Europe's Most Exclusive Bear Watching in Finland

One of the last great wildernesses in Europe, the taiga forests of Finland are the best place on the continent to observe brown bears as well as other species such as wolverine, Eurasian wolf and great grey owl.

Usually, the format for bear watching in Finland requires you to stay overnight in hides that have been purpose-built for observing and photographing these amazing animals and the rest of the wildlife. Whilst there are certainly plenty of benefits to watching bears from hides, there are also some drawbacks, in particular the limited toilet and bed facilities which are not necessarily to everyone’s liking.

However, another option has recently become available and it is arguably the most comfortable and exclusive bear watching experience there has ever been in Finland.

Luxury cabins have been constructed sustainably in the heart of the Finnish wilderness and most importantly these cabins feature large floor-to-ceiling windows which provide plenty of opportunities to observe the wildlife of the taiga forest. The cabins overlook an area of mixed woodland and swampland, the ideal habitat for European brown bear. You can watch brown bears, wolverines, great grey owls, red fox and great spotted woodpecker all from the comfort of your own private en suite room. There is also a fully-equipped kitchen where you can prepare food to keep you going through the night. If you do want to get some rest, you can even catch some shuteye in a proper, full-sized bed!

Depending on the length of your stay, you may choose to spend a night in one of the lodge’s own bear watching hides, which are perfect for photography. These hides are situated deeper in the forest and along the shores of a nearby lake. If you would like to spend a night or two in one of these hides to get a new perspective on this region and its wildlife or capture some different images, then the lodge can arrange this for you on a complimentary basis (book in advance).

The season for watching the brown bears from the lodge’s luxury cabins and hides is mid-April until the end of October with the summer months being the optimal time. It is possible to see several bears in one evening from the cabins in June, July and August.

However, spring and autumn are also an excellent time to visit. Whilst the evenings are shorter it is still possible to view wildlife and if the weather conditions and aurora activity are favourable you can also watch the northern lights from these wonderful cabins.

Wolverine & cabin images by Ari Sääski

Find out more about our Finland's Brown Bears in Style trip idea, or contact us to start planning your Finland bear watching holiday.