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Brown Bears of Finland Photography Tour

9th - 15th Jul 2027 - Was: £2999 Now: £2699

One of the large wild brown bears photographed by Johnny Södergård during the Majestic Cubs & Brown Bears of Finland photography holiday

Special Offer

Reserve with a deposit of £600

No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.

Brown Bears of Finland - 9th - 15th Jul 2027 - Was: £2999 Now: £2699 - Single occupancy

Make A Booking Enquiry

No payment is taken at enquiry stage. We confirm availability first, then send booking forms and deposit payment details. Please read our booking conditions and financial protection information before paying a deposit.

Embark on an exclusive journey into the heart of the Finnish wilderness with the NaturesLens Brown Bears of Finland Photography Holiday. This unique experience, tailored for wildlife enthusiasts & photography lovers, offers the rare opportunity to capture the raw beauty of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. With a single occupancy room included for the duration of the six-night stay, you can enjoy tranquility of the Finnish forests without having to share your room with someone who you may not have previously met, a benefit provided free of charge to NaturesLens guests. This wildlife photography holiday is spread across two locations in Finland, you will spend three nights in the Viiksimo region to capture images of Finland’s large carnivores – the brown bear & wolverine; before moving on to the Suomussalmi region for a further three nights to photograph adorable bear cubs.

Picture yourself amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of Finland, as you observe & photograph the iconic Brown Bears in their element. Our highly skilled & knowledgeable guide, with a deep understanding of the bears’ behavior & habitat, will expertly lead you & provide guidance  for capturing incredible images. This assurance of guidance from Johnny & Anna ensures that you bring home memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or a beginner looking to hone your skills, this wildlife photography holiday promises to be a truly unforgettable adventure.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, as you witness these magnificent creatures up close & personal. From the soft glow of the midnight sun to the gentle rustling of the forest, every moment on this photography holiday is a unique testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world. Join Johnny for this extraordinary journey & create your own magic with the Brown Bears of Finland.

Where are the Brown Bears of Finland found?

Brown bears in Finland are predominantly found in the large wilderness areas of the country, such as the Finnish national parks & forests. The highest concentration of brown bears can be seen in the eastern region of Finland. The Brown Bears of Finland prefer dense forests, as well as marshlands & meadows, where they can find food such as berries, nuts, insects, & occasionally small mammals. Finland’s abundance of forests & relatively low population density provides an ideal habitat for these majestic creatures, making it one of the best places in Europe to observe & admire brown bears in their natural environment.

What are the benefits of having two different locations to photograph the Brown Bears of Finland?

Having two distinct & different locations to photograph the Brown Bears of Finland offers several benefits to wildlife photographers. Firstly, it increases the chances of capturing a diverse range of behaviors & activities exhibited by the bears in their natural habitat. Both of the locations may present unique lighting conditions, landscapes, or bear interactions, providing a variety of shots for photographers. Secondly, it offers a broader perspective on the bear population, allowing photographers to understand their behavior patterns across different environments. Additionally, having two separate & distinct locations reduces the reliance on a single site, ensuring continued photographic opportunities even if one location is affected by external factors like weather or bear activity. Overall, multiple locations only enhance your overall photography experience & increase your likelihood of capturing stunning & unique images of the majestic Brown Bears of Finland.

Curious what keeps photographers coming back to Suomussalmi? Read why photographers keep returning to Suomussalmi.

This trip is one of our wildlife photography holidays in Finland & part of our programme of European wildlife photography holidays.

The following is the proposed itinerary for this photography holiday, it should be considered provisional & subject to change.

  • Day 1 - Assemble Kuusamo Airport - transfer to Viiksimo - overnight Photography In Bear Hides
  • Day 2 - Day 3 - overnight Photography In Bear Hides
  • Day 4 - Breakfast - transfer to Suomussalmi - overnight Photography In Bear Hides
  • Day 5 - Day 6 - overnight Photography In Bear Hides
  • Day 7 - transfer to Kuusamo Airport

We have taken care to refine the itinerary for this wildlife photography holiday; as such, we consider the following to be amongst the highlights of this tour.

  • Benefit from the long hours of daylight to capture stunning images of this magnificent predator in swamp, meadow & forest habitats - all from the professional hides located in the Taiga
  • Head deep into the Finnish forests to photograph the native brown bears & their adorable cubs
  • Take the opportunity of visiting two of the best locations in Finland to capture incredible images of this secretive species
  • There may be opportunities to also photograph wolverine
  • You will also be photographing from the professional hides
  • Stay for 6 nights on a full board, single occupancy room basis
  • Guided by Johnny Sodergard for NaturesLens

What Do You Need To Bring With You?

The items listed below are intended as guidance rather than requirements. They outline optional & recommended clothing & camera equipment to help you prepare for the conditions & photographic opportunities you may encounter.

Clothing suggestions for the conditions expected.

  • Clothing suitable for warm temperatures
  • Warm layers for early mornings & evenings
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing
  • Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

Suggested camera equipment for the opportunities expected.

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera body
  • Spare camera body
  • Spare batteries, charger & memory cards
  • Tripod
  • Camera rain cover or waterproof protection
  • Lens cleaning kit
  • Camera backpack or suitable carry-on bag
  • Laptop or storage device for image backup

What's Included & What's Not Included On The Brown Bears of Finland Photography Holiday

Before booking the Brown Bears of Finland Photography Holiday, we recommend reviewing what is included in the trip price, along with any items that are not. This helps ensure you have a clear understanding of what is covered, allowing you to focus fully on the photographic experience.

Most services & experiences are included in the trip price.

  • Guidance from our experienced team members
  • Accommodation on a Single occupancy basis
  • Internal transfers
  • Hide access
  • Permits
  • Meals on a full board basis

Some items & services are not included in the trip price.

