Page 69 - World of Animals - Issue #33
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Wild Norway
Travel expert Whales Polar bear
Musher Tomás Jakuba is happiest when he is driving with his For the best chances If you want to see the
dogs as he feels like part of the pack of spotting a whale, incredible polar bear in Norway
book a cruise – this also you’ll have to travel to the
If you like nature and dogs, go sledding. Dogs will allows you the biggest island of Svalbard, a hotbed of
give you a story to tell, no doubt about this. Weather chance to see the amazing wildlife far up north
can change, something can go wrong, but if you are Northern Lights. from the Norwegian coast.
watching them, how they are working hard for you,
your experience will be unprecedented, unique and
personal […]. You can have a camera, but this experience is on a
deeper emotional level. Every musher has their own stories, and a
camera is not enough to capture it. But be ready for the cold – those 1
huskies like the cold.
There is a beauty that comes from various forms of dog behaviour.
That is what makes them so strong. Every dog is somehow an
individual, but they are also shaped by their pack. Our guests are oen Norwegian
asking me “Who is your favourite dog?” My answer is, “None of them”, Sea
and I am serious. I can’t choose. Every dog evokes different feelings.
Alaskan husky 4
The Alaskan husky is a mix of many breeds, 2
strategically bred over generations for the
best sledding performance. There are husky
sledding facilities all over Norway, but the Tromsø
Wilderness Park (4) has over 300 dogs.
Arctic fox 3
Arctic foxes are dark grey, but some have Sweden
a white coat in winter. Their Scandinavian
population is under threat, but they can be Finland
found in the Saltfjellet-Svartisen National Park. Norway
Map key
1 Svalbard (island)
2 Reisa National Park
3 Saltellet-Svartisen National Park.
4 Tromsø Wilderness Park
What you need to know
When to go Reindeer Bearded seal
If you’re going to see the Northern Lights, Reindeer are incredibly The bearded seal is
January to March is your best chance. common throughout found all over the North
During summertime, night doesn’t fall at all Norway, as they are the Sea. Go and meet
so you’ll be sorely disappointed!
main source of income them in the Tromsø
How to get there for many Sámi people. Polar Aquarium, where
Many of the most northern regions are They can be found in you can get up close
and personal in an
mountainous areas in
impossible to reach unless you’re on a Hardangervidda, Dovre underwater tunnel!
cruise or take several flights. Take a flight and Rondane.
to Oslo or Tromsø and go from there.
What the weather will do
Don’t underestimate the cold – northern
Norway is within the Arctic circle and you
can experience temperatures between
-4°C and -22°C (25°F and -8°F).
What to take
Pack as light as you can but be sure to
bring some sturdy hiking boots, lots of
insect repellant and a camera to snap all
the amazing wildlife you’ll see.
What you’ll see
There is a reason you will need that
camera – from the picturesque towns to
the breathtaking fjords and the snowy
mountains, you don’t want to miss a thing.
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