The northernmost of the Baltic countries, Estonia, boasts an exceptional and diverse natural landscape.
Thanks to its geographical location and abundance of bogs and wetlands, it is an excellent destination to see dragonfly species that are either absent or extremely rare in Great Britain. Estonia’s dragonfly fauna includes as many as 62 species, and during a week-long trip, one can expect to encounter around 40 species.
Dragonfly Tour Itinerary: Estonia. June 2026.
Day 1
After arriving in Tallinn, we will head to southeastern Estonia for a two-night stay. Our first stop en route will be a wetland area near Tartu, where we hope to find our first specialty — the Eurasian Baskettail.
Overnight: Hotel in Võru.
Day 2
After breakfast, we’ll spend several hours exploring the Luhasoo hiking trail.
This 5 km bog walk takes us through peatland and small bog pools that attract a variety of dragonflies. It’s an excellent place to observe several highlight species, including the Dark Whiteface, which is surprisingly common here. We can also expect to see White-faced Darters and Northern White-faced Darters.
If the weather is nice, we’ll enjoy an outdoor lunch to make the most of this beautiful habitat and its wildlife.
After lunch, we’ll visit Meenikunno Bog, which is good not only for dragonflies but also for butterflies. We’ll also stop at a few locations known for Green Snaketail.
Overnight: Hotel in Võru.
Day 3
After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey toward Soomaa National Park, stopping first near Viljandi.
In good weather, one can expect to see at least 15 species of dragonflies here, including some recent colonizers such as Green-eyed Hawker, Blue Emperor, and Lesser Emperor. With a bit of luck, we might also find the scarce Green Hawker.
After lunch, we’ll continue through Soomaa National Park, which offers a rich variety of habitats — rivers, floodplains, forests, and bogs. We’ll focus on both bog and river specialties, with a good chance to encounter the Lilypad Whiteface.
Overnight: Guesthouse near Soomaa National Park.
Day 4
We’ll spend another full day exploring the beautiful Soomaa National Park.
Besides dragonflies, this area is also excellent for birdwatching — we may encounter Lesser Spotted Eagles or White-backed Woodpeckers while searching for dragonflies.
Overnight: Guesthouse near Soomaa National Park.
Day 5
After breakfast, we’ll leave the guesthouse and make a stop at Tuhu Bog before taking the ferry to Saaremaa Island.
This is one of the most reliable sites to find the tiny and range-restricted Sedgeling. If the weather is calm, we also have a good chance of spotting another specialty — the Northern Emerald.
In the early evening, we’ll take the ferry to Saaremaa Island and enjoy a relaxing evening at our hotel in Kuressaare.
Overnight: Kuressaare.
Day 6
Today we’ll take a longer walk in the northwestern part of Saaremaa Island, visiting the most reliable site to find the Baltic Hawker — another very range-restricted species in Estonia, found only on the western islands. Even here, it is scarce, so patience and a bit of luck will be required to spot one.
Overnight: Kuressaare.
Day 7
After breakfast, we’ll drive back toward Tallinn. If flight schedules allow, we’ll have some time to explore the beautiful Old Town of Tallinn before departure.
Tour Leaders
Keith Gittens (Tour Leader) – Keith is a leading dragonfly specialist from the UK with a lifelong passion for wildlife. For over 20 years, he has focused on dragonflies and currently serves as the Chairman of the Yorkshire Dragonfly Group. Keith made his first visit to Estonia in the summer of 2025.
Tarvo Valker (Local Guide) – Tarvo is an experienced wildlife guide who has led bird and mammal tours throughout Estonia for nearly 20 years. Over the past decade, dragonflies have become his growing interest. With more than 30 years of birding experience, Tarvo will also help keep an eye on the region’s birdlife during the tour.