12 Wildlife Trips in Norway to Build a Day Around

1.Tromso Snowshoeing – Valley, Fjord Views, Wildlife, Meal & Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 398 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Leave Tromsø by minibus for a small-group Arctic walk on the city’s western side. Your guide, perhaps Max, Isaac, Gerard, Anna, or another Wandering Owl leader, chooses a safe route based on snow and wind. Use snowshoes when needed, watch for reindeer and moose, then enjoy lunch, hot drinks, fjord views, and free web-size photos.

“We had a wonderful time on our snowshoeing experience! Our guides, Henrik and Javier, did a great job picking a stunning and safe location for the snowshoeing. Once out on the walk, Henrik was a fantastic guide and took lovely photos of us and the surrounding scenery. We loved our experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Trollfjorden Wildlife RIB Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 355 reviews · 2 hours · from $125

Set out from central Svolvaer with Lofoten Explorer on a two-hour RIB cruise through Øyhellsundet to Trollfjord. Your Norwegian or English-speaking guide combines local stories with wildlife watching, including close views of white-tailed sea eagles and possible seals. Warm flotation suits, gloves, goggles, and boots are provided.

“Amazing trip, well organised, very experienced captain, lots of sea eagles”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 333 reviews · from $191

Meet at 9:30 outside Aurora Fokus cinema in central Tromsø for a five-hour small-group paddle with Sommarøy Adventure. You’ll get a drysuit, boots, gloves, instruction, city transfer, and a local English-speaking guide such as Rune or Eamonn. Expect snowy peaks, calm Arctic water, possible seals and sea eagles, and hot drinks by the fire afterward.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and had an approachable and calming energy. I loved this activity, it was both fun and relaxing :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Fjord, Mountain and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 229 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $123

Ride from central Tromso toward Kvaløysletta, Kaldfjord, Ersfjord, Blåmannsvika, Skjellsvika, and Grøtfjord with an English-speaking guide. You’ll stop for photos, watch for wild reindeer, and warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, and cake. Guides such as Abdul and Andie are praised for local knowledge and helping with photos.

“A lot off stops, inpatient tourist on the bus, not much info about the surroundings and zero animals spotted.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Arctic Wildlife & Fjord Sightseeing Tour by Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 224 reviews · 6 hours · from $220

Leave Tromsø with a local guide such as Adrian, Erik, Fabian, or Stefan for a six-hour small-group drive across Kvaløya and Sommarøy. Expect fjords, beaches, fishing villages, photo stops, possible reindeer and sea eagles, and lunch at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel. The Mercedes van seats up to eight, making this a relaxed alternative to a large coach.

“It was amazing! Fabian was knowledgeable and very helpful and accommodating. We had a great time getting to know the area and learn more about Norwegian way of life.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Arctic Wildlife and Fjord Sightseeing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $226

Travel from Tromsø to Kvaløya and Sommarøy in a small group of up to eight. Guides such as Adrian, Eric, Erik, and Stephan share local stories while you stop at fjords, beaches, villages, and photo points. Reindeer and other wildlife may appear, but sightings depend on nature and season. Lunch is included.

“The sights, vistas, and the warmness of our guide, Stephan. We can highly recommend this tour! I had to add another sentence to get this review accepted.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Half-Day Scenic Wildlife & Photographic Fjord Tour.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $193

Set out from central Tromsø with Marianne, Stig, or George for a four-hour photographic drive around Kvaløya. Expect fjords, tundra, folklore, reindeer, sea eagles, and changing Arctic light. The small group, usually no more than seven, allows time for photo stops and personal guidance, but wildlife and clear weather are never guaranteed.

“Marianne the guide is amazing Ill always remember her. So spontaneous and provided plenty intos including the photography settings”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.North Cape King Crab & Arctic Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 45 reviews · 3 hours · from $261

From Honningsvåg, you’ll ride a fast RIB along Magerøya’s rugged coast, hear about historic Kjelvik, watch for puffins, eagles, seals, dolphins, and whales, then visit a fish factory in Nordvågen. Thermal suits, life jackets, coffee, and an English-speaking guide are included. Marcus has earned praise for clear, engaging guiding.

“Zu weit weg von der Gletscherkante im vergleich zu anderen Booten”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Wildlife Forest Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $65Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide near Oslo Opera House at 8:55 am for a six-hour outing through Nordmarka and Skjennungen Forest. You’ll walk about 12 kilometers, climb to Skjennungstoppen, visit two traditional forest cabins, and return by metro from Sognsvann. Bring boots, layers, water, and snacks. Wildlife sightings are possible but never promised.

“the climb of the hill under the shade of the trees and when you reach the top, enjoy the view as a reward”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Skjervøy: Birds and Wildlife of Arctic Norway

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 6 reviews · from $165

Set out from Skjervøy with a local English-speaking guide on a safe, steady RIB. Thermal suits, life jackets, mittens, and goggles are provided as you search for white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, eagles, seabirds, seals, otters, reindeer, and occasional whales. Wildlife varies by season and weather.

“The boat trip is a special experience and well worth it. Also the trip to Skjervoy. You have to be lucky with the weather. The trip on the fjord was exactly between 2 snow showers, so just right. We were unlucky that the game did not show itself that day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Wildlife Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · from $152

Join a Lofoten-born wildlife and landscape photographer for a flexible 3.5 to 6-hour safari in a six-person group. Drive through mountain and coastal areas, searching for owls, foxes, moose, and birds. Bring warm clothes, food, binoculars, and your camera. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but local contacts improve your chances.

“The tour guide was absolutely fantastic. Very knowledgeable about the local area. Just 6 of us on the trip, so the small mini bus could go places that larger operators couldn't have gone. In addition to the Wildlife the scenery was amazing. Would definitely recommend!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Skjennungstoppen Wildlife Forest Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $298

Spend six hours hiking 12 kilometers through Oslo’s Nordmarka forest to Skjennungstoppen. Ride the train from central Oslo, stop at two traditional cabins for coffee or waffles, pass the geographical center of Oslo, and finish at Sognsvann Lake. The guide speaks English, and public transport is included.

“I booked on to the hike solo not sure what to expect but I had an absolutely wonderful time, the route isn't too difficult and is full of amazing views. My guide was the owner of the company himself, who offered to take me out on the hike because the weather was so nice! He made me feel very welcome and he was fantastic all around, as well as being incredibly helpful in giving me recommendations and directions for other things to do during my stay in Oslo. If you're coming in the summer you finish at Sognsvann Lake, so I recommend packing swimming stuff if you want to go…”

Check availability →Read our full review