Bergslagen Wildlife Safari (Wolves, Beavers & Moose)

Farna Manor is a delightful spa hotel situated in the village of the same name, where it occupies a lovely setting between two lakes - Lillsjön and Norrsjön. Located a short distance from the wildlife-rich forests of Skinnskatteberg, it is a wonderful retreat in which to relax after long days spent wildlife tracking! The hotel has 60 spacious rooms, a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and sauna.

Dinner and overnight at Farna Manor.

This morning’s wildlife experience will serve as an introduction to the taiga ecosystem, as your guide explains its defining characteristics. They will also show you how to track wildlife, including species such as moose, lynx and wolves, as you look for hoof prints in the soil, bite marks and droppings. You may not encounter any large mammals on this morning’s forest tour, but you can certainly hope to see your first tracks!

After a morning of exploration, lunch will be enjoyed at a cafe in the forest, after which there will be time to relax at the Manor or by the lake, or perhaps to take a canoe out on the water.

Early this evening, you will set off again with your guide in search of moose, travelling on foot and by vehicle.

The moose is the largest and heaviest of the deer family, standing at over 2 metres when fully grown. These shy, gentle herbivores are solitary creatures, unlike other deer species who form herds. The ancient forests of Bergslagen provide great browsing for moose, whose diet consists of leaves and small branches of trees. In the summer months, they also enjoy pond weed and pond lilies, and can often be found in ponds with only their heads above the water – they are surprisingly agile swimmers! In the long, cold winters, their thick coats provide wonderful insulation, allowing them to survive in exceptionally cold conditions.

Later this evening, your guide will choose a scenic spot and light a campfire. Supper will be served around the fire as you recount the day’s sightings. Later, return to the Manor for overnight.

Canoeing around the lake and its islands is a great way to observe water birds, including species such as black-throated diver, grey heron, common crane, and osprey. The canoeing is intended to be a relaxed experience, and you will not cover a great distance. Afterwards, lunch will be served outdoors on the lakeshore.

There will be time to relax at the Manor following lunch, and perhaps enjoy the wood-fired sauna or a short walk in the surrounding forest which, between July and September, is bursting with berries just ripe for picking!

Early evening, your guide will take you to Norrsjön Lake, where you’ll enjoy a campfire dinner on a small island in the lake, before embarking on a boat safari in search of beavers.

Using small boats with quiet electric motors, you will glide over the lake and the river that feeds it as the sun begins to set. You may see the beavers on the shore or swimming close to the boats while there is still light.

As darkness falls, you’ll use headlamps to observe these fascinating semi-aquatic animals as they are busy eating and building dams to form small ponds – their preferred habitat! The walls of beaver dams can be as high as 2 metres and are built using trees, which the beaver fells with their teeth, and then waterproof with mud.

Beavers are highly sociable animals and live in colonies of around eight, with a dominant female. Their diet consists of trees (which they can digest), roots, leaves, bark and aquatic plants. They have a tremendous impact on ecosystems, helping to maintain wetland systems and providing an environment for birds, fish and amphibians. Once hunted almost to extinction, beavers have in recent decades made a comeback and are no longer on the endangered species list.

Following the beaver safari, you’ll be returned to Farna Manor for overnight.

Late this afternoon, after lunch at the manor, you’ll embark on your first journey into wolf territory! Before you head out, your guide will explain more about wolves and how they live. Ask as many questions as you wish – this fascinating excursion is likely to be the highlight of your trip.

You’ll be camping in the woods tonight, and en route to your camp, you’ll look for paw prints, droppings, dead prey, and other clues that indicate that the wolf pack is around. On arrival at the wild camping site, you’ll pitch up the tents, with everyone helping. Once camp is prepared, there will be time to relax and enjoy a hot supper served around the campfire. During the course of the evening, one of Sweden’s foremost wolf experts will join you and talk about his work with wolves and provide more insight into their behaviour.

As darkness approaches, you leave camp and travel on foot, moving closer to the wolves. Depending on their location within the forest, you may walk for up to an hour on rough terrain. Once you’ve located the wolves, your guide will ensure that you stay a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the pack. The aim is to reach a comfortable distance from which to sit and listen, hoping to hear their famous, spine-tingling howl! Hearing wolves howl from within the dark of the forest is a totally exhilarating experience.

After midnight, return to camp for a well-deserved rest.