Discover the boreal forests of Finland during the stunning autumn months for this 6-day tour photographing brown bear, wolverine and grey wolf in this wild corner of Europe.
Timed to coincide with the beautiful autumnal colours of the vast Taiga forest in eastern Finland, this dedicated photography tour has been designed to maximise opportunities photographing Europe’s iconic predators – brown bear, wolverine and grey wolf. Using a number of purpose-built hides in the remote forests and meadows, spend the afternoons and evenings photographing all three of our target species. This tour provides a different feel to our Boreal Predators Photography tour, with the wildlife starting to grow their winter coats.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Fly to Finland & transfer to lodge
We take a morning flight to a local airport via Helsinki. Upon arrival, we transfer to Kuikka Base Camp (a 3-4 hour drive). We arrive in the evening and have time to enjoy dinner and settle in to our accommodation which is home for the next 5 nights.
Accommodation: Kuikka Base Camp, 5-nights
Day2: Photography from the hides
After our first night at Kuikka Base Camp, we meet for breakfast in the common area before having the morning around the lodge. After lunch, we head to the hides for the first time. We spend the afternoon and evening in the hides where we hope to photograph bear, wolverine and wolf. Returning to the lodge each evening, we can enjoy a full night’s sleep before waking at a normal time.
Each day is different, and you never know what will show and when it will appear. However, when the predators arrive, the photographic opportunities here are unrivalled.
Days3-5: Photographing bears, wolverine & wolves
After our first day in the hides, the rest of our days will follow the same itinerary. We enjoy relaxed mornings around the lodge, before heading to the hides in the afternoon. We endeavour to visit each location and utilise all the hides where possible. Your photographic leader will ensure that they spend time with everyone in the hides each day and there are opportunities to go through the digital dark room each morning.
Day6: Fly back to the UK
After our last breakfast at Kuikka, we transfer back to the airport before our flight home via Helsinki.
Please note: Wildlife is extremely wary around people, and patience is an absolute must – you can be in the hide for up to nine hours each day. All the hides (except for one-man) have basic toilet facilities.
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 6 daysfrom £2,995 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 6 daysfrom £2,695 pp
Bret is an award-winning wildlife photographer with a background in the wildlife travel and safari industry, with a particular interest in African and Australian wildlife.
After spending a year in Australia to pursue wildlife photography, he was rewarded with success at the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, as well as winning the Birds in Flight category in Bird Photographer of the Year. Bret has experience leading groups in Europe, the Americas and in Africa.
Located in Finland's Kuhmo region, directly opposite the Russian border, Kuikka Lake is surrounded by boreal forest, the typical habitat of brown bear, wolverine, wolf and white-tailed eagle. The surroundings are composed of wetlands and open grassland, offering good visibility for spotting wildlife.
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Where: Kuhmo
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, wolverine, white-tailed eagle, Eurasian wolf, Ural owl
Base Camp Kuikka is a traditional Finnish log cabin situated on a promontory in Kuikka Lake, in the middle of the forest. It has just nine rooms accommodating 20 guests and offers a convivial, rustic atmosphere, with various photographic hides nearby where you can watch for bears, wolves and eagles.
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