The forests of Finland are home to some of the largest and most iconic wildlife Europe has to offer. The variety of habitats produces a truly diverse mixture of species rarely encountered elsewhere in Europe.

We begin our trip in central Finland in Oulu by the Baltic Sea. This region is known for its boreal forest and northern Owls; whilst the breeding numbers fluctuate, we’ll be searching for Great Grey Owl, Ural Owl, Tengmalm’s Owl, Pygmy Owl and hopefully even the nomadic Northern Hawk Owl. However, it’s not just the Owls that make their home here in the forests; we are also hoping to encounter other forest specialists like the Western Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Three-toed Woodpecker and Black Woodpecker. We will also visit Liminka Bay wetlands, a large internationally important wetland that is home to a multitude of birds, such as Osprey, Common Crane, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey and Ruff, the males already in their flamboyant plumage, strutting their stuff on the lek.

We then head east for the second part of the trip to Kuhmo and to Kuikka Basecamp with Wildlife Safaris Finland. The wild and remote taiga forests of east Finland are home to two of Europe’s top predators: the European Grey Wolf and European Brown Bear. We will spend a couple of sessions in their large, comfortable hide and enjoy two evenings of wildlife encounters.