WILD ESTONIA
ESTONIA
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!
Welcome to Estonia - one of Europe’s hidden gems for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
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' state-of-the-art hides. 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.
DATES & PRICES
2026 TOURS AVAILABILITY PRICE
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Jan TBC 4 - 8 Places £1,650
Mar TBC 4 - 8 Places £1,650
Sep TBC 4 - 8 Places £1,650
Pay a deposit to secure your place - with final payment
2 months before departure.
Are you interested in something similar? Send an enquiry and I’ll reply soon to discuss further.
PAUL ALISTAIR COLLINS
HIGHLIGHTS
5 days at one of Europe's premiere wildlife photography facilities - with exclusive use of hides and 1-on-1 tuition
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Photograph bears, lynx, sea eagles, owls, woodpeckers and more in the taiga forest
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Photography boat for eye-level shots of steller's eider, ringed seal and crane
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Optional editing sessions and image feedback
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Expert tuition from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins and local nature guides
ITINERARY
The following is a proposed itinerary, subject to animal activity and weather conditions.
COMING SOON
If there is no itinerary displayed, please request a PDF itinerary.
LOCATION
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.
THE HIDES
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.
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR FOR YOU?
For this tour, we will have private access to Estonia's best wildlife photography facilities, during the most productive seasons for mammal and bird photography.
With expert photographic guidance from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, we'll ensure you capture truly unique images. We are proud to be in partnership with Phil Gould and local nature guides. We believe no one knows a land better than those who’ve lived there and travelled its length and breadth, and they will help you make the most of every opportunity.
‘Wildlife tourism, done right’ is the best way to ensure long term survival of wildlife and habitats against threats such as deforestation, human-animal conflict and poaching. Our wildlife encounters create everlasting memories for you while contributing positively to conservation. For every Estonia holiday we sell, we contribute financially back to local wildlife organisations.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
✓ Services of professional photography leaders and local wildlife guides
✓ Exclusive access to photography hide estate
✓ Evening image review and edit sessions (optional)
✓ Welcome presentation & materials on local fauna and sites
✓ Accommodation
✓ Breakfast and any additional meals taken at the photo estate
✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off
✓ Ground transportation
✗ Return flights to Tallinn or Riga (I will recommend the best flights upon contact)
✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes
✗ Personal and cancellation insurance*
✗ Any meals not specified; personal snacks, beverages and alcohol
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Laundry
✗ Any additional overnight stays or extra hide sessions
Have any other questions? Check out our Tour FAQs below.
EXCLUSIVE
ACCESS
Gain access to private locations where other tours don't go - and capture unique shots that no one else is getting.
INTIMATE
ENCOUNTERS
Enjoy regular sightings of our target species, in diverse light and weather conditions - allowing you to build a rich portfolio of stunning images.
DEEP
IMMERSION
Develop your vision at your own pace - with thoughtfully curated itineraries, expert guiding, small groups and 1-on-1 learning.
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.