Artikkeli Opening hours for the Linnansaari kiosk-café in August julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

On the last Saturday of August, 29 August 2026, we celebrate Finland’s beautiful nature. Finnish Nature Day is also an official flag-flying day – Finland is the first country in the world to raise its national flag in honour of its nature.

There are many ways to celebrate: head into the forest, go hiking in a national park, pick wild berries, bake a blueberry pie for your picnic, or simply slow down and enjoy being outdoors. The same weekend also marks Sleep a Night Outdoors, encouraging everyone to spend a night under the stars.

Spend Finnish Nature Day in Linnansaari

Here in Oravi, there is no better place to celebrate Finnish Nature Day than Linnansaari National Park. From Oravi, you can take the scheduled boat to Sammakkoniemi or make the journey part of the adventure and paddle there by canoe or kayak.

On Saturday, camping at Sammakkoniemi is free of charge, making this a perfect opportunity to pack your tent and spend the night surrounded by the peaceful nature of the national park. If you don’t have your own camping equipment, tents, hammocks and tarps can be rented in Oravi. You can also stay overnight in a Tentsile tree tent or one of the small log huts in Linnansaari.

During the day, explore Linnansaari’s hiking trails, relax by the campfire or simply enjoy the late-summer scenery of Lake Saimaa. Sammakkoniemi Café is open on Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and to celebrate Finnish Nature Day, smoked vendace and blueberry pie will be among the treats on offer.

Several boat transfers operate between Oravi and Linnansaari during the day, so you can also join us for an easy day trip.

Welcome to celebrate Finnish nature with us in the beautiful landscapes of Linnansaari National Park! Read the whole the program here.

Artikkeli Finnish Nature Day 2026 julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

Autumn in the Saimaa region is a time to celebrate the harvest, local food and the people behind it. The Saimaa Harvest Festival takes place on 12–13 September 2026, when farms, local shops, restaurants, villages and pop-up venues across the region open their doors to visitors.

Local flavours and harvest traditions in Oravi

In Oravi, the Harvest Festival is all about local flavours and the produce of the surrounding lakes and forests. At Ruukinranta Restaurant, you can enjoy a special harvest buffet featuring ingredients from Saimaa and the nearby forests, including lake fish, Oravi crayfish, mushrooms and berries. Harvest buffets are served for lunch and dinner on Saturday and for lunch on Sunday.

At the Oravi Village Shop, you can also stock up on local delicacies. The selection includes lake fish from local fishermen, game and seasonal forest products. Outside on the Pipe Terrace, you can watch fish preparation demonstrations and traditional fish smoking – and, of course, taste freshly smoked fish.

Make Oravi your base for the Harvest Festival weekend

There is plenty to discover beyond Oravi as well. Harvest Festival destinations can be found throughout the Saimaa region, including Enonkoski, Kesälahti, Kitee, Punkaharju, Rantasalmi, Savonlinna, Savonranta and Sulkava.

During the weekend, you can visit farms and meet their animals, explore historic country houses and museums, watch local craftspeople at work, visit a small brewery or an old watermill, and sample local food and the best flavours of the autumn harvest.

Oravi makes a great base for the whole weekend: stay by Lake Saimaa, enjoy the Harvest Festival atmosphere in the village and take a day trip to discover some of the other participating destinations.

Hop on a bus and discover several destinations

You don’t even need your own car to explore the festival. On Saturday 12 September, organised bus tours take visitors to several Harvest Festival destinations. One of the routes travels from Savonlinna towards Enonkoski and Oravi, making it easy to experience several different places in one day without having to plan the route or drive yourself. Book your bus ticket here.

A bus tour is a wonderful way to discover the diversity of the Saimaa countryside. Along the way, you can meet local producers and entrepreneurs, experience life on a farm, discover local crafts and a small brewery, and stop in Oravi to enjoy the lively Harvest Festival atmosphere.

Welcome to celebrate autumn at Lake Saimaa – taste local flavours, explore the countryside and meet the people behind the products!

