As we wrap up another incredible summer up in Svalbard, our Polar Product Manager Joss takes the opportunity to reflect on our 2024 season on board the very special Swedish 12-passenger expedition ship, RV Kinfish.
Kicking off the season back in May, we launched eleven of our Ultimate Svalbard Safaris from the port of Longyearbyen. We were delighted to have four of our specialist leaders, including returning SL Benjamin Hardman and welcoming to the team Finn Beales, Karim Iliya and Pie Aerts, who offered a mix of photography coaching and workshops for our guests.
Over the season, we encountered over 80 Polar Bears, witnessing a magical mix of behaviours including mating, feeding, swimming and females with their cubs.
As wonderful as the polar bear encounters were this summer, this was only a fraction of the wildlife Svalbard has to offer. Our guests witnessed a wide variety of Arctic wildlife including Arctic Fox sightings in both their winter and summer coats; the unmistakable Svalbard reindeer; Bearded, Ring and Harbour seals; Minke, Blue, Humpback and Beluga whales; and fifteen different species of birds - including Puffins, Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns, Ivory Gulls, Little Auks and the majesty and sheer awe of Alkefjellet – a towering basaltic cliff face that houses over 60,000 breeding pairs of Brünnich’s guillemots; and of course, too many Walruses to count!
On all 11 voyages, we crossed the 80th parallel - a celebration indeed at only 600 nautical miles to the North Pole. The adventures continued both on and off ship with our early season guests being able to step out onto the ice for a serene walk or the occasional game of Swedish Kubb! Throughout the season, everyone enjoyed BBQs on deck, relaxing in hammocks under the midnight sun, paddleboarding and those brave enough took on the polar plunge, followed by hot chocolate or course! Later on during our season we were able to reach Rossøya – the northernmost land in Europe and completed a circumnavigation of Spitsbergen with plenty of hikes to explore the diverse flora and fauna which appeared as the ice melted.
Our Swedish crew taught us about their culture and traditions; celebrating Midsummer, discovering Aquavit and we also popped a cork or two for birthday and anniversary celebrations with even an engagement on board!
Guests embraced the vast history of Svalbard – from hiking to old mine sites and research bases, exploring the remnants of Andrée’s foolhardy attempt to reach the North Pole in 1897, to the Dutch whaling encampment of Smeerenberg, “blubber town”, rumoured to house 10,000 occupants at its peak. Some of our guests had a more personal connection to these events, being able to tread the footsteps of ancestors in the ice and pull on the threads of stories from long ago.
Along with all of these amazing highlights, we were also allowed to witness the ever-increasing fragility of the Arctic interlinked ecosystem– we were able to move further north much earlier in the season than anticipated, witness the harsh realities of the Arctic food chain and relished an entire year being full members of AECO, the Association of Expedition Cruise Operators. AECO is dedicated to managing responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic and strive to set the highest possible operating standards. We are one of only three small operators to be granted full membership, so we are very proud of our polar team in continuing to have this seal of approval for the quality of our operation.
All of this is only possible because of our incredible Expedition Leaders (12 individuals, hailing from across the globe – from the Colorado and Chile to Europe and even residents of Longyearbyen itself) and fantastic crew on board RV Kinfish.
We’ve selected some of our favourite images from the season, shot by our guides and specialist leaders. Alongside these images we have included some of our favourite client quotes taken from the stream of incredible feedback we have received over the past few months.
We are delighted to announce the first safari that combines both land and sea exploration of Svalbard! Journey by snowmobile through the remote wilderness of Spitsbergen to Isfjord Radio on a three-day expedition, before embarking on the R/V Kinfish and navigating the Svalbard Archipelago, seeking out epic Arctic landscapes and potential wildlife encounters.
Join us in 2024 for polar bear cruises in Svalbard aboard the R/V Kinfish, where every moment is an opportunity for polar bear watching amid the stunning Arctic scenery.
From 10660 per person
Find out the best place and time for polar bear tracking in this detailed and free guide.
Download the Guide
Explore the High Arctic on a 5-day adventurous snowmobiling expedition to Isfjord Radio.
From 4000 per person
Discover what to pack for an Arctic Safari in Svalbard! Essential gear guide for extreme weather, wildlife encounters, and unbeatable photo ops.
Click for Expert Packing Tips
Experience the Arctic like a true explorer via tented camp and husky sled, looking out for the Northern Lights and spotting wildlife in Svalbard's dramatic wilderness. Begin your adventure into the wilderness at Basecamp Hotel before spending two days camping under the stars, scouring for the magical Northern Lights and exploring the far reaches of the Arctic. Watch for wildlife and travel by husky sled before recuperating in luxury with a stay at Isfjord Radio, a converted radio station turned comfortable wilderness hotel.
From 6000 per person
By sharing our environmental concerns as we explore the wonders of nature, we look forward to guiding our travellers towards becoming ambassadors for these remote corners of the world. In our experience most travellers return from their adventures with the strongest dedication to natural preservation.
Read the Guidelines
This safari combines the peaceful fjords of the Lofoten Islands with the dramatic glaciers and mountains of Svalbard, while the mystical Aurora Borealis illuminates the night skies. Experience dog sledding and snowmobiling across vast snowy plains, keeping an eye out for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife.
From 9500 per person“Svalbard itself is breathtaking, but what made this trip truly unforgettable was the expertise and passion of our Expedition Leaders and the crew of the Kinfish. Their deep knowledge of the Arctic environment, wildlife, and history added immense value to every moment. We had some of the most incredible wildlife encounters imaginable — from spotting polar bears to witnessing majestic walruses, Arctic foxes, and a wide variety of bird species. Each day felt like a unique adventure, and our guide’s ability to read the terrain and locate wildlife was nothing short of extraordinary."
“Natural World Safaris recently coordinated our trip to Svalbard, Norway aboard the Kinfish. From our first contact with questions about the trip to our return home, NWS personnel were helpful, knowledgeable, easy to reach and always responded in a timely manner. The trip itself was fabulous on a comfortable ship where we were made to immediately feel at home. The crew and expedition leaders looked out for our safety and comfort, shared their expertise and more importantly, became friends. If you are interested in seeing this part of the world, I highly recommend Natural World Safaris as the travel specialists to hire.”
"I had an awesome experience aboard the RV Kinfish in Svalbard. Natural World Safaris is a fantastic company that put together an amazing experience for us. From the fantastic ship crew, the guides, the nature photographer and their attention to every detail of this trip, I will definitely use this company again! Everything we saw and experienced, from polar bears to sea birds in this icy Arctic arctic archipelago, was surreal. I loved it all so much that I am returning for another Svalbard trip next year!"
“The trip was a lifetime sort of experience, and handled so well."
