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Big Cats of the Maasai Mara

    Thrilling Nature Holidays Worldwide

    Your Maasai Mara Safari, Tailor-Made

    The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations, but knowing where to stay, when to travel and which experiences are right for you can make all the difference. At Natures Thrill, our team has travelled to the Mara for many years, building first-hand knowledge of its wildlife, camps and lodges, and the experiences that make a safari truly unforgettable.

    Whether you dream of a bespoke, photography-focused safari with specialist low-level photography vehicles, a traditional African adventure filled with incredible wildlife encounters and sundowners beneath the setting sun, or something extra special, such as a private sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the vast savannah, we can create a journey tailored entirely to you.

    1.5 Million

    Wildebeest

    all equipment supplied

    25+

    Photography Hides

    April–October availability

    Apr – Aug

    Season

    £5,995 pricing with a £300 deposit.

    £595

    Per cabin / night

    Our first-hand destination knowledge means we can help you navigate the different regions, accommodation options and safari experiences to find the right combination for your trip. From intimate tented camps and luxury lodges to carefully planned wildlife encounters and private guiding, we take the time to understand what matters most to you. 

    This is your safari, shaped around the way you want to experience Africa.

    With expert advice, personalised itineraries and a genuine passion for the natural world, let Natures Thrill create a tailor-made Maasai Mara holiday that goes beyond the ordinary.

    Accommodation

    Luxury African Safari Tents

    Modern & Luxurious

    Exceptional

    During the early spring and late autumn months, you may even be able to experience the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your cabin, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows providing breathtaking views of the Finnish wilderness. These cabins allow you to experience the thrill of Finland’s most iconic wildlife without ever leaving the comfort of your accommodation.

    Finland’s luxury bear-viewing cabins are located in the Kuhmo region, approximately 90 minutes north-east of Kajaani. Set along the crest of a secluded hillside, the cabins command breathtaking views across seemingly endless Finnish boreal forest—home to some of Europe’s most impressive wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, wolverines and eagles.

     The cabins’ most remarkable feature, however, is their expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow you to observe brown bears and other wildlife from the warmth and privacy of your own accommodation.

    The cabins overlook a quintessentially Finnish landscape of mixed woodland and open wetland, with the colours and textures of the surrounding wilderness reflected throughout the Scandinavian-inspired interiors. Constructed using high-quality, locally sourced materials, the cabins offer a more sustainable, low-carbon accommodation experience. During the summer, abundant natural light floods the interiors, while the panoramic windows provide uninterrupted views across the surrounding habitat. In spring and autumn, guests may also have the opportunity to watch the Northern Lights when weather conditions and aurora activity are favourable.

    This is one of the few places in the world where you can relax in a comfortable double bed, enjoy a glass of Champagne and watch wild brown bears wandering just metres beyond your window.

    Private shower
    Hot water
    Campfire
    Dinner
    Natures Thrill logo mark

    Gallery

    Plan Your Trip

    Travel Resources

    Everything you need to prepare for your expedition — downloadable guides, essential pre-departure information, and answers to the questions we’re asked most.

    Wildlife & Seasonal Guides

    From our blog

    Capercaillie of Finland

    "Deep in Finland's boreal forest, male Capercaillie gather at dawn to perform one of Europe's most dramatic breeding displays -....

    Dalmatian Pelican Photography Guide, Lake Kerkini, Greece

    Discover how to photograph Dalmatian Pelicans at Lake Kerkini, Greece, with practical advice on light, composition, camera settings, lenses and....

    Brown Bear Photography in Finland

    Across the remote forests and wetlands of eastern Finland, specialist photography hides offer photographers the chance to capture wild Brown....

    Downloadable Guides

    Grab these before you go

    Trip details

    Trip Information Pack

    Full trip overview, meeting points, what's included and day-to-day flow.

    PDF · 2.4 MB

    Packing checklist

    Packing Checklist

    Clothing layers, footwear and cold-weather essentials for the field.

