Spend a full day tracking brown bears across the ancient Kočevsko forest with local guides. This guided experience combines hands-on tracking, a Bear Room lecture and evening observation from safe stands—ideal for patient wildlife watchers.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning light threads through beech trunks as the group gathers at Bearlog Hostel, backpacks light and voices hushed. The day begins with a woodland hike along Kočevska Reka, where soil and stone keep records of centuries: churned tracks, overturned logs, and the scent-lines bears leave like punctuation. Guides read these marks the way others read maps—each scrape and scat telling a story of movement, season and hunger.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–12 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people with basic fitness able to hike gentle forest trails and stand quietly for extended periods
Wildlife
History
The Kočevsko woods have long been sparsely inhabited; their remoteness allowed large carnivores like bears and lynx to persist even as much of Europe was cleared.
Conservation
Slovenia protects large carnivores through habitat measures and regulated hunting; tours emphasize leave-no-trace practices and strict food and waste protocols.
Reserve your spot on the Observing and Discovering Bears in Their Natural Habitat today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring opticals and zoom
A pair of binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens improve sightings from the observation stand without disturbing animals.
Dress quietly in layers
Muted colors and layered clothing keep you comfortable and reduce sudden movements or noise in changing mountain conditions.
Avoid perfumes and food odors
Strong scents attract or alter animal behavior—store snacks as instructed and avoid scented lotions on observation nights.
Follow guide directions at all times
Guides coordinate approach, timing and silence for safety—strict adherence keeps both visitors and wildlife protected.
Binoculars (8–10x)
Helps detect distant movement without approaching wildlife.
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots
Forest trails can be muddy, uneven and slippery—good traction matters.
Layered clothing and rain shell
Temperature swings from morning to evening and sudden rain are common.
Camera with telephoto lens or long zoom
Allows quality photos from observation stands without using flash.