Finland is home to some of the last true wilderness in Europe, which means it’s an absolute haven for the continent’s most spectacular wildlife. Huge swathes of deep pine forest provides homes for bears, lynx, wolves, elk, wolverine and of course, reindeer, making Finland an incredible country for a wildlife holiday.

With Not In The Guidebooks, we’ll get you out into the wilderness, up close and personal with reindeer, and up on the fells where you might just catch a glimpse of a majestic golden eagle silhouetted against the sky. One thing you can be guaranteed, even if you don’t spot any wildlife during your time in Lapland, is that you’ll be transported to a world completely removed from our own built-up homes.

Wild Adventures in Northern Finland

Finland, and in particular Lapland, is an enormous subarctic wilderness of over one hundred thousand square kilometers, much of which is made up of untouched pine forest and a patchwork of rivers and lakes.

It’s one of the least densely populated areas on earth, with just 177,000 people living in the entire region. All this means that this northernmost region of Finland is an absolute haven for wildlife and the perfect location for a wildlife holiday in Europe.

Whether you visit in summer for the best chance of spotting brown bears, wolves and golden eagles, or in the winter to drink in the magical northern lights and watch reindeer wander past your cosy cabin, a wildlife holiday in Finland is sure to reward you with that magical feeling of getting well and truly off the beaten track.

Where can I go and see wildlife in Finland?

To see some of the most majestic wildlife in Finland, and indeed Europe, it makes sense to make a beeline for Lapland. As we’ve just mentioned, it’s a huge area of pristine wilderness, crisscrossed with walking trails and dotted with wilderness huts to stay in and relax after a day in nature.

Lapland is also home to not only seven national parks, but a further twelve designated wilderness areas. These roadless, truly wild areas are truly untouched, and cover 15,000 square kilometres of northern Lapland.

This makes them some of the very best places on earth to head out and discover the wildlife that roams entirely freely through the impossibly still forests and the rolling fells.

Why choose Not In The Guidebooks?

We’re passionate about helping people find the most amazing experiences on their travels, through meeting local people, exploring new places, and discovering alternative activities that make holidays special. We do this by carefully selecting partners in countries around the world who are experts in their local area, sourcing interesting people who can guide you through immersive experiences.

We’ve got local partners all across Finland, from wild Lapland to the country’s slick urban centre – Helsinki. Choosing a Not In The Guidebooks family holiday in Finland means you don’t have to choose between a Christmas holiday or an activity-filled break, you can get the best of both worlds with a unique trip.