Arctic Fox Cubs – 2027

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Tours

Photographing Arctic Fox Cubs in the Icelandic Summer

In the midst of the sub-Arctic summer, the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve comes alive under the perpetual glow of the midnight sun. This is a rare season of warmth and non-stop light, transforming the sub-Arctic tundra into a thriving wild nursery. This unique expedition is entirely dedicated to capturing the magic of this brief window, focusing our lenses on the enchanting Arctic Fox cubs as they emerge from their dens to discover a vast new world. Bounded by spectacular bird cliffs that provide a bustling summer food supply, our destination at Hornvík offers the ultimate stage for unmatched wildlife encounters, within the same reserve we return to each winter for our Arctic Fox tour, when the foxes wear their thick winter coats.

Guided by award-winning Arctic explorer David Gibbon and professional wildlife photographer Andy Howard, you will venture deep into this uninhabited peninsula to experience Arctic Fox heaven. The adventure begins the moment we board our privately chartered vessel; this mid-summer crossing brings a fantastic opportunity for marine photography, with a very good chance of tracking and photographing Humpback Whales along the way, much like the private whale-watching trip on our Grimsey expedition, which runs in the same midsummer window. Once ashore, we focus on the rhythms of the young fox families. You will have the unique opportunity to document the cubs’ entire world — capturing everything from wide-eyed portraits and erratic, playful wrestling matches in the summer flora, to dramatic action shots of parents returning from the cliffs with food.

Rooted in absolute respect for this fragile species, our small group dynamics and deep local knowledge grant you unprecedented access to active dens at close quarters without disrupting the foxes’ natural behaviours. Working closely with David and Andy, you will learn to anticipate cub behaviour, master the challenging lighting of the endless summer days, and build a deeply moving, professional portfolio of one of the world’s most captivating predators.

Tour Info

  • Key Locations: Reykjavík, Isafjordur, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve (Hornvík)
  • Start/End Point: The trip starts and ends in Isafjordur, Iceland
  • Photography Targets:
  • Arctic Fox
  • Humpback Whale
  • Landscapes
  • Seabirds
  • Target Audience: Beginner and Pro Photographers, Non Photographers, Adventurers
  • Fitness Level: Reasonably Fit: Involves longer days, potentially uneven terrain, and comfort with being active in varying conditions
  • Coolest Temperature Rating: 7°C (Note: coastal winds can make it feel much colder)
  • Clothing: Iceland is not as cold as many imagine, but we will advise you on what clothing you need to bring once you book the trip
  • Group Size: Max 6 (Supported by 2 Guides)
A remote Arctic base camp located on a grassy coastal plain beside a calm bay, with several small tents and a larger arched "Arctic Oven" tent set against a backdrop of rugged, sunlit mountains.

Your Accommodation

Accommodation on Hornstrandir balances true wilderness immersion with exceptional comfort. Positioned right in the heart of Arctic Fox territory, you will stay in premium, ultra-warm Arctic Oven tents equipped with cosy elevated cots and thick bedding. Tents are based on twin-sharing, though single tents may be available subject to a supplement charge. A private toilet facility is also maintained on-site for your comfort. To keep our daily schedule completely flexible for the midnight sun and sudden wildlife movements, all catering is managed by our dedicated camp cook. Operating from a separate, fully equipped kitchen tent next to our living quarters, our cook prepares fresh breakfasts, lunches, and hot evening meals daily. Exceptional hospitality is central to the camp experience, and all dietary requirements can be easily accommodated with advance notice.

Pricing Overview

  • Price: £4,250 per person
  • What’s Included:
  • All ground transportation and accommodation from the tour starting point (including return)
  • Private chartered boat transfer
  • Photography tuition
  • Expert knowledge of Iceland and the logistics needed to find its beautiful wildlife and landscapes
  • What’s Not Included:
  • All flights, meals and accommodation to get to Isafjordur in Iceland
  • Photography gear
  • Travel insurance (you must take this out before travelling with us)
  • Tour Date: July 23 – July 30, 2027 (Spaces Left: Sold Out)
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Two playful blue morph Arctic fox cubs interacting among rocks and green foliage, with vibrant purple wildflowers in the foreground.
The town of Ísafjörður, Iceland, nestled between steep, dramatic mountains and a deep blue fjord, with the town's small airport runway visible along the water's edge.
A blue morph Arctic fox cub carrying a dead Kittiwake in its mouth.

This Tour Is Fully Booked

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Tour Co-Leader: David Gibbon

David Gibbon, owner of Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd., is an award-winning wildlife photographer best known for leading winter Arctic Fox expeditions in Iceland since 2018. He has been highly commended in the Nature Photographer of the Year awards with multiple accolades.

David has guided some of the world’s most remote and challenging photography expeditions, including a 2023 extreme winter journey to Ellesmere Island (the closest landmass to the North Pole), where teams lived in tents at -50°C to photograph Polar Bears, Musk Ox and Arctic Wolves. In 2025, he led the first-ever land-based winter wildlife photography expedition across remote Greenland by snowmobile.

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Tour leader David Gibbon, wearing a white knitted beanie, a black neck warmer, a brown puffer jacket, and a black backpack on his shoulders, stands in a snowy mountain valley, looking to the left. The sun casts shadows on the rocky slopes behind him.
Tour guide Andy Howard, in a plaid shirt, a navy gilet, glasses, and a camouflage baseball cap, leaning over a large camera system on a rocky coastal cliff.

