Join professional wildlife photographer Kyle Moore on an unforgettable Finland wildlife photography adventure, timed to coincide with the magical autumn season known as Ruska. As the forests transform into a spectacular tapestry of colour, venture deep into the Finnish wilderness in search of its iconic predators, with exceptional opportunities to photograph wild brown bears, wolves and wolverines.
Autumn has always held a special place in our Finland programme. Since introducing our first Autumn Gold adventure in 2018, we have continually refined the experience — carefully selecting the location, timing and itinerary to coincide with the very best of Finland’s autumn wildlife and breathtaking seasonal colour.
Today, our Autumn Predator adventure is based at the same exceptional location as our flagship Predator Finale, placing you in one of Finland’s finest wilderness areas for photographing its iconic predators. From specially positioned daytime hides, you’ll have exceptional opportunities to photograph wild brown bears, wolves, wolverines and eagles as they move through the changing boreal landscape.
Unlike our summer expeditions, there are no overnight hide stays, creating a more relaxed and rewarding rhythm to the experience. Days are dedicated to wildlife photography, while evenings are free to enjoy the tranquillity of the Finnish wilderness — and, when conditions are right, venture out beneath the night sky in search of the Northern Lights.
September is a truly magical time to experience the Finnish wilderness. The boreal forest erupts into a spectacular display of gold, amber, crimson and russet as Ruska takes hold, transforming the landscape into one of Europe’s most beautiful autumn wildernesses.
September transforms Finland’s boreal forests into a spectacular tapestry of colour as Ruska arrives. This is a prime time for wildlife photography, with bears entering hyperphagia and reaching peak condition before winter, while wolves, wolverines and eagles provide further opportunities.
Cool mornings can bring mist and frost across the wilderness, while soft autumn light creates beautiful photographic conditions throughout the day. As darkness falls, clear skies may also reveal the Northern Lights dancing above the forest. Beyond the predators, autumn brings opportunities to photograph red squirrels and a variety of boreal forest birds, making Autumn Gold a truly immersive Finnish wilderness experience.
With over a decade of wildlife photography experience in Finland, Kyle brings extensive first-hand knowledge to the adventure, sharing his expertise in animal behaviour, light and capturing fleeting moments in the wild.
Unlike many Finnish wildlife experiences that focus primarily on bears, this adventure is designed around three of Finland’s most elusive predators. From powerful Brown Bears to secretive Wolverines and wild Wolves, every hide session brings the possibility of a completely different encounter.
With access to more than 20 specialist hides across boreal forest, wetlands and lakeshores, sessions can be chosen to make the most of changing light, weather and wildlife behaviour. This variety creates opportunities for everything from intimate portraits to atmospheric environmental images.
Travel during Finland’s spectacular Ruska season, when the forests transform into a breathtaking palette of gold, amber and crimson. Cooler days and longer autumn nights create atmospheric conditions for wildlife photography, with colourful landscapes, dramatic light and active predators providing exceptional opportunities in the field.
The following suggested itinerary is designed to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your individual requirements. Speak to one of our Finland specialists to create your perfect wildlife adventure.
Throughout this tour, we stay at Basecamp Kuikka, situated in Finland’s remote Kuhmo region. Originally built as accommodation for local forestry workers, the lodge occupies a peaceful headland surrounded by Lake Kuikka and seemingly endless boreal forest. Its traditional Finnish log construction and wonderfully secluded setting give the property a warm, authentic character. The atmosphere feels more like staying in a large family home than in a conventional hotel.
The lodge has nine simple but comfortable guest rooms, with shared bathroom facilities, hot showers and a traditional Finnish sauna. It can accommodate up to 30 guests and offers a friendly, sociable atmosphere in which groups can relax and share stories between wildlife-watching sessions.
Basecamp Kuikka is the most rustic of the Finnish properties used by Natures Thrill. The bedrooms and facilities are basic, so guests should not expect hotel-style luxury. However, we believe its exceptional location and wildlife-viewing opportunities more than compensate for the modest accommodation. From our extensive first-hand experience of photographing Finland’s wildlife, Kuikka offers some of the country’s finest opportunities to observe and photograph wild brown bears, wolves and wolverines.
The lodge operates more than 20 specialist wildlife hides across a variety of carefully selected habitats, including open wetlands, atmospheric boreal forest and picturesque lakeshores. The hides vary in size and can generally accommodate between two and five guests. Toilet facilities are positioned at the rear of each hide, usually within a separate covered area to provide privacy when sharing. While the hides are designed primarily for wildlife observation and photography rather than luxury, they provide an extraordinary window into Finland’s wildest landscapes.
Meet Your Guide
At Natures Thrill, we believe that an exceptional wildlife experience starts with the right guide. We carefully select guides not simply for their knowledge, but for their first-hand experience, local expertise and genuine connection to the places and wildlife we visit. Many of our guides have spent years, and in some cases decades, working in their regions, building an intimate understanding of wildlife behaviour, seasonal movements and the best opportunities for observation and photography. This depth of experience allows us to offer something far beyond a standard guided holiday — expert-led adventures shaped by people who truly know the wild places they call home.
