Land Based Swim with Killer Whales Safari
Swim with Orcas and Humpback Whales in the Wild Norwegian Waters with our expert guide, Joshua Barton.
From 8000 per personMenu
Norway Safaris
Norway may not be traditionally thought of as a safari destination, but the breath-taking scenery and unique wildlife that inhabit Norway’s cold north make it a top location for those looking for an off-the-beaten-track experience. Vast valets and icy peaks pepper the landscape alongside rows of colourful houses. In November, spot hundreds of orcas and humpbacks as they head into the fjords off the coast of Tromso and Tromvik for the herring migration feast with a unique experience to swim alongside these magnificent creatures. Aside from its marine mammals, Norway is home to a whole host of seabirds, puffins, eagles, land mammals such as fox, elk and reindeer.
The Norway Safari Experience
- Dive into the cold Norwegian waters in the fjords north of Tromso to swim and photograph the countless orca and humpback who follow the herring migration. Norway is one of few places you can swim with orcas in the wild.
- Witness the Northern Lights during Norway’s winter
- Learn how to mush your very own team of husky dogs as you cross the magical snowy landscapes of Norway.
- Lying far above the Arctic Circle, explore the Lofoten Islands by seaplane
- are a rare European wilderness offering numerous adventure activities such as hiking, skiing, ocean rafting and scuba diving.
Why Natural World Safaris for your Norway Safari?
As specialists in travel to Norway, we have been operating our small ship expeditions for many years and firmly believe that our clients benefit hugely from smaller group travel on specialist expedition ships, led by the experts. Working with Patrick Dystra and his team, our Swimming with Orcas trips are a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend your days riding the waves in search of orcas. As you are in search of wildlife, their exact journey (migration) can never be exactly predicted; but by using our chartered boat you will be able to change direction and stay in specific areas for as long as you wish, providing close-up intimate encounters with the whales.
Norway Safaris
Swimming with Orcas & Humpbacks
An incredible ship-based safari with the unique opportunity to swim with, and be photographed alongside, killer whales.
From 9535 per person
Arctic Circle Seaplane Adventure
A private seaplane adventure taking you to places roads do not reach, and to wilderness far from civilisation, exploring the heart of Swedish Lapland, the Lofoten Islands, the North Cape, into Finland and onto Tromso.
From 24000 per person
Talk to a Polar Destination Specialist
The Norway Safari Experience
How Much Does Norway Cost?
For an exclusive 6-day small ship-based safari, swimming with orca and humpback, expect to budget $7,000 per person. For an 8-day land-based safari, typically budget from $8,500 per person, including dog sledding and snowmobiling experiences.
When to Go to Norway?
If you wish to swim with orcas in Norway, we only run small group departures in November as this allows enough light to encounter the whales while still being the best time to see them congregate around the waters of Tromso and Tromvik. For other land-based safaris, the best time to go to Norway is mainly between May and August. Read more here.
Where to Stay in Norway?
A stay on the R/V Kinfish, a recently transformed Norwegian research vessel, allows you to travel in and out of the Norwegian fjords, following the herring migration to the whales. For land-based safaris, stay on stilts on the water’s edge in remote converted fishing huts, surrounded by mountains in the Lofoten Islands.
Orcas in Norway
Orcas
Highly trainable, these beautiful creatures have controversially been featured in many aquarium shows, as well as blockbusters such as ‘Free Willy’ back in 1993. They have stable family groups of five to thirty, hunting together to bring down tasty prey that ranges from squid and fish, to seals and sea lions. They work together to tip animals resting on floating ice into the water, deliberately beach themselves to scare prey and even hunt other whales.
Read more about Orcas
Patrick Dykstra
Patrick Dykstra is a TV presenter, BAFTA award-winning wildlife cameraman, and one of our specialist leaders.
Read more about PatrickWhat to expect from a trip to Norway
Client Reviews
Rated 4.9/5 based on 10 customer reviews
- —Lourdes Dingman who travelled on Norway: Lofoten Islands and Svalbard in June 2023
The attention to detail was amazing. The main contact, Javier, was amazing, informative and responsive to all requests. ALL excursion leaders were engaging and knowledgable. Loved them all!
