From bear and bird watching to food foraging and nature immersion stays, the best Estonia adventures in the spring include:
Brown Bear Watching: Estonia is home to approximately 1,100 Brown Bears, the highest population in Europe. The best time of year to spot a bear in the wild is from the end of April to mid-July but, it is possible until October when they rise from their winter hibernation and are on the move searching for food. Take a day trip from Tallinn or stay overnight at the Alutaguse wildlife-watching hide in the Taiga forests and expansive bogs of Northeast Estonia. The hides offer views of the forest, meadows and streams to watch bears, raccoon dogs, elk, wild boar, roe deer and otters, whilst an external microphone amplifies the soundscape in the cabin for a fully immersive experience. Baltic Nature Tourism tours from €115 per person.
Bird Watching: Estonia is richly endowed with forests, lakes and an island-studded coast that extends for several hundred kilometers. In May the avian flight-lines are crowded as large numbers of wildfowl pause on their journey to Arctic breeding grounds and mingle with newly arrived summer visitors from Africa. Along with its fine selection of resident woodpeckers, owls and the inhabitants of impressive marshland reserves, the tour will stop in Tallinn, Parnu and Tartu, as Estonia is one of the best locations in the world for birdwatching. Join a small group, 8-day birdwatching break with Naturetrek 11th – 18th of May, from £2,195 per person.
Estonia Nature Discovery: This self-guided wildlife watching tour highlights the best of Estonia's wildlife in Alutaguse National Park to see wildlife close-up from a bear hide, to Matsalu National Park on the western coast and to the taiga forests area of Lahemaa National Park. Visit the Vihasoo coastal meadow, the most bird-populated area of Lahemaa National Park and home to many wild animals, like moose, wild boar, bears, and lynx as well as beavers in the valley between Oandu and Altja. Windows on the Wild package from £835 per person.
Freshly Foraged Dining: Fully immerse in the nature of Estonia at the Energy Farm, located by the scenic River Navesti in Viljandi (150km, 1hr 45 drive from Tallinn) . Visit the Herbal Centre, which grows, and processes ecological herbs and is home to three herbal study and health trails, focused on energy, relaxation and stress relief, where participants can learn about herbs, their smell and how to use them in traditional Estonian cooking. Entry fee €3 per person.
Foraging hike: Through the Kõrvemaa region, discover the authentic food from Estonian forests. The hike ranges between 3-5 km long and ends with a meal from the forest. Prices start from €49.
Botanical Gardens Spring Blooms: The University of Tartu Botanical Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Baltic States, operating for more than 200 years, it is designed by world-renowned botanists, professors Ledebour and Bunge. Visitors can explore the collection of over 10,000 varieties of decorative and rare plants in gardens and greenhouses, including special rainforest and desert sections. Entry free.
Kirna Manor: The Kirna nature park is known for its therapeutic power among those interested in natural remedies, but when spring arrives something else very magical happens, over 90 different tulip varieties bloom in almost every colour. Entry from €5.
Nature Immersion Stays: ÖÖD Mirror houses are unique, stylish Estonian-designed cabins that enable visitors to immerse in nature. ÖÖD Hötels now offers 22 cabins across the country. The harmonized mirrored luxury cabins intertwine nature and art, seamlessly blending in, reflecting the trees, offering a magical and surreal experience. Inside these modern, cosy cabins, are equipped with all the necessary amenities and their own sauna. The Rooslepa Mirror Cabin is located in a picturesque forest near Roosta, Estonia's famous surfing beach and one of the most beautiful in the country. Prices from €200 per night.
New Hive-Cabins: Nestled in the forest overlooking a bog lake in Põlvamaa in the south of Estonia, the new nature escape offers eight different cabins are designed to be a base to reconnect with the natural world, with opportunities for hiking, bog swimming, wildlife watching and themed learning trails. Prices from €45per person.
For more information on springtime adventure inspiration www.VisitEstonia.com
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