MAX
Group Size
MIN
Group Size
Days Away From Home
3
5
6
Why Travel With Us To
Markovec, Slovenia?
Typical Operators | FOW's "Bears Of Slovenia" |
Usually 8-12 guests | Max 6 guests (usually 5) |
Cultural attractions are rarely included | Lake Bled, caves, castle included |
Basic photography guidance only | Photography instruction throughout |
Post-processing not typically offered | Post-processing training workshop with materials |
The Differentiating Factor
Most European bear photography tours focus solely on hide sessions and hope for successful sightings. This tour distinguishes itself by combining intensive bear photography with Slovenia's cultural highlights, structured photographic education, and the intimacy of a small group.
Basic Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel to Slovenia and Lake Bled
Day 2 - Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle and Night-time hide
Day 3 - Bear Hides
Day 4 - The Križna Cave (optional) and Bear Hides
Day 5 - Editing Session and Bear Hides
Day 6 - Travel Home
Want a more detailed itinerary?
What's Included
5 nights accommodation (shared rooms in lodge/hotel)
All airport transfers from Ljubljana Airport
All transport to hides and attractions
Full board Days 2-5 (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
3 bear hide sessions with qualified local guide escorts
1 garden hide session
1 nocturnal hide sessions
Entrance to Postojna Cave
Entrance to Predjama Castle
Optional entrance to Križna Cave (Rakov Valley)
Post-processing workshop with take-home content
Continuous photography instruction and support
What's Not Included
International flights (regional or long-haul)
Dinner on Day 1 (approximately €20-40 at local restaurant)
Lunch on Day 2 (approximately €10-20)
All beverages and drinks throughout
Travel insurance (required)
Equipment insurance (required)
Single room supplement (available upon request)
Any entrance fees beyond those listed above
Recommended Gear
Telephoto lens 200-600mm (necessary for bear photography)
Wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture
Tripod or beanbag (gimbal mounts provided in hides)
Weatherproof clothing appropriate for June conditions (warm weather)
Water bottle (hides can become very warm)
Comfortable walking boots for short walks
Important Notes
Flash photography is not permitted
Hides are equipped with bolts for gimbal heads
Short walks to hides and attractions. No strenuous activity involved. Suitable for anyone with normal mobility who can manage gentle walking for 10-15 minutes
June Weather: Long daylight hours with comfortable to warm temperatures typically ranging 15-25°C. Some rain is possible, though hides provide shelter but also much higher temperatures (well into the 30s)
Language: All instruction and guiding conducted in English
Insurance Requirements
All participants are required to have both travel and equipment insurance for the duration of the tour. This ensures protection for yourself and your gear, giving peace of mind while in the field. Insurance is the sole responsibility of each participant and must be arranged prior to departure, as Focused On Wildlife does not provide coverage.
Focused On Wildlife, however, is fully covered under the UK Package Travel Regulations against financial failure, giving participants reassurance that all bookings are financially protected.
What To Expect On This Tour
Photography-Focused, Not Just Wildlife Watching
This tour is designed around creating strong wildlife images whilst experiencing the best of Slovenia. Rather than simply placing you in front of bears and leaving you to work it out, the experience is structured around helping you develop better photography.
Throughout the tour, you'll learn to:
Compose images that include environmental context and atmosphere
Handle challenging woodland lighting conditions effectively
Build meaningful sequences rather than isolated frames
Adjust your technical approach depending on available light
We provide you with hands-on guidance throughout to support your composition choices, technical decisions, and field craft development.
Dedicated Sessions in Prime Bear Territory
The photography hides are professionally maintained locations in one of Europe's most densely populated brown bear regions, giving you excellent opportunities for natural encounters.
What sets these sessions apart:
Multiple hide locations where varied forest settings provide different backgrounds and compositions
Gimbal bolt mounts provided. Proper support for telephoto lenses up to 600mm
Qualified local guides. Experts who monitor bear activity electronically and position groups strategically, without wasting their time
Natural, undisturbed behaviour. The bears move and forage freely without human interference. Even the hides attempt to exclude human scent.
Priority access to family groups. The hosts know what drives people to these locations so when mothers with cubs are present, you'll be directed there
Dedicated sessions across three days give you multiple opportunities to photograph different bears, behaviours, and lighting conditions. This significantly increases your chances of capturing compelling images.
The potential to witness and photograph maternal interactions creates particularly powerful storytelling opportunities.
Beyond Bears: A Complete Portfolio
Whilst brown bears are the primary focus, the tour offers diverse wildlife photographic subjects: Brown Bears, nocturnal wildlife, garden birds and red squirrels to name a few.
Over and above wildlife, Slovenia is far too beautiful to just spend all your time in a hide. Cultural and Landscape Subjects — Lake Bled's island church at sunset, the dramatic clifftop Predjama Castle, and Postojna Cave (Europe's most visited cave system) all provide excellent photographic opportunities.
This variety ensures you return with a well-rounded portfolio that tells the complete story of Slovenia, rather than a single-species collection.
Pace and Educational Framework
The pace is deliberately comfortable, allowing time for discussion, gear preparation, and processing both images and experiences. You're never rushed between activities.
Throughout the tour, conversations naturally cover technical approaches, field craft principles, ethical wildlife photography practices, and the conservation context that protects Slovenia's bear population.
The tour includes structured learning that extends beyond the immediate trip:
Pre-session briefings: covering what to expect, optimal equipment choices, and communication methods
In-field guidance: real-time support with composition, timing, and behaviour interpretation
Post-processing workshop: dedicated session on editing woodland wildlife images effectively
Take-home materials: recordings and reference content for continued learning
Evening discussions: optional image reviews and creative approach conversations
This educational structure means you develop transferable skills that improve your wildlife photography long after returning home.
Who This Tour Suits
This experience works particularly well for photographers who:
Want authentic brown bear encounters in a European setting
Value small group dynamics (maximum 6 participants) over larger tour crowds
Appreciate cultural experiences integrated with wildlife photography
Seek educational guidance alongside photographic opportunities
Prefer comprehensive inclusions and convenience
Need a compact week-long format that fits work commitments
All skill levels are welcome. Beginners receive foundational support whilst experienced photographers are challenged with new approaches and techniques.
What You'll Take Home
By the end of this tour, you'll have:
A diverse portfolio of bears, nocturnal mammals, garden birds, landscapes, and architectural subjects
You will benefit from enhanced technical skills, particularly for woodland lighting and telephoto work
Field craft knowledge. Hide protocols, behaviour reading, and ethical practices
Post-processing techniques with specific approaches for wildlife imagery you can apply immediately
Above all else, it is our aim for you to take home memorable experiences.
The combination creates a complete photographic narrative of Slovenia's wildlife and culture.
Photograph wild brown bears in ancient European forests from professional hides, then explore iconic landmarks and medieval architecture. This intimate tour blends intensive wildlife sessions with expert photographic instruction and cultural immersion. Small groups ensure personal attention as you develop skills and capture compelling images.