Tailor Made Wildlife Holidays in Canada

Watching Bears in Canada

Bears live in Canada! Of course they live in other places too, but for many people the mere mention of Canada conjours up an image of wild places and bears fishing for salmon, more so even than a mention of Alaska. There is something special about bears too. Found worldwide, they are ingrained myth and legend and these magnificent beasts share a unique place among animals in the human consciousness. Canada is home to three of the eight species of bear - Black Bear, Brown (or Grizzly) Bear and Polar Bear. Its vast wilderness areas are the bears' last stronghold, it is undoubtedly the best bear-viewing location in the world.

Where are the best places for viewing bears?

At Wildlife Worldwide we have been organising bearwatching holidays for around 15 years and we know all the best spots. British Columbia on Canada's west coast is by far the best location for seeing Black, and Brown Bears (although Riding Mountain near Winnipeg is very good for Black Bears too), and Churchill in central Canada is the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World'. Bear-viewing is highly seasonal and dependent on some of nature's other wonders, particularly the running of salmon in the rivers and streams. Essentially, our summer months are the best for viewing Brown, and Black Bears, with a preponderance of bears being visible in the latter part of the season due to an essential need for the bears to gorge themselves before hibernating. For Polar Bears it is the autumnal months of October and November which offer the classic snowy scenes in Churchill (and large numbers of bears), although July to September are excellent in the Nanuk area too.

How do our bear-viewing trips work?

That's easy... we can either organise a dedicated bearviewing holiday for you to some of the wonderful lodges that we describe below, or we can add a bear-viewing lodge on to one of our many self-drive itineraries. Equally, it is possible to combine Brown, and Black Bear viewing on the west coast with seeing Polar Bears in Churchill, although there is only a narrow window of opportunity in the year to do this. And, as luck would have it, some of the lodges are located in the very best places to see whales and other marine mammals.

Vancouver

Our trips to western Canada generally fly into Vancouver and will almost always involve an overnight stop. Vancouver is a beautiful city with a rich mix of modern and traditional buildings in a wonderful coastal setting and with a backdrop of forested mountains. There is plenty to do in the locality with Stanley Park only a short distance away. If you are more adventurous you might like to consider extending your stay by a few nights and perhaps visiting Vancouver Island to see Grey Whales. Vancouver also has some excellent restaurants, bars and coffee shops. There are a number of good hotels in Vancouver but one of our favourites is the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel . It is within easy walking distance of all the cities amenities and has great views of its busy harbour.

Knight Inlet Lodge

In the wild and pristine region of Western Canada's Pacific north-west, a select few travellers are afforded the incomparable thrill of close encounters with some of North America's most impressive creatures - massive Brown Bears, soaring Bald Eagles and large pods of Orca Whales. Our wilderness trips visit this untouched area 70 kilometres north of Campbell River for a wildlife and photography adventure few can rival. The adventure begins with a 30-minute floatplane flight over the Johnstone Strait to Glendale Cove where Knight Inlet Lodge is situated. Your stay here could be for anything from one night to seven nights - but we recommend a minimum of three nights in order to fully appreciate the bears and whales in this spectacular location. In addition, we have to add one night at Campbell River prior to your visit to the lodge.

The activities at Knight Inlet vary from season to season and even from week to week, depending upon animal migrations. From early May until the end of June the grizzlies are in the estuary very close to the lodge, feeding on the sedges and succulents that abound. At this time young bear cubs and new life explode in the bay and all wildlife-viewing is enjoyed from the water. The bears are frequent travellers along the shores in this season and it is not uncommon to see twelve to fifteen different bears in a day, while in Johnstone Strait seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins and the occasional Minke Whale may be seen. In the summer months the bears move into the forest to feed on the berry crop so numbers are fewer, but past sightings have included mothers and cubs playing, mating rituals on the beach, and sub-adults sparring.

