Midsummer Boreal Mammals
Finland
June 22 to July 3, 2028
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
This adventure takes you deep into Finland’s remote wilderness for extraordinary encounters with some of Europe’s most iconic wildlife. Spend five nights in comfortable photography blinds, where you’ll have remarkable opportunities to observe and photograph brown bears and the rare wolverine, while also keeping watch for wolves, eagles, and ravens. Explore the wild landscapes around Kuhmo and Lieksa, where vast forests provide habitat for forest reindeer, mountain hare, Common Crane, Western Capercaillie, and Black Grouse. Between wildlife sessions, enjoy Finland’s peaceful lakeside scenery and take a walk in Patvinsuo National Park, home to one of Europe’s most distinctive raised bog ecosystems, with expansive open mires and beautiful sandy beaches. The journey also includes time to unwind at a luxurious spa resort near the idyllic Lake Saimaa, gateway to Linnansaari National Park. Combined with time in the vibrant capital of Helsinki, this itinerary offers a wonderful balance of predator-focused wildlife viewing, classic Nordic species, and the tranquil beauty of Finland’s forests and lakes.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Extraordinary predator encounters: Photograph brown bears, elusive wolves, and rare wolverines from secluded blinds for five nights in Finland’s remote forests.
- Diverse Nordic wildlife: Look for other wildlife, including forest reindeer, Eurasian elk (moose), Siberian flying squirrel and a variety of northern birds.
- Scenic landscapes & cultural charm: Explore the wild beauty of Karelia and Lake Saimaa, framed by the relaxed atmosphere of Helsinki.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “We really wanted to see wolverines in the wild. So, we were very happy that we were able to see them. We knew that there was a high probability of seeing bears and wolves but seeing them interacting, “playing tag”, was a bonus! Seeing the great grey owls was also a wonderful experience.” – Ken & Mary Campbell |
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Itinerary Updated: April 2026
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22 | Travel to Helsinki, Finland from our Svalbard Trip or from home. | ||
| Jun 23 | Arrive in Helsinki. In the evening, photograph European elk (moose). | Hotel Nuuksio, Nuuksio | D |
| Jun 24 | Transfer to Lake Saimaa. Enjoy your evening at leisure. | Jarvisydan Spa resort, Rantasalmi | B, L, D |
| Jun 25-26 | Drive to Lieksa. Journey to an area known for wolverine sightings. You'll also have excellent chances to view wolves and brown bears over your two nights in photography/observation blinds. | Blinds at Erä Eero, Lieksa; Hotel Puustellli, Lieksa | B, L, D |
| Jun 27 | Day of relaxation. In the evening, hike in Patvinsuo National Park. | Hotel Puustellli, Lieksa | B, L, D |
| Jun 28-30 | Transfer to Kuhmo. Enjoy three nights of close-up viewing of brown bears, wolves, and possibly wolverines from expertly positioned photography/observation blinds. | Blinds at Kuhmo, Kuhmo; Hotel Kalevala, Kuhmo | B, L, D |
| Jul 1 | Transfer to Vierumäki. Search for Siberian flying squirrel in the evening in a small nature reserve in Heinola. | Hotel Fennada, Vierumaki | B, L, D |
| Jul 2 | Depart for Home. | B | |
| Jul 3 | Arrive Home. |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Scott Davis
Scott DavisScott, co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris, is an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. Trained as a wildlife and marine biologist, he's explored all seven continents for research and photography. National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and other prestigious publications have featured his inspiring work. Scott's passion for teaching and talent for capturing the essence of his subjects make him a highly sought-after tour leader.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $10,600 |
| Single Supplement | $650 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare, singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $1,500 |
| Final | January 14, 2028 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the canceled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, landing fees, and permits for all activities unless described as optional.
- Accommodations for the nights of June 23 through July 1.
- Group photography/observation blinds for the nights of June 25–26 and 28–30.
- Meals from dinner on June 23 through breakfast on July 2.
- Transfer on June 23 between the Helsinki Airport and Hotel Nuuksio.
- Transfer on July 2 between Hotel Fennada and Helsinki Airport.
- Non-alcoholic beverages.
- Sleeping bags for time in blinds (if requested).
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare, airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Gratuities.
- Mandatory emergency evacuation insurance.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, alcoholic and other beverages, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Reservation Form.
Climate
The weather should be mild, sunny, and warm. Of course, in the high Arctic you can always expect some clouds, rain, or cold weather. Average temperatures range from the low 40s°F (~5°C) at night to the upper 50s-60s°F (~15-20°C) during the day.
Fitness Level
You spend five nights observing wildlife in blinds, which may lead to sleep deprivation, depending on your sleep needs and habits, which require patience and a positive attitude. Most hikes in Patvinsuo National Park are easy to moderate, with flat terrain across bogs, forests, and lakeshores. The main challenge comes from the length of some trails and the uneven or soft ground on boardwalks. The route to the watchtower overlooking bear and wolverine habitat is moderate—generally flat but several miles long, with sections over open peat bogs. It’s suitable for anyone with average fitness who can walk several miles on natural terrain. Please contact us if you have any health concerns that may make this trip challenging.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Please wait to book your flights until you receive confirmation from your Coordinator that the minimum number of participants has been met to operate the trip. If you choose to book flights before receiving this confirmation, we strongly recommend purchasing flight cancellation insurance to protect your investment.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Helsinki, Finland (HEL) by 1:00pm on June 23. If you are arriving from our Svalbard trip June 10 to 23, 2028, see the Flights section in its itinerary for arrival information.
- Depart from Helsinki, Finland (HEL) after 10:00am on July 2.
FAQ
Accommodations
You spend five nights in comfortable photography blinds with single beds or bunk beds with sleeping bags (if requested) and a pit toilet. You’ll arrive in the blinds around 4:00pm and stay until around 7:00am the following morning. During the daytime and other nights, you will stay at very nice, comfortable lodges and resorts, with rest time after nights in the blinds.
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.