Eight-Day Estonia Birds and Bears Tour
Explore Estonia’s wetlands, forests and bogs for spring birds, woodpeckers and grouse, then spend a night in a Brown Bear hide on this eight-day small-group tour.
About this tour
Travel through Estonia’s western wetlands, central bogs and eastern forests on an eight-day birding tour that finishes with an overnight session in a Brown Bear hide. The route links Matsalu National Park, the northwest coast, Silma Nature Reserve, Soomaa National Park, the Tartu region and Alutaguse before returning to Tallinn.
Wetlands and coastal stops bring opportunities for Great Snipe, Bittern, Bluethroat, Black Tern, Red-necked Grebe, waders and migrating waterfowl. Forest work targets a broad woodpecker community along with Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Thrush Nightingale and other eastern European specialties. Raptors may include White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Honey Buzzard and Montagu’s Harrier.
The itinerary includes tower hides, woodland tracks, wet meadows and an evening visit to a Great Snipe lek. In Alutaguse, the group spends a night in a basic bear hide equipped with beds and dry toilets. Brown Bear is the main mammal focus, while other large mammals remain possible rather than expected.
The 2027 departure runs from 18 to 25 May and is currently listed as full. The price is GBP 1,650 per person, with a GBP 150 single supplement. Seven nights of accommodation, all meals and entry to the bear hide are included. The maximum group size is seven, and guests meet at Tallinn airport in the early afternoon.
Birds you can spot
Lyrurus tetrix
target
Ciconia nigra
target
Dryocopus martius
target
Gallinago media
target
Tetrastes bonasia
target
Clanga pomarina
target
Ficedula parva
target
Tetrao urogallus
target
Dendrocopos leucotos
target
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Meet at Tallinn airport and travel west to the hotel near Matsalu National Park. If timing permits, begin birding around the hotel grounds and a nearby tower hide for wetland birds, raptors, woodpeckers and spring songbirds.
Visit the northwest coast around Põõsaspea and Spithami for migrating ducks, divers and raptors. Continue through nearby forests for grouse, woodpeckers and flycatchers before finishing at the tower hides of Silma Nature Reserve.
Explore Matsalu Bay, Haeska tower, coastal meadow and the Puise area for waders, wildfowl, cranes and raptors. Later visits may include meadow and tower sites with chances for Black Grouse, Montagu’s Harrier and other open-country birds.
Cross the country through Soomaa National Park, birding bog, woodland and wet meadow habitat before continuing toward Tartu. The evening is reserved for a visit to the Great Snipe lek area when conditions allow.
Bird the Ilmatsalu fish ponds and the broad wilderness of Alam-Pedja for grebes, eagles, woodpeckers, warblers, flycatchers and grouse. An evening wetland visit adds another chance for terns, wagtails and other spring birds.
Travel northeast toward Alutaguse, stopping in productive habitat for raptors and forest birds. After time in the region’s woodland and bogs, enter the bear hide for an overnight observation session with beds and dry toilets.
Leave the hide after the overnight session, have breakfast and bird eastern forests while returning toward Tallinn. The route offers final chances for Black Stork, eagles, shrikes, warblers, flycatchers and woodpeckers before the last hotel night.
Transfer to Tallinn airport for departure flights. Exact timing is coordinated with the group’s travel schedule.
Locations & map
- Tallinn - Harju County Estonia
- Matsalu National Park - Lääne County Estonia
- Soomaa National Park - Pärnu and Viljandi counties Estonia
- Alutaguse - Ida-Viru County Estonia
Availability & pricing
Included
- Seven nights of accommodation - Including the overnight bear-hide session
- All meals - Dietary requirements should be advised in advance
- Bear-hide entry - Overnight wildlife observation session
- Bird guiding - Across the full itinerary
Not included
- Personal expenses and insurance - Traveller responsibility
- Anything not listed as included - Confirm with the final booking arrangement
Transport & stays
- Tour vehicle Road transfers across the full Estonia itinerary. | Meet: Tallinn Airport | Pickup: Arrival and departure flight coordination is confirmed before travel.
Accommodations
- Tour hotels and overnight bear hide (days 1-8) Shared or single room according to booking; simple beds in the bear hide
Policies & FAQ
Cancellation Policy
Payment Terms
Insurance & Safety
Is the 2027 departure available?
The official calendar currently lists it as full. BirdWatch can check for a waitlist or future departure.
What is the bear hide like?
It is a basic overnight hide with beds and dry toilets. Brown Bear is the main focus, but sightings remain wild and uncertain.
How large is the group?
The official maximum is seven guests.