Bear Kuusamo Ltd (Karhu-Kuusamo Oy) has been organizing responsible bear watching in Kuusamo’s remote wilderness since 2007. We’re proudly the oldest bear watching company in the Kuusamo region and among Finland’s pioneers in wild brown bear watching. After two decades of work, we now provide a 99% chance of bear sightings.
Unforgettable and Responsible Bear Encounters
Our mission has always been simple: to offer unforgettable, ethical wildlife encounters while ensuring the long-term well-being of the Finnish bear population and its natural habitat.
Our bear watching experience is carefully designed with respect for nature. Our expert guides have a deep understanding of bear behavior and years of experience in Finland’s northern wilderness. We never feed the bears closer than approximately 20 meters from the hides, ensuring they remain truly wild, retain their natural respect towards humans, and that both guests and wildlife stay safe. You can read more about our responsibility guidelines here.
At the heart of everything we do lies deep respect – for the Finnish brown bear, the wilderness, and the delicate balance that allows them to thrive. For us, bear watching is more than an experience; it’s a way to protect and honor the wild, ensuring minimal disturbance to the bears and their environment.
Protecting Taiga for the Bears
Around our bear watching site lies 600 hectares of protected forests and swamps, where bear hunting is strictly prohibited – a true haven for bears and many other species. The protected area connects directly to the vast wilderness of Paanajärvi National Park across the Russian border. Together, these lands form a vital migration channel and cross-border ecosystem that serves as an essential sanctuary for Northern Finland’s brown bears and countless other mammal, bird, and plant species. This also makes our area one of the best places to observe wild brown bears in their natural habitat – the pristine northern taiga.
Beyond offering ethical bear watching in Finland, we also participate in regional conservation efforts. Bear Kuusamo Ltd has contributed to the Kuusinki River restoration project, a long-term effort that revived the river’s natural flow and restored vital spawning grounds for local trout populations. We’re also partners with the neighboring national park, Oulanka, and Metsähallitus (Finnish State Forest Enterprise). By visiting us, you support different conservation efforts and help us to protect more land for the bears.
Every visit helps safeguard these boreal forests and their remarkable wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to witness the king of the forest, the wild brown bear, roaming free in its natural home.