From July to October, close encounters with Orca Whales, along with porpoises and large numbers of playful Pacific White-sided Dolphins are common and in September you may see Humpback Whales. From the middle of August to the middle of October, millions of salmon making their final spawning run turn the clear waters dark, attracting dozens of Brown Bear who are able to gorge to their hearts content in preparation for the imminent winter freeze. Meanwhile Bald Eagles which are present year-round, are at their best from a photographic perspective in the late autumn due to their sheer numbers.

Knight Inlet Lodge which is reached by float-plane from Campbell River, accommodates a maximum of 30 guests in floating wooden cabins, most of which have lounge areas with wood burning stoves. The bedrooms are cedar-panelled and have their own private bathrooms. Public areas include a rustic dining hall and lounge area. The lodge exhibits an assortment of construction styles dating from the 1940's when the original float housed a logging camp. Estuary tours, jetboat tours up the Kliniklini River, excursions to the upper reaches of Knight Inlet and day trips to the Thompson and Bond Sounds are also available, offering more stunning scenery, magnificent wildlife and of course superb photographic opportunities.

Knight Pacific Lodge

Snuggled into the thickly forested shore of Barnard Harbour just off the coast of British Columbia on Princess Royal Island and with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, this is a truly amazing wilderness location in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.

A trip to King Pacific Lodge begins with a charter flight from Vancouver to Bella Bella followed by a spectacular float-plane flight directly to the lodge. In the summer months the wildlife is prolific here with June to August being exceptional months for sighting Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dall's Porpoise and Pacific White-sided Dolphins. On half day and full day whale-watching excursions you will have a unique opportunity to learn about the marine creatures which inhabit and migrate through the region. Orcas which may be seen all season are in their peak numbers during June and July. Humpback Whales which may also be seen all season, are more prominent during August and September.

The lodge has forged a close relationship with two whale researchers based on a nearby island who operate Cetacea Lab - the only year round whale research lab in northern British Columbia. You will have an opportunity to visit the lab, meet the researchers and learn about the whale's social and feeding habits, as well as their migratory journeys and listen to their calls as they feed and play in these inter-coastal waters. You may also see large numbers of playful Stellar's Sealions.

As the season progresses, the Orcas become harder to see but come September the salmon begin to run by their thousands up the rivers and streams in a desperate attempt to spawn. It is in these channels and rivers that you find the Spirit Bear. Isolated for thousands of years on remote Princess Royal Island and its immediate neighbours, this small community of 'white' Black Bears inhabit some of the most pristine areas left on earth. These all-white bears (which owe their unusual colouring to a double recessive gene) are elusive, with optimum sightings occurring only from the end of August to the first week of October. With the experience and knowledge of Gitga'at native guides, searching for these rare creatures is an adventure in itself and will involve boat trips and short walks to reach specially located viewing platforms which offer superb photographic opportunities. The platforms are well positioned above salmon streams and patience is likely to be rewarded not only with Spirit Bears but Black Bears fishing for salmon. Other possible wildlife sightings from the platforms include Pine Martens, Mink and Bald Eagles.

In addition to whale-watching and bear-watching there are a number of other activities available including kayaking, walking in the wilderness, fishing and (at additional cost) float-plane and helicopter excursions. Other wildlife here includes Wolves, Mountain Goats and River Otters.

The accommodation is in exceptionally comfortable rooms, all with en-suite facilities with wonderful views of the rainforest or ocean. Public areas include a lounge and dining room, sauna, steam room and hot tub, and there are also aromatherapy and massage treatments in the spa for those so inclined!

Great Bear Lodge

Great Bear Lodge is a self-contained floating lodge with five bedrooms and some fantastic bear-viewing nearby. The rooms all have en-suite toilets although showers are shared. There is a central common area for regular wildlife presentations. There are two daily bear-viewing sessions and other guided activities include seakayaking, and interpretive hikes. The arrival by float plane is an unforgettable trip in itself as you look down onto over three million hectares of temperate coastal rainforest.

