Martinselkonen Wilds Centre

Martinselkonen Wilds Centre

Martinselkonen Wilds Centre
5
About
Bear watching from safe wooden hides with over 20 years experience. Different hides for tourist and photographers. There is all night excursions and evening excursions available. The bear watching excursions are guided. Other speacies Moose and birds. Also meal and accommodation services. In winter: winter cycling with Fat Bikes, ice fishing, snow shoe walking,skiing etc.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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The area
Address
Pirttivaarantie 131, Suomussalmi 89920 Finland
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles47 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Tapan B
Colchester, UK100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
Fascinating experience. Huge brown bears at distance of hardly five meters. After a walk of for about two kilometres on boggy land and over slippery planks when came to Bear hide saw the enormous size bears busy munching the dog food and fish head scattered all round within few meters of entry door of the bear hide. When took seat in the hide and looked out through the hole ,astonishing sight ,at least twelve to fifteen adult bears were moving around. Soon they were joined by other families ,mother bears with their cubs, adolescent bears. There were no competition, each bear was busy within its own area for food .Cubs were playful , following their mothers but when adults made any angry noise , they immediately climbed up the nearby trees. In the hide there were seats for up to twelve people, we were nine on first night. Bunk beds ,hot drinks tea and coffee, sandwiches and biscuits. The area outside was about the size of two cricket pitch in length and breadth. Some trees and long pine forest all around. Bears approached from several different sides , narrow paths made by bears themselves. We travelled before to see several wild lives, but if can watch one or two tigers in a day, or say five lions or two pumas ,one or two Jaguars or one or two leopard in one day will be satisfied but here counted within a pace of six hours 5 to 11 pm saw at least 30 bears all very near. On first night we stayed in the hide from 5 pm to 7 am but next day after reaching at 5 pm seeing so many bears and taking pictures we left at 11 pm for night rest in the lodge.
The path to and from hide Is picturesque but need walking carefully. In this area of Taiga forest it rains often also suddenly sun comes for few hours.
Fascinating experience.
One sad fact ,came to know from middle of October some of those lovely bears will be killed to keep their numbers controlled. Hunters will follow their footprints also tontheir holes to eliminate some of these lovely creatures,
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stefan Vandewinkel
Hamme, Belgium19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
Enjoyed an evening beartrip. We saw 25 bears close by. Few moms with cubs. Yonas the gave good info. There is coffee, thee, warm chocolate drink, biscuits and a sandwich included.
A place to come back!
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah b
Lytham St Anne's, UK1,664 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Couples
We booked through Naturetrek for a 3 night stay here and flew from Manchester via Helsinki and Kajaani (and returned via Oulu). 3 nights is perfect here to have a night in the comfort of the lodge either side of the night in the bear hide.

The hides are a short distance from the lodge involving a short van drive and a walk on uneven paths to get there. Well worth the journey to get here, this is the best place to see brown bears in Europe.

We had fantastic sightings of at least 45 individual bears including mother and cub groups of different ages. Sightings were good prolonged views enabling some excellent photographs.

The overnight photographic hide was comfortable with Windows and camera blinds. There were bunks in the hide for taking turns to nap throughout the night. Drinks and snacks were available to keep us going until we left in the morning.

The lodge itself is clean and comfortable, with twin bedded rooms with good private showering facilities plenty of hot water which is appreciated after a night bear watching. Nets at the window so we could leave the windows open all night which was good as it was unseasonally hot when we were there. Plenty of storage in the room which we liked even though we had intentionally packed light for our 3 nights here.

Food is good homely home cooked fayre, and any allergies catered for. Hot meals served at a hatch and always included a fresh salad and bread and a fruit jelly for after. Good healthy meals cooked fresh and served hot to set us up for an evening bear watching. Breakfast was continental style and included porridge with a rather nice cinnamon apple.

