Question 1

What should I expect from the tour?

Accepted Answer

Expect a relaxed evening exploring the Finnish coastal wilderness in search of moose, rather than a traditional sightseeing tour or a guaranteed wildlife encounter.While we have had many evenings with several moose and some surprisingly close encounters, we don't want you to arrive expecting to see dozens of moose up close every time. Wildlife sightings naturally vary depending on the season, weather, location and simply what the animals decide to do that particular evening. Some nights can be exceptional, while others may involve more distant sightings or no moose at all.We'll drive through the Porkkala countryside, explore suitable wildlife areas and spend time quietly observing nature. Along the way, your guide will share stories, facts and insights about Finnish wildlife, nature and life in Finland.There may be moments of excitement when we suddenly spot a moose, while at other times we might simply sit quietly, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and wait to see what nature brings.The experience is also designed to be enjoyable even in the unfortunate event that we don't encounter any moose. You'll have time to enjoy the beautiful Finnish coastal nature, hear stories and interesting facts from your guide, and relax around the campfire while enjoying a selection of Finnish treats and a warm dinner.You're spending an evening away from the city, surrounded by peaceful Finnish coastal nature, enjoying good food, hearing stories from your guide and experiencing the Finnish outdoors.Of course, we're always hoping for that unforgettable moose encounter, but the wildlife is in charge of the schedule. That's what makes every safari different.

Question 2

What are the chances of seeing moose?

Accepted Answer

Moose are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed. However, we have a very good track record of finding them, and we have seen moose on the vast majority of our tours.
The safari is specifically designed to maximize your chances of encountering moose. From the beginning of the season, our guides actively track where moose movements are most frequent and use this information to identify the most promising areas. We continuously adapt our locations throughout the season as the animals change their patterns.
We usually have two vehicles searching at the same time, with our guides communicating with each other throughout the evening and sharing information about recent sightings and promising areas. When possible, we may also have a third vehicle scouting and helping the other guides.
That said, wildlife is unpredictable and sightings can vary significantly from day to day. One evening we might see several moose from relatively close by, while another evening we might only spot a few animals at a greater distance.
Our goal is always to give you the best possible chance of seeing moose, while observing them responsibly and without disturbing their natural behaviour.

Question 3

Are moose sightings guaranteed?

Accepted Answer

No. We never guarantee a moose sighting because they are completely wild animals and we cannot control where they are or what they do.
Our guides use their local knowledge, experience and information from recent sightings to choose the best areas and routes for each safari. We know that seeing a moose is the highlight everyone hopes for, and we'll do everything we reasonably can to make it happen. However, at the end of the day, nature decides what it shows us.

Question 4

What if we don’t see a moose?

Accepted Answer

While nights without a moose sighting are quite rare, they can happen, after all, we are looking for wild animals in their natural environment.

Sometimes we may also only spot a moose from a greater distance, rather than having a close encounter.
On those evenings, we hope that the rest of the experience can still make the tour memorable. We spend the evening in a beautiful coastal setting, Enjoying a Finnish-style dinner and local treats while also allowing some free-time to explore the area, and have plenty of time to hear stories and learn more about Finnish nature and wildlife from our guides.
A moose sighting is always the highlight we hope for, but the safari is also about enjoying the evening outdoors, discovering a bit of Finnish nature, and sharing the experience together.

Question 5

How close do we get to the moose?

Accepted Answer

This depends entirely on the animals and where we encounter them.If we are outside the vehicles, we always keep a minimum distance of 50 metres from the moose. We never approach, chase or disturb them just to get a closer look.When we encounter moose from the vehicle, however, we can sometimes have much, much closer encounters. On some very lucky days, we may find ourselves just a few metres away, while on other evenings the moose may remain much farther away.Whatever the distance, we always have binoculars and spotting scopes available, so you can get a good view even when the animals are further away.Sometimes a moose may even come surprisingly close to the van on its own, giving you an incredible opportunity to observe it from a safe position without disturbing it.Our goal is always to observe moose naturally and responsibly, allowing them to decide how close they want to come.

Question 6

Why do moose sightings vary from tour to tour?

Accepted Answer

Because moose are completely wild animals living freely in their natural environment. We don't keep them in an enclosed area, feed them, bait them or attract them in any way. Our tours are based on finding and observing them where they naturally choose to be.Their movements can be affected by the weather, temperature, time of day, season, food availability and many other factors. A location where we saw several moose yesterday can be completely empty today.This is also why we don't simply visit one "moose spot" every evening. Our guides continuously track their movements, use their knowledge of the area and share recent observations to decide where we have the best chances of finding them.Some evenings may bring several sightings, while others may be much quieter. That's the nature of genuine wildlife watching.We are committed to running our safaris ethically and responsibly, always prioritising the wellbeing of the animals and observing them without interfering with their natural behaviour.

Question 7

What is the best month to see moose?