Bear-viewing from this lodge, as elsewhere, is very seasonal. Spring is a wonderful time for photography and you can observe the grizzlies in the estuary as they graze on grasses and sedges and engage in mating behaviour. Birdlife is abundant in spring and viewing is generally by boat. In the summer the Brown Bears move around to optimize their feeding, gorging on berries, grazing on estuarine grasslands and scouting for early salmon. Finally, in late summer, they congregate at the river to fish for salmon. Together with Brown Bears the area is home to Wolves, Black Bears, River Otters, Pine Martens, Mink, Harbour Seals and of course Bald Eagles.

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge

The small town of Bella Coola lies 80 kilometres inland at the head of an inlet and is the gateway to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, a hidden gem in British Columbia's remote interior. Here in a river valley of quite unparalleled natural beauty, flanked by jagged alpine peaks and dense forests lies Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Originally built in the early 1930's as a hunting lodge, the lodge was completely rebuilt in 1952 to accommodate those seeking out a more eco-friendly adventure. Chalets here are in a spacious setting with spectacular views. Bears and other wildlife are regularly seen in the grounds. There are numerous places in mainland British Columbia where Grizzly Bears can be seen, but the Bella Coola River Valley is extra special. No other location offers the chance of such intimate encounters amid utterly breathtaking natural splendour. Bear-viewing from here can be enjoyed on foot or from a boat while drifting serenely down the river - which adds to the excitement and makes for exhilarating viewing and great photography.

From August to early October the shallow, crystal clear waters of the Atnarko River team with salmon (Chum, Pink, Coho, Sockeye and Chinook), which is of course why the hungry bears congregate, along with countless Bald Eagles and other wildlife. At other renowned locations, bear watching can feel rather detached as viewing is from elevated or isolated platforms. Not so at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge. Here you see the bears from their perspective - at eye-level within their environment. There is also scope for self-guided bear-viewing. There are several walking trails overlooking sections of the river where bears often fish, and with patience and luck you can be rewarded with some memorable sightings.

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

We've become used to seeing iconic photos of Polar Bears on ice and in the snow, but how often have you seen pictures of these magnificent animals on the tundra surrounded by the rich autumnal colours of willow and blueberry? Each year on the remote southern shores of Hudson Bay, Polar Bears laze away the last days of summer waiting for the onset of the freeze. Here the shores of Hudson Bay encapsulate a bleak and stark beauty, that epitomises the feeling of being at the heart of the wild and the very edge of human influence. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is the only hint of humanity for several hundred kilometres in any direction. It provides all the basic comforts that are required for a stay on the tundra. There is a central lodge, with a cosy lounge, warm fire and panoramic views out towards the shore, a dining area, toilets and showers. Either side are cabins that each sleep between two and four.

Wildlife viewing is unusual here in that you will be sitting on a trailer that is being pulled by a quad-bike! The First Nation guides are excellent, and the trailers are low and completely open, allowing tripods to be set up and offer unimpeded 360 degrees views. Encounters with the Polar Bears are often close and intimate and the photographic potential is unrivalled. At times it is even possible to get off the trailers and walk around, viewing the bears from a safe distance. The area is often favoured by sows with cubs and it is sometimes possible to watch interactions at close quarters. This can even be the case from within the lodge compound, as curious bears frequently approach the perimeter fence allowing spectacularly close encounters and photographic opportunities. Other wildlife that may be seen includes, Moose, Snow Geese and Blue Geese, other wildfowl and raptors including Peregrine Falcons.

Polar Bears in Churchill

Polar Bears are surely the most beautiful of the world's bears. Standing nearly two metres tall at the shoulder and weighing an average of 600 kilogrammes, the males are powerful and fearless. They are expert hunters with a highly acute sense of smell.... they can detect a scent 32 kilometres away! They have no natural enemies and no fear.

Churchill, the 'Polar Bear Capital of the World', is the only human settlement where Polar Bears can be observed in the wild and it lies right in the bears' migratory path. Our tours here are planned for October and November, at the time of the annual migration towards the Cape Churchill area. The bears generally spend the summer along Churchill's coastline not hunting, but conserving energy and trying to stay cool - they will have been here since mid-June. As winter approaches they begin to move towards the Cape which is where the sea freezes over first and as soon as the ice is thick enough, the bears head north where they spend the winter hunting. Churchill is remote. It is a northern outpost and if you choose one of our trips that stays here you will be in one of the small, clean and functional hotels in the area (they are not luxurious!).

