Caribou in Greenland | A Guide to Seeing the Arctic’s Great Wanderers
The caribou or the reindeer is a cultural keystone for the indigenous population of Greenland. From being a part of age-old traditions to being the preservers of the Arctic ecosystem, these magnificent herbivores are one of the major draws attracting wildlife photographers to Greenland. After all, what can be more iconic than a caribou with majestic antlers wandering through the breathtaking Arctic landscape?
The caribou of Greenland
You can glimpse these beautiful and elegant creatures whilst hiking in Greenland's mountains. Caribou and reindeer, known as tuttu in Greenlandic, are the same species (Rangifer tarandus), though there are nine subspecies. Greenland's native subspecies is the barren-ground caribou.
Males can weigh 300 kilograms with antlers reaching 1½ metres long, whilst females weigh 100-150 kilograms. Both sexes grow antlers, and these powerful animals can run at speeds of 80 kilometres per hour when needed.
Cultural significance
Caribou have been intrinsic to Inuit culture for generations. In the harsh Arctic climate, these animals provided the primary food source and vital nutrition. Arctic clothing and shelters were made from caribou hide, antlers became tools, and according to old Inuit hunters, nothing gets wasted when a caribou is hunted.
Hunting techniques have been passed down through elders, teaching young Inuits focus, resilience, and tenacity. Whilst technological advancement has reduced dependence on caribou, hunting remains deeply intertwined with Inuit cultural identity and social structure.
Design your own private expedition micro cruise with Secret Atlas
Share the journey with those who matter most.
Population and distribution
Wild caribou herds are found across large areas of West Greenland, though they went extinct in East Greenland in 1900 due to climate change. The population has varied over decades, with around 100,000 wild caribou in Greenland today. The Isortoq Reindeer Station in mid-west Greenland maintains around 2,000 reindeer from an introduced husbandry programme.
Where to see caribou in Greenland
Caribou prefer dwarf shrub heath across the tundra, grasslands, and mountain fields where grasses, fresh leaves, and wild mushrooms are readily available. In winter, they survive mostly on lichen and reindeer moss, digging through snow with their hooves.
Best viewing locations
Sisimiut-Kangerlussuaq region on the southern coast (large herds)
Ilulissat Ice Fjord to Nuussuaq Peninsula (grazing herds)
Inglefield Land north of Qaanaaq on the west coast
Nuuk fjord system and Neria Fjord south of Paamiut
Responsible wildlife viewing
Caribou are sensitive animals, and human presence – especially noise and activity – can cause stress affecting their movement patterns and calving grounds. Expeditions rely on local guides who understand how to photograph caribou without disturbing them. Qualified Arctic tourist guides offer sustainable tourism practices as visitor numbers rise during summer and spring seasons.
Greenland allows recreational hunting of caribou and musk oxen between August and October, with quotas determined by government agencies based on conservation principles.
Svalbard and Greenland Summer Micro Cruise
78°22’N, 15°65’E & 76°50'N, 23°10'W
The ultimate Arctic experience – a unique two-week adventure into Svalbard and the Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park.
- 12 guests
- 14 days
Northeast Greenland National Park Micro Cruise
76°50'N, 23°10'W
The ultimate Greenland experience – a unique two-week adventure into Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest national park, and Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth.
- 12 guests
- 11 — 13 days
Scoresbysund Autumn Micro Cruise
70°50’N, 25°00’W
An autumn micro cruise to Scoresbysund, East Greenland. For landscape lovers and aurora chasers – the ultimate expedition of Earth and sky.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Capture the heavens bursting with light above the monumental icebergs and high-drama landscape of Scoresbysund.
- 12 guests
- 8 — 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Virgil Reglioni
70°50’N, 25°00’W
With 0% light pollution and insane iceberg sculptures, paired with the world’s finest aurora borealis photographer, you’re in for a treat.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
Scoresbysund Northern Lights Photo Tour with Randy Hanna
70°50’N, 25°00’W
Photograph the northern lights illuminating the skies above Scoresbysund with nature photography legend Randy Hanna.
- 12 guests
- 9 days
When to visit for the best chance of sightings
Summer to early autumn offers the best caribou sightings, when less effort is needed to view animals near the coast. Migratory herds are commonly observed before winter as they move inland searching for lichens and moss.
