Discover the Exciting Wildlife Safari Adventures in Sweden

So you’ve watched elephants lumber across the dusty plains of the Serengeti and spotted Bengal tigers lapping from waterholes deep in the jungles of India. Maybe you’ve viewed polar bears playing in the snow in Canada or observed sloths dozing in the treetops of the Amazon Rainforest. However, have you considered a wildlife safari in Sweden? Welcome to Europe’s most underrated wildlife-watching destination.

Between its vast forests, numerous lakes, and long coastline, Sweden has always been an excellent place to connect with nature. With activities ranging from hiking blueberry-lined trails to unique stays in quirky off-grid ecolodges, there are endless ways to explore its wilderness. Recently, however, Sweden’s tourism industry has begun to capitalize on one of the Nordic nation’s greatest natural treasures: its wildlife. Here are five incredible species to check off on a Swedish safari.

Wolves

Hunted to extinction in the 1960s, grey wolves began returning to Sweden in the early 1980s. Protected since 1966, Sweden’s wolf population now numbers at least 300, with approximately 40 family groups inhabiting the forests of Central Sweden. While many farmers consider the return of wolves a nuisance, wildlife tour guide Marcus Eldh sees it as a gift.

“It’s not easy to predict where you might see a wolf during the day, but if you can locate a den, you have a good chance of hearing them howl at night, which is a truly special experience,” says Eldh, Sweden’s only wolf-tracking tour operator.

Working closely with the Scandinavian Wolf Project, which monitors wolf populations in Sweden and Norway, Wild Sweden offers an overnight tour camping in a secret location near Skinnskatteberg, about two hours northwest of Stockholm by train or car. After learning how to identify wolf tracks, droppings, and sounds, groups embark on foot to a strategic location within howling distance of a wolf den, where they can listen to wolves making their distinctive calls. If you’re lucky, you might even hear their pups yelp in response.

“Sometimes we hear wolves howl from the camp too,” says Eldh, who assures that his tours are perfectly safe. “The last deadly wolf attack in the wild in Sweden was in the 1820s,” he adds.

When to go: Tours run from May to September.

Beavers

Sweden’s endemic Eurasian beavers were also hunted to extinction for their fur and the castoreum from their scent glands, used in perfumes. Declared extinct in 1871, it was another 50 years before these large rodents, which can weigh up to 25kg, were reintroduced. Sweden’s beaver population now exceeds 130,000, with a significant proportion residing in Central Sweden.

For the best chance to spot beavers, join a tour by boat or canoe in areas dense with beavers after sundown, when they are most active. Wild Sweden conducts its beaver safaris by electric motor boat, which is quieter and more eco-friendly, near the village of Färna—two hours’ drive from Stockholm. Additionally, evening canoe safaris in the beaver-rich Malingsbo-Kloten Nature Reserve, organized by Nordic Discovery, offer a more immersive experience.

“This silent mode of transport not only allows us to observe beavers closely but also enables sightings of moose, deer, foxes, badgers, hares, and various bird species,” says Mikael Nilsson, wildlife guide and founder of Nordic Discovery. Both operators report nearly every tour features beaver sightings, showing them swimming, feasting on soft plants, and felling trees for food and building materials.

When to go: Tours run regularly from May to September, and Nordic Discovery also offers a winter version in waterways that remain ice-free.

Moose

With the highest moose population per capita globally, Sweden boasts excellent chances to see these majestic creatures, known as “elk” locally. Although found throughout the country except on Gotland and the outer islands, moose particularly favor energiskog or timber plantations during dawn and dusk.

“The trees are harvested regularly, offering plenty of young leaves for moose,” explains Eldh, who, like Nordic Discovery, provides moose safaris by car and on foot. Stockholm-based Green Trails also offers moose safari experiences with transfers from Stockholm.

If you prefer to conduct your own safari, check hunting season dates before venturing into energiskogs or wilderness areas, as dates vary by region. Additionally, be vigilant on the roads; thousands of annual accidents in Sweden involve moose.

When to go: Evening tours operate from May to September.

Bears

While Sweden lacks polar bears, it is home to an estimated 3,200 Eurasian brown bears, particularly in Central Sweden. Several purpose-built bear hides offer optimum viewing of this apex predator. Wild Nordic organizes an overnight tour to a nearby hide equipped with nine windows and photo openings, including bunk beds for nocturnal visitors. Another unique bear hide near Annefors is ran by Vargas Vildmarkslodge, which the BBC once described as the best hide in the world.

“In 2019, we recorded a 98.7% success rate of seeing at least one bear per night from the hide, with some nights featuring up to five bears,” reports Håkan Vargas, owner of Wilderness Lodge. Bears have been known to approach within five meters from the hide, which is also fitted with bunk beds and comfy chairs. Visits to both hides can also be arranged through Wild Sweden.

When to go: Bear viewing tours run from May to August, with the midsummer months (mid-June to mid-August) providing optimal lighting for photography.

Seals

Sweden’s coastlines are inhabited by three seal species—common, grey, and ringed—often seen on its many rocky islands. Seal-spotting boat safaris are popular in the Stockholm Archipelago (considering Skargard, located 45 minutes south of Stockholm) and Gothenburg Archipelago (explore options like Hönö Boat Trips and Kastor Boat Trips on Hönö island). However, with one of Sweden’s largest seal colonies located in Kosterhavet National Park, the nation’s first marine national park, it is worthwhile to take a two-hour drive north of Gothenburg for a seal safari with Selin Charter, based in Strömstad.

“Kosterhavet National Park houses around 6,000 different marine species, making it an excellent habitat for seals,” states Helena Lantz of Selin Charter. “On sunny days with little wind, we typically see hundreds of seals relaxing on the rocks or swimming around the boat.”

When to go: Most tours operate during the summer, ideally from July to mid-August to catch a glimpse of seals with their pups.

Sarah Reid traveled to Sweden with support from the Adventure Travel Trade Association, West Sweden, and Wild Sweden. iBestTravel writers do not accept freebies in return for positive coverage.