Check out the program in Oravi during the harvest festival.

Artikkeli Saimaa Harvest Festival 2026 julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

On both Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day, Restaurant Ruukinranta will serve guests from morning until late evening, offering both its popular pizzas and an à la carte menu. The harbour-side Warehouse Restaurant (Makasiiniravintola) will also be open from the afternoon onwards, weather permitting, providing a perfect spot to enjoy the summer by the water.

Live music will be provided by the band Toimitusjohto, performing at Ruukinranta from 9 PM on both Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day. Combined with the long summer evenings and the vibrant atmosphere around the harbour, the performances create an ideal setting for celebrating the season.

Throughout the Midsummer weekend, Oravi Harbour serves as a meeting place where boaters, holidaymakers, and local residents come together to enjoy the height of summer. A traditional bonfire may be lit on Midsummer Eve, weather permitting, but the true highlight of the weekend is the opportunity to gather with friends and family, enjoy good food and music, and experience the unique beauty of Lake Saimaa.

Welcome to celebrate Midsummer in Oravi!

Artikkeli Midsummer Atmosphere at Oravi Harbour julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

A summer evening on Lake Saimaa offers a unique combination of breathtaking lake scenery, peaceful archipelago nature, and the excitement of wildlife spotting. As the sun begins to set over the islands of Linnansaari National Park, a safari departs from Oravi where every trip is different. You never know in advance what nature has in store or whether a Saimaa ringed seal will appear along the route this time.

Oravi’s Sunset Seal Safari takes guests through the maze-like waterways of Haukivesi and Linnansaari National Park with an experienced local guide. Between June and September, Saimaa ringed seals spend most of their days in the water and typically climb onto shoreline rocks to rest in the evening. This makes sunset the ideal time to head out in search of these rare animals.

The safaris are conducted in small groups using open safari boats, with respect for nature at the heart of every excursion. Seals are observed from a safe distance without disturbing their natural behaviour. Along the way, visitors may also encounter many other inhabitants of the Saimaa region, including ospreys, waterfowl, beavers, and deer.

It is the unpredictability of nature that makes every safari unique. Sometimes luck is on your side and several different animal species can be seen during a single evening. On other trips, the highlights may be the stunning landscapes, birdlife, or the magical atmosphere created by the setting sun. In the wild, you never know what awaits around the next island or what memorable encounters the evening may bring.

All the photos in this collage were taken during the same safari by our guest Clarien van der Wilt. Evenings like this are a reminder of how diverse and vibrant the nature of Lake Saimaa truly is. Some of the most unforgettable moments occur when you spot moose swimming between islands—a sight that makes even the most experienced guides stop and admire the beauty and power of nature.

Sunset-coloured lake views, tranquil archipelago landscapes, and the possibility of encountering the world’s rarest seal create an experience that stays with you long after the trip is over. Oravi has been organising seal safaris since 1996, and the expertise of its local guides helps visitors experience the very best of Saimaa’s unique nature.

Artikkeli Sunset Safari – The Best Moments of a Summer Evening on Lake Saimaa julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

The mild and low-snow winter of 2026 made nesting difficult for the Saimaa ringed seal for the second consecutive year. Very few natural snowdrifts suitable for breeding formed, and the warm spring caused the snow and ice to melt exceptionally early. As a result, approximately 90% of the pups were born in artificial snowdrifts or man-made nest structures.

A total of 101 newborn pups were recorded during the spring nest surveys. So far, 12 of them have been confirmed dead. This exceptionally mild winter once again demonstrates the impacts of climate change in the Saimaa region. Reduced snow cover and a shorter winter season weaken breeding conditions for the Saimaa ringed seal and increase pup mortality risks.

In volunteer snowdrift-building events coordinated by Metsähallitus, volunteers constructed more than 400 artificial snowdrifts across Lake Saimaa. In addition, 47 artificial nesting structures were installed for the seals. Estimates suggest that up to 90% of the pups were either born in or sought shelter in these artificial snowdrifts and nest structures. Most of the resting dens used by adult seals were also located in these human-assisted structures.