    PDF · 1.1 MB

    Photography

    Photography Gear Guide

    Recommended bodies, lenses, settings and accessories for wildlife hides.

    PDF · 3 MB

    Pre-departure information

    Pre-Departure Guide

    Visas, health, insurance and everything to sort before you fly.

    PDF · 1.8 MB

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    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.

    Wildlife & Seasonal Guides

    Dates, Prices & Info

    Your luxury cabin, priced per cabin rather than per person — available through the Finnish bear season from April to August.

    FROM

    £595

    per cabin / night

    Sleeps 1–2 guests. The price stays the same whether one or two people stay in the cabin.

    1-night packages

    Multi-night stays

    Free hide night
    Trip dates

    Season

    April – August

    Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Private luxury cabin

    Small group size

    Occupancy

    1–2 guests per cabin

    Location

    Location

    Kuhmo, N. Finland

    Important pricing information

    All rates are per cabin (1–2 persons), not per person. The price remains the same whether the cabin is occupied by one or two guests — ideal for couples travelling together.

    When To Go

    Availability through the year

    Available to book

    Closed / out of season

    Jan

    Bears in hibernation

    Feb

    Bears in hibernation

    Mar

    Season not yet open

    Apr

    Bears emerge · aurora chance

    May

    Spring cubs · long light

    Jun

    Midnight sun · peak activity

    Jul

    Warm nights · lush forest

    Aug

    Berry season · dark returns

    Sep

    Season closed

    Oct

    Season closed

    Nov

    Bears denning

    Dec

    Bears in hibernation

    The cabins operate from April to August, when Finland’s brown bears are most active. Early spring and late summer also offer the best chance of catching the Northern Lights from your cabin windows.

    Trip Type

    Tailor-made

    Trip options

    Hand-picked, built around you

    This holiday is one of our hand-picked tailor-made experiences. Speak to one of our Finland specialists today about creating your bespoke travel package — from cabin nights and hide sessions to transfers and dining.

    Flexible dates

    Private cabin

    Optional hide nights

    Chef or self-catering

    Speak to a Finland specialist

    Speak to a Finland specialist

    Tailor-made advice from people who know Finland’s wild places. We’ll help you plan a wildlife holiday that’s perfectly suited to you.

    *Complimentary hide night available on selected multi-night stays. Prices are per cabin per night and may vary by date; final rates are confirmed at the time of booking.

    Portrait of a man with crossed arms standing outdoors in an autumn forest.
    Roger Brenhagen in cold-weather expedition gear

    Speak to your guides

    Plan your trip with an expert

    Get friendly, expert advice to help you plan a wildlife holiday that’s perfectly tailored to you.

    Tailor-made advice from people who know Finland's wild places.

    Description

    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.

    See Trip Details

    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.

     

    Explore More Finland Wildlife Holidays

    From spring cubs to autumn predators, discover more ways to experience Finland’s boreal wilderness with our expert-led wildlife holidays.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Maasai Mara is famous for lions, cheetahs and leopards. On this trip you’ll seek all three, alongside the Mara’s extraordinary supporting cast of wildlife.

    Big cats can be seen year-round, but the Great Migration months (roughly July to October) bring dramatic predator action and are especially rewarding for sightings.

    The Maasai Mara is a world-renowned wildlife reserve in southwestern Kenya, famous for its big cats, the Great Migration and vast open savannah plains.

    Yes. Open plains, superb light and frequent close encounters make the Mara one of the finest destinations in the world for big-cat and wildlife photography.

    During migration season, yes — you may witness wildebeest river crossings and the big cats that follow the herds, one of nature’s greatest spectacles.

    Expert local guides use deep knowledge of the reserve and its resident prides and individuals to find big cats and position you for the best views.

    Beyond big cats, expect elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and the wider Big Five, plus abundant birdlife across the Mara’s rich and varied ecosystem.

    Simply contact our specialists through the website or by phone. We’ll confirm availability and dates, or tailor the safari around your preferred travel plans.

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