Accepted Answer

There isn't one single "best" month, as moose activity depends on weather, food availability and many other natural factors.
June, July and August are generally our favourite months for moose watching. During this period, moose are active, the evenings are long and we regularly encounter them.  From early-mid July there is also the chance to see moose calves.
May can be more of a matter of chance. Moose activity is only beginning to pick up after winter, and we are also just starting to actively track their movements and learn where they are spending time for the season. This means sightings can be less predictable early in the season.
September can also be interesting for moose watching, but it can be more challenging as the beginning of the hunting season can affect moose movements and the areas where we are able to track them safely.
Overall, if maximizing your chances of seeing moose is your main priority, June–August would be our recommended period.

Question 8

Do you offer the safari year-round?

Accepted Answer

No. Our Moose & Wildlife Safari is a seasonal experience, running from mid-May to mid-October.We operate during the months when the combination of wildlife activity, daylight and outdoor conditions gives us the best experience for guests. The exact operating season may vary slightly from year to year.

Question 9

What wildlife besides moose might we see?

Accepted Answer

Moose are the main focus, but they are certainly not the only animals living in the area.White-tailed deer are by far the most common other wildlife we encounter, and it is very common to see a large number of them during the safari. Depending on our luck and the conditions, we may also spot roe deer, pine martens and raccoon dogs.And then there are the truly special encounters. With a lot of luck, it is even possible to spot some of Finland's more elusive predators, such as wolves or lynx. These sightings are extremely rare and, of course, can never be expected or guaranteed.Every evening is different, and that's part of what makes a genuine wildlife safari so exciting.

Question 10

Where does the safari take place?

Accepted Answer

At the moment the safari takes place on the Porkkala Peninsula, west of Helsinki. This is a large area of forests, fields, coastline and quiet countryside that is home to a variety of Finnish wildlife.
We don't simply follow a fixed route. Our guides adapt the route depending on the season, weather, recent wildlife activity and where we have the best chances of finding moose.

Question 11

How far is the safari from Helsinki?

Accepted Answer

The Porkkala Peninsula is approximately 50–60 minutes from central Helsinki, depending on traffic and the exact locations we visit.
Transportation from our meeting point in central Helsinki is included, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the safari area.

Question 12

How much walking is involved?

Accepted Answer

This is primarily a wildlife safari rather than a hiking tour, so there is no long hike involved.At the beginning of the experience, we walk to our campfire location. Depending on which location we use that evening, this can be anything from just a few metres to a few hundred metres, and occasionally up to around 1 kilometer.After the campfire, most of the safari is spent travelling by van between different wildlife areas. Moose can remain in the same area for long periods, so moving between several promising locations gives us the best chance of finding them.Depending on where the moose are, we may then walk a short distance through uneven forest terrain, or we may be able to observe them directly from or near the roadside.Overall, the amount of walking is relatively limited, but you should be comfortable walking short distances on uneven natural terrain. Comfortable outdoor shoes are recommended.

Question 13

How long does the safari last?

Accepted Answer

The full experience takes approximately 5–6 hours.
The exact duration can vary slightly depending on the group, driving conditions, wildlife activity and how the evening develops. We don't rush back simply because we haven't seen wildlife yet, our guides make the most of the available time and conditions.

Question 14

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Dress for spending several hours outdoors in Finnish nature. We recommend:
Comfortable outdoor clothingWarm layersComfortable outdoor shoesA waterproof jacket or rain jacket
Even if it is warm and sunny in Helsinki during the day, conditions can be noticeably cooler at the safari location. We are close to the coast, and temperatures can drop significantly as the evening progresses and the sun goes down.We therefore strongly recommend bringing extra layers, even if you don't think you'll need them when leaving Helsinki. There's plenty of space in the vehicles to keep additional clothing with you, so it's better to have an extra layer and not need it than the other way around.Finnish weather can also change quickly, even during summer, so come prepared for different conditions.Rain jackets are available from us free of charge if needed.

Question 15

What happens if it rains?

Accepted Answer

The safari runs rain or shine. Light rain or a short shower during the tour is not a problem, we simply adapt to the conditions and continue the safari. In fact, cooler and slightly wet conditions can sometimes be favourable for wildlife watching. Moose are particularly sensitive to warm temperatures and tend to reduce their activity during hotter conditions, so cooler evenings can be a good time to look for them. If there is prolonged heavy rain, a thunderstorm or other severe weather that makes the activity unsafe, we will cancel the safari for safety reasons and contact you with the relevant information.So don't worry if you see some rain in the forecast, it doesn't mean the safari will be cancelled, and a bit of Finnish rain can be part of the experience!

Question 16

Can I take photos during the safari?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Photography is very welcome.You can bring your phone, camera or telephoto lens. If you're hoping to photograph moose, a camera with a longer lens can be particularly useful because we cannot predict how close the animals will be.Just remember that wildlife photography requires patience, and sometimes the best moment happens when you least expect it!

Question 17

What food and drinks are included?

Accepted Answer

A campfire dinner is included in the safari experience, featuring typical Finnish outdoor delicacies prepared and enjoyed around the fire.We don't want to give away all the surprises beforehand, so we'll keep the exact menu a little secret until the evening. We also serve Finnish berry juice.Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and we can accommodate many dietary requirements and allergies when we know about them in advance. Please make sure to tell us about any dietary restrictions when booking or before the tour.

Frequently Asked Questions