Special Mammals, wildlife week.

The king of the taiga forest, the brown bear, you will observe them spending 4 nights in comfortable and secure hides which are equipped with toilet and sleeping places. Wolverines are also regular to the hides. With some luck you might also hear or see a wolf!

Finland and especially the region of Kainuu is famous for its great predators and others mammals, a perfect place for a wildlife holidays. There are about 2700 bears, 350 wolves, 400 wolverines, 2 200 lynxes, thousands of elks, foxes, around 10 000 beavers, 850 wild forest reindeers and some hundreds of endangered flying squirrels in Finland. Beside the mammals also birds of the taiga forest are interesting: Crossbill, Siberian Jay, Whooper Swan, red and black throated divers, owls. Depending on the season, birds will be more or less active – the most active season they are in spring-summer time from may until end June.

A wildlife holidays of 8 days and 7 nights

1st Day: Arrival in Kajaani, transfert to Lentiira

Transfer to the accommodation near the Russian border and dinner. Accommodation at Lentiira, B&B Taiga Spirit

2nd Day: Hike in a bear forest and bear watching

After breakfast, we will discover the Finnish forest having a nature and culture walk of about 2-3h. Meal will be served early before the hide. Around 2 pm information about the hide and about the bears. Departure for the comfortable bear hide night (hiking 700 m through the forest). All night in the hide.

3rd Day: bird tour/free time and Bear watching                                     

After breakfast you can enjoy free time, a short bird trip ( depending the season), go canoeing on the lake or have some rest before the next night for bear watching. Departure after the meal to the bear hides. New night to watch the bears .

4th Day: Wild forest reindeer/moose (european elk)

Today we will discover the life of the wild forest reindeer, and the environment of beaver as well as the lifestyle of the moose. We will leave for an evening trip to observe moose and wild forest reindeer. We will come back at night for the accommodation. Accommodation at B&B Taiga Spirit .

5th Day: Morning rest and bear/wolverine watching

You will enjoy the quietness of the area with a walk to the river Änättikoski or to photograph the small birds at the feeder. After the meal, a new night at the predator hide for bear watching as well as wolverine watching.

6th Day: Wolverine and other predators

Looking forward for one more beautiful night in the predators hides, after the meal we will go once more to the hide area. Perhaps this time, if not already before, a wolverine and wolves  will appear.

7th Day: Petola center and Kuhmo

After the breakfast ,we will have 1h reserved for Petola predator centre visit, a beautiful exhibition with lots of information about the predators of Finland and shopping at Kuhmo. After returning ,we will have sometime resting/checking the photos taken during the week or enjoy the sauna . The last evening around the evening meal and a good resting night before a day travelling.

8th Day: Lentiira-Kajaani

Breakfast. Drive to the Kajaani airport.

Accommodation at B&B Taiga Spirit

Bed & Breakfast Taiga Spirit, a double room with facilities. Most of the nights in rustic predator watching hides, equipped with beds, seats to observe, toilet and beds.

Possibility for sauna and shower and after every hide night possibility to rest in a bedroom (mostly twin or double rooms).The room is for you during 8 days.

Price includes:

• Accommodation, meals (breakfast, picnic lunch, warm evening meal),

• Transport (transfers about 1h to max 2h)

• Guide (Finnish, English and French speaking)

• 4 nights in the hides (bears, wolverine, with some chance also wolves)

• Wild forest reindeer and moose observation ( 1 evening)

• Visit to Petola carnivore centre in Kuhmo

• Nature walk on day 2

• Bird watching on day 3 (only in May/June)

• Included transfer to Kajaani airport (return) ( may to end of july) ( notice that in august the airport is Kuopio with a supplement of 70 €/ person for transfert)

Not included:

• Flights

• Personal and outdoor equipment (warm outdoor clothing, outdoor shoes, hat, gloves, memory cards, batteries, tripod, binoculars, telescope, mosquito repellent)

• Personal travel insurance

Additional services
Extra moose safari: 80€ / person
Rent a canoe: 20 € / 4 hours