COUNTRY: Norway  PHOTO TYPE: Wildlife  TRIP LENGHT: 5 days  DATES: September 3-7, 2025  GROUP SIZE: 8-12 guests 

CPA CAMERA CLUB presents 

THE MIGHTY MUSK OXEN

WITH PHOTOGRAPHER ROGER BRENDHAGEN

In my hometown at the foot of Dovrefjell, there is one of the best places in the world to photograph magnificent musk oxen up close many times. Therefore, seize the opportunity to join me here and experience and photograph these majestic animals.

Roger Brendhagen

When the mighty musk oxen slowly roam across the hilly landscape, it feels like stepping back into a bygone era. Witnessing the musk oxen with their peculiar horns, thick fur, and the dramatic mountains in the background makes for a magnificent photographic experience.

Join Nikon ambassador Roger Brendhagen to Dovrefjell and capture musk oxen in a beautiful autumn landscape. With over 1000 hours of photography on Dovrefjell, Roger has extensive experience photographing not only musk oxen but also Arctic foxes and moose, an expertise he will share during some inspiring days. Seize the opportunity to develop your photography skills in the field with one of Norway’s most renowned photographers.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Dovrefjell with its majestic landscape.
• Photograph musk oxen up close.
• Opportunity to capture Arctic foxes and moose.
• Inspiring lectures.
• Presence of Roger Brendhagen throughout the workshop.
• Photo guidance and workshop led by Roger Brendhagen..

COUNTRY: Norway   PHOTO TYPE: Wildlife   TRIP LENGHT: 5 days   DATES: September 3-7, 2025  GROUP SIZE: 8-12 guests 

CPA CAMERA CLUB presents

THE MIGHTY MUSK OXEN

WITH  PHOTOGRAPHER ROGER BRENDHAGEN 

In my hometown at the foot of Dovrefjell, there is one of the best places in the world to photograph magnificent musk oxen up close many times. Therefore, seize the opportunity to join me here and experience and photograph these majestic animals.

Roger Brendhagen

When the mighty musk oxen slowly roam across the hilly landscape, it feels like stepping back into a bygone era. Witnessing the musk oxen with their peculiar horns, thick fur, and the dramatic mountains in the background makes for a magnificent photographic experience.

Join Nikon ambassador Roger Brendhagen to Dovrefjell and capture musk oxen in a beautiful autumn landscape. With over 1000 hours of photography on Dovrefjell, Roger has extensive experience photographing not only musk oxen but also Arctic foxes and moose, an expertise he will share during some inspiring days. Seize the opportunity to develop your photography skills in the field with one of Norway’s most renowned photographers.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Dovrefjell with its majestic landscape.
• Photograph musk oxen up close.
• Opportunity to capture Arctic foxes and moose.
• Inspiring lectures.
• Presence of Roger Brendhagen throughout the workshop.
• Photo guidance and workshop led by Roger Brendhagen..

DOVREFJELL

Dovrefjell is often referred to as one of the most beautiful natural areas in Norway and has been designated as a national park since 2002. The Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park was created to protect the area’s alpine ecosystem and is home to a fascinating wildlife and flora with endemic species. The many musk oxen that roam the area, along with the majestic peak Snøhetta, are what have primarily made the area famous, but it is also home to moose and Arctic foxes. The wild reindeer in the area were also one of the reasons for the area becoming a national park. In conjunction with the park’s establishment in 2002, efforts were made to reintroduce wolverines to the area, a species that had died out around 1990.

MUSK OXEN 

The musk ox is the last of the great prehistoric mammals and evolved on the plateaus of Central Asia several million years ago. Today, it inhabits the Arctic tundra, primarily in Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. Small herds have been reintroduced to Tajmyr in Russia and to Dovrefjell in Norway. A group of musk oxen from Dovrefjell migrated into Härjedalen, Sweden, in 1971, establishing a small Swedish population of a few individuals. Musk oxen have scent glands located in front/below their eyes. During the rutting season, these glands emit a secretion that smells very strong (hence the name “musk”). They are adapted to living in an Arctic climate year-round and thrive only in areas where the temperature in midsummer stays below +10°C. They can withstand temperatures as low as approximately -50°C. Musk oxen are herd animals and live in groups that range from five to fifteen individuals during the summer and can increase to up to a hundred individuals in winter. They do not move long distances but rather stay within about two kilometers per day. The herd is usually led by a dominant female or male that determines when the herd should move forward.

DAY 1, (3/9) – WELCOME TO DOVREFJELL
In the afternoon, we arrive at Dovrefjell, where we are greeted by Roger Brendhagen and a tour guide from Zoom Fotoresor. Check-in at Hjerkinn Fjellstue. After a pleasant dinner, we begin our days together with a lecture by Roger introducing us to nature photography and providing tips and advice for tomorrow’s photo adventure. (D)

DAYS 2-3, (4-6/9) – FULL DAYS OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Early in the mornings, we leave the cabins for full days up on Dovrefjell. Under Roger’s guidance, we hike through a rich ecosystem with flora and fauna dating back to the Ice Age. The main focus of our days in the field is the impressive musk ox. Few places in the world offer such good photo opportunities of this animal as Dovrefjell. When the musk oxen slowly and majestically roam across the hilly landscape, it feels like being transported back to a bygone era. Seeing these mighty animals with their distinctive horns, thick fur, and the dramatic mountains in the background is a magnificent photo experience. If we’re lucky and get close to the musk oxen with the surrounding landscape as a backdrop, the composition possibilities are many. With Roger’s expertise and extensive experience in the area, we explore the mountain during the days, and with a bit of luck, we may also have the opportunity to photograph reindeer and Arctic foxes. As we spend the whole days out in the field, there is plenty of time for personal guidance from Roger. We will also have a packed picnic lunch up on the mountain. After full days on the mountain, we spend the evenings on image editing. Roger will show how to get the most out of your images in editing software. There will also be time for image critique during the evenings. (B, L, D)

DAY 5, (7/9) – MORNING SHOOT & CONCLUSION
Once again, we rise early to be on the mountain, and with a bit of luck, the autumn weather with its vibrant colors and strong contrasts will allow for impactful images. In the early morning light, we photograph the mountain’s wildlife and landscapes, with the peak Snøhetta at 2,286 meters being the absolute highlight. Upon returning from the photo expedition, we review your images and work with image editing. (B, L)

ROGER BRENDHAGEN – Wildlife photographer

Photos: Roger Brendhagen