Embark on a unique safari which showcases the prolific wildlife of Manitoba, observing moose, black bear and bison in Riding Mountain National Park, before travelling north to Churchill to search for polar bears in their natural habitat on the Arctic tundra and belugas along the northern waterways.
Traverse the undulating landscape of Riding Mountain National Park as you marvel at the enchanting boreal forests, expansive meadows, lakes, gorges and prairie grasslands that this stunning park has to offer. This rich wilderness destination covers an area of almost 3,000 square kilometres and is home to black bear, moose, elk, wolf and a plethora of bird species along with a reintroduced bison population.
Leaving the serene rolling hills of these southern plains behind, fly to Churchill, where the forests give way to rugged and barren tundra. Explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area searching for polar bears amongst blooming flowers from a specialised vehicle optimised for tundra exploration and board Zodiacs to navigate the Churchill River where 3,000 or so beluga whales spend the summer. This one-off itinerary takes advantage of the long hours of summer daylight, when the short flowering season of the tundra is at its colourful best, enhancing the polar bear viewing experience.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Fly to Winnipeg via Toronto
On arrival in Winnipeg, once you've cleared immigration and collected your bags, transfer by complimentary hotel shuttle bus to your accommodation nearby. Once you've arrived at the hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish prior to a pre-departure welcome dinner with your local interpretive guide.
Accommodation: Lakeview Signature, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 1-night
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Day 2:
Transfer to Riding Mountain National Park
After breakfast in Winnipeg, you're met by your guide and transferred approximately three hours by bus to Riding Mountain National Park. Along the way you stop at the town of Neepawa where you experience a tour of Farmery Estate Brewery, followed by lunch from the on-site food truck. Afterwards, the journey continues to Riding Mountain as the landscape transforms into the prairie grasslands and rolling hills of the Manitoba Escarpment.
In the afternoon, you're collected by a different bus with large windows where a small portion can be opened to take photos. You're transported into the national park where you begin your search for two of the big five; black bear and moose, along with a plethora of other species, with your guide serving as a fountain of knowledge when it comes to all the park's flora and fauna.
Accommodation: Lakehouse Boutique Hotel, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Full day of Activities in Riding Mountain National Park to Spot Moose, Black Bear & Bison
This morning, after breakfast, you board the bus again as you embark on another wildlife drive in Riding Mountain for another opportunity to see moose, black bear and bison, together with other animals to be found in this region. Once you've returned, you're guided through the town as you enjoy a walking tour of Wasagaming’s streets.
As the afternoon rolls around, take to the water on the aptly named Clear Lake for a relaxing boat tour of the lake and surrounding area. Once you've returned to shore, you're once again collected by the bus and taken on a wildlife drive, this time to the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure. This enclosure has an area of five square kilometres and is home to a reintroduced population of around 40 bison, another of the big five. During this drive, you can learn about the history of bison in the park and how the enclosure and reintroductions came to be.
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Day 4:
Morning Wildlife Watching & Return to Winnipeg
Today begins with an early start as you head out for a morning wildlife drive in the national park to look for any species that you may have missed on the previous days and provides you with another opportunity to enjoy watching moose and black bear. The final stop in Riding Mountain is a walk along the Ominik Marsh Trail as you search for the abundant birdlife that call the marsh home, such as Wilson’s snipe, blue-winged teal, ring-necked duck, and northern waterthrush.
Following breakfast, it's time for the 3-hour return journey back to Winnipeg. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Winnipeg as you wish.
Accommodation: Lakeview Signature, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 1-night
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Day 5:
Fly to Churchill & Explore Local Area
This morning, you return to the airport in order to catch the early flight north to Churchill – the polar bear capital of the world.
Upon arrival in this town on the shores of Hudson Bay, set off on a tour of Churchill, visiting various points of interest within the town and surrounding area. One of these stops will be at Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility, locally known as ‘Polar Bear Jail’, this facility is used to house problem bears who have been searching human settlements for food until the sea ice freezes and the bears can head out to hunt seals again. In addition to the holding facility, you stop at sights that include the remarkable Inuit stone structures known as Inukshuk and the panoramic views of Cape Merry.
In the evening, you return to Churchill where there's time to relax and enjoy a cultural presentation from a local Churchillian about their history, wildlife, and lifestyle.
Accommodation: Local Hotel in Churchill, 3-nights
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Day 6:
Beluga Zodiac Trip & Dog Sledding
After breakfast, you set off towards the Churchill River, where you embark on a manoeuvrable Zodiac inflatable tour to search for beluga, where you can see these endearing marine mammals from right down at water level. You proceed towards the estuary where the white whales gather to feed on small fish and birth their young, they're incredibly curious cetaceans and will often approach the boat to take a look. The journey proceeds to the far side of the river where you find the Prince of Wales Fort, Canada’s oldest and most northerly fort.
Once you've returned to shore, you're taken to visit to the Itsanitaq Museum, which houses many indigenous artifacts. Next up, meet a local dog sledding expert to hear all about this arcane art and learn its lore. After meeting the team of dogs, you go for a short ride through the boreal forest. As – in theory, at least – there's no snow at this time of year, you’ll be pulled on a wheeled sled.
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Day 7:
Beluga Boat Trip to Prince of Wales Fort
This morning you visit the Parks Canada Visitor Centre to learn more about the wildlife, history and culture of the area before embarking on another trip to see belugas. This time you search for them by boat and also stop to explore the Prince of Wales Fort on a guided tour. Once you return to shore, the next stop is at Polar Bears International House where an ambassador provides a short talk about polar bears and the challenges they face, followed by a visit to the Interpretive Centre where you learn how you can aid in polar bear conservation efforts.
Your final night in Churchill is spent relaxing with your travel companions and utilising free time to explore the town and pick up last minute souvenirs.
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Day 8:
Tundra Buggy Excursion
This morning, you set off to explore the surrounding landscape on a uniquely designed Tundra Buggy in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. The elevated Tundra Buggy offers a warm and comfortable vantage point from which to view and photograph wildlife, as the vehicle meanders across the tundra.
The buggy driver and your interpretive guide provides information about the geological and natural history of this area as you stop to enjoy the scenery, photograph the lush Arctic flora of the brief summer season and look for species such as caribou, Arctic fox, ptarmigan and, of course, polar bear. A picnic lunch is enjoyed onboard before continuing to survey your surroundings as you look for more wildlife.
After your tundra adventure has concluded, you're transported to the airport to take an evening flight back to Winnipeg for your last night in Canada.
Accommodation: Lakeview Signature, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, 1-night
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Day 9:
Depart Winnipeg
The day is free to be spent at leisure until you transfer to the airport to check in for your flight back to the UK. Depending on your departure time, there may be time to see some of Winnipeg during the day.
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Day 10:
Arrive UK
