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Photographing Bears

from £916 excluding flights

  • 4 nights
  • May-Sep
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Finland Photographing Bears
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Highlights

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Get behind the lens with superb wildlife photography opportunities

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Witness the majestic brown bear in its natural habitat

eastern finland bear hides on lake as

Spend nights in specially designed hides

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See varied birdlife from the honey buzzard to the capercaillie

east finland forest trail near hotel kalevala

Explore the wilderness trails at your own pace

Why this trip...

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Conservation/Eco-tourism

This itinerary has a strong focus on wildlife and natural habitat conservation, one of our pillars of sustainability

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Where you stay

This holiday offers a choice of accommodation options which are part of the overall experience

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Overview

Few animals capture the imagination or tempt the shutter like the magnificent brown bear and there is no better place to witness them than in their varied natural habitat near Kuhmo, Eastern Finland. Designed with nature photographers in mind, this four-night break is dedicated to the discovery and observation of these incredible animals.

There are few animals who are as photogenic as the brown bear. With their casual strength, they are rarely seen during the day and you’ll need a special set of circumstances to observe and photograph this private animal. Whether they are foraging for food, showing off their skills as climbers by clambering up a tree, or playing and scratching in the short summer nights, the only way to see and, of course, photograph these elusive wonders is patience. With overnights spent in the specially built hides, this is the perfect setting for the dedicated photographer to wait out these magnificent animals.

Wildlife and Wilderness

But it isn’t just the nights that offer photographic opportunities. The days stretch from twelve to sixteen hours and are complimented by two to four hours of twilight which provide ample opportunity to experiment with different light. This is also the heart of the Finnish wilderness and other than bears you might be able to capture the beauty of the wolverine, the majesty of a reindeer, or the fluttering concentration of a sparrowhawk. With a renowned nature photographer on hand to provide advice and share stories, you are bound to leave with a memory card full of unique and stunning photos.

During the day, accommodation is provided in the guesthouse, where you will find basic single and twin bedded rooms, there are sauna facilities and swimming is possible in the nearby lake.

When to Travel

The viewing season stretches from May to September but for serious photographers, June and July offer optimum light conditions.

Itinerary

On arrival at Kajaani you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Wild Brown Bear lodge in time for late dinner. Overnight at the guesthouse.

After a morning sauna and breakfast, the day is spent at leisure, enjoying the amazing Finnish wilderness. Hiking, rowing, fishing, or photographing the incredible scenery with the crystal northern light all fill these long days with plenty of activity. After an early dinner and briefing, you will head into the hides, which are only 700 metres from the lodge. Here, everyone will settle down for a night of wildlife observation and photography.

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After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Kajaani for your flight.

Accommodation

eastern finland wild brown bear guesthouse entrance

Wild Brown Bear Guesthouse

Relax in the guesthouse during the day and enjoy the sauna or take a swim in the lake.  By night head to the hides, around 700m from the guesthouse and keep watch for the bears.

The Hides

The hides are equipped with comfortable viewing chairs and an amplification system to aid listening to the animals as well as a sleeping area with dry toilet facilities. Remember to bring binoculars, tripod, bean bag or ball head (screw supplied).

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Accommodation

Price from £916 excluding flights

Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price and start from around £300 per person with Finnair, or from around £550 per person during peak times such as Christmas and New Year. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • 3 nights in bear hide (with shared facilities) with use of guesthouse facilities
  • Guesthouse accommodation
  • All breakfasts, all dinners, 1 snack
  • Services of a local wildlife expert
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

Prices from per person

Based on two sharing, unless stated otherwise

Departure Duration Accommodation Twin Single
May - Sep 4 nights Hotel and Bear Hide £910 £1,437
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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.