Stepping inside a traditional Sámi reindeer camp offers a fascinating and deeply authentic look into the indigenous culture of Swedish Lapland. The experience takes you to a working camp where you can feed gentle reindeer, learn about the centuries-old herding traditions, and listen to traditional folk songs, known as joik, performed by Sámi hosts. You gather inside a cozy, fire-lit teepee, known as a lavvu, sitting on soft reindeer skins while sipping warm coffee and enjoying traditional reindeer broth or flatbread.
What makes this visit exceptional is the direct interaction with the reindeer. You are given baskets of wild lichen, which is the favorite food of the reindeer, allowing you to feed them directly from your hand. It is a peaceful, culturally rich experience that honors the ancient relationship between the indigenous people and the land.
One fun fact people love:
Reindeer are the only mammals whose eyes change color from gold in the summer to blue in the winter to help them see better in the dark Arctic nights.
Where in Kiruna is it?
Located in the wilderness camps around Jukkasjärvi, just outside central Kiruna.
How to reach:
Accessible by booking a guided cultural tour from the Kiruna tourist center, which includes direct shuttle transport.
Best time to visit:
December to March when the reindeer are gathered in the winter camps and the snow is deep.
Best time of day:
Mid-afternoon around 1:00 PM to enjoy the outdoor feeding activities during the soft daylight hours.
Entry fee:
Cultural experiences cost approximately 1000 to 1400 SEK per person, which directly supports the local Sámi herding families.
Commute difficulty:
Easy; a comfortable shuttle transport from the city center, followed by a short walk on flat, packed snow paths.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- Reindeer can be quite shy, so walk slowly and quietly when holding out the lichen baskets to feed them, avoiding any sudden movements or loud noises.
- The smoke inside the traditional lavvu teepee can be quite strong, so sit low on the reindeer skins where the air is clearest.
- You can buy authentic, hand-made Sámi crafts, including reindeer horn knives and wool bracelets, directly from the herding families.
