How to See Reindeer in Tromsø Norway | A Perfect Arctic Holiday
- sararosegrouleff
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
If you're planning a visit to Norway in the winter you'll likely want to know - where are the reindeer, how can you see them, and do they fly?! Well, while they sadly don't fly, seeing the reindeer is definitely a bucket-list activity in the Arctic and I'm here to tell you how you can do it!
Quick Tromsø Facts
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK, kr)
Best area to stay: Tromsø Centrum near Tromsø Havn marina or along Storgata (the main pedestrian street)
Getting around: tours that'll bring you to & from your accommodation, public busses, Ubers and walking (renting a car is not necessary)
Data: Get an e-sim online instead of a physical sim card - e-sim link here
Must-do activities: meeting the reindeer, northern lights chase, fjellheisen cable car & dogsledding
For a full Tromsø Norway travel guide, visit my blog post 'Tromsø Norway: Winter Travel Guide (Top Things To Do)'!
In the city of Tromsø during its magical winter season, reindeer migrate from high mountain pastures where they spend the summer to lower lands near the coast in search of winter vegetation. All of the reindeer in Tromsø are owned by local reindeer herders. The herders, called the Sami, will either allow the reindeer to freely wander all year or gather them up in the winter. Once gathered, they'll be kept in an enclosed area at a traditional Sami camp for protection and to ensure they're well-fed during these harsh months.
While you will definitely spot reindeer in the wild among the snowy coastal landscape, it's easier to get up close to these beautiful animals by visiting one of the Sami camps. The animals who wander all year aren't as comfortable with humans and will often freeze (hoping they'll become invisible) or walk/run away. The ones who spend winters at the camps are used to human visits and will come right up to you for food and pets. The Sami offer winter activities at their camps including reindeer sledding, feeding the reindeer, and learning about the Sami culture. These activities make your Arctic holiday very special, particularly around Christmas season when the city is decked out in decorations!
Who are the Sami people of Arctic Europe?
The Sami are the indigenous people of Arctic Europe - they have historically lived and worked in the area they call Sápmi, which encompasses the northern Arctic sub-arctic areas of Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Russian Kola Peninsula. They've been around for thousands of years which makes them the earliest ethnic group in Arctic Europe. Having an animistic worldview, their culture is deeply connected to the land and to nature as they believe all significant natural objects possess spirits including animals, plants and rocks.
The livelihood of the Sami in mountainous areas have traditionally been centered around reindeer herding, where they live a nomadic lifestyle with the reindeer and are guided by the seasons. The Sami sell and eat reindeer meat, use their hides for mittens, shoes, blankets and other products, and their horns are used for both tools and art.
What can I Expect when visiting a Sami reindeer camp?
There are many companies that work with Sami families to provide tours; I used the company 'Tromsø Arctic Reindeer'. I personally had a wonderful experience there and they have a good reputation from other visitors. They have reindeer sledding, reindeer feeding, and snowshoeing tours.
You'll be bussed from Tromsø Centrum to whichever camp works with the tour operator you chose - if you're using Tromsø Arctic Reindeer then you'll be visiting their camp in Krokelvdalen which is about a 25 minute drive. Upon arrival, the first thing you'll do is go feed and pet the reindeer no matter what tour package you chose. You get buckets of food and can walk around the herd. They have around 300 reindeer in their camp, so you'll have plenty of opportunity to get up close. If you've chosen sledding or snowshoeing, you'll then go do that activity; if not, you'll wait with the reindeer. Afterwards everyone will return to camp to escape the cold and head inside.
You'll get to warm up by a fire in a traditional lavvo (Sami tent) and listen to joiking (traditional singing) and stories told by the Sami family that owns the camp. Typically, hot drinks and a traditional Sami meal are also included which consists of hot cocoa and reindeer stew (called bidus), though vegetarian options are available too.
Extra Tips & Fun Facts
You'll see some reindeer with both antlers, some with one, and some with none at all! Why? Reindeer shed and regrow their antlers every year, so it all depends on the animals gender and needs. Males need their antlers to fight for dominance and mates during the fall mating season and will shed them after it's over (around late fall/early winter). Any reindeer with only one antler are males who haven't fully shed them yet. Females need them to defend food resources (as food access is critical when pregnant after mating) and to protect their young in the winter. They will shed them in the spring after they've given birth to their calves.
When feeding the reindeer make sure you hold the bucket at arms length. Their antlers can be quite long so it can hurt if it smacks you. They'll also push each other with their antlers, 'fighting' over the bucket to eat - this is normal and super common so don't be alarmed, but you don't want to be caught between them.
You're safe, but if you get nervous you can place or toss the bucket onto the ground and they'll follow it instead of you.
If you see lichen, winter vegetation found in under logs & at the bottom of large trees, rip off a piece and take it to the reindeer. They dig through the snow to find it and go crazy over this snack as it's their favorite of the season!
Comments