Why Norway's Wildlife Safaris Are A Nature Lover's Dream

Going on a wildlife safari in Norway should really be on your bucket list – Norway’s nature is breathtaking. Due to the vast size of the country, the sparse population and the diverse landscapes, the wildlife here is spectaular. Whether you’re dreaming of a close encounter with majestic creatures of the sea, the land or the sky, head to Norway to make your dreams come true.

In the air

Birdwatchers, rejoice. There are 516 (and counting) recorded species you can encounter in Norway – just pick the one that takes your fancy. If you’re dreaming of meeting puffins, for instance, the seabird colony near Andøya in Northern Norway is just the place for you, with 80,000 pairs of puffins that you can see on an organized safari. Or you can head towards the fishing village of Gjesvær in Finnmark and visit the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve in Norway’s northernmost archipelago. You’ll be in good company, as more than 350,000 birds call this place home.

In mountainous areas such as the Trondheimsfjord and the Vega archipelago, you can spot dotterel, horned lark, snow bunting and even a snowy owl or two. In the west of the country you can spot divers and wildfowl, whereas in Finnmark you’ll have the chance to see Arctic species like king eider. As for Northern Norway, white-tailed eagles await – a species so prominent in Norway they even ‘exported’ some to Scotland to help regrow the local population.

You can spot white-tailed eagles flying over the Vega archipelago

You probably already know about the reindeer population in Norway, that you can meet, ride and play with in the Alta region. Norwegian forests and natural parks are also full of deer, but if you want to see something truly spectacular you should head to Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella national park. This intact alpine ecosystem where the counties of Sør-Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal and Oppland meet, is home to the rare species of musk ox. Musk oxen are huge, weighting up to 400 kilos, and can be aggressive if you get too close – but from June to September you can observe them from a safe distance by joining a guided walking safari.

The very rare musk oxen at Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella national park

At sea

Of course, a wildlife safari in Norway would not be complete without some whale-watching. There are many whale species that grace Norway with a visit each summer, from sperm whales to humpbacks and pilot and minke whales to killer whales. Dolphins are also very common visitors to the Norwegian coast.

The best place to watch the whales is probably the Vesterålen archipelago, north of the Lofoten Islands. A whale safari there will take you as close to these magnificent creatures as possible, with the added bonus of spectacular scenery. The whales in Vesterålen swim very close to the land, so you’re almost certain to encounter them. This place is not called, ‘Kingdom of the Whales’ for nothing.

Orcas and humpback whales feeding on herring in the Vesterålen region

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.