Our Autumn Gold tours are guided by Kyle Moore, one of our most experienced Finland wildlife specialists. Discover more about Kyle, his remarkable career and his life in the Finnish wilderness below.
Kyle Moore is the founder of BearPhoto and Natures Thrill. He established BearPhoto in 2017, specialising in bear-focused wildlife photography experiences, before expanding the business in 2026 with the launch of Natures Thrill, bringing together a wider portfolio of nature and wildlife adventures from around the world.
Based in the UK, Kyle is a multi-award-winning nature photographer and experienced wildlife guide, with a particular expertise in photographing bears in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments. His work has taken him from the vast wilderness of Alaska and the Arctic landscapes of Canada, where he has photographed polar bears, to the dense boreal forests of Finland in pursuit of the elusive European brown bear.
Alongside his photography, Kyle has developed extensive knowledge of the destinations and wildlife he works with, allowing him to combine specialist field experience with a strong understanding of wildlife behaviour and photography. His imagery and expertise have led to collaborations with tourism boards, leading broadcasters including the BBC, and international brands, including a recent global campaign with Samsung showcasing its latest mobile photography technology.
Kyle’s photographs are represented by leading international photographic stock agencies and have been published across international media. Through BearPhoto and Natures Thrill, he continues to share his knowledge and passion for wildlife by creating carefully curated, photography-led experiences in some of the world’s most extraordinary wilderness destinations.
Click here to visit Kyle’s website: www.kylemoorephoto.com
Whether you’re planning your next Finland wildlife holiday or simply want to discover more about the region’s remarkable wildlife, we’re here to help. Explore our collection of helpful resources, from wildlife guides and practical packing tips to inspiring travel stories and expert insights, all designed to help you prepare for your adventure and fuel your excitement for the wilds of Finland.
Not at all. Our guides help photographers of every level, from first-time hide users to professionals. We’ll advise on settings and positioning throughout.
A telephoto lens (300mm+ recommended), spare batteries and plenty of memory cards. Full details are in the downloadable Photography Gear Guide above.
Wildlife is wild, so sightings can never be guaranteed. That said, our locations and hides are chosen for some of the best predator-viewing odds in Europe.
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical and emergency repatriation is required for all trips. We recommend adding camera equipment cover.
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical and emergency repatriation is required for all trips. We recommend adding camera equipment cover.
Full arrival and transfer details, including the nearest airport and pickup arrangements, are in the Trip Information Pack. Our team will confirm timings after booking.
Get to know the experts behind your Finnish wildlife adventure. Kyle has spent the past decade photographing Finland’s iconic predators, gaining extensive first-hand knowledge of its wildlife, landscapes and seasons. Through his immersive tours, he shares this expertise and passion, offering guests a unique insight into Finland’s remarkable wilderness. Alongside Kyle, our Finland travel specialists are here to offer friendly, expert advice and help you plan an experience that’s right for you.
Experience the iconic Masai Mara with thrilling safari drives, Big Five wildlife encounters, sweeping savanna landscapes, and unforgettable views of the Great Migration in one of Africa’s most spectacular nature reserves.
At first glance, you might wonder why BearPhoto is leading an African safari, after all, bears don’t roam the savannahs of Kenya. But at BearPhoto, our passion has never been limited by geography or species. We are driven by one thing above all else: the pursuit of extraordinary wildlife encounters and unforgettable photographic experiences. This journey to the Masai Mara represents exactly that – and more.
We are thrilled to introduce this exceptional photographic safari to Kenya’s legendary Masai Mara, one of the most celebrated wildlife destinations on Earth. For photographers, the Mara needs little introduction. Vast, open plains stretch to the horizon, alive with staggering numbers of wildlife and an unrivalled concentration of big cats. The scale, drama, and raw beauty of this ecosystem offer some of the most powerful natural spectacles anywhere in the world.
This trip targets Finland’s great predators — brown bears, wolves and wolverines — photographed from specialist hides amid the taiga’s golden autumn forests and wetlands.
It runs in autumn, when Finland’s forests turn golden with “ruska” colour and predators are active, feeding hard before winter — a stunning season for photography.
The expedition is based in Finland’s eastern taiga, near the Russian border around Kuhmo, in prime predator country rich in bears, wolves and wolverines.
Yes — bears are a highlight, often active and feeding in autumn. You’ll photograph them from comfortable hides amid spectacular golden forest surroundings.
Yes. The remote eastern hides offer genuine chances of wolves and wolverines, two of Europe’s most elusive predators, alongside the region’s brown bears.
Autumn brings golden “ruska” foliage, soft low light and intense predator activity before winter — a combination that makes it a magical time for wildlife photography.
Yes. You’ll spend long sessions in specially designed photography hides, surrounded by boreal forest and wetlands, waiting for predators to appear in beautiful light.
Simply contact our specialists through the website or by phone. We’ll confirm availability and dates, or tailor the trip around your travel plans.
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