We know Estonia
11.6.2013 | Nature

BEAR WATCHING

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

19.6.2025 | Nature

The Splendor of Peonies in the Tallinn Botanical Garden

The Splendor of Peonies in the Tallinn Botanical Garden

The Tallinn Botanical Garden is once again organising the popular Peony Days event from 22 to 28 June. During … Read more

6.6.2025 | Nature

camera icon5
Two National Parks in Virumaa Offer Visitors a Wonderful Nature Experience

Two National Parks in Virumaa Offer Visitors a Wonderful Nature Experience

A duck feasting on cranberries caught the attention of a nature guide Signe Ohakas, who works as a nature … Read more

15.5.2025 | Leisure

camera icon10
Charming Pearls of Western Estonia: Hiiumaa and Saaremaa

Charming Pearls of Western Estonia: Hiiumaa and Saaremaa

Although Estonia’s largest islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, are known to all by name, many still have yet to experience … Read more

15.4.2025 | Nature

Tallinn helps frogs to migrate to their spring breeding grounds

Tallinn helps frogs to migrate to their spring breeding grounds

The City of Tallinn has closed part of Astangu Street to traffic until 2 May. The road is closed … Read more

21.3.2025 | Nature

A Day at Lahemaa National Park

A Day at Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park is Estonia’s best-known national park. Located along the northeast coast, Lahemaa has hundreds of kilometers of … Read more

8.3.2025 | Nature

Estonia Is the World’s Cleanest Country?

Estonia Is the World’s Cleanest Country?

Estonia is now officially the cleanest country in the world, according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). This Northern … Read more

27.2.2025 | Nature

Orchid exhibition returns to Tallinn Botanic Garden

Orchid exhibition returns to Tallinn Botanic Garden

From February 28 to March 9, the annual Orchid Exhibition returns to Tallinn Botanic Garden, showcasing a selection of … Read more

25.1.2025 | Nature

National parks – The pearls of Estonian nature

National parks – The pearls of Estonian nature

Matsalu – A birdwatcher’s paradise in Western Estonia The national park around Matsalu Bay is known as a bird … Read more