It was our third journey to Churchill, Manitoba – The Polar Bear Capital of the World. It was late October once we flew into Winnipeg the evening earlier than setting off on a polar bear safari to our distant lodge on Hudson Bay. The final time we visited Seal River Lodge with Churchill Wild, it was freezing, this time round, it was a balmy zero levels Celcius (32F) in Winnipeg. The climate outlook for Churchill was round minus 10 levels. Perfect climate for polar bear excursions. This was going to be a superb week.
Polar Bear Tours Churchill Wild
We thought we had been the cool individuals taking our third journey to see the polar bears with Churchill Wild. That is till we met one other couple from Switzerland who had been 9 occasions a person from China who was visiting for the sixth time. Polar Bear excursions are addictive. Once you’ve seen a polar bear within the wild, the expertise stays with you and also you need to return repeatedly.
We had visited Churchill as soon as in the summertime and one other time within the winter. Churchill Wild has added many polar bear excursions to their arsenal with polar bear safaris akin to their Den Emergence Tour to see feminine polar bears and their new child cubs, the Cloud Wolves of Katai, and {the summertime} journeys to see Birds, Bears, and Belugas. See all of Churchill Wild’s Polar Bear Tours
Polar Bears in Summer
Summertime excursions are fairly completely different from the winter however simply as spectacular. Seeing polar bears with the inexperienced tundra panorama contrasting their white coats is a sight to behold. You can learn all about that have in these articles: Walking with Polar Bears – The Greatest Arctic Safari / Read extra: Kayaking with Beluga Whales in Churchill
Arctic Gear Provided
After touchdown in Winnipeg on our flight from Toronto, we picked up our baggage and walked throughout the road to The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel the place Churchill Wild safari friends spend the evening earlier than flying out the subsequent morning.
Everyone who books a polar bear tour with Churchill Wild is given a parka, snow pants, and winter boots to assist courageous the Northern Canadian chilly. Weather might be unpredictable and it might simply go down to minus 40 Celcius with the windchill. When visiting Churchill for polar bear safaris, it’s essential to layer and be ready for something.
Make certain to pack, mittens, balaclava, hats, heat socks, and thermal layers of merino wool. We additionally packed hand heaters and toe heaters that are a lifesaver. We have a complete submit about layering for chilly climate and you may watch our video from the final time we had been in Churchill with -45 diploma climate. Read our full article: 5 Winter Layering Tips to Dress for Extreme Cold Weather
Orientation in Winnipeg
We went up to the highest flooring of the Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel for our becoming, grabbed our gear, and spent the remainder of the afternoon repacking and organizing our baggage for the Greatest Arctic Safari you’ll ever have.
After a fast orientation about what to anticipate on a polar bear journey to Seal River Lodge, our group of 9 individuals loved a meal collectively whereas getting to know each other. It was a brief meal although, as flights to Churchill with Calm Air go away early within the morning. Our wake-up name was for 4 am.
Flights to Churchill, Manitoba
Morning got here early, however we had been so excited we didn’t really feel drained. We all walked as a gaggle to the airport wrapped in our matching parkas inflicting various individuals to take discover. Our Churchill Wild escorts did all of the work for us making verify-in a breeze. They had been even allowed to come by means of safety with us to ensure that all of us bought on the airplane. Now that’s service!
Calm Air is the airline that’s the gateway to the North. The flight to Churchill from Winnipeg is 2 1/2 hours and it’s the coolest expertise. Everyone walks out onto the runway the place our flight attendants greet us whereas carrying Canada Goose parkas. No pictures are allowed on the runway, however that’s okay, that is the proper time to simply benefit from the expertise. We are heading to the Great White North.
Arrival in Churchill
The journey day isn’t over when you land in Churchill, there’s nonetheless another flight to go. We gathered our baggage from the belt and placed on our snow pants and heat climate gear to get right into a small twin-engine airplane that took every Churchill Wild group to their respective lodges.
