Group
Sami Reindeer Safari Express by the Ounasjoki Rapids
A 1 km reindeer sleigh ride on the Ounasjoki River, feeding reindeer calves lichen and homemade pastry in the farmhouse - the Ounaskievari farm experience in a shorter format, ideal for families with young children.
WHY YOU´LL LOVE IT
A gentle introduction to reindeer in Lapland - the 1 km sleigh ride gives you the experience of traditional reindeer travel without spending too long outside in the Arctic cold.
Visit a real working reindeer farm - Ounaskievari is a family-run farm on the banks of the Ounasjoki River, where reindeer are part of everyday life rather than simply a tourist attraction.
Get genuinely close to the reindeer - step into the corral and offer the animals lichen, one of their natural favourite foods, while observing their individual personalities.
Discover the story behind reindeer herding - learn about the seasonal work of a herder, the family's Sámi roots and the relationship between people, land and reindeer.
A good choice for families with young children - the shorter ride and 2-hour format make this an easier alternative to a longer reindeer safari.
THE EXPERIENCE
1 km Reindeer Safari & Farm Visit at Ounaskievari near Levi
Take a 1 km reindeer sleigh ride through the snowy forest by the Ounasjoki River, feed the herd with lichen and visit a working reindeer farm to learn about Sámi reindeer herding traditions.
All the farm experience. A shorter sleigh ride.
The Express program includes the same essential Ounaskievari experience - reindeer, lichen feeding, the farmhouse and stories about Sámi reindeer herding - with a shorter 1 km sleigh ride that's particularly suitable for families with young children and guests with limited time. Ounaskievari sits on the banks of the Ounasjoki River, where the rapids keep moving even in the coldest months. The old barn on the property once served as a stopover for travellers crossing this part of Lapland. The building is still there. The farm is run by Johanna, her mother and their team. Johanna has Sámi roots and carries that heritage into every part of the visit — not as a performance, but as the actual context in which her family has kept reindeer for generations.
1 km reindeer sleigh ride along the Ounasjoki River
A 1 km route through snowy forest along the Ounasjoki River, pulled by reindeer at the unhurried pace of traditional Arctic travel. Long enough to feel the rhythm of the sled and the quiet of the forest around you. The Ounasjoki rapids run alongside — one of the few rivers in Finnish Lapland that stays unfrozen throughout winter.
Lichen feeding in the reindeer corral - reindeer therapy
After the ride, guests enter the reindeer corral. The food handed out is the reindeers’ favourite delicacy - lichen, a natural Arctic plant they eagerly nibble like candy. The calves come close, sometimes close enough to touch. Moving slowly through the corral, there is time to interact with the animals, photograph them at close range and watch how they behave around people. Some approach readily; others keep a polite distance. These are semi-wild animals, and that natural shyness is part of what makes the contact meaningful when it happens. Johanna and the team call this the “reindeer therapy” part of the day - calm, unhurried, grounding.
Reindeer are semi-wild animals. Remain calm near them and follow the guide ’s instructions at all times.
Ounaskievari farmhouse - hot drinks, pastries and reindeer herding traditions
The visit ends inside the warm farmhouse: hot drinks - berry juice, coffee or tea - homemade pastries, and a short presentation on reindeer herding. Johanna covers the daily work of a herder, the seasonal calendar, the Sámi roots of her family and what the long-term relationship between a family and their herd actually looks like. There is time to ask questions, connect with the culture and browse local souvenirs before the return to Levi.
Who this is for
Families with very young children who want a calm, accessible reindeer experience
Guests with limited time who want the Ounaskievari farm experience in a shorter format
Anyone who wants a genuine working farm visit rather than a staged tourist attraction
Those interested in Sámi reindeer herding culture and the Ounasjoki River setting
Want more time in the reindeer sleigh?
Choose our 3 km Reindeer Safari at Ounaskievari for a longer journey through the winter landscape.