During late summer and early autumn, herds concentrate before winter migration begins – ideal periods for observing these magnificent animals. Till early August, the midnight sun gives you extended opportunities to observe wildlife. As winter approaches and the polar night arrives with barely any sunrise, sighting and photographing caribou becomes impossible.
Why they migrate
Energy requirements peak during spring and summer due to calving, lactation, antler development, and moulting. As winter ends, animals move from wintering lands towards richer food sources, with new spring growth providing nutrient-rich forage for young caribou.
Studies show caribou in Alaska and Canada can travel around 1,350 kilometres annually, whilst Greenland caribou migration distances are shorter (though fewer studies exist on Greenland patterns). Migration is complex, depending on multiple factors – smaller animals tend to move more, whilst larger animals with higher body mass resist food scarcity better.
Caribou are highly adapted Arctic walkers with hooves that adjust to help them navigate winter landscapes. To conserve energy, they reduce movement in winter.
Behaviour and life cycle
Rutting season runs from September to October, when males engage in fierce battles to acquire harems of 5-15 females. Their awe-inspiring antlers become weapons against opponents, causing antler damage or grievous wounds that may prove fatal. Many bulls are exhausted after these energy-demanding periods.
Calving and development follows a 7.6-month gestation period, with calves born in spring. The average litter is one calf, which can walk within two hours of birth. Females with calves form separate groups within the herd.
Young caribou live with mothers for six to twelve months before leading separate lives. Sexual maturity arrives at 28 months old. Females can give birth annually with proper nutrition. Bulls typically live 10 years in the wild, whilst females reach closer to 15 years.
Communication happens through vocal, visual, and chemical cues. Bulls are only vocal during the rut. Cows and calves are most vocal during and after calving, with frequency reducing as calves mature. Caribou have a sharp sense of smell helping them locate food from long distances and even deeply buried under snow.
Photography and wildlife viewing tips
24 hours of daylight in the Arctic summer provide a great opportunity for photographers to capture wildlife. The lengthened daylight also extends the golden hours for photography, allowing you to take full advantage of them. In most cases, the best period of golden hour starts when the sun is between seven to eight degrees above the horizon. It gets better as the sun dips lower.
Ideally, you should follow the course of the sun to get the best light in each spot. Even in cloudy conditions, the light can start filtering in through the clouds, creating a stunning landscape immersed in soft light.
You can use the light conditions to create some incredible silhouettes, front-lit, or back-lit photos of the caribou. Make use of the extra hours to observe the landscape. From some angles, you may find the entire landscape bathed in golden light, providing excellent opportunities.
Make sure to watch out for thermal distortions that can ruin an image - an effect of different layers of air at different temperatures. This problem usually arises during midday, on a bright and clear day. Photographing during the early and late hours of the day can help avoid this problem.
It is also a good idea to seek advice from a guide with firsthand Arctic experience. Their tips can help to maximise the opportunities and make the best use of your lenses. A guide will also be able to suggest ways to capture the best images without stressing the animals.
Conservation and research efforts
Greenland follows a caribou-management policy based on sustainability and to ensure conservation. Hunting is allowed to a limited extent to prevent overgrazing that may endanger the entire caribou population. Each year, hunting periods and quotas are determined on the basis of biological advice from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources.
Climate change and related warming of the Arctic are causing vegetation changes and earlier spring green-up, affecting the health and nutrition of the caribou population. The climate impact on forage quality has caused a decline in the tundra caribou populations in the past decades. At the same time, research has indicated that caribou play a crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the tundra.
Ecotourism efforts to promote observing and photographing caribou in their natural environments allow visitors to appreciate the animal’s role in preserving Greenland's ecosystem and culture. Respectful wildlife observation without impacting the pristine ecosystem is a great way to fuel Greenland’s economy as well.
Other relevant articles
#17 Behind the New Secret Atlas Website
Behind the New Secret Atlas Website
#30 Lessons from the Ice | Bob Gilmore on Clim...
Lessons from the Ice | Bob Gilmore on Climate, Change & Exploration
#31 Pharmacist and polar photographer extraord...
Pharmacist and polar photographer extraordinaire | Steve's Adventure
Phone
USA
USA+CAN Toll Free
AUS Toll Free
