Originally published on February 25, 2024 | Last updated on March 24, 2025
While visiting Tromso to see the Northern Lights, we slotted some time to see some reindeer and learn about Sami culture. I haven’t heard much about Sami culture, nor have I met a reindeer before. So I thought it’s a great opportunity to learn about Sami cultures and meet some reindeers. I chose this specific tour because the tour is owned by the Sami people themselves.
If you’ve also ever dreamed of getting up close to reindeer in a winter wonderland, a Sami culture tour is the perfect experience. The indigenous Sami people have herded reindeer for centuries in the Arctic regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. A visit to a Sami reindeer farm not only lets you interact with the reindeers but also offers a fascinating insight into a unique way of life.
Meeting and Feeding the Reindeer
Reindeer are central to Sami culture, providing food, clothing, and transport in the harsh Arctic climate. I find it impressive how the Sami people survive in such cold and harsh environment!
On a tour, you’ll likely find yourself in a snow-covered landscape surrounded by a herd of reindeer, eager to be fed. Most of them are quite gentle, though I did got headbutted by one or two! Still, feeding them by hand is an unforgettable experience. We were given buckets of food to give them. While feeding, I did get to feel their soft noses and impressive antlers, which they shed and regrow every year.
The tour even offer the chance to go on a traditional reindeer sleigh ride. I heard that reindeer move at a much slower (unlike husky sledding) which is better to take in the scenery. Unfortunately, we were “lucky” to be in Tromso during the biggest storm in 30 years. The sledding itself was cancelled but thankfully the tour still went on (and they refund the difference). So I can’t really confirm.
Learning About Sami Culture
Beyond reindeer feeding, the highlight of these tours is meeting Sami people and hearing their stories. The Sami have a rich cultural heritage that includes traditional clothing, music, and language. Our tours include a visit to a lavvu (a traditional Sami tent). We warm up by a fire inside and listen to joik, a beautiful style of singing unique to the Sami.
We also get the chance to learn about the challenges Sami people face, both currently but also historically.
Historically, the Sami people in Norway faced systematic oppression through policies aimed at assimilation. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Norwegian government implemented a policy known as Norwegianization, which sought to erase Sami identity by prohibiting the use of their language in schools and discouraging traditional customs. Sami people were often denied land rights, and their reindeer herding practices were restricted by government regulations. While progress has been made in recent decades, including official recognition of the Sami Parliament in Norway, challenges such as land encroachment and discrimination persist.
Today, the Sami people face numerous challenges as they strive to maintain their traditional way of life. Climate change has disrupted reindeer migration patterns, making it more difficult to find suitable grazing land. Industrial activities, such as mining, wind farms, and infrastructure projects, continue to encroach on Sami territories, threatening their cultural and economic sustainability. Additionally, legal battles over land rights persist, as governments and corporations seek to exploit the natural resources of the Arctic. Discrimination and a lack of representation in decision-making processes further hinder the Sami’s ability to protect their heritage. Despite these obstacles, Sami communities continue to fight for their rights and promote their culture through education, activism, and tourism initiatives.
Surprise!
We went on a particularly windy night. I knew there was bad weather in the forecast, but did not realise it was the worst storm Norway has seen in 30 years ! We sat around a table, and while waiting for the food, we chatted amongst ourselves. I couldn’t capture any picture as it was dark but we were served Sami reindeer stew. It was delicious, and warm stew is always great in cold winter weather. In the middle of dinner, there was a shout that the Northern Light is visible, so we rushed outside! It was beautiful. I wrote a guide on all the tips on how to see the Northern Lights! Bonus on how to capture them on your smartphone without any fancy gear.
We then huddled together and were given a talk about Sami cultures, their food, their livelihood and some history. Personally, I don’t know much about Sami cultures previously. I was glad that I came and learned about the Sami culture.
Why You Should Go
A Sami culture and reindeer-feeding tour is more than just an animal encounter. It’s a chance to connect with a way of life that is deeply tied to nature. This experience will leave you with lasting memories of a magical winter adventure. I was sad that the reindeer sledding was cancelled. However, even without the sledding I would still go on this tour! I learned a lot about Sami cultures and the feeding the reindeers were fun.
There’s so much more to Norway, I highly recommend to check out Travel to Norway. It’s written by a Norwegian! She actually lived in Tromso too for 3 years and had great resources about travelling in Norway.