Finland offers vast areas of unspoilt wilderness, with two-thirds of the country covered in verdant forest and glistening lakes.

The Kainuu wilderness in the north-eastern region of Finland is a wonderful European short break destination where you can view brown bears in their natural habitat. It is here that our Finland bear-viewing tours take place.

Kainuu is close to the Russian border and offers nature in the raw with fabulous opportunities for wildlife photography. The national animal is the brown bear and the total population is thought to be around 1,000. Most of these live in the large wilderness areas on the Russian side of the Finnish border and move to and fro across the border with the changing seasons, usually returning to Finland in spring after hibernation.

The best time to photograph bears in Finland is from the middle of April to the beginning of June, when the bears have just awoken from their long winter sleep and are foraging for food. Then the rut begins, when eating is no longer the bear’s main concern!

The bear watching hides we use are situated close to a small swamp in a thin pine forest. This is a natural habitat for bears, with the forest providing safety and hiding for bear cubs. The forest is also home to a myriad of birds, including the black kite, white tailed eagle and sometimes even the golden eagle.

FINLAND AT A GLANCE

• The brown bear viewing season begins in May and lasts through to the middle of August.

• The Finnish summer is brief with temperatures of 20°C - 30°C, July being the warmest month.

• Don't overlook the winter. Though fiendishly cold, the wildlife in Wild Taiga is stunning.

• The birdlife is great all-year round.