The summer season has come to an end, and once again, we have been looking through the feedback we received from our guests. Hundreds of reviews have been shared across various booking and review platforms. It has been a pleasure to see how many visitors enjoyed their time in Oravi and experienced unforgettable moments on Lake Saimaa.

What did our guests enjoy the most?

Nature Experiences and Knowledgeable Guides Receive High Praise

Our guided tours have once again received excellent reviews. Guests particularly appreciate our guides’ local knowledge, friendliness, and respect for nature.

Our seal safaris received particular praise for the knowledgeable guides, beautiful scenery, and the opportunity to observe Saimaa ringed seals in their natural habitat. For many guests, the safari was one of the highlights of their entire trip to Finland.

Friendly Service Makes a Lasting Impression

One of the nicest things about reading guest reviews is seeing how often our staff are mentioned. Visitors appreciate the friendly, relaxed, and helpful service – whether they are planning a kayaking route, joining a guided tour, or staying at our accommodation.

One guest summed up their experience perfectly:

“The information the staff provides is always top notch and I would always choose this place again for a trip to the region.”

Guests Appreciate the Cleanliness and Peaceful Atmosphere of Our Hotel

Our Oravi Apartments hotel has received excellent ratings across several booking platforms:

• Booking.com 8.9/10
• Expedia / Hotels.com 8.4/10
• Google 4.3/5

Guests have particularly praised the cleanliness of the rooms, practical facilities, peaceful surroundings, and friendly staff. The breakfast and sauna sessions included in the accommodation have also been much appreciated.

Delicious Food at Ruukinranta and Relaxing Sauna Moments in Linnansaari

At Ruukinranta Restaurant, guests have especially enjoyed the fish dishes, moose pizza, burgers, and the atmosphere of the lakeside terrace. One guest even described our pike-perch fish & chips as the best they had ever tasted!

The traditional wood-heated sauna on Linnansaari Island has also been a highlight for many visitors after a day outdoors. With a guest rating of 4.36/5, it receives plenty of praise for its excellent löyly (sauna steam and heat) and the chance to take a refreshing dip straight into Lake Saimaa.

Where Can We Improve?

Of course, not all feedback is positive – and that is exactly how it should be. We have also received valuable suggestions for improvement.

For example, some guests on our seal safaris would appreciate clearer information about weather conditions. At the hotel, suggestions have included making breakfast quality more consistent and improving small details in the rooms. We also recognise that we could communicate more clearly about our opening hours and practical arrangements.

We take these comments seriously and use them to help us improve our services.

Thank You for Visiting Oravi!

What matters most to us is that our guests enjoy their stay, experience the beauty of Lake Saimaa, and return home with wonderful memories.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a review! Every comment helps us improve. A special thank you also goes to our staff and guides, whose dedication and hard work are reflected in so many positive guest experiences.

We hope to welcome you back to Oravi – in every season!

Artikkeli Summer 2026 Guest Reviews julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

Looking for a holiday destination with beautiful nature, authentic local experiences and plenty of space to explore? Lake Saimaa, in the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, might be just what you’re looking for. Want to know more about the region? Explore our travel guide to Finnish Lakeland and Lake Saimaa.

Here are five reasons why we think Lake Saimaa deserves a place on your travel bucket list!

1. Nature, silence and space to breathe

Imagine peaceful lakes, thousands of islands and forests stretching as far as the eye can see. Even during the summer season, it’s easy to find your own quiet corner of nature. No crowds, no rush – just the sounds of birds, water and wind.

2. Meet one of the world’s rarest seals

Lake Saimaa is the only place in the world where you can see the endangered Saimaa ringed seal in the wild. Join a guided seal watching safari in Linnansaari National Park and discover the beautiful archipelago while looking for these fascinating animals.

3. Endless opportunities for outdoor adventures

Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, swimming or simply relaxing by the lake – there’s something for everyone. Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks offer wonderful opportunities to explore Finnish nature, whether you’re looking for an active adventure or a peaceful day outdoors.

4. Experience authentic Finnish lakeside life

Stay in a cosy lakeside cottage, enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna, take a refreshing swim in the lake and taste local food. Sometimes the simplest experiences become the best holiday memories.

5. Every season has its own magic

Summer brings long, bright evenings and endless outdoor activities. Autumn paints the forests in beautiful colours, while winter transforms the lake into a peaceful, frozen landscape. And spring? It’s one of the best times to spot Saimaa ringed seals!

Discover Lake Saimaa from Oravi

Our little village of Oravi is located between Linnansaari and Kolovesi National Parks, making it a wonderful base for exploring the Finnish Lakeland.

We’ve been welcoming visitors to Oravi since 1997, and after all these years, we still love sharing our favourite places and experiences with guests from around the world.

