The giants of Europe in the forests of Finland
Gallery
Tour Details
Costs
EUR 2,600
per person in a double room
Group
Max. 4 people
+ German- and English-speaking guide from Moby Wildlife Tours + Local guides
All dates
2 departures in 2026 and 2027
2026
Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Thursday, July 2, 2026
2027
Saturday, June 26, 2027 – Thursday, July 1, 2027
Additional dates for private tours are available upon request
Where
Start
in Oulu every Saturday at around 9 a.m.
End
in Oulu every Thursday at around 3 p.m.
Price includes
What's included
Transportation, tours, accommodation, group meals, presentations
What is not included
Personal expenses, insurance, arrival and departure from/to Oulu
Physical requirements
No special requirements; short walk from the parking lot to the hide
Food preferences, intolerances and intolerances can be taken into consideration.
Ready for this journey?
Check availability for your desired date.
About the trip
The endless expanse of Scandinavia with its countless lakes and forests captivates many people. In Finland, these forests are also home to many animals. The journey to the bears and wolves in Finland is a trip to the most powerful hunters of the European forests.
During 5 days we go in search of bears, wolves, wolverines and various birds of prey. While we observe the large mammals for 4 days from small wooden hides, we search for owls on foot deeper in the forest on one day.
Our base is located about 3.5 hours east of the northern Finnish city of Oulu. The lodge is picturesquely situated in the forest, right next to one of Finland's countless lakes. The rooms are small but comfortable. In addition to a typical Finnish sauna by the lake, there are also sociable birds and squirrels on the lodge grounds.
The Animals
The aim of this trip is to encounter the most fascinating predators in Europe. Eye to eye with a bear or a wolf - it's heart-stopping and we often even forget to take pictures!
Eastern Finland is one of the best regions in the world for observing these animals. In June, we have plenty of light for a very long time, which is particularly pleasing for photographers.
We wait for bears, wolves and wolverines from small wooden cabins, the hides, from late afternoon onwards. They often roam in front of the hides and often stay longer for a small snack. They are often only 10-20 meters away. On good nights, we see 2-3 different bears, sometimes several times. There are also several wolves from the local pack that pass by the hides on their forays. From time to time we even see them encounter bears. In the trees, we often see white-tailed eagles watching the scene.
We spend the whole night in the hides, ready at all times as soon as an animal approaches. The hides are relatively comfortable, with sleeping facilities and an, admittedly rustic, toilet.
The animals are supported here with some food in front of the hides. On the one hand, this keeps them in front of us a little longer,. But more importantly, it helps to prevent animals from getting too close to villages.
One afternoon/evening we go in search of various owls. The mighty Great Grey Owls and the elegant Northern Haw Owls raise their young during this time, so they are also active in good light.
Accommodation & Catering
During our time in the Finnish forest, we live in a pretty former lumberjack lodge. The lodge is beautifully situated right next to a lake, which invites you to swim after a typical Finnish sauna. Numerous bird houses and feeders around the lodge provide great photo opportunities.
The rooms are small, but clean and comfortable. However, we spend more time in the hides than in the lodge anyway. Meals are also served in a nice lounge, usually as a buffet.
Here we can also prepare our food in the form of sandwiches and drinks for the hides before we set off later in the afternoon.
Daily Programme
We arrive at the lodge in the early afternoon and then have some time to move into our rooms and settle in. After a meal, we soon set off for our first session in the hides, where we spend the whole night. As we are in the hides as a group, we can take turns sleeping and keeping an eye out.
At around 8am, we head back to the lodge where breakfast awaits us. Afterwards, most of the participants lie down for a few hours after a refreshing swim until we start all over again in the afternoon.
Equipment & Photography
The climate in summer in Finland can be very variable. Rainfall often pushes temperatures down to around 10 degrees Celsius. Sunshine, however, can push the thermometer up to 30 degrees. Especially in the hides, it can get very warm at the start of the sessions. So you need to be ready for anything in terms of clothing. Long clothing is also good against mosquitoes. This is particularly important for the owl trips. The ground is often swampy, so rubber boots are also recommended.
For photographers, things are also not easy. Bears and wolves can pass by 100 meters away, but also 10 meters away. Medium - large lenses will normally be able to cover most encounters. If the animals come very close, you can even make nice videos with cell phones.
Ball heads from tripods are also very useful for moving the camera comfortably in the hides. There are devices for this.
We don't know whether the first animals will come by after 20 minutes or 5 hours. A book or podcasts provide some distraction.
Contact us
Are you convinced yet, or do you have any questions? Feel free to reach out to us via the contact form below, WhatsApp (+41765811893), or email (info@mobywildlifetours.com).