Scandinavian Safaris on the wild side
October 26, 2009
Scandinavia’s dramatic landscapes of mountains, forests, water and ice makes Scandinavia an Eden for a unique mix of creatures.
You can visit polar bears in the north, swim with whales, spot moose & elk by dog sled, taste red king crabs, eye eagles, walk amongst musk oxen, wild boars, deer or even go a on a Gotland pony ride.
The list is really endless and will make any ordinary holiday, unforgettable!
To help you get to Scandinavia and explore these safaris on the wild side, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is offering a ‘great bargain sale’ for business and economy fares until November 30 for departure until September 30, 2010.
Read on for a sample of wildlife inspired activities in Scandinavia.
Bird watching in Denmark
There are about 100 bird and animal sanctuaries in Denmark, which often attract rare birds because of the tranquil and healthy environments they provide. Keep an eye out for the white-tailed eagle which has returned to Denmark after a century of absence.
Today it is a permanent breeding bird and around 30 visit for the winter. You may also catch a glimpse of golden eagles around the same time. In any case, food is often left out for the birds to increase your chances of seeing them. Don’t forget your binoculars and camera!
For more on bird watching go to www.visitdenmark.com or www.fugleogferie.com
Stroll through Denmark’s Deer Park
For a more leisurely take on the wildlife safari, try Jægersborg Dyrehave, a deer park in Denmark. There are more than 2000 deer roaming the parklands, so you will have no difficulty spotting them. Species include red deer, fallow deer and sika deer. The grounds used to be the King’s private hunting area but today you can go horse riding, bike riding, enjoy a picnic or buggy ride, or just go for a relaxing stroll.
Approximately 7.5 million people visit the park every year, so why not find out why people keep coming back year after year.
For more on Jægersborg Dyrehave go to www.visitdenmark.se/international
See Polar bears in Svalbard, Norway
Encounter polar bears on a five day safari to Svalbard. The trip there will be an adventure in its own right, as you snowmobile through the Norwegian fjords and witness deep canyons encased by imposing mountains and mirrored by crystal blue waters. On arrival you will be met by another unique landscape of pure white pack ice and glaciers.
Here you will get the chance to see polar bears as well as polar foxes, seals, special Svalbard reindeers and grouse.
Most packages include all your essentials, like accommodation, guides, snowmobiles, clothing, food and more.
More go to www.svalbard.net
Mingling with whales in Nordland, Norway
There are plenty of opportunities to mingle with whales in Nordland, from joining a whale watching safari, to swimming and kayaking amongst them.
Safaris are arranged in known havens when the whales feed, so the chances of seeing them are high. However if you do not get to see the whales on your first trip, most companies offer a sighting guarantee so you get a new trip for free.
If you are lucky you may even spot dolphins. Book early to avoid disappointment.
For more on whale related activities go to: www.visitnordland.no
or www.visitnorway.com
Catching Red King Crabs in Finnmark
Witness the majesty of the red king crab in the Barrants Sea outside Finnmark. Watch from ashore, from a boat or if you have a divers’ license, from underwater.
Crabs can weigh up to 15 kg and reach two metres from claw to claw. Safaris are available all year round and usually include a meal of the days’ haul afterwards. One leg should be enough to satisfy a grown man, so come hungry!
For more on King Crab safaris and Finnmark go to: InnovationNorway or VisitFinnmark.
Meet mighty Musk Oxen
There are very few places on earth where you can encounter musk oxen, so to see one is an experience in itself.
The musk oxen look like prehistoric creatures because they survived the last glacier epoch. They are very shaggy and weigh between 225-400 kilograms, yet they can move up to 60 km/h. They are generally nonaggression, yet you should still maintain a distance of at least 200 metres.
You can meet these mighty musk creatures on a six hour summer safari between June and September. Some companies virtually guarantee an encounter and there is also a good chance that you will come across other Scandinavian wildlife like reindeer and grouse.
For more on Musk Ox Safaris go to: www.visitnorway.com or www.moskussafari.no.
Moose & Elk spotting by snowmobile, Sweden
Spot wild moose & elk by snowmobile in the Swedish village, Laukkuluspa. Guides take you through the dense forests, majestic mountains and over frozen rivers where the creatures spend their time during winter.
Some companies can promise an almost guaranteed sighting, and if the weather is clear you may even get to see the summit of Kebnekaise, Sweden’s highest mountain.
Along the way you can also try a Lappish meal around an open fire, in a traditional Sami hut called a kåta. Some companies even offer ice fishing as part of the package.
More on what to do and see in Northern Sweden go to VisitScandinavia.
Rustle up to reindeer in Swedish Lapland
Reindeer are sub arctic dwelling animals so Scandinavia is the perfect place to meet them. Try a safari run by dog sled, snowmobile, bus or even reindeer sled.
Guides will offer stories and information about the animals and show you how to track them. Some safaris will also offer you meals and allow you to feed the reindeer too.
This is a must for little ones wanting to find out about Santa’s little helpers.
More on reindeer safaris and Swedish Lapland go to Swedish Lapland.
Stockholm’s wild side
Take advantage of the nature reserve just 30 minutes south of Stockholm. You’ll get the chance to be amongst some of Sweden’s wildlife including moose, roe deer and wild boars.
Along the way the guides will share interesting stories and facts about Swedish nature, and you’ll also get to relax by the lake.
Free transfers to and from the reserve can also be arranged from your hotel.
For more on Stockholm’s wild side go to StockholmTown, or Stockholm Outback.
Horse & pony riding through Sweden
Sweden takes great pride in horse management and breeding, in fact it is said that Sweden has the healthiest horses in the world.
So instead of just watching these magnificent animals why not get up close and personal and find out what makes these horses so special. Sweden even has two indigenous horse breeds: the north Swedish horse and the Gotland pony.
There are countless horse riding opportunities through forests, mountains, beaches and much more. Riding through nature also means you will get the chance to see other fascinating wildlife along the ride.
Here are some beautiful areas to check out by horse in Sweden:
VisitSweden
Gotland
Smaland
Ridupplevelser
-ends-
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