W I L D E S T O N I A
S P R I N G 2 0 2 5
Capture the wild beauty of Estonia, with exclusive access to a state-of-the-art hide complex,
for unforgettable encounters with bears, elk, owls, woodpeckers, and more!
H I G H L I G H T S
-
5 nights' stay at one of Europe's premiere wildlife photography facilities - with exclusive use of hide facilities, tuition, & more
-
Photograph Estonia's iconic wildlife - including bears, wolves, elk, sea eagles, owls & woodpeckers - in pristine taiga forest
-
Take a photography boat for eye-level shots of the rare steller's eider, ringed seal & cranes
-
Develop a uniquely rich portfolio of animal portraits & behaviours
-
Expert guiding and 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer & local guides
-
Optional editing sessions & evening seminars
T R I P O V E R V I E W
Welcome to Estonia - one of Europe’s hidden gems for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike.
Estonia is one of Europe’s least densely populated countries, and an up-and-coming destination for nature photography. With over 50% of the landscape covered in taiga forest, there is room for lynx, brown bear, elk, and grey wolf to thrive in greater numbers than elsewhere in Europe. Its 3800km of unspoiled coastline are home to grey and ringed seals, while nearly 400 bird species can be seen.
During our stay, we'll be based at Wildlife Dreams' brand-new state-of-the-art hides. Seamlessly blending into this remarkable landscape, giving you the chance to try out each hide as many times as you like and photograph its animals at your own pace.
Photographable Species: Brown Bear, Elk, Raccoon Dog, Mink, Grey Wolf, Ringed Seal, Grey Seal, Raptors (Goshawk, White-Tailed Sea Eagle, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier), Woodpeckers (Black, Grey-Headed, Green, Great Spotted, Lesser-Spotted, Middle-Spotted, White-Backed), Hazel Grouse, Nuthatch, Raven, Kingfisher, Hawfinch, Willow Tit, Steller's Eider, Crane, and much more!
O U R B A S E
Tucked away in a secluded taiga forest, on the edge of a man-made lake, the new Wildlife Dreams Lodge & Hides is celebrated as one of Europe’s top wildlife photography facilities. We will have exclusive use for the duration of our stay.
With 14 private en-suite rooms, 3 on-site photo hides, photography boat, lounge, sauna and swimming pool, editing and seminar rooms, café and art gallery, it’s the perfect base for both comfort and creativity. Located 14 km from Põlva and 200 km from Tallinn, this is where nature and world-class facilities meet.
T H E H I D E S
The hides offer fantastic opportunities to photograph some of Estonia’s most iconic and rare wildlife by day and night.
Thes hide are connected to our accommodation via a 150metre undercover walkway, meaning that we can approach unseen by animals. Spaciously seating up to 14 photographers, the hide is designed with photographers in mind, featuring high-quality one-way glass (to the same high spec as on my other photo tours). This keeps us hidden from view, increasing the chances of spotting natural behaviours. Each window offers a different backdrop, and with a maximum of 2 photographers per window, there’s plenty of space to work and flexibility for lower-angle shots.
The Main Hide
White-Tailed Sea Eagles and Goshawks are frequent visitors, while mammals such as Bears, Grey Wolves, Mink, Raccoon Dogs, and Elk may appear at any time. The longer you spend here, the more you’re likely to see! If you'd like to spend all your time in the hide, be our guest!
Each window offers a different backdrop, and with a maximum of 2 photographers per window, there’s plenty of space to work and flexibility for lower-angle shots.
An extra window overlooks the Reflection Pool and Woodpecker Hide, so you won't miss out on any activity at the other hides. The setup also allows for creative options like remote wide-angle cameras for unique perspectives.
Capacity Seats up to 14 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
The Reflection Pool
The raised reflection pool hide offers many photographic opportunities at eye level. On the edge of the forest, it provides drinking water for many species of wildlife during the day and even night, as the pools are floodlit for nocturnal mammals and owls.
*Please note that these images are all from the past few months and we will update with each season.
Capacity Seats up to 6 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
The Woodpecker & Waterfall Hide
This hide allows you to photograph wildlife that uses the waterfall to drink and bathe in before it flows from the woods into a pond. Specialist windows allow you close up images of the various woodpeckers that come to the feeding posts around the natural forest.
Capacity Seats up to 6 people
people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
The Bear Hides
As well as bears on the property, we also have privileged access to two other hides, just a short drive from our base. The beauty of these is that they offer totally different backdrops, offering exciting opportunities to get stand-out photos of European Brown Bears. You can capture natural behaviour without disturbing the bears or other wildlife that may visit these amazing locations.
