Wildlife Photography Hides in Czech Republic

Beskydy Mountains – Moravian-Silesian Region – north-east Czechia (on Slovak border; part of Carpathian arc connectivity corridor)

Beskydy Mountains — northeast Czechia on the Slovak and Polish borders — are one of Czech Republic's most ecologically important areas for large carnivore connectivity. Several wolf packs confirmed in 2024-2025 as natural recolonisation from Slovakia continues. Lynx camera trapped throughout — Beskydy is the critical link between the Šumava and Slovak/Carpathian lynx populations. Bears transit from Slovakia. Capercaillie — elusive forest grouse — has one of its last Czech strongholds here. All four large Czech woodpeckers present. Ural owl breeding. Dipper and otter on mountain streams. The Beskydy Protected Landscape Area (83,000 hectares) is among Czech Republic's largest nature reserves. Local nature guides can be arranged through the Beskydy Information Centres at Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and Velké Karlovice. Combined with Slovak Beskydy (same forest system across the border) for a full Carpathian wildlife experience.

Bohemian Switzerland National Park (České Švýcarsko) – Ústí nad Labem Region – north Bohemia (near Dresden Germany border)

Bohemian Switzerland National Park — the Czech side of the remarkable Elbe Sandstone Mountains shared with Saxon Switzerland in Germany. Pravčická brána: the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe (landmark photography destination). Edmundova Gorge: spectacular boat trip through the Kamenice canyon. Key wildlife photography subjects: (1) Eurasian peregrine — breeding on the vertical sandstone faces; viewable from below; (2) Raven — nesting throughout the park's rocky areas; (3) Kingfisher and dipper on the Kamenice river; (4) Eagle-owl on cliff faces at dusk. Professional photography day tours from Prague (2h drive) run by Bohemian Journeys and other Prague operators. TripAdvisor: among Czech Republic's top-rated nature experiences with 2500+ 5-star reviews. Combine with Saxon Switzerland (Germany) for a full two-country sandstone landscape photography day.

Prague Castle (annual exhibition) + Czech Republic nationwide (competition participants across all regions)

Czech Nature Photo — Czech Republic's premier national wildlife photography competition (9th edition in 2025). Annual exhibition at the Theresian Wing of the Old Royal Palace at Prague Castle (open daily). 2025 exhibition ran April 23–August 17 (231 participants; nearly 2,000 photographs; international jury). Categories: Mammals Birds Reptiles/amphibians/underwater Invertebrates Plants/fungi Landscape Animals in human care Series Urban Wildlife. Cena za nejlepší fotografii české přírody (award for best Czech nature photograph). 'Photograph of the Year' 2024: Jakub Hodáň; 2023: Miroslav Ondruš ('When a She-Bear Defends Her Young'). Partner organisations: Czech Press Photo, Canon. Supported by patronage of Prague Zoo. For visiting international photographers: the annual exhibition at Prague Castle is an extraordinary way to discover Czech Republic's finest wildlife locations through the eyes of the country's best nature photographers. FREE guide to top Czech nature photographers through competition archive.

Czech Republic nationwide (Prague base; covers Šumava NP Třeboňsko South Moravia Krkonoše Beskydy)

Eco Tours — Czech Republic's most established birding tour operator (operating since 1991). Works for leading UK and world birding operators including Naturetrek. Three main criteria: professional expert guides (Czech Republic's top ornithologists); best sites; smooth comfortable organisation. Products: (1) 7-day Czech Republic Birding Tour (Šumava + Třeboň + South Moravia); (2) Day tours from Prague; (3) Private custom birding itineraries. All guides are professional ornithologists or experienced field biologists speaking fluent English. Contact: etours@etours.cz. The most reliable English-language Czech birding operator for international visitors.

