Discover the wild
nature resort
Spread across an enclosed area of 800 hectares, Estonia’s largest wildlife resort is home to nearly 500 red deer, as well as foxes, hares and other small game. We are not a zoo! Our residents are wild animals that can be spotted in their natural habitats. They get to decide for themselves where and when they want to show themselves.
Red deer, the king of the nature resort
The red deer is a proud and graceful creature. Known for its large red antlers and powerful build, this deer is a symbol of the power and freedom of nature. Red deer are herbivorous and feed mainly on plants, mosses, bark and needles.
Their spectacular mating season or rut usually takes place in September and October. Calves or fawns are born between April and May and leave their mothers after only a handful of months.
Nature Park adventures
Safari in your own car
Nestled in the dense forests of Toosikannu is a deer park unlike any other in Estonia, home to 500 red deer. Here, you can admire these majestic creatures from just a few dozen metres away, from the comfort of your car and surrounded by friends or family. We promise it will be an experience to remember!
Deer safari is open to cars daily and you can conveniently book a time online. After payment, we will send you a confirmation letter and a map of the Toosikannu Nature Resort so you can get around easily. Please be sure to download the map.
Walking safari
Take a guided hike through Toosikannu Nature Resort, home to nearly 500 red deer, and enjoy a forest picnic with fresh pastries and a warm drink. The guide’s gripping tales of nature, animals and forest trails, combined with the serenity and freshness of nature, will be a gift to your health and spirit.
Mushroom foraging with a guide (seasonal)
During the mushroom season, we organise a few public walks in the forest with a mushroom expert. We will pick and learn about different kinds of mushrooms and discuss how to best prepare them for tasty meals.
Guided safari in a retro vehicle
The Wildlife Safari in Toosikannu Nature Resort is an exciting and unique experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see wild animals in their habitat. We welcome visitors to the Nature Resort when booked in advance. We also offer a game safari for groups on retro vehicles. Ask for more information!
Nature Park wildlife
Red deer
Red deer are herbivores and feed mainly on plants, mosses, bark and needles. Their mating season usually takes place in September and October. Fawns are usually born between April and May and leave their mothers after only a handful of months.
Mouflon
The mouflon is a wild sheep that feeds mainly on grasses, shrubs and young conifers. They are well adapted to different habitats. The mouflon has strong curved horns, which are mainly used for fights during mating season and as markers. The mating season for mouflons usually occurs in September and October. Offspring are born in April or early May and leave their mothers after a few months.
Elk
Elk are the largest wild animal native to Estonia and representatives of the deer family, known for their long legs and large head. Elk are solitary or move in small groups and prefer wet habitats. They feed on woody plants, needles and grasses and, if necessary, aquatic plants. Their mating season is in August and September and calves are born in early May. Young animals tend to die due to predators or drowning. The main enemies of elk are wolves and bears, while disease poses less of a risk.
Roe deer
The roe deer is a small deer found in abundance in Estonian nature, weighing 24–35 kg and measuring up to 125 cm in length. Roe deer live in forests, meadows and cultural landscapes and are considered game. Roe deer have brown fur in summer that changes to grey in winter. Their rump patch is white and the female’s rump helps her to find her mother. The males (bucks) grow antlers, which are shed annually. The mating season is in July and August. Offspring are born in May and initially remain with the mother. Roe deer feed on grasses, tree leaves and bark, and additional feed in winter such as fruit or vegetables. Their main enemies are wolves, lynx and stray dogs. Roe deer is considered game and is at risk from rabies, which must be carefully prevented.
Small game
You will encounter various small game that either live in the nature reserve or are just passing through. Examples include European hares, mountain hares, foxes, raccoon dogs, European pine martens and even the occasional badger.
Toosikannu Nature Resort
Estonia’s largest privately owned wildlife reserve
Our wildlife reserve was established in 2013 as the largest privately owned nature resort in Estonia and is located on the border of Järva and Rapla counties spanning across the territories of 12 former farms. The resort surrounds the Toosikannu Holiday Centre, which has a total area of 800 hectares and is surrounded by a 14-kilometre fence.
Our wildlife reserve was established in 2013 as the largest privately owned nature resort in Estonia and is located on the border of Järva and Rapla counties spanning across the territories of 12 former farms. The resort surrounds the Toosikannu Holiday Centre, which has a total area of 800 hectares and is surrounded by a 14-kilometre fence. The reserve is now home to hundreds of red deer. A second fence surrounds the holiday centre. The total area of Toosikannu is 928 hectares. You can still visit some of the old farmsteads. There are two others in use in addition to Toosikannu: Karupahna, which can accommodate up to 12 guests, and Ale-Sepa, which can accommodate 40 people and includes a seminar room and a banquet room. The old farmsteads are all marked by bus stops.
Relaxing offers
Take a break and enjoy a visit to the sauna after exploring in nature.
Guest favourites
Smoke sauna ritual
Enjoy the allure of the smoke sauna under the guidance of a sauna master and experience ancient traditions. The ritual includes whisking and a dip in the lake.
Guest favourites
Saare sauna
A truly down-to-earth experience in a wood-fired sauna. You can jump directly into the lake from the sauna, sit in front of the building by a bonfire or stay inside by the fireplace if the weather is rainy.
Guest favourites
Karupahna
A nice forest cottage with a sauna and a hot tub. The house and terrace have a fireplace and comfortable furniture for relaxing.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to rent reindeer from you?
Toosikannu Nature Resort is home to a herd of red deer, whom we only feed in winter. Nevertheless, these are wild animals that cannot be petted or fed by hand, let alone rented out for entertainment. We do not have any reindeer.
Can I bring my dog on safari?
Yes, you can bring a dog, but please keep it in the car. Deer are more alarmed by people than by cars and usually leave even winter feeding spots as soon as they see people outside, especially if they have dogs with them.
Do I need an SUV for the safari, or will a normal car do?
We have heavy machinery to maintain the grounds and the roads are passable in all seasons, even with a small passenger car. A speed limit of 30 km/h applies.
When can I see the deer?
The peak deer-watching season is in winter, when we feed them and they gather in feeding areas along the observation trail. Fawns are born in May and June when the weather turns warmer and the deer hide away in the forest. During the warmer months, we recommend coming early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature drops and there are more animals on the move. There have been occasions when the entire deer herd wanders around in the fields in 30+ degree weather without any intention of seeking cover under trees, but situations like this are rare. They are wild animals and are free to decide where and when to make themselves known.
When do the deer eat?
We feed the deer during winter. The feeding round, i.e. when we spread out the silage balls, usually takes place between 10 and 11 in the morning.
Do you organise hunts in Toosikannu?
Toosikannu wildlife reserve is an 800-hectare enclosed area where hunting is not permitted. We also do not offer hunting services outside our territory. You can use our shooting ranges with a group.
