Rovaniemi: Private Reindeer Farm Visit and Walk-Along

The best part of this Lapland experience is its private, family-style setting. You travel to a small farm in Unarin-Luusua, away from Rovaniemi’s busy activity circuit, then meet an entire reindeer herd rather than seeing one animal posed for a quick photograph. You feed the reindeer by hand, watch them follow the sledge, and may walk through the forest with young animals.

I like the unhurried pace and the personal contact with Janne and Dorothee. I also like the warm finish: berry juice, homemade treats, toasted s’mores, and a campfire inside a kota tent. The main drawback is the location. The farm sits about 90 km north of Rovaniemi with no public transport, so you need a car or another way to reach it.

Key points at a glance

• A whole reindeer herd to feed: Start with lichen, then offer pellet feed as the animals gather around.
• A snowmobile-pulled sledge ride: Travel into the pasture comfortably while the reindeer follow behind.
• A real forest walk with reindeer: Young soon-to-be sledge reindeer may follow you when rewarded with lichen.
• Hands-on herding skills: Learn how to throw a reindeer herder’s lasso.
• A warm campfire finish: Sip hot berry juice and enjoy homemade delicacies and s’mores in a kota tent.
• A truly private visit: The experience is reserved for your partner, family, or own group of friends.

A Small Farm Far North of Rovaniemi

Unari Lake Reindeer Farm is in Unarin-Luusua, roughly 90 km north of Rovaniemi. That distance matters. This is not a quick stop beside the main tourist road, and there is no bus connection or public transport to the farm.

You receive the exact address and driving directions after booking. The farm can fit well into a self-drive route toward Levi, Ylläs, Sodankylä, Luosto, Saariselkä, or Inari. It also makes sense if you are staying in a cottage in a nearby village.

I see the remote setting as both a benefit and a cost. You spend more time getting there, but you also get a quieter visit with no large group arriving behind you. If your priority is a short activity close to central Rovaniemi, this is not the right choice. If you want a slower stop in the Finnish countryside, the drive is part of the appeal.

The visit lasts about two hours, though the hosts do not run it like a stopwatch exercise. That flexibility is useful in winter, when getting everyone dressed and moving can take a little time. It also gives you room to ask questions, take photographs, or spend longer with the animals.

Meeting Janne, Dorothee, and the Lapponian Dogs

Arrival begins with a welcome from the hosts and their two Lapponian herder dogs. The dogs enjoy attention and cuddles, so they quickly become part of the experience. If you are uneasy around dogs, tell the farm in advance and they can keep the animals at home for the day.

The personal welcome sets the tone. This is a private activity rather than a large coach excursion. Janne and Dorothee can answer questions about reindeer husbandry, village life, and the work involved in caring for a herd in northern Finland. The available languages are Finnish, English, and German.

You should expect an informal atmosphere rather than a staged performance. The farm has a strong sense of home and working life, which is one reason the visit feels different from a standard animal encounter. The trade-off is that a small family operation may offer less polished infrastructure than a large commercial activity center. For many people, that is exactly the point.

Riding the Snowmobile Sledge Into the Pasture

After a short introduction, you head toward the reindeer pasture in a sledge pulled by a snowmobile. This is a simple but useful part of the visit. You do not need to walk a long distance through deep snow before meeting the animals, and the ride gives you a clear view of the surrounding winter setting.

The sledge is also practical for carrying the lichen and pellet feed. As the feeding begins, the reindeer may follow behind the sledge. Watching the herd move after you offers a fine photo opportunity, but it is worth putting the camera down for a moment too. The sight of several reindeer travelling together is one of the more memorable parts of the visit.

The exact feel of the ride will depend on snow and weather conditions. Bring proper winter clothing even though you are seated for part of the activity. Cold air reaches you quickly on an open sledge, especially around your hands, face, and feet.

Feeding Reindeer by Hand

At the first stop, you meet the animals up close. The most curious reindeer may eat lichen directly from your hand, which gives you time to observe their gentle behavior rather than simply taking a fast photograph.

Lichen is a natural food source and an important part of the encounter. Holding it out gives you a clear reason to interact with the reindeer, and the animals decide how close they want to come. That makes the moment feel more natural than a forced petting session.

Once the lichen baskets are empty, you continue with pellet feed. The feeding can become lively as the herd gathers and follows the sledge. Keep your camera ready, but also pay attention to your footing and your gloves. Thick mittens are best for warmth, while thinner gloves can help if you want to manage a phone or camera.

Animal behavior is never perfectly predictable. Some reindeer may be bold and curious, while others may hang back. You should not expect every animal to pose or allow touching. The appeal is seeing the herd respond in its own way.

Walking Through the Forest With Young Reindeer

If you want more time on foot, you can continue with a forest walk alongside young reindeer that are being prepared to become sledge animals. These reindeer may follow you when you reward them with lichen.

This part is especially worthwhile if you prefer a quiet connection with the animals rather than a quick feeding stop. The forest gives you a chance to watch how the reindeer move and react while you walk at a slower pace. It also provides a different setting for photographs, with the animals among the trees instead of gathered around the feeding point.

The walk does mean that you need steady winter footwear and clothing that can get dirty. The activity is not suited to wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Children under five cannot take part, and the farm does not recommend it for people with animal hair allergies.

A Campfire, Berry Juice, and Local Treats

After the animal activities, you warm up beside a campfire in a kota tent. You receive hot berry juice, homemade delicacies, and freshly toasted s’mores.

