The mighty Elk is known as the king of the Norwegian woods, and so before we left this area, we decided to pay Norway’s first elk park in Setesdal a visit.
The traditions of keeping domesticated elk originate from Russia and Sweden. It was an absolute joy to feed bananas to these tame elk, and it was almost hard to swallow that these terrestrial mammals weighing between 600 to 700 kilos, can run 40 km/h an hour and dive five metres deep. The park provides a great source of education to visitors and can keep children entertained for hours with a playground and activities including jewellery-making from antlers shed by elk during the post-mating season.
Anglers and fishing enthusiasts alike are guaranteed to find the fishing resort of Tregde Ferie, just east of Mandal, incredibly charming. The inshore coastline features a varied landscape consisting of hundreds of islands, islets and skerries, which can be explored on foot, bike or boat.
Starting from our base in one of the quayside holiday apartments with views of the Tregde archipelago, we enjoyed a fishing trip in an attempt to catch our supper. And showing us the ropes was keen fisherman, 
Magne Johanessen, who expertly caught herring, cod, crab in the blink of an eye. My own efforts were abysmal, to say the least.
If you’re after some serenity, a visit to Landøy island is a must. It used to be inhabited 50 years ago complete with a school, but now it’s more of an island you go to for a holiday. The only two permanent residents we met were Øystein and Liv Steinsvag who have spent more than 30 years creating their “living museum”. Asked if they missed having fellow humans around, they told me it was bliss to live in an otherwise crowded world. But they’re always happy to welcome guests, like us, with open arms.
If you like a thrill, then a RIB ride in the open waters is the ticket. I couldn’t think of a more exhilarating way to enjoy the sea while exploring the nature around Norway’s most southerly area where you can also find the Ryvingen lighthouse. It was established in 1867 and was manned until 2002. Large sections of Ryvingen now form part of the Skjærgårdsparken nature reserve. There are a pier and a wharf in the harbour as well as accommodation. It’s also possible to stay here in the summer – the Ryvingens Venner association is responsible for the accommodation part.
Returning to Tregde Ferie, all-around wonder woman Eila Ingilæ had been busy preparing our catch of the day from our earlier fishing trip. And what a feast it was! She had skillfully turned the fresh produce into several fish dishes in various guises, all topped with scrumptious sauces and accompanied with vegetables. And it’s not just food that Eila is good at making. She makes incredibly good beer. Around 2,000 bottles of the aptly named Pale Ale is produced in the very same kitchens.
Norway – Where and How?
Flights from London to Kristiansand can be booked through flight operator Widerøe at www.wideroe.no. Information on all other activities we took part in can be found via the links below:
- Southern Norway: Worlds largest underwater restaurant
- TrollAktiv package trips and activities in Southern Norway
- Elgtun Setesdal website
- Tregde Ferie information
- Lighthouses of Norway: Ryvingen Lighthouse
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