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Image courtesy of Churchill Wild, credit Dennis Fast
Image courtesy of Churchill Wild, credit Ian Johnson
Image courtesy of Churchill Wild, credit A Skillen
Image courtesy of Churchill Wild credit Dennis Fast
Polar Bear Photo Safari - Manitoba
A "must-do" winter polar bear photography adventure.
Your Polar Bear Photo Safari takes place at either our Seal River Heritage Lodge* or our Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge during prime polar bear season in October and November. It is considered a “must-do” photography adventure for both professional and aspiring photographers.
Both Lodges are located on the shoreline of Hudson Bay and provide discerning photographers with the opportunity to experience rare ground-level polar bear photography in a pristine, untouched wilderness environment.
Polar bears gravitate towards the Hudson Bay coast as they wait for the Bay to freeze so that they can begin their annual seal hunt, and our Lodges are ideally located on the “polar bear highway” where the bears travel.
You will explore the Arctic landscape daily on foot with professional guides, in search of polar bears, although you may not have to go far! Our large picture windows showcase panoramic views of Hudson Bay, and polar bears do venture right up to both the windows and the Lodge fences.
Both Seal River Heritage and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodges are ideally situated for photographing polar bears on breath-taking backdrops of ice and snow. We get an exceptional number of clear nights for northern lights photography, and we also have the highest number of sunshine days on the Hudson Bay coast, which provides incredible morning and evening light opportunities.
Wildly rugged and remote, the Lodges allow photographers the opportunity to dedicate long days in the field getting up close and personal with Arctic wildlife in search of the perfect shot. The ground-level photo opportunities for polar bears are further enhanced by the possibility of caribou, moose, Arctic fox, ptarmigan, gyrfalcon, snowy owl and more.
Professionally led photo tours are available on select departures.
You can look forward to the finest food and wine in the Arctic on your Polar Bear Photo Safari, but we must warn you, mealtimes may be adjusted or delayed as required to ensure maximum photo opportunities. Treasured memories and rare photos are created here.
* Price, inclusions and itinerary relate to 6 night package at Seal River Lodge.
Your Holiday Includes
The price shown is for the package only, and will vary with the fluctuating rate of exchange. Flights between UK and Winnipeg are at additional cost.
The package described includes two nights in Winnipeg, four nights at Seal River Lodge, as well as roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg, Churchill, and our Lodge. Meals included are 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners (including 1 voucher).
A 7 Night package, staying at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge for 5 nights instead of Seal River Lodge for 4 nights is available at additional cost. Please ask us for details
Suggested Itinerary/Excursions
Day 1 - Arrive in Winnipeg where you will overnight. Dinner is included
Day 2 - Today you will fly to Churchill, collect your winter clothing if renting through Churchill Wild, and then fly on to Seal River Lodge. After settling into your room you will have lunch, then receive an orientation on life in bear country before heading out with your camera and guide. Lunch and dinner included.
Day 3 to 5 - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily. Our Lodges are located in a wildly rugged and remote locations catering to the dedicated wildlife photographer willing to spend long hours in the field getting up close and personal with the Arctic wildlife. Ground level photo opportunities are offered for Arctic wildlife including polar bears in a pristine wilderness setting. You ARE in the heart of polar bear country! Your photos will have stunning backdrops with the sea and/or landscapes surrounding the Lodge. The shoreline location is ideal for photographing bears on snow and ice. Furthermore we have an exceptional number of clear nights for northern lights photography.Full service meal times will be adjusted to accommodate photo opportunities, which are the priority, so expect many a meal to be interrupted. Generally breakfast is served at 8:00 am, lunch as required; with appetizers at 6:00 pm followed by a veritable feast for the palate at 7:00 pm. Evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show. Bedtime is at your leisure. The entire Lodge area is patrolled for polar bears all night by one of our night watchmen so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit by one of the Great Ice Bears or one our dazzling displays of northern lights!
Day 6 - After breakfast at the lodge you will be flown back to Churchill - keep the camera handy for some aerial shots along the way. There will be free time to explore Churchill and have an early dinner ($30 voucher provided) before your evening flight back to Winnipeg for overnight. Breakfast and dinner (voucher) included.
Day 7 - After breakfast at your hotel you will be at leisure until it is time for your homeward flight.
Accommodation Details
A recent inclusion in the prestigious National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, Seal River Heritage Lodge is located 60 km and 30 minutes north of Churchill by plane, deep in the heart of polar bear country.
An authentic wilderness lodge with all the comforts of home, Seal River Heritage Lodge is ideally situated on the shores of Hudson Bay near the Seal River estuary, where thousands of beluga whales gather every summer as polar bears walk the coastline.
Seal River Heritage Lodge maximizes ground-level polar bear and wildlife viewing and offers spectacular coastal views of Hudson Bay via nature trails, a lodge viewing tower, and expansive picture windows.
Whether you’re hiking, dining, or relaxing at Seal River, you’ll be able to observe polar bears and other wildlife at ground level.
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Image courtesy of Churchill Wild credit Lydia Attinger
Image courtesy of Churchill Wild, credit Ian Johnson