Wildlife Holidays in Belarus

Tell me about Belarus …

Belarus (previously known as Byelorussia or White Russia) was a former republic of the Soviet Union, gaining independence in 1991. A land locked country in Eastern Europe, it borders five countries, including Poland to the west and Russia to the north-east. Minsk is the capital city. Belarus is a low-lying country that has over 1,000 lakes and large tracts of primary forest which provide refuge for many species of mammals and birds.

In this largely rural landscape many villagers still live a traditional style of life, scarcely affected by the tumultuous developments that have taken place around them in Europe. In such settlements there is a reliance on the benevolence of nature in the seasonal harvesting of wild mushrooms and fruits, while firewood collected from the forests still provide the fuel for cooking and heating.

Speak with our Belarus specialist

Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury

Our Specialist Recommends

"I recommend our ‘Belarus in Spring’ holiday for a birdwatching and natural history break exploring the wonderful primeval oak forests and wetlands of Pripiatsky Reserve and the Pripiat River."

Operations Manager - Paul Stanbury

Naturetrek Tours to Belarus

Naturetrek offers a bird watching and natural history holiday to Belarus exploring the wonderful primeval oak forests and wetlands of the Pripiatsky Reserve.

What’s special about the wildlife?

It has a rich bird life, including eight woodpecker species, more than 16 species of raptor, and both Ural and Eagle Owls.

Over 800 species of vascular plant have been recorded, 21 of which are listed as endangered.

Its mammalian fauna includes herds of European Bison, Wild Boar, Muskrat, Elk and both Pine and Beech Martens.

Some highlights of this tour …

  • Searching for Black, White-backed & Grey-headed Woodpeckers
  • A chance to hear Corncrakes calling & watch lekking Great Snipe
  • A wealth of birdsong & display flights from breeding birds such as Sedge Warbler & Savi’s Warbler
  • Black & White Storks, terns, Bluethroat, Capercaillie & Black Grouse as well as a wealth of other avian species
  • Bats, Beavers & a rich flora are among the other wildlife to enjoy here