There are few places on Earth where you can watch one of conservation’s greatest success stories unfolding in real time. Yet across Europe, a quiet wildlife revival is taking place. Brown bears roam the mountains of northern Spain in greater numbers than they have for decades. Wolves are reclaiming their place in the forests and valleys of Italy, while Romania’s ancient Carpathian forests continue to provide a refuge for some of Europe’s most iconic wildlife. These are not stories of chance, but of years of dedication, collaboration and conservation work that are proving nature can recover when given the opportunity.
For those passionate about wildlife, there has never been a more exciting time to experience these landscapes firsthand. Leica and The European Nature Trust (TENT) have shared a passion for conservation for many years, from the inspiring TENT x Leica Conservation Ambassadors initiative to providing Leica Sport Optics for visitors exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Alladale Wilderness Reserve. Building on that partnership, TENT’s new Coexistence Adventures invite travellers beyond traditional wildlife tourism and into the heart of Europe’s conservation story.
Rather than simply searching for wildlife, these small-group experiences connect guests with the conservationists, ecologists and local communities helping Europe’s most iconic species recover. Better still, 50% of the cost of every Coexistence Adventure is allocated by TENT to the conservation partners carrying out this vital work on the ground, meaning every journey directly contributes to the future of Europe’s wild places. Throughout each adventure, guests will also have the opportunity to experience Europe’s remarkable wildlife using Leica’s world-renowned binoculars and spotting scopes, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in every encounter.
Witnessing the return of the Cantabrian brown bear
Perhaps nowhere better demonstrates Europe’s wildlife recovery than the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain. Only a few decades ago, the Cantabrian brown bear population had fallen to fewer than one hundred individuals, placing one of Europe’s most unique bear populations on the brink. Thanks to the tireless work of Fundación Oso Pardo and its partners, that number has now grown to more than 400 bears, making this one of Europe’s greatest conservation success stories.
Guests on the Cantabrian Coexistence Adventure explore spectacular mountain landscapes alongside the very people responsible for this recovery. As well as searching for bears, the region is home to Iberian wolves, golden eagles, bearded vultures and a remarkable diversity of wildlife, all set within one of Europe’s richest natural landscapes.
26th September – 4th October, 2027
Discover more: https://theeuropeannaturetrust.com/travel/cantabrians-coexistence-adventure/
Discovering the truth about wolves
Few animals inspire stronger opinions than the wolf. Across much of Europe, wolves were persecuted to the edge of extinction, yet today they are returning to landscapes they once disappeared from. Their comeback represents one of the continent’s most important—and sometimes challenging—conservation stories.
Set within Italy’s magnificent Abruzzo National Park, the Winter Wolf Adventure offers the chance to understand these remarkable predators through the eyes of the conservationists working alongside local communities to make coexistence possible. Rather than focusing solely on finding wolves, the experience explores the science, challenges and human stories behind their recovery, offering a rare insight into one of Europe’s most misunderstood species.
24th – 28th February, 2027
28th February – 4th March, 2027
Discover more: https://theeuropeannaturetrust.com/travel/winter-wolf-adventure/
Image credits: Gianluca Damiani and Umberto Esposito.
Exploring Romania’s wilderness
The forests of Romania’s Făgăraș Mountains remain among Europe’s last truly wild landscapes. Here, Foundation Conservation Carpathia is working towards an ambitious vision: protecting and restoring vast areas of ancient forest while creating what has often been described as the “Yellowstone of Europe.” Habitat restoration, reforestation and the return of species such as bison and beavers are helping shape a future where both wildlife and local communities can thrive together.
Travelling with the people leading this work offers a unique perspective on large-scale conservation. Ancient forests, dramatic mountain scenery and the possibility of encountering bears, wolves, lynx and countless other species make this an unforgettable experience, but it is the stories behind the landscape that leave the greatest impression.
May 23rd–30th, 2027
September 16th-23rd, 2027
Discover more: https://theeuropeannaturetrust.com/travel/romanian-carpathians-adventure/
Be part of Europe’s conservation story
These journeys are about far more than exceptional wildlife sightings. They are an opportunity to understand the challenges of modern conservation, meet the people dedicating their lives to protecting Europe’s natural heritage, and see first-hand how conservation success is achieved. Every Coexistence Adventure helps support the organisations making wildlife recovery possible, ensuring your journey contributes directly to the future of these extraordinary landscapes and the species that call them home.
If you’ve ever wanted your wildlife travels to have a lasting impact, these adventures offer the opportunity to do exactly that. The European Nature Trust’s Coexistence Adventures take place across several of Europe’s most inspiring wildlife destinations, with small-group departures throughout 2027. Alongside unforgettable encounters with wildlife and the conservationists protecting it, participants will have the opportunity to use Leica Sport Optics in the field, experiencing nature through some of the world’s finest binoculars and spotting scopes. Visit The European Nature Trust website to discover the full collection of Coexistence Adventures and learn more about the conservation organisations behind each remarkable journey.