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Wildlife Locations

4 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Alutaguse National Park

Alutaguse National Park

Alutaguse National Park is one of Estonia’s wildest regions, shaped by vast raised bogs and dense forest. It's one of the country’s newest national parks, and is a brown‑bear stronghold, also supporting lynx, wolves, elk, and rare species such as black stork, Ural owl, golden eagle, and the Siberian flying squirrel. Find Out More

  • Where: North-east Estonia
  • Ideal for viewing: black stork, hazel grouse, Eurasian brown bear, racoon dog, Siberian flying squirrel
  • Excellent for: Bear watching, Birdwatching ,

Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park is one of Estonia’s finest ancient Taiga forests, with vast tracts of moss-covered Scots pine and Norway spruce. Its bog woodlands and meadows support elk and Eurasian lynx, while capercaillie, hazel grouse, and several woodpecker species make it an important bird site. Find Out More

  • Where: Northern Estonia
  • Ideal for viewing: Eurasian beaver, white-backed woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker, capercaillie, hazel grouse
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

Matsalu National Park

Matsalu National Park

Matsalu National Park is one of Europe’s most important wetlands, supporting exceptional birdlife as a migration stopover for up to two million waterbirds, and as a breeding site for many species. Its habitats span floodplain meadows, reedbeds, and woodland, and it's renowned for orchids, elk and beavers. Find Out More

  • Where: Western Estonia
  • Ideal for viewing: elk, Eurasian beaver, lesser spotted eagle, common crane, river warbler
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

Saaremaa Island

Saaremaa Island

Covering an area of 2,673 square kilometres, Saaremaa is the main island of Saare County, and located in the Baltic Sea. Each year hundreds of thousands of migratory birds visit Saaremaa in spring and autumn. It has a mild maritime climate and a variety of soils, which results in a rich flora. Find Out More

  • Where: Baltic Sea
  • Ideal for viewing:
  • Excellent for: Birdwatching ,

View trips to these locations

Wildlife trips

Located on the Baltic Sea coast in northern Europe, Estonia became independent from Soviet rule in 1991. Occupying a strategic position on the East Atlantic Flyway migration route, there are few places in Europe that can match Estonia's remarkable birdlife, no matter what the time of year.

3 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Steller’s Eider Weekend

BERJAYA

Join us on a long-weekend in western Estonia to search for large flocks of Steller’s eider and other winter specialities, amidst spectacular snow-covered scenery. Other birding highlights include owls, waterbirds – including long-tailed duck and goldeneye – as well as white-tailed eagle. Find out more about Steller’s Eider Weekend

  • Price (inc. flights): 4 days from £1,380
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
  • When to go:
    • F

Estonia’s Mammals & Birds

BERJAYA

Estonia’s vast wetlands and remote forests offer exceptional wildlife watching, from elk, beavers and ringed seals to brown bears, Siberian flying squirrels and black storks. The contrasting regions we visit create a wonderfully complementary and outstanding holiday itinerary for wildlife enthusiasts. Find out more about Estonia’s Mammals & Birds

  • Price (inc. flights): 8 days from £2,655
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • When to go:
    • J
    • J

Eurasian Lynx Quest

BERJAYA

With guidance from an expert local tracker and use of a private 4-wheel drive vehicle, explore Estonia’s Lahemaa National Park for the elusive Eurasian lynx and a host of other mammal species. Based at a comfortable 16th century manor hotel you’ll venture out at night for extensive spotlighting sessions. Find out more about Eurasian Lynx Quest

  • Price (inc. flights): 5 days from £2,995
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • F
    • M
    • O
    • N
    • D

When to go

Estonia is a year-round destination, but the winter bird migration takes place between December and April each year, with peak numbers of Steller’s eider present in January and February.

Seasons

  • Summer

    Jun to Aug: Summers are mild. July is the warmest month, and afternoon thunderstorms can be frequent. The islands are cooler.
  • Autumn

    Sep to Nov: It can be warm until mid-September but autumn is wet and windy, with coastal flooding. Snow typically arrives late October.
  • Winter

    Dec to Feb: Winter snow in Estonia lasts from mid-December to March and the south-east of the country has most snowfall.
  • Spring

    Mar to May: Estonia has a dry, mild spring with temperatures reaching 20-30°C in May, and thunder quite frequent in April.

Wildlife events

  • Nov to Apr: Steller's eiders winter in the coastal waters of Western Estonia
  • Feb to Mar: Mating season for Eurasian lynx in Estonia