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. Excellent climate for polar bear excursions. This was going to be a superb week.
Polar Bear Excursions Churchill Wild
We thought we had been the cool folks taking our third journey to see the polar bears with Churchill Wild. That’s till we met one other couple from Switzerland who had been 9 instances a person from China who was visiting for the sixth time. Polar Bear excursions are addictive. When you’ve seen a polar bear within the wild, the expertise stays with you and also you wish 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 Excursions
Polar Bears in Summer time
Summertime excursions are fairly totally 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 may learn all about that have in these articles: Strolling with Polar Bears – The Best Arctic Safari / Learn extra: Kayaking with Beluga Whales in Churchill
Arctic Gear Supplied
After touchdown in Winnipeg on our flight from Toronto, we picked up our baggage and walked throughout the road to The Grand Winnipeg Airport Lodge the place Churchill Wild safari friends spend the evening earlier than flying out the following morning.
Everybody 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. Climate may be unpredictable and it could possibly simply go right 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.
Ensure 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. Now 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. Learn our full article: 5 Winter Layering Tricks to Gown for Excessive Chilly Climate
Orientation in Winnipeg
We went as much as the highest ground of the Grand Winnipeg Airport Lodge for our becoming, grabbed our gear, and spent the remainder of the afternoon repacking and organizing our luggage for the Best 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 folks loved a meal collectively whereas attending 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. All of us walked as a gaggle to the airport wrapped in our matching parkas inflicting quite a lot of folks to take discover. Our Churchill Wild escorts did all of the work for us making check-in a breeze. They had been even allowed to return via safety with us to ensure all of us received on the aircraft. 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. Everybody walks out onto the runway the place our flight attendants greet us whereas sporting Canada Goose parkas. No pictures are allowed on the runway, however that’s okay, that is the right time to only benefit from the expertise. We’re heading to the Nice White North.
Arrival in Churchill
The journey day isn’t over when you land in Churchill, there’s nonetheless yet 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 aircraft 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. That is the place polar bears who’ve wandered too near city and received’t go away are put in holding whereas ready to be relocated far-off from the town. You may learn all about it right here: Greatest Issues to Do in Churchill Manitoba
Churchill Wild Eco Lodges – Sustainability & Accountability
Churchill Wild has three lodges on Hudson Bay – Dymond Lake Eco Lodge, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, and our lodging for the following 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 working on the land beneath.
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Seal River Lodge has its personal airstrip, and because the lodge got here into view via our window, I might really feel the anticipation choose up. Will we come nose to nose 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 strategy to the comfortable lodge for an introduction, some sizzling espresso, and low and behold our first polar bear sighting!
This heritage lodge is a luxurious eco-lodge positioned on the shores of Hudson Bay. At excessive tide, the waters come proper as much as 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 remodeled right into a polar bear lodge 30 years in the past by Mike and Jeanne Reimer. Since then, Churchill Wild has grow to be the main polar bear tour operator in Churchill and the one one in every of its variety that walks with polar bears.
The lodges comply with a minimalist strategy to its luxurious safaris. Electrical energy is solar-powered and every lodge was constructed utilizing native and recycled lumber with a design to permit as a lot daylight as doable to reduce the usage of vitality. Belief me, it could possibly 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 are triple triple-filtered.
Most significantly, most of Churchill Wild’s polar bear excursions are performed on foot to reduce their use of motorized autos. The lodges are positioned in prime wildlife hangouts, so we don’t should go far to see wildlife. By strolling as much as see polar bears, we barely impression their on a regular basis lives.
As soon as the polar bears take discover of us, they resolve if they may enable our group to remain or not. If they’re okay, we get to face and watch them for a bit 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 People
The lodge has lovely bay home windows going through in all instructions. There are scopes and binoculars set as much as view polar bears within the distance, however they’re usually merely hanging across the lodge. This lodge is positioned proper on a quiet cove on the Hudson Bay the place polar bears incessantly enter the ice flows as soon as it freezes.
Its prime location makes it the right spot to observe polar bears. In case you didn’t wish to go away the compound, you didn’t should. One lady skipped the morning walks to easily benefit from the views by herself from the nice and cozy fireplace inside. She noticed polar bears galore from the home windows.
