Musk Ox Safari

Musk oxen died out in Norway in prehistory and were reintroduced to Dovrefjell from Greenland in stages between 1932 and 1953; the herd now numbers a couple of hundred and ranges free across the plateau, the only wild population in Europe outside a small group in Sweden. Guided safaris run from Kongsvold and other bases through the summer, typically five to seven hours on foot across open tundra with a guide who tracks the herd and manages the approach, keeping the group at a safe distance with binoculars and spotting scopes. Sightings are usual but not guaranteed. The same plateau holds wild reindeer and the Snohetta massif, and the Viewpoint Snohetta building is nearby.

What you actually see

• The musk ox herd - shaggy animals grazing the open plateau at distance.
• The tundra crossing - hours of walking on Dovrefjell's high ground.
• The Snohetta massif - the mountain rising above the safari area.
• The wild reindeer - occasionally seen on the same ground.

When to go

June to September, the guided season; earlier and later the weather and snow make it impractical. Cool overcast days suit the animals, which move less in heat. Booking ahead is needed.

Honest expectations

Musk oxen are dangerous and have killed people who approached them; the two-hundred-metre distance rule is not advisory. Going without a guide is strongly discouraged. Walks are long over rough tundra in changeable weather, and sightings are not guaranteed.

Nearby

Snohetta and Viewpoint Snohetta are on the same plateau; Dombas and Oppdal are the road bases.