Once a year, for just a few short weeks, Toosikannu Nature Resort in Central Estonia transforms into a living stage where the wild takes over. The deep roars of red deer stags fill the air, vibrating through the forest and across the meadows. This is the rutting season – a moment when powerful stags battle rivals, protect their harems, and announce their dominance with a sound unlike anything else in nature.
This is the Roaring Stag Season – one of Estonia’s most extraordinary natural spectacles, rarely witnessed so closely. At Toosikannu, you are in the front row, surrounded by nearly 500 red deer in their vast deerpark, right in the heart of Europe’s wild beauty.
The Red Deer Kingdom of Toosikannu
Our 800-hectare, 14-kilometer fenced nature park is home to around 500 red deer (Cervus elaphus) – one of the largest species of red deer in Europe. Majestic stags can weigh up to 300 kg, with antlers branching proudly up to 10 kg in weight.
These mighty deer antlers are shed each spring and regrown by summer, ready for the autumn battles. For many visitors, simply seeing these animals in their natural rhythm is one of the most memorable outdoor adventures they will ever experience.
Life and Rhythm of the Red Deer
Red deer are herbivores, and their menu changes with the seasons:
- Summer brings fresh grass, leaves, and young shoots.
- Autumn adds berries and fallen leaves.
- Winter offers hay, moss, and silage provided in the park, ensuring they survive the cold.
Toosikannu’s nature resort is carefully managed to balance open meadows for grazing and deep forests for cover, giving the animals both food and peace year-round. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for photo hunting, when the herds move gracefully across the landscape.
Wildlife Adventures at Toosikannu
Toosikannu is one of the best places in Estonia for game safari experiences. Whether you explore on foot with a guide or join a self-drive safari, you’ll see deer in their natural environment and discover the wild rhythm of the forest. Families, small groups, and seasoned nature lovers will all find something unforgettable here.
Wild Experiences for Experiences
“Möirapulli” Package – Luxury in the Heart of Nature
Enjoy the wilderness without giving up comfort. This package combines a self-drive game safari, a three-course dinner by the fire, and cozy vacation rentals in the park, complete with breakfast. Extend the experience with a hands-on deer antler workshop and take home a unique memory of your stay.
Guided Hike with Forest Picnic
Set out on a two-hour hike with an experienced guide through trails home to 500 red deer. Along the way, enjoy stories of the animals’ lives and traditions. Halfway, pause for a venison pie freshly baked by our chef, with warm tea or cocoa. This is outdoor adventure at its most authentic – quiet moments in the forest, surrounded by the heartbeat of nature.
Autumn Getaway at Karupahna – A Weekend in the Wild
For those seeking privacy and comfort, Karupahna vacation rentals are the perfect autumn hideaway. Step outside your door straight onto the safari trail, then return to the warmth of a log cabin with hot tub or relax in the Russian sauna. Evenings are made for firelight, while the forest echoes with the chorus of stags.
Here, you can shape your own perfect nature vacation – combine a saunahouse session with wildlife watching, a guided hike, or an antler workshop. Cook for yourself in the cottage or order meals from us – the choice is yours.
Create Your Perfect Day
At Toosikannu, every visit is more than a trip – it’s an experience that stays with you. Begin your morning with a wildlife watching at sunrise, join a hands-on deer antler workshop and unwind with traditional sauna rituals, and end the day in the comfort of a cozy cottage with a hot tub. Here, nature and comfort come together seamlessly. Whether you’re drawn by the roar of the stags, the flavors of local cuisine, or simply the peaceful silence of the forest, Toosikannu invites you to step into the true heart of Estonia’s wilderness.