We took a brief tour whereas we waited for our flight to the polar bear holding facility close by. This is the place polar bears who’ve wandered too shut to city and gained’t go away are put in holding whereas ready to be relocated distant from the town. You can learn all about it right here: Best Things to Do in Churchill Manitoba
Churchill Wild Eco Lodges – Sustainability & Responsibility
Churchill Wild has three lodges on Hudson Bay – Dymond Lake Eco Lodge, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, and our lodging for the subsequent 5 days, Seal River Heritage Heritage Lodge.
The flight is about 20 minutes to cowl the 60 km journey north from Churchill. It was an attractive scenic flight the place we noticed the icy shores of Hudson Bay and a few moose operating on the land beneath.
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Seal River Lodge has its personal airstrip, and because the lodge got here into view by means of our window, I might really feel the anticipation choose up. Will we come face to face with a polar bear quickly?
Our hosts and guides had been ready by the airstrip with the final group of polar bear watchers, and as we disembarked, they bid farewell. It was then on to the ATVs to make our manner to the comfy lodge for an introduction, some sizzling espresso, and low and behold our first polar bear sighting!
This heritage lodge is a luxurious eco-lodge situated on the shores of Hudson Bay. At excessive tide, the waters come proper up to the property. The quiet cove was as soon as a goose searching lodge and a beluga whale analysis station which made it a main cease for the polar bear migration to the Hudson Bay. It was reworked right into a polar bear lodge 30 years in the past by Mike and Jeanne Reimer. Since then, Churchill Wild has change into the main polar bear tour operator in Churchill and the one one in all its sort that walks with polar bears.
The lodges comply with a minimalist strategy to its luxurious safaris. Electricity is photo voltaic-powered and every lodge was constructed utilizing native and recycled lumber with a design to enable as a lot daylight as doable to decrease the usage of power. Trust me, it might get downright sizzling in there when the solar is shining, even when it’s beneath zero. Water from the lodges comes from close by lakes which can be triple triple-filtered.
Most importantly, most of Churchill Wild’s polar bear excursions are carried out on foot to decrease their use of motorized automobiles. The lodges are situated in prime wildlife hangouts, so we don’t have to go far to see wildlife. By strolling up to see polar bears, we barely impression their on a regular basis lives.
Once the polar bears take discover of us, they determine if they may enable our group to keep or not. If they’re okay, we get to stand and watch them for somewhat bit earlier than transferring on. Our guides by no means overstayed their welcome, irrespective of how good the photograph alternatives had been.
The Reverse Zoo – Polar Bears Watching Humans
The lodge has stunning bay home windows dealing with in all instructions. There are scopes and binoculars arrange to view polar bears within the distance, however they’re typically merely hanging across the lodge. This lodge is situated proper on a quiet cove on the Hudson Bay the place polar bears often enter the ice flows as soon as it freezes.
Its prime location makes it the proper spot to watch polar bears. If you didn’t need to go away the compound, you didn’t have to. One girl skipped the morning walks to merely benefit from the views by herself from the nice and cozy hearth inside. She noticed polar bears galore from the home windows.
Walking with Polar Bears
Unlike different polar bear excursions in Churchill, a visit to Seal River Lodge will get you out from behind the glass of a tundra buggy and out strolling on the Tundra with polar bears. We went exterior the gates twice each day for 2 to three hours on every stroll. On common, we had been about 100 meters from polar bears however they typically walked nearer with curiosity and generally we had been about 20 meters from the bears.
Safety Training for Guests Walking with Polar Bears
The strolling polar bear excursions are carried out in small teams to be sure that the guides can monitor the security of all friends and decrease the impression on the bears and their pure habitat. We had a gaggle of 9 friends with three guides (Boomer, Jess, and Dave) making certain our security. Before embarking on any walks, friends obtain thorough briefings on security procedures and we had been all educated about how to behave when within the neighborhood of polar bears.