Whether you stay in Churchill or at Tundra Lodge there will be evening presentations and after dark you need to turn your eyes towards the sky since the Northern Lights are spectacular in this area, with the highest intensity of Arctic auroral activity said to occur over this region. There may also be opportunities to go dogsledding or wildlife-viewing by helicopter (at an extra local cost) whilst you are there.

How do our Polar Bear trips work?

Firstly, we fly you out to Winnipeg, where you spend the night. Generally, we make use of the elegant Hotel Fort Garry, one of the original and characterful trans- Canadian railway hotels. It is the kind of hotel that has marble floors, and a piano bar - it feels a little like a step back in time when you walk in.

Secondly, we fly you up to Churchill, the heart of Polar Bear country and from here there are two options. You can either do one of our trips which involves staying in Churchill or you can stay outside Churchill, towards the Cape Churchill area, in the Tundra Lodge. All of our Polar Bear trips go out on the tundra in specially designed tundra vehicles with heaters and toilet facilities on board. Lunch and refreshments are provided on board too in order to maximise your bear-viewing day. As well as bears you may also see Arctic Fox, Caribou, Snowy Owls and Ptarmigan, and with a maximum group size of fifteen, in a vehicle that can accommodate up to double this number, you will have ample room for viewing and photographing the bears.

Our 7-day 'Classic Polar Bear' itineraries include one evening bear-viewing trip, and one full and one half-day bear-viewing trip. Our 8-day itineraries (which have an extra night in Churchill) allow enough time for a full-day tour of the historic town of Churchill.

Tundra Lodge

The unique Tundra Lodge a remarkable mobile hotel that is placed in an area of high bear density at the beginning of the Polar Bear season. It has 32 rooms (although the group sizes are limited to a maximum of 25) and each room is a single compartment. There are shared shower and toilet facilities as well as a lounge and dining area, from where you can observe bear activity while relaxing in Tundra Lodge's modest surroundings. During your time spent on the tundra you will have unparalleled opportunities for Polar Bear-viewing. Inquisitive bears often approach the lodge which is equipped with rows of windows and observation decks to accommodate your own curiosity. This unique location, combined with the opportunity for half-day excursions around the tundra in an on-site tundra vehicle affords some of the best possible wildlife experiences in the Churchill area.

You may see young adult males play-fighting and solitary adult males lumbering across the tundra. The interaction between Polar Bears at this time of year is fascinating and your guide will ensure that you see and learn as much as possible. At the end of a day's exploration you can retire to your comfortable accommodation for dinner and evening presentations. If you are lucky, the Northern Lights may grace you with their eerie presence in the night-time skies, and the glowing eyes of Arctic Foxes, bears, and other wildlife may be visible in the light the lodge casts across the frozen ground. Early booking is strongly recommended for the Tundra Lodge trips due to their huge popularity and the limited availablity of space.

Riding Mountain

Riding Mountain Guest Ranch is reached by road from Winnipeg. It is a vibrant wilderness oasis set high above the prairie in a landscape of rolling aspen and spruce forests, wildflower-filled meadows, crystalclear streams and a profusion of lakes and wetlands. The wildlife of the area includes Black Bear, Bison, Moose, Coyote, Wolf and Beaver and the birdwatching is good here too. The ranch is privately run by wildlife enthusiasts and offers daily wildlife safaris and bearviewing hides - it makes an ideal add-on to one of our Polar Bear holidays.

Rocky Mountaineer

Instead of hiring a car, why not hire a mobile home. This will allow freedom and flexibility to your fly drive holiday. Alternatively we recommend the Rocky Mountaineer which crosses the Canadian Rockies. This is considered by many to be one of the greatest train journeys in the world and several packages are available from 2 to 10 days. You could easily combine this with any of our holidays, just ask us to tailor it into your itinerary.

Go back to our Suggested Canada Wildlife Holidays