Czech Republic nationwide (Prague arrival; Šumava + Třeboňsko + South Moravia 9-day tour — departing April 2027)

Naturalist Journeys (USA — 40+ years creating wildlife tours) launching annual Czech Republic birding and nature tour from 2027. 'Perfectly positioned at the meeting point of oceanic and continental climates — extraordinary blend of Northern and Southern European birdlife.' 9-day tour: (1) Prague arrival (Olomouc stop); (2) Lednice-Valtice UNESCO landscape (beaver active; eastern imperial eagle; South Moravia wine region; Black-headed and Caspian gull at Nové Mlýny; Pálava Hills with barred warbler bee-eater hoopoe); (3) South Bohemia fishponds (grebes ducks reed warblers); (4) Třeboň fishpond landscape (little crake bluethroat penduline tit); (5) Šumava NP (black grouse at dawn hazel grouse owls woodpeckers). All-inclusive from USA with internal guides plus expert US tour leaders.

near Jaroměř – East Bohemia – Hradec Králové Region – north-east Czechia

A unique project near the fortress town of Josefov close to Jaroměř in East Bohemia — described on FatBirder as aiming to create the 'first private ornithological reserve in Central Europe.' The project aims to restore flooded meadows allowing waders and other wetland species to return to formerly flooded agricultural land. Visitors are invited to see and photograph the reserve. An extraordinary example of private rewilding and conservation in Czech Republic. Contact via FatBirder Czech Republic page for current access information. The adjacent Josefov military fortress (one of the best-preserved 18th century fortifications in Europe) adds cultural interest to a wildlife photography visit.

Krkonoše National Park (Giant Mountains) – Liberec and Hradec Králové Regions – north Bohemia (on Polish border; highest point Sněžka 1603m)

Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) — Czech Republic's oldest national park (1992) and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Highest peak: Sněžka 1603m with Nordic alpine tundra landscape. PRIMARY PHOTOGRAPHY TARGETS: (1) Bluethroat — one of Czech Republic's most sought-after songbirds — breeds on summit peat bogs around Sněžka and Labská louka; brilliant blue and orange throat; (2) Black grouse — lekking April–May; some areas controlled. Peat bog landscapes create extraordinary photography backdrops. Cross-border biosphere reserve with Polish Karkonosze NP — Polish side also worth visiting for same species. Joint Czech-Polish management. Cable car from Pec pod Sněžkou to Sněžka summit (1603m) for direct access to tundra zone. Eagle and owl species in the forests below. Three-toed woodpecker in the upper spruce belt. Otter and dipper on mountain streams.

Lednice-Valtice – Jihomoravský kraj – South Moravia – south-east Czechia (UNESCO WH Cultural Landscape; on Austrian border)

Lednice-Valtice UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape — centuries of Liechtenstein family estate management created some of the Czech Republic's finest wildlife habitats combined with extraordinary Baroque and Romantic architecture (two major châteaux plus follies belvederes minaret and hunting lodges scattered across 200km²). CRITICAL: the restricted access floodplain forests and estates near the Austrian border (Soutok area — confluence of Thaya and Morava rivers; also called 'Amazon of Moravia') hold eastern imperial eagle saker falcon black kite red kite and white-tailed eagle all breeding. Access to these areas REQUIRES local guide with permissions — contact Eco Tours CZ or Naturalist Journeys for the 2027 Czech Republic birding tour. Nové Mlýny Reservoirs (Ramsar site) nearby: mixed gull colony (Caspian Mediterranean black-headed) + spoonbill common tern great white egret purple heron. The Lednice ponds (oldest series in Czech Republic) have Eurasian beaver recently recolonised.

Milovice – Central Bohemia – north of Nymburk – central Czechia (40 min from Prague)

Milovice — the most accessible rewilding project in Czech Republic — 40 minutes from Prague. European Wildlife NGO manages a former military base (Milovice Training Area) as a steppe grassland reserve grazed by wild horses European bison and Heck cattle. Visitor walks into the reserve with the large grazers. The project aims to restore steppe habitats that disappeared from central Bohemia after agricultural intensification — supporting rare steppe invertebrates plants and birds. Wild horses and bison can be approached closely. Free or low-cost public access. Guided tours available by arrangement with European Wildlife. The white deer herd at Žehušice game reserve (near Kutná Hora — made famous by Kingdom Come: Deliverance II video game) is a complementary Czech wildlife photography experience 1 hour to the south-east.