- —Chad B, Swim with Killer Whales and Humpbacks, November 2023
This was one of the most incredible experiences of my entire life. I still can’t even believe that this is something I did. The whales were beautiful and getting a chance to swim with my favorite animal and an apex predator was life changing. The app was incredibly useful and I loved the daily countdown and individualized itinerary!! Lisa, Kayvon, and Sarah: I am so grateful for every single talk, instruction, for their experience, safety awareness, and love of the ocean and these incredible creatures we were able to see. They were all so passionate which gave space and fostered an environment of excitement and learning. Jasper, Willhelm, Patrick, Harold, Olaf, Alice, Emma, Jessica, Lynn, and Crista: The crew was incredible! I wanted to be a part of the crew. Haha! It takes a lot of people to run a ship safely and smoothly and the mix of these human beings together was a beautiful thing to witness. They were always willing to chat with us about the different components of the ship, their specific roles, and their lives off the ship. The food/wine on the Kinfish was top notch! Crista works magic in the kitchen. He had to create a vegetarian dish, a meat dish, and a gluten-free dish every single meal. I will be coming back. The Kinfish was home away from home. Thank you again to everyone who made this a possibility.
- —Candace Nicholas who travelled on the Swimming with Killer Whales Safari in 2022
Everyone in the NWS team who I communicated with was great. The staff of the Kinfish were amazing and you can tell they truly love what they do which makes a huge difference. I would love to travel with NWS again as the company go above and beyond to make the experience authentic with knowledgeable and experienced guides.
- —Eric Allenstein-Lyon who travelled on the Swimming with Killer Whales Safari in 2022
This was probably the best trip I've ever been on. The wildlife sightings were perfect, guiding and crew were fantastic, and the other members of the tour were lovely people. I would love to travel again!
- —Dan Kunz who travelled on the Swimming with Killer Whales in 2022
This was an incredible experience, better than I could ever have imagined. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
- —Deirdre Smith who travelled on Swimming with Killer Whales Safari in 2022
This trip was easily a 10 out of 10 experience. Everything was very professional and ethical.
- —Mark Jameson who travelled on Swimming with Killer Whales in 2022
I really couldn't have asked for any more from this trip. I will remember this trip for the rest of my life and would certainly recommend it to any whale lovers. Thank you to all who made it happen. The wildlife, guides and Kinfish staff were all fantastic. It was incredible getting up close to the whales, not just orca but humpbacks too. I had a feeling on the first day that we would get lots of good orca encounters but feared the humpbacks may be a little more elusive, however, Rita and Kayvon made sure we got the drops we needed to encounter these fantastic animals underwater too. I couldn't thank the two guides enough, they went out of their way to ensure all guests were happy. The accommodation and Kinfish staff were all wonderful, the food was fantastic and we were very well looked after.
- —Cory Crandall who travelled on Swimming with Killer Whales
This was literally the trip of a lifetime. Sarah and Kayvon were absolutely top-notch guides throughout the trip. They were so informative and always put us in a great position to capture the best videos and photos. The crew of the Kinfish were the best crew a person could ask for. They were so kind and helpful with anything you would possibly need. They would literally let you do anything on the boat from driving the boat to checking out the engine room. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip and it wouldn’t have been the same without the people that were on it with me. Thank you so much!
- —Rosalyn Newton who travelled on Swimming with Killer Whales in 2022
This was an incredible trip. We were privileged to have Sarah and Patrick as our guides leading to some unprecedented wildlife interactions; one day over 100 orcas and the next day being in the midst of a pod of 19 humpbacks. We saw an incredible aurora; pinks, purple and green. All in all, it was more than we could have expected, and we feel like we have memories that will last a lifetime.
- —Bharath Mohan who travelled on Swimming with Killer Whales in 2022
Thanks to everyone involved for an overall an amazing trip!! Amazing wildlife sightings, and once-in-a-lifetime aurora displays. We came away with unique memories that will stay with us for a long time - thank you.
Norway Safaris FAQs
What wildlife can I see in Norway?
Known for its stunning natural landscapes, Norway offers a variety of wildlife to observe both on land and in the water. Animals you might encounter on your Norwegian safari include the Arctic Fox, Elk, Reindeer, Orca, Humpback Whale, Orca, Atlantic Salmon, Puffin and White-tailed Eagle. Discover more detail on wildlife that you can see in Norway.
What is the best time to cruise the fjords?
The best time to cruise the fjords in Norway is during the late spring to early fall months, from May to September. This period offers milder weather, longer daylight hours, and more comfortable conditions for exploring the stunning fjords and coastal landscapes. The peak tourist season typically falls in July and August when the weather is generally at its warmest and the fjords are bustling with activity.
How many days in Norway is enough?
The ideal number of days to spend in Norway depends on your interests and the regions you want to explore. For a basic overview, a week (7-9 days) can cover iconic cities like Oslo and Bergen, as well as some fjord and coastal experiences. To delve deeper and explore more remote areas like the Northern Lights, the fjords, and charming towns, 10-14 days would provide a more comprehensive experience. However, even a shorter trip can offer memorable highlights, so we’ll tailor your itinerary to your preferences and the specific attractions you wish to see.