Before leaving the compound, our guides Boomer and Jess confirmed us how to stroll in a single file, how to transfer in a pinwheel, and the way to stand as soon as we stopped and so they deemed it secure. Each individual had to line up in a “V” shoulder behind shoulder so we might spy on the bears whereas spanning the shortest distance doable. If bears see a protracted line, they may take a look at that as a risk. When we stroll single file they don’t seem to be involved.
We then stopped as soon as we had been inside a secure distance from the bear and might unfold out into a decent diagonal line. It is simply after the bear has seen us, feels comfy with us, and lets us stick round that we’re allowed to fan out in a line to take our pictures and movies. It is a nicely-organized and confirmed system that has allowed Churchill Wild to run these excursions for many years with out incident.
But you will need to obey your guides. When they are saying cameras down, there isn’t a hesitation, cameras should go down. When they are saying, to begin turning the pinwheel, you want to comply with instructions. The actions will not be just for our security however for the consolation of the polar bear. If they don’t really feel threatened, they may enable guests into their area. In truth, I feel they like the corporate.
We spent 5 days strolling with polar bears twice a day. And every encounter was extra magical than the final.
Boomer made certain that everybody had good views and all the time made certain that everybody might see. They had been very aware about ensuring that everybody might {photograph} and see the bears once we stopped, whereas ensuring the group and the bears had been secure.
The Polar Bear Safari
Before every stroll, we had a gathering to talk about the foundations of strolling with polar bears and what to anticipate as soon as we emerged from behind the excessive fences. After our conferences, all of us went to our cozy rooms to prepare.
After gearing up in our thermal layers, parkas, and hand, and foot heaters, we went into the breezeway to placed on our parkas and boots after which met exterior within the fenced-in yard to both take a look at polar bears from the remark platforms or to open the gates and head exterior.
The walks present unparalleled alternatives to observe polar bears within the wild. Unlike extra frequent tundra car excursions round Churchill, strolling provides you a extra intimate and floor-stage perspective. You may see bears roaming the shoreline, foraging, and even play-preventing. We noticed all of them!
There can also be an opportunity to observe different Arctic wildlife, akin to Arctic foxes, pink foxes, arctic hares, and ptarmigan.
Is strolling with Polar Bears Safe?
Whenever we point out that we’ve walked with polar bears, individuals all the time inform us, “That’s not safe!” We used to assume that as nicely. I used to assume that folks might by no means get shut to polar bears. That is till I did it. Check out: Adorable Tundra Animals – The Canadian Arctic Comes to Life
I might by no means exit within the wild seeking polar bears alone. It’s essential to rent skilled guides that perceive polar bears and know their habits. Churchill Wild has established a set of security protocols and procedures to make sure the nicely-being of each the friends and the polar bears. We have all the time felt secure and cozy on our polar bear safaris and consider me, we’ve been simply mere ft away from polar bears within the wild and not using a barrier.
Experienced Guides at Churchill Wild
Churchill Wild employs extremely skilled and skilled guides who perceive polar bear habits and are geared up to deal with shut encounters with wildlife. Our guides are additionally skilled in emergency response and carry security gear always.
We had the utmost confidence in our guides. They carry rifles however have by no means used them. As Boomer stated, “It would be irresponsible for us to go out into the wilderness without a rifle.” But a rifle is the final resort. The deterrents that guides use first are voice and sound like banging rocks collectively after which physique language like stepping towards the bear. It is superb to see how somewhat sound or motion could make a bear cease in its tracks.
Guides additionally carry noise makers, however they hardly ever (if ever) use them as nicely.
Churchill Wild guides are expert at deciphering polar bear habits and sustaining a respectful distance from the animals. Should a bear strategy, the guides know the way to cautiously handle the scenario and use their coaching to preserve everybody secure.
