At Exodus, we’re passionate about travel and adventure and our wildlife holidays in Europe are designed to bring you closer to some of the world’s most awesome animals. Each of our itineraries is packed with unique experiences and our expert leaders have extensive knowledge about the places that you visit, the indigenous wildlife and the local history.
Our wildlife trips offer some of the most hair-raising adventures that take you deep into the heart of the natural habitats of species such as the brown bear, wild deer, wolves and golden eagles. The brown bear is one of the most revered creatures on earth and Europe is one of the best continents to see them roaming among the forests of Romania, Finland and Bulgaria. Trek to remote hides that are concealed in the heart of the bear’s territory and watch their fascinating behaviour in the wild. These mighty beasts are powerful yet graceful at the same time and it’s a privilege to adventure into their environment.
Because our wildlife tours are guided by experts, you’ll enjoy unparalleled experiences in the midst of the most incredible animal kingdoms.
Top 5 Destinations for Wildlife Holidays in Europe
Central Apennines: Towering above the Italian landscape from the Tuscana border, the Central Apennines boast a rich ecosystem and diverse species of wildlife. The region comprises ancient beech forests, alpine grassland and hillsides where you’ll find the likes of wild boar, red and roe deer, and wolves. But more importantly, the mighty Marsican brown bear, an endemic subspecies, roams the mountain forests. A tour of the bear corridors is an eye-opening experience and it’s evident how hard the Bear Smart Communities work to repair and maintain these areas which are vital to the protection of the brown bears.
Carpathian Mountains: These wild and rugged mountains loom over Transylvania in central Romania. The history, geography and nature combine to make the Carpathian Mountains one of the most incredible regions for wildlife tours in Europe. Here you’ll find the highest concentration of lynx, bears and wolves recorded in Europe and a walking tour takes you through forests that are largely undiscovered to get up close to the wildlife. Witness beautiful meadows that open up along alpine trails and visit a mountain hide where you can sit and observe brown bears in their natural environment.
Oulanka National Park: Close to the Russian border, Oulanka National Park is one of Finland’s most magical natural treasures. The park is known for its steep gorges, rare species of plants, and rapids that are crossed by suspension bridges. Our guided wildlife tour of Oulanka teaches you basic wilderness skills and introduces you to some of the fabulous bird species such as white throated dippers and the white-tailed eagle. But the highlight of the trip is an evening trek to a bear hide where you’ll hunker down to spend several hours observing brown bears in the wild. In the summer months the bears are fed with carrion around the hide so there is usually a lot of activity, which you can watch through the large windows of the hide.
Rhodope Mountains: Spanning southern Bulgaria and northern Greece, this mountain massif is a hauntingly beautiful region with incredible biodiversity. Living among the peaks and cliffs is a plethora of flora and fauna, from various species of orchid and butterflies to the Balkan lynx and chamois. The birdlife here is prolific with the likes of peregrine falcons, golden eagles, woodpeckers and buzzards often being spotted in the area. Below the Rhodope Mountains lies the Buynovsko Gorge, which brown bears frequent at feeding time. Because the mountains are a significant breeding area for griffon vultures, it’s likely you’ll see these distinctive birds standing on the clifftops.
Riisitunturi National Park: In the winter months Riisitunturi National Park is drenched in snow and the trees transform into wonderful ice sculptures, but once the snow has thawed, the landscape comes alive with wildlife and brown bears awaken from their long sleep. Since the dawn of time the Sami people coexisted here with the animals, and they lived harmony among the ancient wilderness. The national park was created to protect both the wildlife and its heritage, and it now remains home to brown bears and lynxes and many other incredible creatures.
The highlights for me were seeing orangutans (including babies!) in the wild, plus the rare pygmy elephants, alongside so much other incredible wildlife. Our local leader and guides were outstanding – not only were they brilliant at spotting animals I never would have seen on my own, but they also shared fascinating insights into Borneo’s wildlife and culture, which really enriched the whole experience.
I loved the variety of activities too – from hiking through the rainforest to snorkelling in crystal-clear waters, spotting wildlife on boat trips, exploring charming towns, and relaxing on pristine white beaches. It truly offered a little bit of everything.
This trip was magical from start to finish, and the orangutans in particular were such a special sight. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for adventure, wildlife, and unforgettable memories.
Unlike the dense Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal is more open and flat, making wildlife easier to spot. Over 650 bird species, including hyacinth macaws, Toco Toucans, Greater Rhea, jabiru storks.
Jaguars (we saw Three!) We also saw Capybaras, giant river otters, caimans, tapirs, Coati, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, Azara’s agouti, tamandua, Crab eating fox to name a few!
A terrific experience of seeing wonderful animals close up in their natural environments and enjoying the hospitality of so many people so proud to show their countries to best advantage.