Capacity Seats up to 6 people
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
The Photo Boat:
Steller's Eider, Sea Eagles & Seals
This coastal day trip from Parna is on a specialist private photographic boat, for Steller's Eider (one of Europe's rarest ducks), White-Tailed Sea Eagles, Grey Seals, and Ringed Seals. We can also use this boat other exciting projects that we are working on during the different seasons.
E X C U R S I O N S
We will offer local excursions for nature lovers or photographers who just want to spend a day away from the hides. Much of Estonia's wilderness remains unexplored, and with about 400 species of birds and a rich variety of mammals to see, truly anything is possible on one of our side trips.
If you are interested in other possibilities around Estonia, please get in touch.
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
-
Why Pick This Trip?These hides offer some of the best raptor photography opportunities in Europe, with over a dozen species possible - from Bearded Vultures to the rare Bonelli's Eagle and Eagle Owl. Winter is the best time of year to see these species in action before they expand their territories to breed, and our hides are the best way to witness their lives up close. I've guided here for several seasons, alongside our excellent local guides, and will help you make the most of every opportunity, ensuring you capture truly unique images.
-
What's Included?✓ Services of photography & local nature guides ✓ Permits and private access to 3 days of photography hide activities ✓ Evening image review & post-processing sessions (optional) ✓ A welcome presentation on the local fauna ✓ 4 nights' accommodation at an apartment in Montsonis ✓ All meals ✓ Airport pick-up & drop-off from Barcelona El Prat airport ✓ Ground transportation by car and minibus
-
What's Not Included?✗ Return flights to Barcelona (please contact me so that I can recommend the best flights) ✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes ✗ Personal & cancellation insurance ✗ Personal snacks & beverages ✗ Personal expenses ✗ Laundry ✗ Any additional overnight stays & extra hide sessions
-
What Camera Gear Do I Need? Do I Need To Be An Expert Photographer?Not at all! Beginners and more experienced photographers are all welcome, and there'll be lots of group and 1-on-1 tuition available. The beautiful thing with our groups is that we all inspire each other and have different approaches. Kit-wise, we recommend that you bring a DSLR or bridge camera with a zoom lens in the 100-400mm range for portraits and behavioural shots. A wide-angle lens (10-20mm) or GoPro is recommended for the raptors feeding at close range! Tripods are necessary for the hides (a light one will do) to ensure crisp action shots. Upon booking, I will send everyone a recommended kit list.
-
Are Meals Included?Yes, all meals are included! Breakfast and lunch, prepared by the local bodiga, will consist of pastries, fresh fruit, sandwiches and salads, toast and jam, with coffee/tea and juices. Dinner will be a variety of traditional Catalan tapas cuisine (meat and vegetarian options), and we may prepare meals in the apartment. Please let me know upon booking if you have any dietary requirements.
-
What's The Weather Like In The Pyrenees?The weather should range from 5 to 15C, with sunshine, mists, and low chance of rain or snow. In some of the smaller hides, although portable heaters are available, it can feel pretty cold in the morning. It is important that participants wear appropriate clothing for the season. Upon booking, I will send a recommended clothing and kit list.
-
What's The Group Size?With a maximum of 5 participants, our group size ensures everyone has a better personal experience and plenty of space in each hide. Small group size, 1-on-1 tuition, and intimate encounters with animals are what people value from my tours.
-
Is There A Lot Of Walking?No. We consider this light, as we will be based largely on one location with hide photography. Please contact me beforehand to discuss suitability and if you have any mobility issues.
-
What Flight Should I Take?It is recommended to fly to Barcelona airport, where we will transfer together by car to Montsonis. Alternatively, if you wish to see more of the country, you could fly to Madrid and take the train to Lleida, where we will meet you for the transfer. Please discuss with me so that I can recommend the best flight for you to take.
-
Do You Offer Single Occupancy?Yes we do. All rooms are private en-suite (single/double occupancy).
-
When Do We Receive Our Final Joining Instructions?Usually 4 weeks prior to departure. In the event of delay, please contact me via email or by phoning +44 (0)7342983581 or emailing paulalistaircollins@gmail.com.
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses. We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.
Contact Paul at paulalistaircollins@gmail.com for further information. Please check your spam inbox if you do not see a reply.
Once your booking has been confirmed, an advance payment will be required per person to secure your place.