11.6.2013 | Nature
BEAR WATCHING
matsalu, birdwatching, haapsalu, wildlife, nature, nature tour
Estonia’s first bear watching company was NaTourEst. The business is located in Alutaguse in eastern Estonia. It is thought that about 700 bears populate the country, most of which live on private land in eastern Estonia.
Nature guide Triin Ivaldi has been involved with bear watching tours for a few years now. “We don’t just watch bears. We teach visitors about how bears live, how to identify their footprints and droppings, and we also look at where they hibernate,” she explains.
The best time for bear watching in Estonia is from May to June, where it is more likely than not to spot one.
“Bear watching is safe, as is walking in the woods. Bears are hunted in Estonia, so they are generally afraid of humans,” reassures Ivaldi.
Every year more and more people come to watch bears. These tourists include visitors and photographers from England, Germany, Holland, and France. And bears are not all you might see: be on the lookout for wild boar, goats, foxes, and sometimes even wolves.
Estonian Nature Tour Organisers
360 kraadi – Skating, snowshoeing, skiing, canoe, and kayak excursions.
Reimann Retked – Bear photography and watching. Bird and plant tours.
Seikle Vabaks – Snowshoeing, kick sledging, kayaking, bird and nature walks.
Soomaa.com – Canoe, kayak, snowshoeing, kick sledging, and skiing excursions. Mushroom and wild berry foraging.
Pärimusmatkad – Nature and cultural tours of Saaremaa
City Bike – Bicycle tours of Tallinn and surrounds.
TEXT MIKKO VIRTA, PHOTOS SVEN ZACEK
To learn more about this and similar topics
23.4.2024 | Nature
Tallinn Botanic Gardens new exhibition introduces over 100 houseplants
Over 100 houseplants will be introduced at the Tallinn Botanic Gardens exhibition of indoor plants from April 20-28. New … Read more
20.3.2024 | Nature
How to create a natural garden at a free lecture
This Thursday, March 21, certified permaculture designer Marian Nummert will give a free lecture on how to create a … Read more
29.2.2024 | Nature
Tallinn Botanic Garden’s annual orchid exhibition opens tomorrow
The annual orchid exhibition at Tallinn Botanic Garden will open tomorrow, March 1. The exhibitions, which has taken place … Read more
27.2.2024 | Nature
Estonia has shrunk by 4 km2, but gained 95 new islands
A new map completed by the Estonian Land Board has found that although the country has 95 more islands … Read more
14.2.2024 | Nature
Enjoy Valentine’s Day in Estonia
XVII Tallinn Winter Festival Charity Concert,Mustpeade Maja, Tallinn. Brazilian Carnival Show, Alexela Concert Hall, Tallinn. Valentine’s Day Gala Concert, … Read more
12.2.2024 | Nature
Voting is open for European Tree of the Year 2024
Voting is now open for the European Tree of the Year 2024 competition. The 14 trees from around the … Read more
22.11.2023 | Nature
Estonian Environment Agency issues heavy snow warning for this evening and overnight
The Estonian Environment Agency has issued a level 2 “dangerous” weather warning for heavy snow and blizzard conditions for … Read more
21.10.2023 | Nature
Pumpkin Festival begins at Tallinn Botanical Garden
From today, October 21, until November 5, Tallinn Botanical Garden will host a pumpkin festival, where interesting varieties of … Read more