Tour Co-Leader: Andy Howard

A full-time professional wildlife photographer and expedition guide since 2015, Andy Howard is dedicated to delivering the highest standard of client care in the field. He brings a relaxed, accessible approach to field tuition, with a clear mission: ensuring you are in the absolute best tactical position and technical settings to nail the shot when the opportunity arises. Andy’s wealth of experience and easy-going style guarantee you will sharpen your skills and walk away with a deeply rewarding portfolio.

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Arctic Fox Cubs – 2027 Gallery

  • A curious blue-morph Arctic fox cub peeking out from behind a large rock, set against a background of lush green vegetation and vibrant yellow and purple wildflowers.
  • A blue morph Arctic fox cub sitting on a patch of orange moss near a weathered rock.
  • An open "Arctic Oven" tent set up on a grassy field in Iceland, featuring two cots with sleeping bags inside and hiking gear arranged near the entrance, with snow-capped mountains in the background.
  • A man in a black beanie and a woman in a red jacket are preparing a meal together at a wooden kitchen counter inside an insulated Arctic Oven tent.
  • Insulated interior of an "Arctic Oven" tent used as a base camp, featuring a lounge area with a sectional sofa and coffee table, a wood-burning stove, and a long dining table set up for meals.

Tour FAQs

Yes, David will be on hand to help walk you through how to reach the starting point of this tour, where the trip will officially begin.

Tall Arctic Muck Boots are essential, as is a waterproof coat and trousers. You also need warm clothing. Even though it’s summer, temperatures rarely go above 10c on Hornstrandir and the winds can make it feel much colder.

Yes, David and Andy will be on hand to help with settings, composition and Lightroom training during the trip.

Yes, it’s law that you cannot get within 40 yards of an active den. The reason is the mother will abandon the cubs if she thinks a human has been near. Any dens we fiind, we will make sure we keep our distance. However, cubs that are away from the den can be approached more closely and will sometimes approach us.

For cubs at an active den, you will need a long lens such as a 500 or 600mm plus a converter. But for fox away from a den, you can get closer or sometimes they will come close to us. For this a 100-500 would be perfect. If you don’t have the right lens, you can hire one from Lenses For Hire. We have partnered with them so our clients get a discount code. Once you book with us, ask us about the code and we will send the code to you.

Your Money is in Safe Hands

Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd. safeguards your trip deposits and balances in a dedicated trust account with Protected Trust Services (PTS), a leading provider of financial protection for UK travel companies.

Additionally, our comprehensive supplier failure insurance protects your investment if any of the ground agents or service providers we partner with fail to deliver the services you’ve paid for.

Financial Protection
Protected Trust Services logo for Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd, Member No 6239.
Read reviews for Wild Lens Nature Tours on Trustpilot.
  • “The scenery, wildlife and company were all exceptional and without doubt has been one of the highlights of my photography journey. It was a tour I will never forget and would thoroughly recommend.”
    Miles
    Mongolia Tour

See what our clients are saying

  • “Overall, an excellent holiday which we shared with an amazing group of fellow photographers – well organised and very enjoyable. We have returned home with a wealth of photographs and many happy memories.”
    Peter Wyles
    Iceland Tour
  • “I came back home with lots of incredible shots, lots of great memories and new friends. I would definitely recommend everyone to join Wild Lens Nature Tours for any of their very well tailored trips for nature photographers.”
    Mohammad Murad
    Mongolia Tour
  • “You truly are in the hands of a professional world class team who take zero short cuts and always look after the group. I would not trust anyone else with my safety and security on an epic adventure expedition like this.”
    Brian Brooking
    Greenland Tour
  • “It was a truly special experience. We saw Arctic foxes regularly, and importantly there is no baiting, so we observed and photographed natural behaviours which made the experience far more authentic and rewarding.”
    F Stevens
    Iceland Tour
Read All Reviews

Booking & Logistics FAQs

To secure your place on any of our expeditions, please get in touch via our Book Tour page or email us directly. We require a 25% non-refundable deposit to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the tour departure date.

Yes, completely. In strict accordance with UK travel law, all client payments are securely held in a dedicated trust account. Furthermore, all bookings are protected by supplier failure insurance. Should any of our partners be unable to fulfil their obligations due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be reimbursed for all prepaid services.

Wildlife photography often requires operating in unpredictable environments. If severe weather or transport disruptions alter our itinerary, our guides are highly experienced at adapting logistics on the fly to ensure your safety and maximise your photographic opportunities. We always recommend reviewing our booking terms for specific policy details regarding major weather events.

Not at all. Our expeditions are designed for beginner and professional photographers alike, as well as adventurous non-photographers. You will have access to highly tailored, one-to-one tuition in the field regardless of your current skill level.

No, travel insurance is not included. Due to the remote nature of our destinations, it is a mandatory condition of booking that you take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy before departing with us.

Simply visit our Contact page and follow the instructions. You can also contact us directly by phone or email, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

A black camera backpack is open on a rocky, snow-covered ground, revealing a professional camera body and telephoto lens inside. The background is a rocky mountain valley under a partly cloudy blue sky.

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