Join wildlife photographer Tom Mason on a midsummer trip to photograph brown bears and wolverines, with four nights in specialist hides in the taiga forest of Finland.
We stay at two lodges in Finland’s boreal forest, visiting a variety of hides designed specially for bear watching and bear photography. On two nights we stay together as a group, taking advantage of Tom’s expert tuition to get the best from our subjects and light. On our two other nights in bear hides we divide into small groups, applying the lessons we have learned and photographing brown bears, wolverines, white-tailed eagles and perhaps even wolves.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Kajaani & transfer to Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, Pirttivaara
We fly via Helsinki to Kaajani, where we will be met and transferred by road to Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, a journey of around two hours. We reach our destination in the evening and check in to the lodge before dinner.
Day2: Martinselkonen Nature Reserve, overnight in group hide
After breakfast today we can explore the surroundings of the lodge, photographing birds at the feeders which may include bullfinch, siskin and, with luck, Siberian jay. In the afternoon, after an early dinner, we are driven to a drop-off in Martinselkonen Nature Reserve and walk around two kilometres to a group bear-watching hide. The hide has comfortable seating and viewing for everyone, a sleeping area and compost toilet.
The first bears often appear soon after 1700hrs and in high summer there is plenty of light overnight for photography. Tom will be on hand all night to offer tuition while a guide will explain bear behaviour. Our guide will advise us when it is safe to leave the following morning around 0700hrs.
Day3: Martinselkonen Nature Reserve, overnight in photography hides
Returning from the hide this morning we enjoy an ample breakfast. For the rest of the morning we are free to relax, review our photos and receive further tuition from Tom.
As on the previous day, after early dinner we are driven to a drop-off in the forest and guided a short distance our hides. With most of the specialist photography hides seating two people, this evening we split up for exclusive bear-watching overnight. The following morning our guide will collect us from the hides around 0700hrs. The small photography hides have seats, five or six openings for cameras, a bunk for sleeping and a bucket toilet.
Day4: Transfer to Boreal Wildlife Centre, Viiksimo, overnight in group hide
This morning we travel by road to Viiksimo, stopping on the way at the Petola Visitor Centre to learn about the landscape’s large carnivores. Along our route we may also see forest reindeer, moose and capercaillie.
In the late afternoon, following early dinner, we head to a group hide for another night spent watching and photographing bears, under Tom’s expert guidance. The group hide here has bunk beds and a compost toilet. It overlooks a large swamp which attracts brown bears, wolverines and even wolves. Our local guide will not remain with us overnight but will return to collect us around 0700hrs in the morning.
Day5: Boreal Wildlife Centre, overnight in photography hides
After this morning’s breakfast we again explore the lodge grounds, review photographs or take tips from Tom. In the late afternoon, after early dinner, we are taken to our drop-off and walk to small photographic hides, each seating two to four people, for a last night photographing bears and perhaps wolverines in the magical light of the Finnish summer night.
Day6: Fly back to the UK
On returning to the lodge from the hides we have breakfast before checking out and transferring to Kuopio airport, a journey of 250 kilometres, taking around three hours. Here we take a return flight to the UK via Helsinki.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 6 daysfrom £2,395 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 6 daysfrom £2,095 pp
Single supplement:
From £175
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
Group size: 8
When to go: Jun-Jul
Group Departures: We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.
Tailor-made Departures:
A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.
Tom Mason is an award winning wildlife and conservation photographer from the UK who is passionate about making creative images of the natural world.
Having worked globally from the Amazon to the Falkland Islands, he has shot numerous assignments and been featured in top publications. A regular speaker and tutor of photography, Tom has a wealth of experience teaching and encouraging others to develop their work, aiming to help everyone come away with images they are truly proud of. Tom has a specific passion for environmental portraits and is always looking for new ways for a different angle on familiar subjects.
This reserve is one of the best places in Europe to photograph brown bears. Hides are located in sparse coniferous forest beside a small bog and, lured by carrion, bears can be seen at night from as close as five metres away. During the day there are nature walks, with good opportunities for birdwatching.
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Where: Pirttivaara, Suomussalmi
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, elk, wolverine, black grouse, capercaillie
Viiksimo is located between two nature reserves – Elimyssalo and Iso-Palonen – in an area that is a tapestry of small lakes, numerous ponds, pine heaths and eskers. Right in the midst of the Finnish wilderness, it is a great place to watch and photograph bears, wolverines and wolves.
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Where: Kuhmo
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, wolverine, grey wolf, elk, whooper swan
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Bear watching, Wolf watching
Featured accommodation:
These hides are occupy a fantastic position two kilometres inside the forest, from where you can listen to and photograph bears at close range. Two purpose-built wooden buildings accommodate nine people each and offer comfortable seating, with basic bunk beds. Smaller professional hides are also available.
Find Out More about Martinselkonen Nature Reserve Bear Hides