During volunteer camps in Oravi, four artificial snowdrifts were built. Two of them were later found to contain breeding dens and signs of pups. The result was excellent, and warm thanks go to everyone who participated in the volunteer effort!

Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland is responsible for monitoring the Saimaa ringed seal population and implementing many conservation measures in cooperation with WWF Finland, the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, and hundreds of local volunteers. Nest surveys are used to monitor the size and distribution of the Saimaa ringed seal population, as well as the numbers of pups born and those that die before weaning age.

The 2026 population estimate for the Saimaa ringed seal will be published later in the autumn. At the same time, Metsähallitus will update the Norppatilanne (Seal Status) service with more detailed information on the use of artificial snowdrifts in different population monitoring areas.

Observed Pups by Population Monitoring Area

Artikkeli Seal report julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

The annual seal counts were carried out in early April, and the results are currently being analyzed. The official number of pups born is usually announced around the turn of May and June, so we are eagerly awaiting the final figures.

The past winter was challenging. Snow was scarce, and the ice melted unusually early. These conditions increased the need for man-made snowdrifts on Lake Saimaa, and in Oravi, they were built through volunteer efforts in January.

During the April counts, signs of pups were also found in the artificial snowdrifts in Oravi, offering hope for a successful breeding season despite the difficult conditions. We will share more information once the official nest count results are available.

Artikkeli Spring Saimaa Ringed Seal Excursions Begin at May Day julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

Spring brings one of the most anticipated moments of the year: the start of the paddling season in Oravi at the beginning of May. Although the ice disappeared from the lakes as early as April 7, early spring has been chilly – with frosty nights and cold water temperatures. This has naturally kept rental demand lower so far, but that is about to change. A pleasantly warm weather forecast for May Day makes it the perfect time to head out on the water.

Canoes and kayaks now available for booking

The paddling season officially begins on May 1, and canoes and kayaks are now available to book online from both the Oravi and Kolovesi rental locations.

In Oravi, the rental shop is open daily throughout May from 9 am to 5 pm. You are also welcome to stop by without a reservation and set off on a spontaneous paddling trip in LInansnaari National Park or Joutenvesi lake.

Take advantage of the spring offer

If you’re planning a longer trip, now is a great time to book. Enjoy 15% off canoe rentals with the code SPRING when you reserve equipment for two days or more in the online store. Spring is a fantastic time for a peaceful nature trip without the crowds of summer.

Why go paddling in spring?

Spring offers unique conditions for paddling:

• Nature is waking up, and migratory birds can be observed up close
• There’s a good chance of spotting the Saimaa ringed seal resting on shoreline rocks
• Mosquitoes are usually not yet present
• Campsites are quiet and uncrowded

Stay safe in cold water conditions

Even as the air warms up, the water remains cold. It’s important to pay special attention to safety. At the rental shop, you’ll receive guidance and instructions, and you can also book an introductory session covering paddling basics and safety.

Dry suits are also available for rent if needed, providing additional safety in cold conditions.

May Day is the perfect time to kick off the paddling season. Come and experience Lake Saimaa in spring – peaceful nature, clear waters, and a truly unique atmosphere await.

Artikkeli The paddling season in Oravi starts on May Day – spring is an ideal time to get on the water julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

The ice melted exceptionally early this year – Lake Haukivesi was already ice-free on April 7. April has moved along quickly, and we’ve been busy with spring preparations: all boats have been serviced and made ready for the upcoming summer season.

The first seal safaris, kayaking trips, and water taxi transfers to Linnansaari have already taken place, and the atmosphere feels promisingly spring-like.

The weather forecast still suggests a brief return of winter towards the end of April, but despite that, our focus is already firmly on summer. The summer season in Oravi will kick off as usual on May Day. From then on, the restaurant will be open, the village shop will serve customers daily, and the much-awaited spring seal safaris will properly get underway.

Artikkeli Spring arrived early this year julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

Artikkeli Spring is progressing quickly julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.