Scandinavia · SAFARI
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 wildlife safaris worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Set out from Nerstrandkaia in Tromsø aboard the warm, fast catamaran MS Gabriele. Guides including Lorenzo, Bjørnar, and Raul explain whale behavior as you search for orcas and humpbacks near Skjervøy. Watch from heated indoor seats or three outdoor decks, with snacks and drinks available onboard.
“The staff were so helpful and informative, they were as excited as we were to see the different whales”
Leave Skaret by Vander for a 6 to 7 hour aurora chase by bus or minibus. Guides such as Esma, Simon, Juan, and Rebecca explain the science, set up a bonfire, and help with photos. The route may reach Finland if skies are clearer there, and the safari can run longer when the lights are close.
“Simon was a very good guide. It was our first Time going on a northern lights Chase and we liked it.”
Sail from Tromsø to Skjervøy with Polar Adventures for an 8-hour whale safari led in English by local guides. Look for orcas, humpbacks, fin whales, and seabirds, with heated indoor seating, outdoor decks, thermal suits, snacks, hot drinks, and lunch included.
“Very excited to see the whales and listen to the crew share the knowledge of whales in a very engaging way. I got seasick so really recommend people to have medicine in advance, which I didn’t. Despite the fact that I didn’t feel well half way of the journey, the crew were super nice and caring. And I was so lucky to see orcas right in front of my eyes, very close. Definitely worth it!”
Join a captain such as Alex, Aksel, Ola, or Eirik for a two-hour RIB ride from Stavanger into Lysefjord. You will pass islands and fish farms, see Pulpit Rock from below, hear local stories, and get close to Hengjanefossen waterfall. Thermal suits and dry bags are provided.
“Fredrick, our guide and driver, gave us a great ride. The RIB boats can really move and he showed off what they can do. He brought a great playlist for when the motors were too loud to hear talking. He told some good stories of Norway and Vikings, mostly true. We learned a lot of interesting history. They put you in full exposure suits in case of anything going wrong but dress warmly, especially your head and ears. And, wear the goggles.”
From Svolvær’s main square, your English- or Norwegian-speaking guide outfits you for a fast RIB ride toward Trollfjord, where sea eagles often gather. Expect close wildlife viewing, sharp mountain scenery, local fishing stories, photo stops, and a weather-dependent route. Rafael, Raphael, and Hilde are among the guides praised for their care and skill.
“Informative guide. Good equipment, and a fun filled trip.”
Meet Oppdal Safari at 9:30 am for a guided, six-hour mountain hike in Dovrefjell National Park. Guides such as Kaspar, Stina, Ida, and Hannes have led walks covering musk ox, reindeer, plants, and local culture. Coffee, tea, and sometimes cinnamon buns are provided.
“Great trip, with a guide who could tell everything that was worth knowing about the fauna on Dovre. We had only walked 10 minutes before the first 2 mosquitoes showed up. These we could follow at good distance for about 3-4 hours. Several showed up along the way. Totally magical!Auto-translated”
Travel from Tromsø by bus and ferry to Lyngen, where guides such as Stefan and Elina lead a 1.5-hour snowmobile safari through mountain scenery. Warm suits, boots, gloves, helmets, soup, drinks, and dessert are included. You share a two-seat snowmobile and switch drivers along the route.
“Great experience, would recommend. Long 1:30hr snowmobile ride even when the weather was difficult”
Leave Stavanger harbor in a high-end RIB boat and speed into Lysefjord at up to 35 knots. Your captain, possibly Daniel, Christien, or Sean, brings you close to Pulpit Rock, Vagabond Cave, and Hengjanefossen waterfall. The 12-person limit keeps the ride personal, but rough water can make it bumpy.
“Lots of fun, beautiful views. Great trip I would strongly recommend for a family vacation or even a single travler”
From Sjømannsgata 5 in Svolvær, you’ll ride a RIB through Raftsundet to Trollfjord with an English or Norwegian guide. Warm suits, gloves, hats, balaclavas, helmets, wind goggles, and life jackets are supplied. Expect sea eagles close to the boat, mountain views, and Viking tales.
“We had an amazing experience with Go2Lofoten on the RIB boat sea eagle tour. The guide was friendly, professional, and shared fascinating historical insights throughout the tour. We were thrilled to see so many sea eagles up close. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lofoten 🦅🚤”
Ride from Tromsø to a private Aurora Camp with an English-speaking guide, hot soup or stew, lefse, campfire, thermal overalls, and tripods. Guides such as Juan, Paolo, and Sojna have helped with camera settings and group photos, while the bus can move on if clouds block the sky.
“Enjoyed the stories and songs shared by our Guide Levi :) n love the photos taken by Lorenzo & enjoyed the safe drive by our driver :) the team helped to chase the aurora so we got the photos so yeah!!”
Meet The Green Trails team at its central Stockholm Urban Basecamp, then ride into the woods for a light hike, bushcraft fire, campfire dinner, and wildlife drive. Guides such as Jesper, Rasmus, Stevie, and Emily have led past departures, with sightings ranging from deer and hares to moose.
“Great experience! Beautiful Stockholm nature. Delicious campfire dinner with beverage, dessert and coffee. Our tour guide was very nice, helpful and informative. We did not get a chance to see moose, but we saw a lot of deers and a few hares. We had an overall excellent outing!”
Cruise from central Tromsø aboard the warm catamaran Keiser Wilhelm, guided in English by whale-loving staff such as Mario. Expect a 6-hour search for orcas and humpback whales, with indoor seating, an open deck, Arctic scenery, and a free return ticket if no whales appear.
“Lovely trip around the arctic landscape!! It’s a long ride but they explained it’s because whales and orcas are every year going more and more north chasing their food. We saw many many orcas and one resting humpback whale, was so exciting 🫶🏻🫶🏻 Landscapes looked beautiful during the ride ! Space in the boat was amazing inside and outside, with place for everyone to be comfortable and have a good view. Great experience now that the season for whale watching is starting 😍 thank you”
Join a small group of up to 12 for a 2.5 to 3-hour RIB safari off Skjervøy. You may see orcas, humpbacks, or fin whales against Arctic fjords. Choose transport from Tromsø or meet the local crew in Skjervøy, with warm suits, boots, goggles, and gloves provided.
“Excellent! Efficiently run snd great guides, had amazing sightings and beautiful scenery”
Set out from Bodø’s Hurtigruten quay in a two-hour RIB safari to Saltstraumen and Sundstraumen. Your English or Norwegian-speaking guide explains the tides, Bodø’s past, Arctic life, and the Caledonian Mountains while you watch for sea eagles, puffins, fish, and porpoises. Warm gear is supplied.
“Alan was a superb guide who was very friendly and took care of us as we we went on this exceptional trip to see something very special. Would highly recommend, which we did to several friends”
From Haugesund’s cruise pier, an English-speaking local captain takes you by RIB through historic straits and out toward Feøy. Expect survival suits, a 25-minute safety briefing, about an hour on the water, island views, coastal stories, and a chance to spot white-tailed eagles.
“Good way to see smaller island communities. also, great adrenaline thrill ride. We both really enjoyed our excursion.”
Pick a coastline, a capital or an Arctic night.