Moravský kras – Blansko – South Moravia – east Czechia (38km north of Brno; UNESCO World Heritage nomination pending October 2025)

Punkva Caves in the Moravian Karst — one of the most spectacular cave systems in Central Europe. 138.7m deep Macocha Abyss (UNESCO World Heritage nomination submitted October 2025). Underground Punkva river boat trip through stalactite/stalagmite cathedrals. Photography fee required at cave entrance. Temperature constant 6-8°C — bring warm clothing. Multiple bat species roost in the Moravian Karst cave network. The gorges and karst forest outside the caves hold eagle-owl black stork European wildcat and otter. Also: guided bat emergence evening walks available through some South Moravia nature reserves (contact South Moravian protected landscape area authority for bat tour availability). The Amatérská cave system (35km — longest in Czech Republic) accessible only to qualified cavers/scientists. Tel: +420 516 418 602. Email: punkva@caves.cz.

Podyjí National Park – near Znojmo – South Moravia – south-east Czechia (on Austrian border; joint NP with Austrian Thayatal NP)

Podyjí National Park — jointly managed with Austrian Thayatal NP across the border — protects the most beautiful river meander system in Central Europe. The Dyje (Thaya) river cuts through ancient oak-hornbeam forest in spectacular limestone gorges. Primary wildlife photography subjects: (1) black stork — breeds in the quiet wooded areas; shy but regularly seen by river; (2) Eurasian otter — Dyje river is one of Czech Republic's best otter sites; (3) Eagle-owl — breeding on cliff faces; evenings; (4) European wildcat — confirmed on camera traps; extremely rare in CZ. Vineyards on the river slopes attract bee-eaters hoopoe and barred warbler. Educational trails and lookout towers over Dyje meanders. 25km of protected river. Near the historic wine town of Znojmo.

Czech Republic (Prague + South Bohemia + South Moravia — day trips and multi-day tours)

Czech Birding — a network of professional English-speaking local guides including some of the Czech Republic's top ornithologists. Offering guided birding for a few hours one day or private trips in Prague South Bohemia and South Moravia. The most flexible option for individual photographers wanting a local expert for half a day or a day around their specific target species. Contact via the Czech Birding website. Also run in conjunction with Eco Tours CZ for longer itineraries.

South Moravia – Lednice-Valtice area + Nové Mlýny Reservoirs + Soutok Floodplain + Pálava Hills – south-east Czechia (near Austrian and Slovak borders; 1h from Vienna)

South Moravia is the Czech Republic's most biodiversity-rich region for breeding raptors and Mediterranean-influence birds. KEY SITE: restricted access floodplain areas in the extreme south (Soutok — confluence of Thaya and Morava rivers) where eastern imperial eagle black kite red kite white-tailed eagle saker falcon and hobby all breed. Access requires local guide with permissions. Eco Tours CZ guides this area specifically, including restricted access zones. Lednice-Valtice UNESCO landscape: centuries of Liechtenstein family estate management created superb wildlife habitats. Nové Mlýny Reservoirs: Caspian tern Mediterranean gull spoonbill. Pálava Hills limestone karst: barred warbler golden oriole hoopoe bee-eater. Eagle-owl on the karst cliffs at dusk. Naturalist Journeys (USA) runs annual Czech Republic birding tour including South Moravia. Combined with Austrian Neusiedler See (1 hour south) for maximum regional wildlife coverage.

Šumava Mountains (3 nights) + Třeboňsko Basin (2 nights) + South Moravia (2 nights) — 8-day tour

Naturetrek's 8-day Spring Birding in Bohemia — UK's premier wildlife tour specialist. Combines all three key Czech birding regions: Šumava (black grouse at dawn; hazel grouse; Ural and boreal owls; three-toed woodpecker); Třeboňsko (little crake; corncrake; bluethroat; white-tailed eagle; black-necked grebe; spoonbill); South Moravia (eastern imperial eagle; bee-eater; hoopoe; barred warbler; Eurasian eagle-owl). Medieval town of Český Krumlov (UNESCO) visited en route. May departure. Expert naturalist leader. All-inclusive from UK.

