Brown bear photo hides
Slovenianbears manages a network of 8 locations and 32 photo hides, that fit 2 persons each. The hides have been tailored to the needs of photographers, hence they have been selected carefully regarding location and light availability, they are approximately at eye level with the bears, and they offer options to fix tripod heads. | ![]() |
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All hides are located in Notranjska region, of Slovenia, which together with the adjacent Kočevska region holds one of the world’s richest densities of brown bears. An estimated number of 900 bears can be found here. |
You can book hides between April and September. Hide sessions usually start at 2 p.m. and last until sunset. Depending on the location it takes about 10 to 30 minutes of driving plus 100 to 700 meters of walking to reach the hides. All guests will be briefed with regard to our code of conduct before starting the hide sessions. | ![]() |
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Equipment-wise we recommend lenses starting from 70-200mm up to 500 mm or even more. Photography distance may vary between roughly 10 to 50 meters. |
Slovenianbears offers ideal sighting options, however, sightings cannot be guaranteed. Nature follows its own set of rules.
Transportation to bear hides: we are asking you to follow us with your own vehicles to the bear hide locations.
SEASON 2023
Season starts on 5th May and ends on 30th September.
Price; 220€ / person per day – tour starts at 2.oo p.m. and ends at sunset.
Special requirements – Supplement 100€/day


“Thanks to Miha Mlakar and his crew our assignment in Slovenia for Dutch National Geographic Traveler was a great success! We saw a mother brown bear and two cubs from up close. What a great experience!” Menno Boermans, Netherlands.
“It was the first time I saw bears in real life. It was absolutely amazing. Thanks to Miha and his crew.” Mike Weiwers, Luxemburg.
“Gli orsi nel loro habitat naturale sono meravigliosi. .anzi..sono sempre meravigliosi come la natura che li circonda” Marina Assunta Temelacchi, Italy
About Slovenianbears.com
Slovenianbears offers the best options in Central Europe for bear watching and photography. For this, we have a network of 8 locations and 20 hides that can either be booked separately or visited within the scope of a photo tour.
Our visitors have high chances of seeing and photographing wild brown bears since our hides are located in an area that holds one of the world’s richest densities of brown bears. Moreover the hides are selected carefully regarding location and light availability.
Whilst offering our visitors best watching and photographing opportunities we strive to keep pressure on brown bears minimal. We do so by not constantly using all hides, by briefing our guests thoroughly, by providing only limited amounts of food at hide locations and by thinking ahead: The number of hides in our network shall remain at the current level to keep the experience special and sustainable.
Why do we feed? Slovenia as many other European countries have a long-lasting history of providing food for wildlife in specifically assigned hunting locations. Our hide-network has been set up in cooperation with local hunters, we use the same locations and place limited amounts of food, respectively corn. The quantities are defined by official institutions and are strictly controlled per year and site.
Slovenianbears also cooperates with a number of local companies, guides and employees.
Thereby, revenues stay in the region and create a positive feedback loop. Locals make a living of their natural resources, visitors appreciate the experience of nature and wildlife and thefore brown bears, which are an integral part of our rich natural heritage, have greater chances of long-term survival.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, WE ARE AVAILABLE ON MAIL OR PHONE
Mail: mlakar.markovec@gmail.com
GSM: 00386 41 582 081
Private arrangements possible on request.