Strolling with Polar Bears
Not like 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 outdoors the gates twice every day for 2 to a few hours on every stroll. On common, we had been about 100 meters from polar bears however they usually walked nearer with curiosity and typically we had been about 20 meters from the bears.
Security Coaching for Visitors Strolling with Polar Bears
The strolling polar bear excursions are performed in small teams to make sure that the guides can monitor the security of all friends and reduce 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. Earlier than embarking on any walks, friends obtain thorough briefings on security procedures and we had been all educated about the best way to behave when within the neighborhood of polar bears.
Earlier than leaving the compound, our guides Boomer and Jess confirmed us the best way to stroll in a single file, the best way to transfer in a pinwheel, and the best way to stand as soon as we stopped and so they deemed it secure. Every particular person needed 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 menace. Once we stroll single file they aren’t involved.
We then stopped as soon as we had been inside a secure distance from the bear and might unfold out into a good diagonal line. It’s only after the bear has seen us, feels snug with us, and lets us stick round that we’re allowed to fan out in a line to take our photographs and movies. It’s a well-organized and confirmed system that has allowed Churchill Wild to run these excursions for many years with out incident.
However you should obey your guides. Once they say cameras down, there isn’t a hesitation, cameras should go down. Once they say, to begin turning the pinwheel, it is advisable to comply with instructions. The actions are usually not just for our security however for the consolation of the polar bear. In the event that they don’t really feel threatened, they may enable guests into their area. In reality, 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
Earlier than every stroll, we had a gathering to debate the principles 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 outdoors within the fenced-in yard to both take a look at polar bears from the statement platforms or to open the gates and head outdoors.
The walks present unparalleled alternatives to watch polar bears within the wild. Not like extra frequent tundra car excursions round Churchill, strolling offers you a extra intimate and ground-level perspective. You may see bears roaming the shoreline, foraging, and even play-fighting. We noticed all of them!
There’s additionally an opportunity to watch different Arctic wildlife, akin to Arctic foxes, purple foxes, arctic hares, and ptarmigan.
Is strolling with Polar Bears Secure?
Every time we point out that we’ve walked with polar bears, folks all the time inform us, “That’s not secure!” We used to suppose that as nicely. I used to suppose that folks might by no means get near polar bears. That’s till I did it. Take a look at: Lovable Tundra Animals – The Canadian Arctic Involves Life
I’d by no means exit within the wild searching for polar bears alone. It’s essential to rent professional guides that perceive polar bears and know their habits. Churchill Wild has established a set of security protocols and procedures to make sure the well-being of each the friends and the polar bears. Now we have all the time felt secure and comfy on our polar bear safaris and consider me, now we have been simply mere ft away from polar bears within the wild and not using a barrier.
Skilled Guides at Churchill Wild
Churchill Wild employs extremely skilled and educated guides who perceive polar bear habits and are outfitted to deal with shut encounters with wildlife. Our guides are additionally educated 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 could be irresponsible for us to exit into the wilderness and not using a rifle.” However 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’s wonderful to see how a bit sound or motion could make a bear cease in its tracks.
Guides additionally carry noise makers, however they not often (if ever) use them as nicely.
Churchill Wild guides are expert at decoding polar bear habits and sustaining a respectful distance from the animals. Ought to a bear strategy, the guides know the best way to cautiously handle the state of affairs and use their coaching to maintain 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 contemporary pot of espresso and a heat fireplace. We usually relaxed, went via photographs, or chatted with our fellow polar bear lovers 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. Whereas we’ve been consuming and having fun with espresso, the workers have been outdoors on the crow’s nest or trying via the scopes to see the place the polar bears are. From their they make a plan on what route we’ll stroll that morning.
It’s then again to our rooms to get suited up, choose up our digicam gear, and placed on our coats and boots within the cool breezeway. As soon as outdoors, all of us go away the gates collectively in a single file searching for polar bears.
Polar Bears Sightings
Throughout different polar bear excursions, we spent numerous time strolling and looking for polar bears, however on this final go to to Seal River Lodge, we barely needed to go away the compound. We misplaced depend of what number of polar bear encounters we had. However I do know that we noticed a minimum of half a dozen totally different polar bears throughout our safari.
Many mornings noticed polar bears sitting outdoors 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. As a substitute 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 observe us as nicely.
