Finland’s large carnivores have been photographed in the area around Kuhmo for over ten years and the Boreal Wildlife Centre offers excellent opportunities to watch and photograph bears, wolves and wolverine.
Located between the nature reserves of Elimyssalo and Iso-Palonen (two small reserves that together make up the larger Friendship Park), roughly 130 kilometres from Suomussalmi. This area comprises a tapestry of small lakes, numerous ponds, pine heaths and eskers (long snaking ridges of gravel and sand typical of boggy terrain) in the border zone between Finland and Russia - a special permit is needed to enter, so it's extremely peaceful and undisturbed. Its two co-founders have extensive experience in wildlife watching and photography gleaned from working at Martinselkonen Wilderness Lodge, and one of them has photographed wild animals and made nature and wildlife documentaries for over 20 years.
Visits to Viiksimo and the Boreal Wildlife Centre present an excellent opportunity to watch and photograph wolverines and Eurasian bears - which are frequent visitors to the area - plus occasional Eurasian wolves. You can also see animals such as elk, Finnish forest reindeer and beaver, and birds such as capercaillie (best during the early spring courtship period) and golden eagle. Featuring both large and small hides, this is an ideal location to observe and photograph some of Finland’s most charismatic mammals, especially wolverines.
Long evenings and early dawns allow incomparable opportunities to watch and photograph the wildlife of the forest on this small group trip in Finland. Staying at purpose built hides, night vigils with a naturalist guide reward you with close-ups of brown bears, wolverines and occasionally wolves. Find out more about Brown Bear Explorer
Brown bear, wolf and wolverine are among Europe’s top predators. All can be seen and photographed from specialist hides in the enigmatic taiga of Finland. Elk, reindeer, white-tailed eagle, capercaillie and other inhabitants of the far north can also be found on this self-drive wildlife adventure. Find out more about Bears, Wolves & Wolverines Self-drive
Join a photography tour leader on a dedicated bear-photography trip to Finland’s taiga forest. Visiting two lodges, each with specialist hides for brown bear in the best photographic locations in the forest, we take advantage of the lingering evening light of the Finnish summer. Find out more about Brown Bear Photography in Finland
British Travel Awards
Awarded Silver in Favourite Tour Operator for Nature & Wildlife 2024 & 2025
Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards
Awarded Bronze in Best Travel Company for Wildlife & Nature Holidays 2024