Šumava National Park – Bohemian Forest – South Bohemia + Plzeň Region – south-west Czechia (on German and Austrian border)

Šumava — the 'Green Roof of Europe' — is the most extensive forest area in Central Europe (part of the same continuous forest as the Bavarian Forest NP in Germany). Czech Republic's most important lynx stronghold: population camera trapped throughout the park; individual lynx routinely range across Czech-German-Austrian borders. Srní Visitor Centre has a wolf enclosure with viewing platform — guaranteed wolf sightings. Boubín Virgin Forest in the centre of Šumava: trees nearly 500 years old. Black grouse leks near forest roads (dawn April–May). Ural owl breeding. Three-toed woodpecker in dead spruce. Beaver on all rivers. Eco Tours (Prague-based Czech Republic birding specialist, operating since 1991) runs guided birding tours here and is the primary English-language Czech birding operator: ecotours.hu/birding/74-czech-republic. Also Naturetrek (UK) runs annual 8-day Spring Birding in Bohemia tour including 3 nights Šumava.

Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area – Třeboň – South Bohemia – south Czechia (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)

Třeboňsko — UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — 500+ medieval fishponds created by monks since the 15th century (many still in use raising carp for Czech Christmas dinner tradition). Largest fishpond in Czechia: Rožmberk (489 hectares). The embankments planted with oak avenues provide extraordinary walking wildlife photography. Black-necked grebe in breeding plumage on the ponds. Bluethroat reliable. Black stork nesting. White stork nesting on chimneys in Třeboň town itself. White-tailed eagle breeding. Beaver and otter on the waterways. Pond turtles sunning. Eco Tours (Czech birding specialist since 1991) runs guided tours here with English-speaking ornithologist guides. Naturetrek includes 2 nights Třeboň in their annual Czech Republic spring birding tour. Czech Birding (home.hu.inter.net/~ggbirder/czechbirding) — a network of professional English-speaking Czech ornithologists — also guides here.

Czech Republic (10 Czech zoo locations + Bavarian Forest NP + wild locations)

Patrik Staněk — professional wildlife and automotive photographer with 14 years experience. Sony Alpha A7IV user; Tamron (Penta.cz) brand partner; also Sony Vivo Kia Czech Bushman Suzuki and DJI authorised store Prague partnerships. Member Association of Professional Photographers CZ. 2475 participants in his workshops over the past 4 years. Products: (1) Photography workshops at 10 Czech zoos — excellent for close-range animal photography with professional technique guidance; (2) Bavarian Forest National Park workshops — Tierfreigelände semi-wild enclosure (lynx wolf brown bear); (3) Wild locations workshops in Czech Republic. Active blog with photography tips and guides in Czech. The most practically active Czech wildlife photography workshop organiser for beginners and intermediate photographers.

Czech Republic (Prague-based; workshops in Šumava Třeboňsko South Moravia and international)

Ondřej Prosický — geology graduate from Charles University Prague turned international wildlife photographer. QEP (Qualified European Wildlife Photographer) certification from Federation of European Photographers (awarded 2011). Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalist multiple times. Long-term Canon Inc. collaborator since 2006. Author of multiple books on Czech and international wildlife. 400+ participants in his photography workshops since 2006 — both in Czech Republic and internationally (Middle/South America tropics). Exhibitions held at 40+ locations. Member of Association of Professional Photographers of Czech Republic. Czech Republic's most internationally recognised wildlife photographer. Workshops cover: Czech wildlife (Šumava Třeboňsko South Moravia) plus international destinations. 'Draws attention to problems related to photography in conservation areas and national parks.' Contact via naturephoto.cz.

Srní – Šumava National Park – Plzeň Region – south-west Czechia

Šumava NP's Srní Visitor Centre has a purpose-built wolf observation enclosure with viewing platform — GUARANTEED wolf sightings (unlike wild wolf observations in surrounding forest). The enclosure contains a small pack living in a large natural forest habitat. Elevated observation platform gives excellent photography opportunities. Also the visitor centre provides information on lynx monitoring in the park. Trail cameras throughout the park document all three large carnivores (lynx and wolf regularly; bear very rare). Combined with Boubín Virgin Forest (ancient trees) and black grouse lek sites for a full Šumava wildlife photography day. Free entry to visitor centre; small charge for enclosure viewing.