Seal River Lodge is located on Hudson Bay straight on the trail that polar bears take to exit onto the ice stream. Within the months of October and November, bears are patiently ready for the ice to freeze, whereas conserving their vitality. There isn’t lots to eat apart from seaweed and grass at this level, so they’re making an attempt to maintain as a lot fats on their our bodies in order that they’ll 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 observe the bizarre beings in a zoo alongside their path to the water. They really had been essentially the most curious creatures.
Often, we spent about half-hour trying on the bears from the varied platforms earlier than the bears misplaced curiosity and moved on. As soon as they had been safely away, we might open the gates and begin our stroll.
Polar Bear Encounters Canada’s Greatest Journey
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 ensure that the bears are snug and stress-free. As soon as they began strolling towards us for a better 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.
Throughout our 5 days (4 nights) at Seal River Heritage Lodge, we misplaced depend of what number of polar bear encounters we had between the 5 or 6 totally different polar bears we noticed. There was an enormous male polar bear that frolicked every single day on the lodge. He would stroll as much as the fence to say howdy after which lay right down to look in at us for hours on finish. He slept outdoors the bay home windows all evening to shelter from the wind and chased off smaller polar bears commonly.
We noticed the cutest mother and cub once we took the ATVs out to cross the lake. This was really 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 selecting up a rock and dropping it prefer it needed us to play fetch. The mother appeared joyful to have the ability to relaxation whereas the cub was preoccupied with us. Mother stored one eye on her treasured cub whereas laying down for a relaxation because the cub chewed on branches, performed with rocks, and stored us.
Boomer steered that the cub in all probability had a sibling that didn’t make it since most polar bears give beginning to 2 cubs. It’s intuition is to play, so it checked out us as a play companion. Nevertheless, 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’d say “Hey Bear.”
Polar bears reside in silence with little or no noise aside from wind. So one of the best deterrent for polar bears is sound. Once 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’s really a magical expertise to be allowed to look into the lives of polar bears. We watched polar bears posture for place on the bay with the outdated bigger male profitable out. Small polar bears would stroll via the realm and we might see their demeanor immediately change the second they sensed the bigger male.
We watched some polar bears attempt 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 making an attempt to determine the way it was probably going to outlive 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. However you should have a wholesome respect for wildlife. They could be cute and cuddly on the skin, but when provoked, frightened, hungry, or agitated, they’ll flip wild in a heartbeat.
The Lodge Expertise
It wasn’t all enterprise and polar bears throughout our time up at Seal River Lodge. Evenings had been numerous enjoyable as we exchanged tales with guides and friends and mentioned the wonderful days we had. We loved 5-star meals with wine pairings after which retired to the lodge to observe displays about polar bears, and life within the Arctic or to get suggestions from resident photographer and information Boomer.
Churchill Wild really thinks of all the pieces. Our rooms are stylish and comfy with en suite loos, sizzling water, and warmth with a comfortable cover. We slept like infants. That’s till we had been awoken by one of many guides to see the northern lights.
Every evening guides maintain a lookout for northern lights and if you’d like them to wake you up, they may knock in your door. Boomer even helped folks set their digicam settings forward of time so they may run out and snap nice photographs. Now we have encountered northern lights every go to to Churchill. With the opportunity of seeing them 300 days of the 12 months, everybody has an ideal likelihood. Learn extra: Greatest Locations To See the Northern Lights in Canada In 2024
FAQs about Polar Bear Excursions
Are there Polar Bears in Canada?
Sure, Canada has many polar bears. In reality, Canada is dwelling 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 very important 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. Nevertheless, the dangers are managed rigorously by the safari operators to create a secure atmosphere for an unforgettable expertise.
As contributors on these safaris, we adopted all pointers supplied 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 make sure 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 thrice, we are able to attest, they do care deeply concerning the well-being of polar bears.
Polar Bear Excursions in A Nutshell
Wrapping up your days at Seal River Lodge looks 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 allows you to soak all of it in. Churchill Wild has this entire journey right down to a tremendous artwork, balancing thrill with take care of our furry mates’ dwelling turf. Prepared for an escape that’s a tad out of the strange? That is your cue to affix in and tread softly into the polar bears’ yard.
E book your subsequent polar bear safari with Churchill Wild. Select from one in every of their many wildlife excursions right here. Polar Bear excursions begin at $13,295 CAD per particular person. Roughly $9,600 USD or €9,000.