Take a Tailormade Wildlife Holiday to Swedish Lapland

A tailormade wildlife holiday to Swedish Lapland is a fantastic experience for the animal enthusiast, particularly one with a predilection for bird watching. From the peaceful meadows and forests of Svartådalen, to the taiga and higher altitude tundra around the village of Ammarnäs and the wetlands and hills near the remote Sami community of Guenja, Swedish Lapland’s variety of biomes are home to an array of bird species, as well as mammal species including the Arctic Fox.

Svartådalen (Black River Valley)

Svartådalen is the perfect place to begin an exploration of Sweden. Between the hilly Bergslagen and the flat lands of Mälardalen, the Svartån River curls in a gentle landscape. The peaceful wetlands, meadows and forests of the river valley are home to an array of animal species, as well as the temporary home to migratory birds. With most likely only a short stay before moving on to the major destinations, participants will focus on finding the magnificent Great Grey Owl.

Ammarnäs

The village of Ammarnäs gives enthusiasts on their tailormade wildlife holiday an opportunity to explore the taiga. This is the world’s largest terrestrial biome, a northern forest stretching from Scandinavia to eastern Russia and northern Japan, continuing across the ocean on North America. Bird watchers will enjoy the extensive bird life of the taiga, which includes the Siberian Jay, Siberian Tit, Capercaillie, Three-toed Woodpecker, Waxwing, Hazel Grouse, Brambling and Redwing.

Climbing the mountains takes bird watchers to a biome akin to the tundra further north, where they will be able to spot Dotterel, Long-tailed Skua, Ptarmigan, Lapland Bunting and Ring Ouzel. There is also the chance to see the Arctic Fox in the wild, wearing its colourful summer coat. Down-slope, the lakes, pools and wet mires of this region are the habitat of water birds and waders, including Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Phalarope, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Common and Velvet Scoters, Temminck’s Stint and Broad-billed Sandpiper. Exploring the forests, mountains and lakes around Ammarnäs on a tailormade wildlife holiday is a treat for all enthusiasts of the natural world.

Geunja

Located on an upland lake, surrounded by mountains, Guenja is a remote Sami community where participants can learn about the Reindeer-herding culture of the people indigenous to this part of Sweden. A night in a kata — a wooden tipi — and a meal of traditional food gives visitors on a tailormade wildlife holiday a glimpse into the ways that people have survived in this harsh northern habitat for thousands of years. A walk to the wetlands and hills nearby will yield possible sightings of the bird life in this region: Bluethroat, Spotted Redshank, northern Yellow Wagtail, Gyr Falcon and Golden Eagle. The elusive Wolverine and Brown Bear will most likely remain as footprints in the forests.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for a tailormade wildlife holiday Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.