About Svalbard Wildlife
Expeditions
Natural magic in magical nature
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Started in 1993
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Natural experiences
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Operating all year around
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Specialized in the field
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Small groups
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Local knowledge
Our origin story
Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions AS was formed in 2008, but has roots back in 1992 when Svalbard Wildlife Services started with tourism activities in Svalbard. In 1980, the founder of Svalbard Wildlife Service, Arne Kristoffersen, came to Longyearbyen as a miner. Since then, he has spent most of his years up here and therefore knows the area better than most. After a year of preparations, the Svalbard Wildlife Service was founded in 1990, and Arne organized the first trip in the summer of the same year. This was part of tourism's early beginnings on Svalbard. Svalbard Wildlife Eiendom and Gruve 3 were formerly part of Svalbard Wildlife Service, but are now separated as separate companies.
Our goals
Nature experiences become even better when all senses are involved. That is why we at Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions AS want to make it possible for you as a guest to be an active participant on the trip. In this way, we believe you will get a stronger experience of the arctic wilderness, you will gain a greater understanding of being on a trip to Svalbard and you will learn more. We want your experiences to be so good that you come back to Svalbard, on a trip with Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions AS.
Sustainability is part of every detail in Svalbard Wildlife Expedition's activities.
Our resources
Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions has a variety of activities that require a lot from the guides and safety is our highest priority. Our experienced guides ensure a safe and good environment, with both several years' experience in the field as well as being certified within our areas of activities.
We have mutual respect for each other, for nature and wildlife, and Svalbard's cultural history. Together we create an arena for learning and for the good nature experiences through body, mind and soul.
In Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions, we share the experience the love for nature through natural magic in magical nature.
Safety
Arctic nature has always had a magical attraction for humans. With its 61,000 square kilometers, Svalbard offers enormous areas of untouched arctic nature. When you go on a trip with us, we want you to have experiences you will never forget.
At the same time that Svalbard's nature provides opportunities for fantastic experiences, it also places great demands on safety. Our experienced guides ensure a safe and good environment for your arctic nature experiences.
In Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions, we are on a trip together. We have mutual respect for each other, for nature and for Svalbard's cultural history. Together we create good experiences and a great learning arena.
Note that we speak in English on all our tours and recommend that our guests have a basic understanding of English to maintain the safety protocols on all tours.
On the ice
More than sixty percent of Svalbard is covered by glaciers. When we travel here, we always have glacier equipment with us. The guide will always assess where and how we travel on the glaciers.
Winter and snow provide fantastic opportunities for ski and snowmobile tours. We walk in valleys, on mountains and over glaciers. All the time, the guide assesses the terrain and the snow conditions so that we avoid moving in avalanche-prone areas.
Along the fjords
The fjords on Svalbard are great routes, but you have to be familiar with the conditions to travel here. The ice, which is fine at one point in time, can be cracked and impassable only hours later due to wind and current conditions. The guide always assesses the weather, sea and ice conditions before we travel across the fjords.
The king of the Arctic
Meetings with polar bears can be wonderful nature experiences, but can also create dangerous situations. The guide always carries a flare gun or pistol and rifle as polar bear safety. It is important that we stick together when we are on a trip. You never know where the bear might be, so we are always prepared to meet the king of the Arctic. When we sleep in a tent, we either have a bear watch or we set up trip flares to be safe in relation to polar bears at night as well. It is strictly forbidden to seek out polar bears.
The arctic winter
During the winter season, the cold and the wind decide how we dress on tour. We must ensure the right clothing, good food and good routines for how we cope with the arctic climate. Proper clothing is absolutely essential.
Sustainable experiences
On our tours, nature and wildlife are treated with respect. A good distance is kept both so as not to disturb the surroundings and to preserve the guests' safety on tour. All rubbish and waste is taken back, including what we come across on our way that may have been left by others.
We believe that you, as a guest on Svalbard, want to be left with even more than good experiences.
Meeting Svalbard's nature and the special cultural history up here provides a fine framework for learning more about nature, history, outdoor life, interaction and sustainable experiences.
Our goal is to give you the opportunity for both great experiences and useful lessons that can be taken on.
Read more on safety regulations by Governor of Svalbard:
Safety on Svalbard
Take note of the limited health care services at Longyearbyen Hospital - our emergency medical hopsital:
Clothing
The type of clothing that is recommended vil vary in terms of season, weather and wind conditions. See our general check list as well as videos describing examples of summer and winter clothing on Svalbard.
Head and neck
A good and warm windproof hat that covers the ears and a polar buff covering your throat and neck to protect your from cold exposure.
Upper body
Warm base layer in wool, warm sweater or fleece jacket, windproof hiking jacket, (and a down jacket in the backpack).
Hands and fingers
Thick mittens for colder, windy days, preferably a pair of gloves in the backpack.
Lower body
Base layer in wool, wind and waterproof hiking trousers either medium warm or warm.
Feet and toes
Woolen socks to wear in your shoes, and preferably an extra pair in your backpack.
Feet and soles
Good and warm hiking boots, preferably worn-in to avoid chafing (!)
*This is a general checklist for colder temperatures. Clothing vil vary for the different tours in terms of activity level, duration, temperature and weather conditions. You will receive a tailored equipment list for clothing for our overnight tours.
For more tips, clothing and equipment: Arctica