Iolo & Dewi Williams: WILD FINLND

An Exclusive 8-Day Autumn Wildlife & Birding Expedition to Finland

Prepare for the wildlife journey of a lifetime. Escape the ordinary and venture deep into the remote, pristine borderlands of eastern Finland alongside two of the UK’s most respected and beloved naturalists, Iolo and Dewi Williams.
This specially curated 8-day luxury expedition is perfectly timed for late September, catching the spectacular Northern Taiga during ruska—the dramatic season when the forest fires up in vibrant gold, bronze, and crimson. Under the expert guidance of Iolo and Dewi, you will experience an immersive 5-night residency at the world-renowned Bear Centre in Vartius, Kuhmo. Here, from the absolute comfort of a state-of-the-art Luxury Bear Cabin, you will look out onto a wild landscape where European brown bears, wolves, and elusive wolverines roam completely undisturbed. Combining premium accommodation in Finland’s stylish capital with raw, unparalleled wilderness access, this is the ultimate untamed adventure for passionate nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Where Luxury Meets the Untamed Wild

Your home for five nights is a modern, high-quality Luxury Bear Cabin situated in a secluded forest setting 700 meters from the main lodge. Combining minimalist Scandinavian elegance with pristine isolation, each cabin is an observation haven.

• Panoramic Floor-to-Ceiling Windows: Watch majestic predators move naturally across wetlands and forests right from the comfort of your double bed.
• Live Nature Audio System: An outdoor microphone array captures the rustle of leaves, bird calls, and animal footsteps, piping the authentic sounds of the wilderness directly into your cabin.
• Premium Comforts: Each heated cabin features a private en-suite bathroom with a shower, a fully equipped kitchenette, a dining area, and a dedicated workspace with binoculars.

Birdwatching Excursions

Also 2 days exploring the local area searching for various species of birds. September is a fascinating and highly rewarding season for birding as the Taiga fills with resident species stocking up for winter and Arctic travelers passing through on southwards migrations. Trekking along moss-covered trails, you will search for hardy northern residents like the curious Siberian Jay, the Crested Tit, Willow Tit, and Coal Tit, alongside vibrant flocks of Bullfinches, Siskins, Common Crossbills, and the Rustic Bunting. The old-growth canopy also harbors three spectacular drumming specialists: the Great Spotted, Black, and rare Three-toed Woodpecker. Closer to the ground, you will scan the berry patches for magnificent forest grouse including the Capercaillie, Black Grouse, and Hazel Grouse. Keep your eyes sharp for apex predators as well; while owl sightings can be beautifully unpredictable, late September’s shortening days offer a magical window to cross paths with these elusive forest phantoms. Because this is a pivotal autumn migration corridor, you can look skyward to witness massive V-formations of migrating Geese and vocal Cranes, a heavy wave of avian traffic that frequently draws in soaring Hawks, Golden Eagles, and White-tailed Eagles. Best of all, you do not always have to travel far to experience this magic; the Bear Centre features its own dedicated daytime bird feeding station right on the grounds, giving guests a relaxed, highly productive opportunity to quietly observe and photograph forest birds at close range without ever leaving the property.

Accommodation

Hotel in Helsinki Airport to be confirmed (B & B Basis)

Luxury Cabin at Bear Centre (2 Meals per day provided) Additional Drinks / Snacks not included

Flights (Not Included)

Transfers to and From Kajaani to Bear Centre