Animal watching in Northern Norway

Here are the best places to spot Norwegian wildlife (according to The Telegraph)

The Norwegian wilderness is home to a rich and diverse population of animals, ranging from polar bears and reindeer to whales and arctic foxes.

 

#longyearbyen #svalbard #polarrev

Et bilde publisert av Terje W Andersen (@terjewa77) lørdag 27. Aug.. 2016 PDT

Recently, The Telegraph listed what they consider to be the prime locations for wildlife sightings in Norwegian nature.

Travel writer Roger Norum seems especially smitten with Northern Norway, recommending among other things a whale safari near Andenes in Vesterålen.

 

#spermhval #andenes #andeneshvalsafari #whalesafari

Et bilde publisert av Anna Wold (@annaogivar) fredag 24. Juni. 2016 PDT

Heading out by boat, travelers can “experience this region’s magnificent scenery and possibly get a glimpse of a sperm whale, the most common species in these waters”, he writes.

“You might also catch a glimpse of pilot whales, minkes, humpbacks, dolphins and orca (killer whales).”

If bears are more your thing, Norum thinks Pasvik national park south of Kirkenes will have you covered. Also by the Finnmark coast are king crab safaris, where one can pull a king crab right out of the Barents sea.

 

#krabbesafari #Kirkenes #kongekrabbe

Et bilde publisert av Vegar Engdal (@engdal96) søndag 14. Aug.. 2016 PDT

“The beasts measure up to two metres from claw to claw and weigh up to 15kg”, he writes, also making time to enjoy eating his catch.

“It is an extraordinary experience – a reminder that watching wildlife in Norway is always best when you take the road less travelled.”

Something Norum doesn't specifically point out, but is important nonetheless, is that it is important to keep a safe distance to these wild animals out of consideration to both their well being and your personal safety. Hiring a knowledgeable guide is also a must before embarking on these kinds of experiences.

This goes double for the arctic achipelago of Svalbard, a territory Norum seems particularily smitten with. Here, he goes on to recommend (somewhat) close encounters with both whalerus, reindeer, arctic foxes and polar bears.

To see the latter, a mere guide will not suffice. Encountering the magnificent creature that is now a symbol of Svalbard in general can quickly turn deadly if not handled properly.

For this reason, the Governor of Svalbard has ruled that "any person travelling outside the settlements shall be equipped with appropriate means of frightening and chasing off polar bears".

Presuming you have all that in order, the recommendation from Norum is to go on anything from winter expeditions by snowmobile and skis to boat trips along the fjords.

Head on over to the article for more recommendations.

 

 

Spennende dager i #pyramiden #pyramidensvalbard #svalbard #spitsbergen #mittsvalbard #78gradernord #78degreesnorth

Et bilde publisert av Gro Vogt (@grovogt) lørdag 20. Aug.. 2016 PDT

Norum is not the only Briton to visit Northern Norway recently. Early in the new year, prince Harry traveled to Tromvika near Tromsø with his girlfriend, actor Meghan Markle.

 

#tromvik #tromso #norway #fjord #auroraborealis #northernlights #night #sky #water #reflections #arctic #nature #mothernature #landscape #beach #beauty #bucketlist #fisheyelens #fisheye #easttowestcoast #northernlightspictures

Et bilde publisert av Dylan Nicholson (@amsterdamloco) torsdag 24. Nov.. 2016 PST

According to People, the couple stayed in picturesque surroundings in the idyllic Tromvik Lodge, right by the sea.

Previously, the prince has also visited Svalbard. In 2011, he walked to the North Pole together with four british veterans of the war in Afghanistan who were wounded in battle.