Vienna Wildlife Photography Tour: Hamsters, Ground Squirrels & More

Vienna Wildlife Photography Tour: Hamsters & Ground Squirrels

This Vienna wildlife photography tour offers unique opportunities to photograph European ground squirrels, European hamsters, roe deer and other charismatic wildlife at close range in an extraordinary urban setting.

5 days | 26 July 2027 – 27 July 2027 (4 places left)
5 days | 18 July 2027 – 22 July 2027 (sold out)
5 days | 23 July 2026 – 27 July 2026 (sold out)
5 days | 18 July 2026 – 22 July 2026 (sold out)
5 days | 2025 edition (sold out)

Critically endangered European hamsters—adorable, colourful and bursting with character—are probably not what you expect to find among Vienna’s parks, flower-rich meadows and quiet cemeteries. Yet Austria’s capital supports a healthy, established local population, alongside healthy colonies of endangered European ground squirrels, also known as European sousliks. This small-group Vienna wildlife photography tour visits carefully selected urban habitats where these species live.

Accustomed to regular human activity, some animals may allow photographers closer than rural populations—always on their terms—creating rare opportunities for portraits and natural behaviour. European hamster photography may include animals filling their cheek pouches, while ground squirrels offer playful interactions and vigilant sentinel poses. Roe deer, red squirrels, kestrels and ravens may also appear.

This urban wildlife photography trip is guided by award-winning photographer Louis Guillot, a regular contributor to BBC Wildlife magazine and an urban wildlife specialist. Louis will share practical advice on camera settings, light, backgrounds and composition.

Join Louis and Nature Talks for an unforgettable urban wildlife photography trip in Vienna.

Photographing Vienna’s Urban Hamsters and Ground Squirrels

Rather than rushing from one location to the next, we spend extended periods within each habitat. This gives you time to observe Vienna’s European ground squirrels, European hamsters and roe deer, understand their behaviour and photograph them from close but respectful distances.

The playful interactions of young ground squirrels, hamsters gathering food into their expandable cheek pouches and roe deer moving quietly through atmospheric surroundings each offer something different. You can concentrate on expressive portraits, action, animal behaviour and wider compositions that reveal the relationship between Vienna’s wildlife and its unusual urban environment.

European Ground Squirrels and Life in the Colony

The European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), also known as the European souslik, is endangered across much of its Central and Southeastern European range. Vienna, however, still supports several sizeable, well-established colonies where short grass and suitable soil provide ideal burrowing conditions.

We visit a selected colony on Vienna’s outskirts, where the squirrels are active by day and accustomed to people. By remaining quiet and keeping a respectful distance, we can work close to active burrows without disturbing their natural behaviour.

Our July departures coincide with the period when young squirrels begin exploring above ground. This creates opportunities to photograph feeding, grooming, playful chasing and interactions between adults and youngsters. Sentinels regularly stand upright to scan for danger before sounding their distinctive whistle. These alert poses, together with rapid movement, low-level portraits and the possibility of warm morning or evening light, provide varied opportunities for both behavioural and atmospheric wildlife photography.

European Hamsters and Their Famously Full Cheeks

The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), also known as the common hamster, is the largest living hamster and is now critically endangered. Despite declines elsewhere, Vienna supports a sizeable, established urban population in parks, gardens, grassy areas and quiet cemeteries.

Vienna’s hamsters have adapted well to city life and often leave their burrows during daylight to forage for seeds, grasses and berries. Their familiarity with people can create better viewing and photography opportunities than with more cautious rural populations, although patience and respectful distances remain essential.

We spend time near active burrows and allow the hamsters to emerge naturally. Possible photographic moments include foraging, standing upright, carrying food and filling their expandable cheek pouches. Their bold markings, expressive poses and unusual urban surroundings offer opportunities for intimate portraits, low-angle images and wider compositions that show wildlife thriving within the city, creating photographs filled with character and a strong sense of place.

Roe Deer, Vienna’s Other Wildlife and Ethical Wildlife Photography

Beyond European ground squirrels and hamsters, we plan to photograph a herd of roe deer in an unusual and atmospheric setting. We may also encounter red squirrels, kestrels, ravens and other urban wildlife.

Photography sessions take place from early morning through to sunset, allowing us to work with different light, behaviour and surroundings. Your guide will provide practical advice on camera settings, composition and fieldcraft throughout.

All wildlife is photographed naturally—we never construct artificial scenes or use flowers and other props. Returning to selected locations gives you opportunities to try new ideas, while evening image reviews help you apply feedback the following day. If time allows, we may also explore locations where Vienna’s architecture and natural spaces come together.

Meet Your Photography Guide

Louis Guillot is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist and zoologist. A member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, he has been published in Forbes, BBC Wildlife and Terre Sauvage, and recognised by Nature Photographer of the Year, MontPhoto and the British Wildlife Photography Awards. Growing up in London inspired Louis’s fascination with urban wildlife – he has spent countless hours photographing urban animals with a recent feature in BBC Wildlife on urban peregrine falcons. This experience makes him ideally suited to guide our Vienna wildlife photography tour. Louis will help you photograph European hamsters, ground squirrels and other wildlife creatively, sharing expert advice on behaviour, fieldcraft, light, backgrounds, composition and camera settings throughout the trip.

Read more about Louis

What We Offer on This Vienna Wildlife Photography Tour

• Expert guidance from award-winning wildlife photographer Louis Guillot. A regular contributor to BBC Wildlife magazine, Louis photographs urban wildlife extensively and will share practical techniques for working with animals, light, backgrounds and human-made surroundings.
• Opportunities to photograph an established colony of European ground squirrels, including young animals, playful interactions and sentinel behaviour.
• The chance to photograph critically endangered European hamsters and roe deer in distinctive urban settings, with possible sightings of red squirrels, kestrels and ravens.
• Extended photography sessions and return visits at different times of day, allowing you to explore changing light, animal behaviour and creative compositions.
• Personalised tuition covering camera settings, composition, natural light, fieldcraft and ethical wildlife photography.
• Evening image-review sessions with constructive feedback and ideas to apply during the following day’s photography.
• A small group of like-minded photographers, giving everyone plenty of individual guidance.
• A pre-departure participants’ meeting to help you prepare for the tour.

Is This Vienna Photography Tour Right for You?

• You would love to photograph European ground squirrels, wild hamsters, roe deer and other urban wildlife for yourself.
• You enjoy wildlife with personality and want to capture behaviour filled with humour, energy and emotion.
• You prefer natural wildlife photography. We do not create staged scenes or arrange flowers and other props around the animals.
• You are a beginner looking for practical guidance or an experienced photographer seeking new subjects, creative settings and distinctive images.
• You value time to observe, experiment and revisit locations under different light and conditions.
• You enjoy photographing in a small group of like-minded people.
• The standard price is based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are available for an additional supplement, subject to availability.