Join professional wildlife photographer Roger Brendhagen on an unforgettable photography adventure in the wild forests of Finland. Deep in the Finnish wilderness, close to the Russian border, we enter the territory of some of Europe’s most fascinating and elusive predators. This is a unique opportunity to photograph Brown bears, wolves and wolverines in their natural environment during the beautiful Finnish summertime.
During this exciting Finnish summer predator adventure, we spend long sessions in specially designed photography hides, surrounded by ancient boreal forests, open wetlands and the beautiful light of the Nordic summer. Here, patience can suddenly be rewarded with the silent appearance of a Brown Bear, a Wolverine moving cautiously through the forest, or a pack of Wolves emerging from the shadows.
For Roger, wildlife photography is about much more than simply getting close to an animal. It is about understanding behaviour, reading the landscape and using light, perspective and composition to tell a story.
Throughout the workshop, Roger will share more than two decades of experience photographing wildlife in Finland. You’ll work on camera settings, composition, low perspectives, backlighting, understanding animal behaviour and, perhaps most importantly, how to react when those magical moments suddenly unfold in front of you. And they often happen quickly.
One moment, the forest can appear completely empty. The next, a Wolf may be standing directly in front of your camera.
The Brown Bear offers endless opportunities for powerful portraits, intimate behavioural images and wider environmental photographs that place the animal within its wild surroundings. The Wolverine, one of Scandinavia’s most secretive predators, is fast, unpredictable and incredibly exciting to photograph. And then there is the Wolf. To see a wild Wolf emerge silently from the Finnish forest is an experience that is difficult to describe. To photograph one is a moment you are likely to remember for the rest of your life.
Of course, these are truly wild animals, and no sightings can ever be guaranteed. That element of uncertainty is part of what makes wildlife photography so special. You never quite know what might appear from the forest, or when it might happen.
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.
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 Finland Predator Photography in Summer tours are guided by Roger Brendhagen, one of our most experienced Finland wildlife specialists. Discover more about Roger, his remarkable career and his life in the Finnish wilderness below.
Roger has been a professional nature photographer for over twenty years. Based in Norway but spending more than 320 days a year travelling, he quite literally has the world as his workplace. He has been a Nikon ambassador for over eighteen years, making him one of the brand’s longest-serving ambassadors. Roger is also the leader of the Norwegian Nature Photographers / NN.
He has held workshops in more than thirty countries, with a particular focus on predators. He is a renowned speaker and gives nearly one hundred lectures each year. He has extensive experience as a nature photographer, with articles and photographs published in several European newspapers and magazines. He also collaborates with various television channels, including the BBC, for which he supplied photographs and film for the major new series Wild Scandinavia.
He has held several photo exhibitions in recent years, with subjects ranging from Antarctica in the south to Svalbard in the north. In March 2020, he published his first book, accompanied by a large solo exhibition featuring images from Antarctica. In autumn 2024, he published two books together with Ole Mathismoen: The Bear – the Strongest in the Country and The Wolf – the Smartest in the Forest. This year he will release four new books: The Moose – the King of the Forest, in addition to a series of three children’s books focused on the natural world.
Click here to visit Roger’s website: www.rogerbrendhagen.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.
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.
Roger has spent more than two decades photographing Finland’s wildlife professionally, bringing exceptional knowledge of its wildlife, landscapes and photography opportunities. Alongside Roger, 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.
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