A Day within the Life at Seal River Lodge with Churchill Wild Polar Bear Safaris
The day at Seal River Heritage Lodge begins at 7:00 am with a recent pot of espresso and a heat hearth. We usually relaxed, went by means of pictures, or chatted with our fellow polar bear fans till breakfast at 8 a.m.
At 8 a.m., it was time to undergo the breezeway to the breakfast room the place we had been fed a hearty meal every morning. The chef can accommodate all dietary wants from vegetarian to gluten-free.
After breakfast, our guides Boomer or Jess inform us the plan for the day. While we’ve been consuming and having fun with espresso, the workers have been exterior on the crow’s nest or wanting by means of the scopes to see the place the polar bears are. From their they make a plan on what route we are going to stroll that morning.
It’s then again to our rooms to get suited up, choose up our digital camera gear, and placed on our coats and boots within the cool breezeway. Once exterior, all of us go away the gates collectively in a single file seeking polar bears.
Polar Bears Sightings
During different polar bear excursions, we spent plenty of time strolling and looking for polar bears, however on this final go to to Seal River Lodge, we barely had to go away the compound. We misplaced rely of what number of polar bear encounters we had. But I do know that we noticed a minimum of half a dozen completely different polar bears throughout our safari.
Many mornings noticed polar bears sitting exterior ready for us. It’s like they had been excited to see us. Boomer stated that these polar bears are bored. They’ve been patiently ready for the ice to freeze on Hudson Bay and we’re their leisure. Instead of going out the gates, we walked to the viewing platforms to see the bears go about their day. And more often than not, they determined to watch us as nicely.
Seal River Lodge is located on Hudson Bay instantly on the trail that polar bears take to exit onto the ice stream. In the months of October and November, bears are patiently ready for the ice to freeze, whereas conserving their power. There isn’t rather a lot to eat moreover seaweed and grass at this level, so they’re attempting to preserve as a lot fats on their our bodies in order that they will get out on the ice to begin searching seals.
With the lodge being proper on the shore, we noticed bears strolling across the fence and peering inside, sleeping in entrance of our bay home windows, and sitting down to watch the bizarre beings in a zoo alongside their path to the water. They actually had been probably the most curious creatures.
Usually, we spent about half-hour wanting on the bears from the assorted platforms earlier than the bears misplaced curiosity and moved on. Once they had been safely away, we might open the gates and begin our stroll.
Polar Bear Encounters Canada’s Best Adventure
We by no means spent too lengthy with one bear. We all the time spent simply lengthy sufficient that they had been okay with us watching, however we by no means wore out our welcome. The primary concern for the Churchill Wild guides is to guarantee that the bears are comfy and stress-free. Once they began strolling towards us for a more in-depth look or in the event that they confirmed any indicators of curiosity in what we had been doing, our group moved on and left the bear to go about its enterprise rummaging for seaweed or grass to graze upon.
During our 5 days (4 nights) at Seal River Heritage Lodge, we misplaced rely of what number of polar bear encounters we had between the 5 or 6 completely different polar bears we noticed. There was an enormous male polar bear that frolicked day by day on the lodge. He would stroll up to the fence to say whats up after which lay down to look in at us for hours on finish. He slept exterior the bay home windows all evening to shelter from the wind and chased off smaller polar bears recurrently.
We noticed the cutest mother and cub once we took the ATVs out to cross the lake. This was actually our most magical afternoon. The day earlier than our guides noticed the mother and cub within the distance, however we didn’t make it on the market to see them. The subsequent morning, they determined to load us onto carts and take us shut so we might stroll out onto the lake for a greater view.
The cub was thrilled to see us and it appeared as if it needed to play. It stored choosing up a rock and dropping it prefer it needed us to play fetch. The mother appeared pleased to give you the chance to relaxation whereas the cub was preoccupied with us. Mom stored one eye on her valuable cub whereas laying down for a relaxation because the cub chewed on branches, performed with rocks, and stored taking a look at us.
