The reindeer safari was one, truly, magical experience! An experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list!
We booked a 3-hour reindeer safari through an excursion company called Lapland Safaris. At the time we booked it, the excursion cost us âŦ149 each. It’s not cheap, but it was worth every cent!
Lapland Safaris offer a whole range of different excursions, in different areas, depending on whereabouts you are staying in Lapland. To read more about what they have to offer, please check out their website:
https://www.laplandsafaris.com/en/
Lapland Safaris Are Pricey
Lapland Safaris are quite costly to go with for excursions. We choose to go with them, as found their trip suited us the best while we where there, with times, and location. We looked at trying to book the reindeer safari on our own without an excursion company, however, it wasn’t easy.
Booking it through the excursion company, Lapland Safaris means you could hire out a free snowsuit. I definitely recommend doing so! I wore mine over my ski jacket and trousers. It kept me toasty when I was out on the sleigh. You can also hire out snow boots, mittens, and other warm clothing too. It can get very cold when sat out on the sleigh, so wrapping up warm is very important.
Location
The safari was held at Tatuka Reindeer Farm, a 20min drive from our Hotel Saaga, in the Sport Resort, Yllas. The farm is run by a lovely Lappi family.
We decided to drive ourselves, instead of using the transfer coach. We arrived before the coach. We got invited into their hut to keep warm. This gave us plenty of opportunities to talk to them, learning about life in Lapland. They said the coldest temperature they had ever experienced in Lapland, was -52. Now that is cold!
The Safari
Once the rest of our party had arrived, we then headed out to the sleighs, had a quick demonstration of how to control the sleigh and the reindeers. We then trotted off on a 4km safari into the wildness taking around 55 minutes. It was so much fun! We trotted through the forest, onto a frozen lake, and back through the snow-covered trees. Oh, and it wasn’t a slow, gentle sleigh ride. We soon found out who fast reindeers can travel!
Saying Thank You To The Reindeers
After the safari, we feed the reindeers with some mosses. Apparently, mosses are their favourite food. You always feed them after a sleigh ride, as it is a lovely way to say thank you to the reindeer.
Warming Up After The Safari
To warm up after been sat on a sleigh, in the freezing cold temperatures, they invited into the hut for some homemade berry juice and a piece of homemade Finnish cake. While we enjoyed the food and drink, they educated us with interesting reindeer facts. It was one fantastic, memorable afternoon!
Gaining a Sleigh Licence
At the very end of the excursion, we were presented with a sleigh driving license. Were both now allowed to legally drive a reindeer sleigh for the next 5 years. Not too sure when that will come in use in the UK though? We’re lucky to even get snow where I live!
To read more about what else there is to do in the Finnish Lapland, please check out some of my other blogs:
