This summer, visitors to Lapland can feel like intrepid explorers tracking some of Scandinavia’s most endangered species in their own habitat, with Animal Encounter, a new wildlife adventure from Off the Map Travel.
With the seven-day Animal Encounter program, participants will travel from Swedish Lapland to Northern Norway in search of rare Arctic fox, European brown bears, moose, Eurasian beavers and Scandinavia’s three types of reindeer. Created by travel specialist company Off the Map Travel, the safari is led by specialist guides and highlights the area’s distinctive animals.
The Animal Encounter itinerary, offered through August, includes one night’s hotel accommodation at Treehotel, one night’s accommodation in a secluded “bear cabin”, one night’s accommodation at the Arctic Retreat, one night’s accommodation at Arctic Bath, two night’s hotel accommodations in Narvik, private transfers, all activities and all meals.
After arriving at Lulea Airport and a night in the new Biosphere room in Sweden’s famous Treehotel, with its striking façade containing 340 bird’s nests, the adventure begins with a private guided tour of Storforsen waterfall and a visit to a secluded log cabin where the first wild animals can be spotted – European brown bears. Inhabitants of the mountains and forests in Sweden, the bears are a protected species in Sweden with various conservation projects helping to research and manage them.
From the comfort of a “hide” based at your bear cabin, your expert guide will highlight the key signs of bear activity and provide spotting and safety tips like avoiding perfume or aftershave as the bears have a very strong sense of smell. The experience also provides the perfect opportunity to view other wildlife such as Arctic foxes, martens, raccoon dogs and golden eagles.
Then it’s off on a series of safari-type experiences to track more animals during the remainder of the program.
Over the course of the seven-day trip, guests will go on a quad bike tour past crystal clear lakes and through arctic forests, home to moose, Arctic fox and native birds; zip along forest trails on a cart pulled by a pack of huskies before meeting the dogs and their puppies; hike to beaver dens and spot some of Scandinavia’s 150,00 beavers; meet a local Sami family and their reindeer herd, learning about their indigenous lifestyle over a lunch of local and foraged ingredients; and drive along the Norwegian fjords to Narvik’s Polar Park, the world’s northernmost animal park, for a photography session of the park’s lynx, deer and wolves with a private wildlife guide.
Accommodations throughout afford guests the opportunity to relax while still immersed in nature. Some of the wilderness accommodations have secluded hot tubs, situated for optimal spotting of native birds under the Midnight Sun including the Lapland bunting and rough-legged buzzard. (Note: all are four-star with the exception of the “bear cabin.”) Picnics and evening meals are provided each day and are comprised of regional cuisine, including locally caught fish and freshly baked cakes and pastries.
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