Boomer advised that the cub in all probability had a sibling that didn’t make it since most polar bears give start to two cubs. It’s intuition is to play, so it checked out us as a play companion. However, these are wild animals, in order cute because it was, Boomer and Jess stored us a secure distance again and at any time when the cub got here too shut, they might say “Hey Bear.”
Polar bears dwell in silence with little or no noise apart from wind. So the most effective deterrent for polar bears is sound. When they hear a voice, it startles them and so they again away. As Boomer and Jess defined to us, our voices and actions are our greatest deterrents.
It is really a magical expertise to be allowed to peer into the lives of polar bears. We watched polar bears posture for place on the bay with the previous bigger male successful out. Small polar bears would stroll by means of the realm and we might see their demeanor immediately change the second they sensed the bigger male.
We watched some polar bears strive to take a stand and strategy the bigger male whereas others cowered away. We noticed some have a standoff slowly chasing one after which switching positions whereas the opposite chased them again. We noticed mother and cub crossing the ice and we noticed a younger bear attempting to determine the way it was presumably going to survive the winter.
It was a glimpse into the animal world that few ever get to see and it was a privilege. We got here away with a deeper understanding and respect for polar bears. Like many animals, they’re curious, harmless, and exquisite. But you will need to have a wholesome respect for wildlife. They could also be cute and cuddly on the skin, but when provoked, frightened, hungry, or agitated, they will flip wild in a heartbeat.
The Lodge Experience
It wasn’t all enterprise and polar bears throughout our time up at Seal River Lodge. Evenings had been plenty of enjoyable as we exchanged tales with guides and friends and mentioned the superb days we had. We loved 5-star meals with wine pairings after which retired to the lodge to watch displays about polar bears, and life within the Arctic or to get suggestions from resident photographer and information Boomer.
Churchill Wild actually thinks of every thing. Our rooms are stylish and cozy with en suite loos, sizzling water, and warmth with a snug cover. We slept like infants. That is till we had been awoken by one of many guides to see the northern lights.
Each evening guides preserve a lookout for northern lights and in order for you them to wake you up, they may knock in your door. Boomer even helped individuals set their digital camera settings forward of time so they may run out and snap nice pictures. We have encountered northern lights every go to to Churchill. With the potential for seeing them 300 days of the yr, everybody has an important probability. Read extra: Best Places To See the Northern Lights in Canada In 2024
FAQs about Polar Bear Tours
Are there Polar Bears in Canada?
Yes, Canada has many polar bears. In truth, Canada is house to two-thirds of the estimated polar bear inhabitants which is round 23,000 polar bears.
Is it harmful to stroll with Polar Bears?
It is essential to keep in mind that polar bears are wild and unpredictable animals, and there’s all the time a component of danger when in shut proximity to them. However, the dangers are managed rigorously by the safari operators to create a secure surroundings for an unforgettable expertise.
As contributors on these safaris, we adopted all pointers offered by guides and remained conscious of our environment. We had been a part of the safari. The precedence of operators like Churchill Wild is to guarantee the security of their friends whereas preserving the pure habits and habitat of the polar bears. And as individuals who have walked with polar bears 3 times, we are able to attest, they do care deeply concerning the nicely-being of polar bears.
Polar Bear Tours in A Nutshell
Wrapping up your days at Seal River Lodge appears like forsaking a chunk of your wild coronary heart. This isn’t your common journey; it’s a polar bear strolling safari that invitations you into the world of those noble giants at a tempo that permits you to soak all of it in. Churchill Wild has this complete journey down to a superb artwork, balancing thrill with look after our furry buddies’ house turf. Ready for an escape that’s a tad out of the atypical? This is your cue to take part and tread softly into the polar bears’ yard.
Book your subsequent polar bear safari with Churchill Wild. Choose from one in all their many wildlife excursions right here. Polar Bear excursions begin at $13,295 CAD per individual. Approximately $9,600 USD or €9,000.