Wildlife guide
The perfect introduction to getting your head around the extraordinary life on earth, and where to go to find it.
Top 8 wildlife photography
tours in Europe
Our wildlife photography tours in Europe allow you to learn, experience and immerse yourself in some of the continent’s last remaining wilderness areas, as well as introducing you to some of the most elusive and exciting animals on the continent. From Arctic foxes, terns and puffins in Norway and Iceland, to bears, wolverines and moose in the deep, dark forests of Finland – we’ve highlighted some of our finest Europe wildlife photography tours. All you have to do is pack your camera and go.
1. Birds and landscapes of the Faroe Islands
Imagine training your binoculars on cliffs soaring out of the sea. From a distance, it’s hard to make out what’s emerging from the tiny holes in the rock. However, close up you’ll see the unmistakable red and gold beaks of puffins as they leave their burrows to hunt. Puffins aren’t the only birds you’ll see on a photography tour of the Faroe Islands. Thanks to summertime daylight hours this far north, expect long days (and nights) for seeing massive gannet colonies and northern fulmars, too, all against a backdrop of fantastic landscapes.
When to go: June
Our top trip: Faroe Islands photography tour
See all our trips: Faroe Islands tours
Read more: Faroe Islands travel guide
When to go: June
Our top trip: Faroe Islands photography tour
See all our trips: Faroe Islands tours
Read more: Faroe Islands travel guide
2. Photograph wolverines in Finland
In the realm of the deep, dark Finnish woodlands, predators roam. Rightfully fearful of people, watching and photographing wolverines in the wild takes patience, practise and expert local knowledge. This is your opportunity to join specialist wildlife watchers and researchers as you undertake a tour of eastern Finland, where wolverines are appearing in increasing numbers. Get cosy in a wilderness lodge, camp out in a photography hide, and wait for the moment that a wolverine appears right in front of your camera’s lens.When to go: April to October
Our top trip: Wolverine photography tour in Finland
See all our trips: Finland tours
Read more: Wildlife photography travel guide
3. Arctic birds & whales in northern Norway
The Lofoten Islands are a wild archipelago off the north-west coast of Norway. Armed with a camera, this is your chance to stay in mountain-view fishing villages and embark on a wildlife photography tour that watches out for sea eagles, giant gannet colonies and whales. Travel in summer for the best of the birdlife.
When to go: June
Our top trip: Lofoten Islands photography tour
See all our trips: Norway wildlife tours
Read more: Norway wildlife travel guide and Arctic Norway photography guide
Our top trip: Lofoten Islands photography tour
See all our trips: Norway wildlife tours
Read more: Norway wildlife travel guide and Arctic Norway photography guide
4. The red deer rut in the Scottish Highlands
For red deer, the UK’s largest land mammal, October bring the rutting season. As the bracken turns brown on the hills, bucks go head-to-head in dramatic mating skirmishes, clashing antlers and shoving each other aside in their bid to secure their harem of does. Head to the Scottish Highlands to capture their battles on camera. After the drama, you can stay on to photograph more peaceful scenes too, hiding in hides to watch for mountain hare, red squirrels, and even rare ptarmigan.When to go: October
Our top trip: Scotland wildlife photography holiday
See all our trips: Scotland wildlife tours
Read more: Scotland wildlife travel guide
5. Wildlife photography tour in Lapland
Spend a week with a pro photographer who’ll show you around northern Lapland. Kuhmo, near the Russian border, is a highlight – you’ll head to a remote cabin where you can watch out for bears, wolves and wolverines. Your guide will help you get the most out of your camera and the rolling backdrop of autumnal forests, rushing rivers, Arctic lakes, wild national parks and the Northern Lights. Small hotels are key, so you’ll meet the people who live in this remote region of Finnish Lapland too.When to go: May to September
Our top trip: Wildlife photography tour in Lapland
See all our trips: Lapland tours
Read more: Lapland travel guide
6. Summer wildlife photography in Finland
A summer sunset at Lake Saimaa, in eastern Finland: the lake’s rare endemic freshwater seals pose on the rocks, well aware that it’s them, and not the yellowing sun, that are the stars of the show.
But seals aside, the Finnish summer is a fantastic time for photography holidays. Hide out in hides, watching for bears, wolves and wolverines, and see stately moose yomp through the forest. You’ll need cosy socks for wildlife watching, but once you’re back inside, hearty Karelian cuisine will do all the warming.
But seals aside, the Finnish summer is a fantastic time for photography holidays. Hide out in hides, watching for bears, wolves and wolverines, and see stately moose yomp through the forest. You’ll need cosy socks for wildlife watching, but once you’re back inside, hearty Karelian cuisine will do all the warming.
When to go: Summer
Our top trip: Wildlife photography tour in Finland
See all our trips: Finland tours
Read more: Wildlife photography guide
Our top trip: Wildlife photography tour in Finland
See all our trips: Finland tours
Read more: Wildlife photography guide
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7. Photographing brown bears in Finland
Photographing wild brown bears in Finland is surprisingly straightforward… if you know where to look. Firstly, you need to know how to access isolated areas of Finland’s woodland. Secondly, you need patience. And finally, you need an expert guide who can point out the snuffling brown bear nose coming into view. Camping out in a wildlife hide, you’ll use camera traps and thermal imaging, and get the chance to photograph badgers, beavers, reindeer, moose and pine martens.When to go: May to September
Our top trip: Bear photography tour in Finland
See all our trips: Finland tours
Read more: Bear watching in Finland guide
8. Wildlife photography tours in Estonia
If you want an off-the-beaten-track destination for wildlife photography in Europe then look east, to the forests, bogs and coastline of Estonia. Here you’ll find one of the most reliable sites for photographing brown bears in Europe, as well as one of the continent’s top wetland birding locations in Matsalu National Park. Our small group holidays even include boat safaris along the Kasari River, when elk and beavers often make an appearance.When to go: May
Our top trip: Birds of prey photography tour in Estonia
See all our trips: Estonia tours
Read more: Estonia travel guide
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