  • International flights
  • Internal flights
  • Camera equipment
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • All drinks

Travel Insurance – it is a requirement when booking on any wildlife photography holiday scheduled by NaturesLens that you have adequate travel insurance, we suggest a policy from TrailFinders or Campbell Irvine.

NaturesLens photography holidays do not include flights unless it is explicitly stated on the event page. When it is time to book your flights, we will send you the details in plenty of time to allow for bookings at the best available price.

The photography holiday itinerary is subject to change & is to be considered provisional.

NaturesLens photography holidays require a minimum number of participants in order to be viable. If this minimum number is not met, the photography holiday may not go ahead.

In the event that the minimum number for a photography holiday to go ahead is not reached, NaturesLens reserves the right to cancel any given photography holiday. In that event 100% of monies received will be returned. However, NaturesLens is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.

Not all mentioned wildlife can be observed & photographed at all times of the year, thus some activities may be considered seasonal & not available.

Please note the cuisine on many of the NaturesLens photography holidays is authentic & typical of the region in which you are travelling. International or western cuisine is often NOT available. If you have any concerns over the food arrangements or have any special dietary requirements, please contact us prior to making a booking.

All personal luggage are the responsibility of the owner & we request that photography holiday participants limit their luggage to the equivalent of one suitcase, one flight bag, one camera bag & tripod. We do not wish to appear dictatorial in this matter & the request is made to ensure space & comfort for everyone in our vehicles.

NaturesLens & its agents act only as agents for the passenger in all matters relating to travel arrangements, & as such, do not assume responsibility for injury, accident, damage, loss, delay or irregularity which may occur via defect of transportation or any other cause.

NaturesLens reserves the right to substitute hotels, & other previously outlined arrangements as necessary, to either improve or equal the travel experience.

NaturesLens reserves the right to pass on to photography holiday participants any additional & unplanned expenditure incurred during a photography holiday, via events beyond the control of NaturesLens. NaturesLens reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a member of any photography holiday.

Payment of a deposit by photography holiday participants or their representative constitutes their acceptance of all conditions contained herein.

All bookings are made subject to our terms & conditions.

Capture images with us on a photography holiday to Finland’s most easterly border, during July 2027, focused on Brown bears photographed from forest hides.

View More Information
Difficulty
Medium
Group size
4-5 guests
Photography style
Hide Based
Activity period
Mixed
Itinerary type
Photography Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled answers to the questions we are most commonly asked about this photography tour, covering everything from accommodation, transport & group size through to photography opportunities, fitness requirements & what to expect in the field. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re always happy to discuss any aspect of the trip before you book.

Wildlife & Photography

What wildlife can I expect to photograph during the Brown Bears of Finland holiday?

Species regularly photographed include Brown Bear, Common Raven, White-tailed Eagle & Wolverine. Additional species may also visit the hides during your stay. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed.

Why is Finland particularly good for brown bear photography?

Finland's Taiga forests provide natural habitat for Europe's largest brown bear population. The two locations visited - Viiksimo & Suomussalmi - offer different opportunities, from large carnivores to adorable bear cubs in forest, swamp & meadow environments.

What specific brown bear behaviours can I photograph?

You'll have opportunities to photograph bears emerging from the taiga forest, feeding at twilight, cubs wrestling & climbing trees, bears reflected in forest pools during midnight sun, & interactions between mothers & cubs. The hide positioning allows capture of natural behaviours.

How much time do we spend photographing from the hides?

This is a dedicated hide-based photography holiday, with photography sessions centred around professional hides in the Taiga forests. You'll spend time in two locations - Viiksimo for large carnivores & Suomussalmi for bear cubs - maximising opportunities to photograph bears & wolverines.

How do the specialist photography hides work?

The professional hides are positioned in the Taiga forests at strategic feeding locations. Designed specifically for wildlife photography, they allow photographers to work comfortably while capturing images of bears, wolverines & other species at close range.

Why do you visit two different locations during the trip?

The two locations offer different photographic opportunities - Viiksimo region specialises in photographing large carnivores including wolverines, while Suomussalmi focuses on brown bear cubs in varied forest habitats. This maximises the diversity of bear photography experiences.

Group Size & Guides

What are the benefits of a 5-photographer group?

The 5-photographer limit ensures everyone has sufficient space in the hides, receives personalised guidance from Johnny Sodergard & enjoys a more relaxed photographic experience. The small group size allows for flexible timing & better positioning opportunities.

Accommodation & Meals

What is the accommodation like during the trip?

Accommodation is provided at two locations in Eastern Finland - Viiksimo & Suomussalmi regions. Full board meals are included throughout your stay. Single occupancy rooms are included as standard for all NaturesLens guests.

Changes & Cancellations

What happens if I need to change my booking or cancel?

Contact us as early as possible to discuss the options available. Any changes or cancellations are subject to our booking terms & conditions, which will be provided when you book.

Fitness, Skill & Equipment

Do I need advanced photography skills for this hide-based holiday?

No advanced skills are required. Johnny Sodergard & the local guides provide experienced guidance suitable for photographers of all levels during the hide sessions. The hides allow comfortable photography without disturbing the wildlife.

What equipment should I bring for photographing from the hides?

Bring a camera suitable for wildlife photography, telephoto lenses appropriate for bears & wolverines, spare batteries & memory cards. Detailed equipment recommendations will be provided before departure.

What's Included

What's included in the trip cost?

Trip cost includes 5 nights accommodation, all meals on a full board basis, guiding by Johnny Sodergard & local guides, photography sessions from professional hides, airport transfers & all hide fees. Single occupancy accommodation is included as standard.