Russia

Stretching across 11 time zones from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean, Russia is the largest country on Earth and one of the planet’s last true wilderness strongholds. Covering more than 17 million square kilometres, it encompasses an astonishing diversity of landscapes, from the frozen Arctic tundra and drifting sea ice of the north to the volcanic peaks of Kamchatka, the endless Siberian taiga, vast freshwater lakes, remote mountain ranges, expansive steppes and temperate forests of the Russian Far East.

This immense variety of ecosystems supports one of the richest wildlife assemblages in the Northern Hemisphere. Russia is home to some of the world’s rarest and most iconic mammals, including the Siberian Tiger, Amur Leopard, Snow Leopard, Polar Bear, Brown Bear and Musk Ox, while its rivers, coastlines and Arctic seas shelter walruses, seals and numerous whale species. The country’s immense forests also provide habitat for wolves, lynx, wolverines and moose, making it one of the best places on Earth to experience large mammals in truly wild landscapes.

Russia is equally remarkable for its birdlife. Every spring and summer, millions of migratory birds arrive to breed across its tundra, wetlands, forests and coastal regions. The country is a global stronghold for spectacular species such as the Steller’s Sea Eagle, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Siberian Crane, Red-crowned Crane, Ross’s Gull and Gyrfalcon, alongside hundreds of other breeding and migratory species. Many of these birds are extremely difficult to observe elsewhere, making Russia an unrivalled destination for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.

From the legendary forests of the Sikhote-Alin Mountains to the volcanic wilderness of Kamchatka, the remote Chukotka Peninsula, the vast wetlands of western Siberia and the icy Arctic archipelagos, Russia offers some of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on the planet. Its combination of immense untouched habitats, low human population density and exceptional biodiversity makes it one of the world’s premier destinations for anyone seeking authentic encounters with nature.