Overall, a great experience in comfortable surroundings. ( there was even a hairdryer in the room for those who need one)
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Miguel Frade
Lisbon, Portugal860 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Solo
I am back from several nights in the hides at Martinselkonen.
Since my arrival, everyone has always been very nice to me. I loved these 4 days.
I have never seen bears this close and the guides have done everything in their power to make me comfortable in the hides.
I will be back in the summer.
Thank you to all the staff. This is a place I recommend.
It has been an unforgettable experience.
Written 29 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom N
Sydney, NSW8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Just spent a week in an absoutely Magical Setting going Fat Biking in the Bear Kingdom. The scenery was amazing and the trails all well planned. The Martinselkonen Wilds Centre was very comfortable and well equipped. The stay included all meals and the food was excellent and plentiful. The luch stops in huts with Wood Burning Stoves were an experience not to be missed. The staff at the Centre and the Guide went to all lengths to make sure our stay and adventure was fun, safe, challenging, and very interesting. I would highly recomment Fat Biking in the Bear Kingdom.
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

3FMB
Edinburgh, UK26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
Have just spent 5 days based here, fat biking and snow shoeing in the area. Its a fantastic place; Markku, Riina and the staff team were so helpful and friendly and the food & accommodation were spot on.
In particular, our tour guide, Kaasu (sorry if I've spelt your name incorrectly!) was brilliant - so insightful about the area, patient with us and gave us a real sense of the area; we couldn't have wished for a better guide and leader. He introduced us to great trails which both were fun and provided some decent challenges.
This is an adventure not to be missed !
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melie K
Helsinki, Finland11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Solo
The center is located in remote area at the east border of Finland. Self driving is the most convenient way to get there, otherwise you would definitely need to reserve transfer service from the center. Niina is super professional and kind, and so are the other people at the center. The practices at the center, as well as in the wild, are responsible to the environment and professional in terms of ethology. If you’re hesitating, just look at my pictures and ask yourself: if even the mother bears trust the family with its four young cubs, why wouldn’t you? 😉
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mmikko
Joensuu, Finland1,655 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
Very well organized bear watching tour. We had evening tour (90€/ person, may 2020). Professional and nature respecting attitude. Knowable and friendly guide. We see about 15 different bears, this years cubs, last year cubs, young and full sized males and females. Price included transport to watching cabin, guide, water, coffee and roll.
Written 22 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robin O
Halifax, UK135 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
We stayed three nights at Matinselkonen at the end of July. We were allocated a lovely, large room over the dining room with en suite facilities - but we only saw it during the daytime. We spent three nights in the two person photo hides, the first at the lake, the second at the swamp and the third in the forest. The swamp hide was the best but each of them produced 20-30 bears each night, some with juveniles, some with cubs. I was videoing and my other half taking stills. We saw a mum with three cubs a couple of which climbed trees. And we saw a couple of adult bears sparring.

We were not sure we'd see bears but were unaware that they put food down for them (Note: I've just read a National Geographic article on ethical wildlife photography and this is ok other than the fact that, since bears have a huge range and are solitary, it does create a slightly false environment for photography. But without the food, you wouldn't find them, let alone see them!). You're picked up at 4 pm, driven about 20 minutes to the start of a 1.5 km walk to the hides. Not wanting to lug walking boots round Finland for two weeks, we opted for trainers and they were fine (just). You're put into the hide with a large backpack containing a picnic and flasks of coffee. Once the light faded and the bears have disappeared (it was still light enough at 11 pm), the bench in the hide opens out to make a double bed with a mattress. Top of the range sleeping bags are provided. You are then picked up around 7 am to have a comprehensive breakfast back at the ranch at 8 am.

Lunch is served at 3 pm. The food is all home cooked and is excellent; and they provided both a veggie and non-veggie version for us. The staff a very friendly, helpful and the service is great.

This is not a hotel, it is a wildlife lodge, so do not expect hotel-grade accommodation or services. However, if you want to see bears, it's absolutely brilliant!
Written 12 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mlsson
Bergen, Norway8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Couples
We stayed 3 nights in pro hides in the forest and on the marshland. It is a nice (about 1,5 km) walk through the forest to the hides. One man hides are excellent for taking low level photos. There were lots of bears with cubs too, it was a great experience to watch them playing and climbing up the trees. Friendly staff and great accomodation with good food.
Written 12 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MARTINSELKONEN WILDS CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)