this is the woodpecker hide which does have a heater and photography fittings, but does lack the toilet facilities of the others. We will spend less time in the woodpecker hide to accommodate; however, we will spend more than enough time here in order to capture some excellent images of the various woodpeckers that live in Bialowieza.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive Warsaw & drive to Białowieża Forest
On arrival in Warsaw, we collect our luggage and meet our driver in the arrivals hall. From here we board the minibus and transfer to Bialowieza Forest which will take between three to four hours. Once we reach the forest, we check in at our guesthouse where we spend the next six nights.
Accommodation: Pensjonat Krainka, 6-nights
Days2-3: Bison & raptor photography
Our first couple of days in Bialowieza Forest will be focussed on photographing European bison and the raptor species that inhabit the forest. We will split the group with half heading out on foot to observe and photograph the bison whilst the other half will be based in one of the hides in order to capture images of the raptors. The two eagle species that we will be hoping to photograph are white-tailed and golden eagle and we should be able to take some striking images of these stunning birds inflight and on the ground.
The reason for this is that the hides in Bialowieza Forest have a maximum capacity of 5 people. Each group will be led by either Sean or the local photography expert on all photographic sessions during the itinerary and everyone will get the opportunity to enjoy an equal amount of tuition from both photographers.
We will spend the full day either in the raptor hide or photographing the bison and swapping over for the next day. For bison, we will travel the longer distance by vehicle and head out on foot for a short distance to find the best viewpoint for photographing these incredible and impressive animals. Some of the other mammals that we may also encounter in the forest are wild boar, red fox and red deer.
In the evenings we return to our guesthouse for dinner and there will also be some time for us to go through our images. Sean will be on hand to answer any queries you may have or any specific request you would like tuition for.
Days4-5: Further bison & bird photography
We continue to focus on bison photography for the next two days exploring the forest and its clearings in search of these remarkable ungulates. Hopefully, we will be able to capture images of the bison in the snow against some suitably stunning scenery. However, our focus for bird photography from the hides will be goshawk, buzzards and woodpeckers.
Bialowieza is home to quite the variety of raptors and these two days of the itinerary is when we dedicate time to some of the other species such as common buzzard, rough-legged buzzard and goshawk which are all beautiful birds. Once again, the group will be split in half for these two days of the itinerary as we visit a special hide for photographing buzzards and goshawk which only has space for 5 people.
Bialowieza Forest is also renowned for its woodpecker variety of which there are six different species. We may have the opportunity from another specialist hide to photograph black, grey-headed, great spotted, middle spotted, white-backed and three-toed woodpecker. During our stay everyone will have a chance to visit the woodpecker hide if they wish to.
Day6: Woodpecker & raptor photography session
Once again, the group will be split in half and depending on which hides we have visited previously during our time in Bialowieza will determine whether we visit the woodpecker or goshawk and buzzard hide. This means we will all get the equal amount of time to enjoy and photograph from the different hides. We spend the day capturing images from the hides before returning to the guesthouse for our final dinner in this incredible region of Poland.
Day7: Return to Warsaw & departure
Today, we return to Warsaw for our return flights back to the UK.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 7 daysfrom £2,495 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 7 daysfrom £2,295 pp
Multi award-winner and full time photographer, Sean's work is regularly featured across a range of national and international publications.
After a career as a Royal Marine, Sean moved to the diverse habitats of Singapore where long-tailed macaques, snakes, lizards and tropical birds were just a stones throw away from his home.
Travelling through South East Asia and Australia with his camera was what ignited his love of the natural world and now he ventures across the globe to expand his wildlife photography. Sean has led numerous workshops in the UK and further afield in Europe at locations including Skomer, Greece, Finland, Spain and Scotland.
North-eastern Europe was once covered in ancient woodland, and Białowieża is a remnant of this forest. It is home to a wonderful diversity of species and particularly important for protecting some of Europe’s large mammals, including bison, wolf, lynx and brown bear, as well as the pygmy owl.
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Where: Eastern Poland & west Belarus
Ideal for viewing: European bison, hazel grouse, three-toed woodpecker, elk, Tengmalm’s owl
