About - Senja Experience

A company born
from friendship

This Is How It Began

Two friends with one thing in common: a deep love for nature. They have taken over 1000 photos and numerous tours together, capturing the Aurora Borealis, Midnight Sun, and wild animals such as elk, whales, reindeer, foxes, eagles, and a wide variety of birds and mammals. Their adventures also include boat trips, fishing, ice fishing, and exploring the beautiful Senja Island and its surrounding regions.

Inspired by their shared experiences, they decided to establish Senja Experience to share their passion and extensive knowledge of nature with others who share the same love.

Their connection with nature is extraordinary; after years of exploring the island, they have become experts in the local wildlife, knowing where to find specific animals and understanding their habits. They can identify animal tracks in the snow and recognize the birds that migrate to Senja in the spring to mate and then depart after the summer.

Senja Experience operates two vans, each seating seven people, providing full transportation for all tours. This setup allows for a more personalized and intimate experience with their customers.

Who are these guys?

André Garcia Bonotto

Tragically, André passed away on May 15, 2024. It is a great loss for all of us, but we are committed to keeping his dream alive through the company he founded.

Born in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, André studied physical education in Canoas, RS. His adventure began during his last year of university when he went on an exchange program to Spain for a year. After that, he traveled to Italy for another year, spent two and a half years in Germany, and eventually moved to Norway in 2015. André was always fascinated by nature and the phenomena of the Aurora Borealis and Midnight Sun.

André often said that the magic of the Aurora Borealis was so immense that, even after taking more than 50,000 photos of it, he still ventured out every starry night to observe and photograph the phenomenon. Many of his friends and colleagues remarked that André knew Senja better than many native Norwegians who had lived there their entire lives.

Regarding photography, it’s not enough to just study theory in school or books. We have to put into practice everything we learn, and it was here during his more than 8 years in Norway that André did just that. André Bonotto began taking pictures when he was very young, back in Brazil, but it was during his time in Norway that he significantly developed his vocation.

Rikki Martin Langnes

Born and raised in Northern Norway, Rikki received a job offer in Svalbard at the age of 23, where he initially planned to work for just one year. However, the experience of being in such close contact with nature was so profound that he ended up staying for ten years. Upon returning to his region, he completed his studies as a teacher of child welfare, majoring in environmental therapy, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and educational guidance.

Rikki spent all his free time in direct contact with nature. Recently, he has focused on exploring various parts of Senja Island, becoming intimately familiar with its many offerings. In recent years, he not only wanted to experience the incredible moments in Senja but also started recording them. This is when photographing nature became a part of his daily life. Rikki takes his camera wherever he goes, capturing the beauty and essence of the landscapes and wildlife.

Following the tragic loss of André on May 15, 2024, Rikki decided to keep André’s dream alive through the company they co-founded. Senja Experience will continue to share their love for nature and photography with the world, honoring André’s memory and passion. By maintaining this vision, Rikki hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural wonders of Senja, just as André did.

Two friends who found a way to share with you
a fantastic experience on the island of Senja

When André and his family moved to northern Norway, they rented a house opposite Rikki’s. It wasn’t long before the two met and became fast friends.

One evening, Rikki was working outside his house when André passed by, and they began to talk. As it neared nine o’clock, André looked up and saw the Aurora dancing above them. He said goodbye and went to take pictures of the aurora. The following day, he invited Rikki to join him, and Rikki agreed. This marked the beginning of their deep friendship.

André Bonotto had extensive experience in photography, while Rikki Martin Langnes possessed profound knowledge of wildlife and nature in northern Norway. After that memorable outing, Rikki developed a keen interest in photography and invested in a camera and equipment. From then on, the two friends engaged in a rich exchange of knowledge. André taught Rikki everything he knew about photography, and Rikki showed André how to observe nature differently.

André recalled that before they met, he would often go out looking for wildlife to photograph, driving miles without seeing any animals. The animals were there, but he wasn’t prepared to spot them. Rikki had a similar experience; he had always taken pictures but never considered the techniques or aspects of photography. Together, they learned from each other and honed their skills.

Rikki is now an expert in both nature and wildlife photography. Their combined knowledge led them to establish Senja Experience, a company dedicated to offering fantastic experiences to adventurers interested in the northern lights, wildlife, and photography.

Despite André’s tragic passing on May 15, 2024, Rikki is committed to keeping André’s dream alive through their company. Senja Experience will continue to share their love for nature and photography with others, ensuring André’s passion and vision endure. After André’s passing, Annegret Strobel and Flávia Bonotto joined the team, bringing new energy and dedication to continuing his legacy.

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