Planning a trip to Finland? We’ve put together a more detailed guide to help you discover the best things to do in the Finnish Lakeland. Read the whole article here.

Artikkeli 5 Reasons to Visit Lake Saimaa in Finland julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

This week is the Energy Saving Week, an initiative that has encouraged Finns to pay attention to their energy consumption for 30 years. Households, businesses, municipalities and various organisations are all invited to take part. The aim is to raise awareness of energy efficiency and inspire everyone to take both small and large steps towards saving energy.

Why Is Saving Energy Important?

Using energy wisely benefits both our finances and the environment. Reducing energy consumption saves money and natural resources while also reducing the need for investments in new energy production facilities and electricity networks.

Although renewable energy plays an important role in building a sustainable future, producing it also has environmental impacts. That is why the most environmentally friendly energy is the energy we never need to produce in the first place.

Less Dependence on Fluctuating Energy Prices

Energy efficiency also provides greater financial security. Electricity and fuel prices can fluctuate significantly due to disruptions in energy production or international crises. The less energy we need, the less rising prices affect our daily lives and business operations.

Saving energy also strengthens Finland’s security of supply. By reducing our overall energy needs, society becomes more resilient to potential disruptions and less dependent on external energy sources.

Everyone Can Make a Difference

Saving energy does not mean giving up comfort. It is simply about using energy more wisely. Turning off unnecessary lights, maintaining a reasonable indoor temperature, choosing energy-efficient appliances and avoiding unnecessary consumption are all simple ways to make a difference in everyday life.

Energy Saving Week is a great opportunity to review our habits and consider how we could use energy more efficiently. Even small changes can add up to significant savings, both financially and environmentally.

Sustainable Tourism Is a Shared Responsibility

Saving energy is an important part of responsible tourism. For us at SaimaaHoliday Oravi, this means continuously improving our operations and working to reduce our environmental impact.

Over the years, we have made several investments to improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy.

• Solar energy: In 2021, we installed solar panels at our village shop and restaurant building, as well as at our villas, to generate electricity.
• Energy-efficient heating: We use geothermal heating and air-source heat pumps to heat our buildings.
• Smart energy use: We actively work to reduce unnecessary energy consumption in our daily operations.

Our guests can also contribute to saving energy through simple everyday choices. Turning off lights when leaving a room, using water responsibly, and avoiding unnecessary heating or air conditioning are easy ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

The key message of Energy Saving Week is simple: every kilowatt-hour saved benefits both the environment and our economy.

Artikkeli Energy Saving Week – Small Actions Can Make a Big Difference julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

Autumn has arrived in Saimaa. The air is getting cooler, the forests are slowly changing colour, and the lake and national parks are wonderfully peaceful. Right now, there are plenty of good reasons to head outdoors and enjoy the autumn scenery.

Explore Linnansaari National Park

Linnansaari National Park is a beautiful destination for an autumn day trip. You can hike along the marked trails and enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest. At the moment, there are plenty of mushrooms and lingonberries to be found, so you might want to bring a basket or container with you.

A perfect way to finish your day is with a sauna at Sammakkoniemi. What could be better after a crisp autumn day outdoors than the warmth of a traditional wood-heated sauna by the lake?

Autumn is a great time for fishing

Autumn is well known as a good season for fishing. After the warm summer months, the cooling water makes many predatory fish more active. Pike, perch and pike-perch start moving and feeding more actively again.

You can also join a guided fishing trip when the weather gets cooler. Our trolling boat has a warm cabin, so you can take a break and warm up inside before heading back out on deck to enjoy the fresh autumn air and Saimaa scenery.

Paddle into the autumn tranquillity

Autumn is also a lovely time for a kayaking or canoeing trip. The water is still relatively warm, the lake is peaceful and there is plenty of space at the campsites and harbours along the way. From the seat of a kayak or canoe, autumn in Saimaa has a special atmosphere of its own.

As the season gets cooler, however, it is especially important to pay attention to safety. Dress according to both the weather and water temperature, carry a full set of dry clothes in waterproof packing and choose sheltered routes close to the shore. Always check the weather forecast before setting off – and if the wind picks up, save your paddling trip for another day.

Cosy autumn evenings at a lakeside cottage

After a day outdoors, there is nothing better than returning to a warm cottage. Autumn is the perfect season for slowing down and spending relaxed evenings by the lake with family or friends.

Heat up the sauna, light the fireplace and prepare something delicious to eat. A dark autumn evening outside and the warmth of the fire inside – sometimes the best moments of autumn really are that simple.

Book an autumn holiday with us:

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Artikkeli The Best of Saimaa Right Now – Autumn in Oravi julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran SaimaaHoliday Oravi.

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.