This is more than a snack break. It gives you time to ask about reindeer husbandry and hear how the work combines older traditions with modern practices. Reindeer herding is not simply a photo-friendly symbol of Lapland. It is part of life and work in northern Finland, and the conversation helps put the animals and the farm in a wider setting.

The food also gives the visit a welcome change of pace. Two hours outside in winter can feel long if there is no chance to warm your hands, and the fire makes the experience comfortable rather than purely physical. Tell the farm about dietary preferences or restrictions in advance. The information provided does not list specific alternatives, so early notice is important.

The kota tent is a particularly good feature for families and couples who want a quiet finish. You can settle in, enjoy the warmth, and take in the atmosphere without being rushed to the next scheduled attraction.

Learning to Throw a Reindeer Herder’s Lasso

You also get a chance to practise throwing a reindeer herder’s lasso. It is a small hands-on lesson, but it adds meaning to the visit because it connects directly with traditional herding skills.

Do not expect to master it instantly. The fun is in trying, adjusting your technique, and getting a feel for a tool used in reindeer work. It gives children over five and adults something active to do between feeding and the campfire.

This is one reason the experience feels more complete than a simple farm visit. You are not only looking at reindeer. You learn a little about the work around them, spend time with the herd, and try a practical skill.

What the $165 Price Includes

The price is $165 per person. That is not a cheap add-on, especially when you also need to pay for your own transport to the farm. The value depends heavily on what you want from a Lapland animal experience.

You receive a private two-hour visit with a whole herd, reindeer feeding, a snowmobile sledge ride, a forest walk, lasso practice, a campfire, hot berry juice, homemade treats, and s’mores. You also have the hosts’ attention rather than sharing the experience with a large mixed group.

For two people, the cost is easier to justify if you value privacy and personal conversation. For a larger family, the total price rises quickly, but the private format lets you stay with your own group. You are not paying only for a short photograph with a reindeer. You are paying for transport within the farm, food, teaching, animal contact, and time with the hosts.

I would compare it with the price of a standard Rovaniemi reindeer activity by asking three questions:

• Do I want a private group rather than a shared outing?
• Am I willing to drive well beyond Rovaniemi?
• Do I want to learn about herding and spend time at a real farm?

If you answer yes to all three, the price is easier to defend. If you mainly want a short reindeer ride near town, choose something simpler and closer.

Dressing for a Two-Hour Winter Visit

Take the clothing advice seriously. Wear a base layer, a warm middle layer, and a windproof outer layer. Add a warm hat, thick gloves or mittens, thinner gloves for photography, and proper winter boots.

Bring clothes that can get dirty. You are handling animal feed, walking outdoors, and spending time around a campfire. Warm shoes matter just as much as a good jacket because cold feet can spoil an otherwise excellent outing.

I would keep your camera or phone accessible without exposing your hands for too long. Use thinner gloves for photographs if needed, then return to thick mittens. The farm specifically advises warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and warm shoes, and the open sledge ride makes those basics essential.

Animal hair allergies are another serious consideration. This is a close-contact farm experience, not a distant viewing platform. People with animal allergies should not book it.

Who Will Enjoy This Farm Visit Most

I would recommend this experience to couples, families with children aged five and over, and small groups of friends who want a private day in the countryside. It suits people who like asking questions, taking photographs, and spending time outdoors without a rigid schedule.

It is also a good match for visitors driving through northern Finnish Lapland. If you are heading toward Levi, Ylläs, Luosto, Saariselkä, or Inari, the farm can make a memorable stop along the way.

You may want to skip it if you have no car or reliable private transport. The farm has no public transport connection, and the exact address is supplied after booking. It is also a poor fit for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, children under five, and anyone with animal hair allergies.

The experience is less suitable if you dislike dogs, though you can ask the hosts to keep their two Lapponian herder dogs at home. That request should be made ahead of time.

Should You Book Unari Lake Reindeer Farm?

Book it if you want real time with a herd, a quiet private setting, and a look at reindeer work beyond the usual tourist photo. The feeding, forest walk, and sledge ride give you several ways to meet the animals, while the lasso lesson and campfire add useful context.

Think twice if the long drive from Rovaniemi is inconvenient or if you want a highly structured attraction with easy bus access. The remote location is the main weakness, but it is also what keeps the visit personal and calm.

For the right visitor, $165 buys more than a brief animal encounter. It buys a small slice of northern village life, guided by people who welcome you into their farm and take the time to make the visit feel personal.

FAQ

How far is the reindeer farm from Rovaniemi?

Unari Lake Reindeer Farm is in Unarin-Luusua, about 90 km north of Rovaniemi.

Is public transport available to the farm?

No. There is no bus connection or public transport to the reindeer farm. You need to arrange your own transportation.

How long does the experience last?

The visit lasts approximately two hours. The hosts note that there is no strict time pressure or hurry.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. The experience is reserved for you and your partner, family, or group of friends.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak Finnish, English, and German.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes reindeer feeding, a forest walk with reindeer, a snowmobile sledge ride, hot berry juice, homemade delicacies, s’mores, a campfire, lasso practice, information about reindeer husbandry, and photo opportunities.

What should I wear?

Wear warm winter clothing with a base layer, mid-layer, and windproof outer layer. Bring a warm hat, gloves or mittens, warm shoes, and clothes that can get dirty.

Can children under five or wheelchair users join?

No. The experience is not suitable for children under five, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for people with animal hair allergies.