Best Places for Bear Photography in Europe

The needles of Scots pines shimmer in the gentle breeze. No sound other than the hum of the wind can be heard while I wait. Every one of my senses is on high alert. I'm sitting in a hide within the remote boreal forests of Finland – hoping for a chance to photograph Europe's largest predator. A couple of hours pass, but my adrenaline levels never dip. Out of the corner of my eye, a shape is moving and slowly making its way through the trees – it's a large brown bear.

I have been incredibly lucky over the last ten years to spend a lot of time in the remote corners of Europe, searching for some amazing wildlife, but I will never tire of watching and photographing brown bears in the wild. Their size makes them an awe-inspiring species to see up close but they also demonstrate such a range of behaviours that is impossible not be completely spellbound by them.

Finland's huge swathes of forest, often referred to as the taiga, play host to more than 1,500 brown bears. There are numerous sites across the country which have been set aside exclusively for the use of wildlife tourism, where purpose-built hides have been constructed to allow a unique wildlife experience. During the summer months, the bears are busy feeding, trying to fatten up before the long, cold winter.

The bears typically appear in front of the hides in the early evening and feed until the light fades as midnight nears. In Finland, the hides are designed for you to spend the night, with simple toilet facilities and bunks where you can catch up on a little sleep. It's a unique experience and every moment is enthralling - you never know what will show up and when it might be. There may even be the chance to see other predators including wolverine and grey wolf (depending on where you visit).

Slovenia is arguably Europe's best-kept secret and a magnificent country to search for a wealth of wildlife. Here, like in Finland, there is a thriving population of brown bear (around 1,000 individuals). The bears here are noticeably smaller, with shorter winters and warmer summers they don't need to be quite so bulky.

The forests in the country's Dinaric Alps are primarily beech, and they dominate this Karst landscape. The natural beauty is truly breath-taking and sitting in a hide for an evening is nothing short of magical. Late spring and early summer are arguably the best time to visit as the forest is filled with the sound of cuckoos, jays and lush green trees that provide a magical backdrop for photographers.

There is so much more on offer here, with the option to extend your stay in the Julian Alps and experience more of Slovenia's natural beauty.

Whether you choose to search for brown bear in Finland or Slovenia, you can be sure of an enthralling experience in some of Europe's most magical landscapes. You can either join one of our excellent small group tours or enjoy a tailor-made holiday.

View all our bear watching holidays to Finland or Slovenia, or contact our team for expert recommendations.