A safari in Europe may seem unlikely, what with all the roads and real estate that has been put up in past decades. However, reports say that with a little bit of patience and an unyielding spirit, one can find and experience big game from the Arctic Circle to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Where to Go In Europe To See Big Game

1.  Norway - Polar Bear

Svalbard is Norway's frozen northernmost territory and it is also where you will find polar bears. Apparently, polar bears are wild and can be seen unexpectedly here their law requires people to carry rifle for self-defense in case of a polar bear attack.

 

2.   Sweden - Moose

Sweden is apparently the moose capital of the world. The country is abundant with the fauna per square kilometer more than anywhere else in the world. More often known as elk in Europe, these moose roam the country's forests and now counts up to 250,000 despite the best efforts of Swedish hunters.

3.  Spain - Lynx

Very fewer lynx can now be found in the wild. Only around 250 Iberian lynx remain surviving the wild today and most of them are scattered in places including the Mediterranean forests of the Sierra Morena in Andalusia and in the grasslands and pine woods of the Coto Donana (close to the mouth of the River Guadalquivir).

Despite records of surviving lynx in the Sierra de Andujar Natural Park or the Donana National Park, chances of spotting one around these areas are slim. This is why one needs to spend up to at least a week in the parks in order to see Europe's only big cat.

4.  Netherlands - Wild Horses and Wild Cattle

Parts of the Netherlands reclaimed from the sea can be spectacularly found with thousands of wild horses, red deer and Heck cattle roam.

Oostvardersplassen is the size of almost 60 square kilometers of meadows and wetlands. The big game in this destination is the result of "rewilding" an area of land reclaimed from the sea which was supposedly built for industry purposes.

Dutch scientists introduced deer, konik ("little ponies") from Poland and Heck cattle when original plans for the zone didn't turn out as planned.

5.  Poland, Belarus - Bison

Poland is home to the only wild herd of European bison, also called wisent or zubr, in Polish. These furry and huge animals live in Bialowieza National Park and count to about 450.

6.  Corsica - Mouflon

Corsica amazingly houses the mouflon, Europe's most striking mountain mammals, despite Corsica's sparse population. Many of these animals are contained and can be found within the Natural Regional Park of Corsica, below the looming 2,710-meter summit of Mt. Cinio.

7.  Finland - Brown Bear

If you want to see brown bear in close proximity, then tag along Finland's border with Russia. During the summer season, their number can rise up to as many as 20 bears in one night at the Martinselkosen Wilds Center.

Visitors  and enthusiasts can watch at night from a carefully camouflaged (and comfortable) hiding place.

So, if you want to try a different kind of Safari, just trudge along these places in Europe and experience the unexpected visions of big game.