Project Description
Arctic Photo Safari
Charl and Sabine invite you to join them in Svalbard for an exclusive Arctic Photo Safari in 2027. Aboard the R/V Kinfish and limited to just 12 guests, this trip offers exceptional opportunities to photograph polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, and dramatic frozen landscapes.
Timed for early spring, when snow still blankets the land and the sun casts perfect light 24 hours a day, we’ll explore the icy fjords and pack ice in search of wildlife. With expert guidance from Charl and Sabine and a crew ready to alert you to sightings at any hour, this is one of the best chances you’ll have to capture polar bears in their natural habitat.
Upon arrival at Longyearbyen Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel in town, located on Spitsbergen Island, which will be the main hub for this Arctic Photo Safari. This former coal-mining town is now a charming, well-equipped gateway to the high Arctic, with unique shops, museums, and cafes to explore depending on your arrival time.
Your hotel offers a comfortable and quiet place to rest after your journey north. In the evening, you’ll gather for a welcome dinner with your Photo Hosts, Charl and Sabine, and your fellow travellers. It’s the perfect chance to get to know the group, review the plan for the days ahead, and enjoy your first taste of Arctic hospitality.
If you’d like to arrive a day or two earlier to explore Longyearbyen or acclimatise, our Safari Planners will be happy to assist with extra arrangements.
PLEASE NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy and excitement of expedition travel. When travelling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice, and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.
After breakfast, you’ll board the R.V. Kinfish, your home for the expedition. Originally built in 1958 as a Norwegian research vessel, the Kinfish has been carefully refurbished into a classic, ice-capable expedition ship, small, agile, and packed with character.
With just six twin en-suite cabins, the Kinfish offers an intimate and comfortable base for exploring the remote fjords and icy waters of Svalbard. The ship features 360° viewing decks, spacious lounges, a dining area, a bar, and an open bridge, making it ideal for wildlife viewing, photography, and relaxing between excursions. Its low engine vibrations and advanced stabilisation systems also make it a favourite among photographers.
As we leave Longyearbyen behind, enjoy sweeping views of the Arctic landscape and keep your eyes open for your first wildlife sightings.
You’ll cruise around this magical island in a constant search for wildlife. Your expedition will cover western Spitsbergen as well as stunning fjords and outlying islands to the north. From polar flora to immense glaciers, the natural landscape here is just as varied as the wildlife. Each expedition presents new opportunities and different weather and ice conditions, so there is no fixed itinerary. The destinations visited will be selected for optimum wildlife viewing with an appreciation of the landscape and geology of Spitsbergen. We will base our daily travel on the captain’s experience, his contact with other ships, the weather, and ice conditions.
You’ll spend time cruising through the ice in search of polar bears as they hunt for seals, which often hitch rides on the passing ice floes. Make sure to look out for walrus colonies basking on beaches in the Arctic sun and watch for whales in the icy seas. On shore landings, you may come across the Arctic fox or the Svalbard reindeer with its impressive antlers and witness the beauty of Svalbard’s flora.
The small size of the ship allows you to explore even the smallest and most secluded fjords and provides opportunities for up-close wildlife photography. The deck space of the M/V Kinfish is spread over different levels, which is perfect for avid photographers who want to capture wildlife and scenery from different perspectives. There are two Zodiacs on board, each carrying up to six passengers, to allow even more flexible photo opportunities when we come upon wildlife.
Your ship is likely to arrive in the harbour the night before you disembark to ensure you are in Longyearbyen ready for your onwards flights. Enjoy the Captain’s dinner and your final night together with your fellow travellers.
The time to say goodbye to your Expedition Team and shipmates has come. Your adventure ends as it began, in the historic frontier-style settlement of Longyearbyen. Having arrived at Longyearbyen in the middle of last night, we will this morning be disembarking as our incredible photography expedition sadly comes to an end! From here, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.
One of the nicest-looking small ships, the Kinfish is a vessel with history and character that is usefully purposed during the winter months to embark on exciting research quests such as uncovering the history of Norway and scouring the seabed to find Viking remains.
Built in 1958, the Kinfish has recently been transformed from a Norwegian research vessel to a classic passenger ship, ready to explore the icy waters of the Spitsbergen archipelago. Small and manoeuvrable. In the words of her owner, “This ship can dance.” Perfect for navigating the most inaccessible reaches of the Svalbard archipelago.
There are six twin guest cabins on board, all with ensuite bathrooms. Four of these twin cabins have two lower berths, and two have an upper and lower berth.
The Kinfish has two bright and spacious lounges, a dining area, and a bar, as well as an open bridge and ample deck space from which to admire the stunning Arctic landscapes. We will make use of these communal spaces for group image review and editing sessions as well as talks by your hosts and the onboard naturalists.
All meals are included during your stay on the Kinfish, which will consist of a range of European-style dishes. Almost any dietary requirement can be catered for, as long as you have given sufficient notice to your safari planner. The food is warm and plentiful, and more importantly, flexible when it comes to delayed eating when a sighting is on!
2027 Prices
29th of April – 7th of May 2027
Welcome meet-and-greet at the hotel with Charl, Sabine
Transfers to/from the local airport and to/from the ship
Port and Passenger landing fees
1-night lodging in Longyearbyen
8 nights of accommodation aboard the ship
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/coffee and a two-course dinner (three-course dinner on the last evening)
Water, coffee and tea – available 24 hours a day
Alcoholic beverages and sodas
Photo assistance from Charl and Sabine throughout
Regular excursions by Zodiac (only six guests per Zodiac)
Lectures, briefings and shoreside interpretations by Expedition Guides
Magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife encounters
Pre-expedition materials related to recommended camera gear, packing, etc.
International flights: please contact our office for any assistance on routing
Clients must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for this trip.
Any required visas.
Customary tips for guides and camp staff.
Anything else not specified as included
