One of the last great wildernesses in Europe, the taiga forests of Finland are the best place on the continent to observe brown bears and now you can watch the bears from your own luxury cabin.
Watching and photographing brown bears from purpose-built hides has long been a staple wildlife experience in Europe. However, spending a few nights in hides doesn’t appeal to everyone, but another option has now become available which provides the most comfortable and exclusive bear-watching experience there's been in the country.
Luxury cabins have been constructed sustainably in the heart of the Finnish wilderness and these cabins feature large floor-to-ceiling windows which provide opportunities to observe the wildlife from the comfort of your own en suite room with a fully-equipped kitchen to keep you going through the night. Even if you do want to get some rest, then you can go to sleep in a proper bed!
Depending on the length of your stay here, you may choose to spend the night in one of the lodge's own bear-watching hides which are situated deeper in the forest or along the shores of a nearby lake and are perfect for photography. If you would like to spend a night or two in one of these hides to get a new perspective on this region or capture some different images, then the lodge can arrange this for you on a complimentary basis as long as you let them know in advance.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK & arrive Kainuu
Departing the UK in the morning, you fly to Kuopio or Kajaani (via Helsinki) arriving during the mid-afternoon. On arrival at Kuopio or Kajaani Airport, you are met and transferred to the lodge in the heart of the taiga forest by road.
You arrive at the lodge in time for dinner before being shown to your luxury cabin for the next few nights. These cabins are extremely comfortable, but their finest feature is the substantial floor-to-ceiling windows which allow you to watch bears and a host of other wildlife from the comfort of your own room. You may wish to watch the wildlife from your cabin tonight or get a good night's rest and prepare yourself for the other nights, it is completely up to you.
For the next three days, you are free to watch the wildlife of the taiga forest as you wish from the comfort of your own luxury cabin. During the long evenings, you should have some excellent views of brown bears from a cabin and there's a chance of observing some other species such as wolverine, Ural owl, great spotted woodpecker, golden eagle and even great grey owl if you are particularly lucky.
The benefit of these luxury cabins is being able to watch animals like brown bears, but still have access to your en suite facilities and kitchen during moments of limited wildlife activity and you can choose to get some rest in a proper bed in between sightings as well. During the day there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied if you're up and about after a long night of observing wildlife, including walks around the lodge's grounds and a bird photography hide.
If you think the novelty of watching wildlife from your cabin will start to wear off momentarily, you can also arrange to spend a night or two in one of the lodge's purpose-built photography hides providing you with a different perspective and an alternative backdrop. You will need to let the lodge know if you would like to spend a night or two in one of the hides so they can put the appropriate arrangements in place for you.
Day5: Departure
Today, following breakfast in the morning, you check out from your cabin and are transferred back to the airport at Kuopio in time for your return flights or continue with your onward travel arrangements.
Please note: There are also options to self-drive and self-cater on this itinerary. You can discuss the different options which are available with one of our expert travel consultants.
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 5 daysfrom £2,495 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 5 daysfrom £1,995 pp
Situated in north-east Finland on the border with Russia, the region of Kainuu is one of Europe’s wildest and a haven to some of the continent’s finest wildlife. Covered by immense boreal forests, you can observe brown bear, wolverine, golden eagle, Ural owl and various other intriguing species.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: North-east Finland
Ideal for viewing: wolverine, great spotted woodpecker, great grey owl, European brown bear, Eurasian wolf
These luxury cabins are situated in the heart of the Finnish wilderness. The cabins feature comfortable beds, en suite bathrooms and are decorated in a minimalist Scandinavian style. However, the best feature of these cabins are the large floor to ceiling windows which allow you to watch the region’s stunning wildlife.
Find Out More about Bear Centre Luxury Cabins
