Sustainable Reindeer Safaris in Rovaniemi

Choosing Wisely: What Sustainable Reindeer Husbandry Really Looks Like

What trip to Finnish Lapland would be complete without a visit to a reindeer farm? It’s a great feeling to meet a creature that has defined life in the Arctic for millennia. In winter, the soft chime of bells and the steady, rhythmic gait of a reindeer pulling a wooden sleigh is a scene that feels as old as the North itself.

However, as global travelers become more conscious of their impact, a vital question has emerged: How do I know this experience is ethical?

At Apukka Resort, we believe that the magic of a reindeer safari shouldn’t come at the expense of animal welfare or local traditions. In fact, we believe the experience is only truly “magical” when you know the animals are respected, the heritage is preserved, and the environment is protected.

What is the Green Activities Certificate?

Before booking an animal encounter in Finland, it is important to understand the standards that govern them. The Green Activities certificate is a dedicated environmental program designed specifically for outdoor and activity providers in Finland. It isn’t just a “badge”—it is a rigorous commitment to sustainability.

To earn this certification, a provider must meet strict criteria across several pillars: animal welfare, environmental responsibility, social sustainability, and safety. In the context of reindeer husbandry, this means ensuring the animals have the right to natural behavior, proper nutrition, and a stress-free environment.

It also requires the company to minimize its carbon footprint and support the local community. For a traveler, this certificate is the most reliable way to distinguish between a mass-market operation and an ethically managed experience.

When booking your Lappish adventure, we urge you to ensure that your chosen reindeer activity provider holds a Green Activities certificate. It is the gold standard for ethical animal encounters, ensuring that the well-being of the animals is never compromised for tourism.

A Legacy of the North

Sustainability starts with people. In Lapland, reindeer husbandry isn’t just a tourist attraction; it is a way of life that has sustained the local people for centuries. To respect the reindeer, one must first respect the culture that surrounds them.

At Apukka, we realized that in order to provide sustainable reindeer experiences, we needed to partner with seasoned professionals. For this reason, all our reindeer tours are provided by Lakela Reindeer, a family of professional reindeer herders. This isn’t just a business for them—it’s their family heritage. About half of the reindeer you meet at Apukka belong to the Lakela family, while the rest are rented from local herders they know and trust.

By keeping the circle local, we ensure that the benefits of tourism stay within the community. This commitment to local heritage extends even to the equipment used in our reindeer tours. When you sit in one of the sleighs, you are touching the work of local artisans. Lakela Reindeer purchases traditional equipment—such as hand-carved collars, leather belts, and warm seating furs—directly from craftsmen in the region.

Defining Welfare: More Than Just a Buzzword

At Apukka Resort, we’ve chosen to work only with partners who are also committed to responsible practices. Lakela Reindeer strictly follows the Green Activities criteria and complies with all Finnish reindeer husbandry and animal protection laws, which are among the strictest in the world.

To us, welfare means that reindeer can express their natural behaviors, receive enough food, and live without unnecessary stress. Reindeer are semi-wild animals: they are perfectly adapted to the Arctic cold, but they require a calm, controlled environment to feel safe. By prioritizing the reindeer’s peace of mind, the herders ensure that they interact with guests only when relaxed and comfortable.

The Science of Rest: Tailored Work Shifts and Individual Care

One of the most common concerns for travelers is whether the animals are overworked. At Apukka, this is addressed through a rigorous system of “work shifts” and individual monitoring.

Just like humans, every reindeer has its own personality and energy level. Some are young and energetic, while others are seasoned veterans who prefer a slower pace. This is why each reindeer follows a personalized schedule, with individual rest days tailored to its specific needs.

Herders monitor the animals’ health daily. Their movement is observed, as is their appetite—and even their “mood.” If a reindeer shows the slightest sign of fatigue, illness, or simply a lack of energy, it is immediately taken off duty and allowed to recover. There is no compromise on this. A tired reindeer is a stressed reindeer, and a stressed reindeer has no place in a sustainable tourism model.

To ensure the reindeer enjoy their downtime in peace, we have deliberately located our reindeer farm a few minutes away from the main resort area. This distance is important, as it provides a calm, natural environment during their off-duty hours.

Becoming a Conscious Guest: Guidelines for Ethical Interaction

Sustainability is a partnership between the resort, the herder, and you, the guest. To ensure that your encounter with these majestic creatures is safe and ethical, we ask all our guests to follow a few simple rules:

• Move Gently: Reindeer are prey animals by nature. Sudden loud noises or quick, erratic movements can startle them. Please move calmly and speak softly around the herd.
• Ask Your Guide Before Touching: Not every reindeer enjoys being touched. Your guide knows each animal’s personality intimately and will indicate which reindeer are comfortable with a gentle pet.
• Respect the Sleigh: When a reindeer is harnessed and pulling a sleigh, they are “at work.” Please give them their “work peace” and avoid touching them during this time.
• Observe Sleigh Capacity: To ensure the reindeer’s physical comfort, we strictly limit our sleighs to two adults. A very small child may join as a third passenger, but we never exceed these limits.