Who Says Safaris Are Only in Africa? Try This Scandinavian Animal Safari

For a wildlife experience family travelers will never forget, head through Swedish Lapland and Northern Norway in search of rare Arctic fox, moose, European brown bears, Eurasian beavers and Scandinavia’s three types of reindeer.

The seven-day Animal Encounter safari, arranged by Off the Map Travel, is led by specialist guides who help track and share insights on the region’s distinctive animals.

Accommodations catch the spirit of the adventure, with one night at Treehotel, one in a luxury log cabin and another in a secluded “bear cabin.” Here, you can spend the night watching European brown bears in a comfortable hide with individual viewing windows so each family member can take perfect photos.

At the luxury Arctic Retreat, spend the evening relaxing in the outdoor hot tub overlooking the lake or paddle a canoe to enjoy the Midnight Sun.

On a quad bike tour through Arctic forests, spot moose or Arctic fox. You can also hike to a beaver den to watch these busy creatures. Take a ride in a husky cart, the summer version of a dogsled, and meet the dogs and husky puppies.

After lunch with a local Sami family, learn about their lifestyle and meet the reindeer herd. In Norway, after a drive along the beautiful fjords, visit Narvik’s Polar Park, where a private wildlife guide takes travelers on a photo safari for perfect shots of lynx, deer, bear and wolves.