Located deep in the heart of polar bear territory, three luxurious ecolodges owned by Churchill Wild on Canada’s Hudson Bay coast offer a unique wilderness experience. From March to November, visitors can walk alongside polar bears in this remote Arctic region.
Churchill Wild, founded by Mike and Jeanne Reimer, pioneered the world’s first polar bear walking safaris in 1993 at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Their family’s connection to the Hudson Bay coast spans over 80 years. Combining luxury with adventure, Churchill Wild provides 11 exclusive, all-inclusive walking safaris that have earned more than 460 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and several prestigious travel awards.
The journey begins with a flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba. Guests can stay at the Blueberry Inn before flying to one of three fly-in polar bear lodges: Seal River Heritage Lodge, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, or Dymond Lake Ecolodge. These lodges were constructed using local timber and refurbished materials, primarily powered by solar energy, and situated along the Hudson Bay coast.
Seal River Heritage Lodge is located 60 kilometers north of Churchill, where visitors can spot polar bears, beluga whales, and Arctic foxes. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is 250 kilometers southeast of Churchill and is unique for its position at the intersection of three ecosystems: the Boreal forest, Hudson Bay, and tundra plains. This lodge is the only place where polar bears, black bears, moose, and wolves coexist. Dymond Lake Ecolodge, 30 kilometers north of Churchill, offers sightings of polar bears, moose, snowy owls, and wolverines, along with frequent northern lights displays.
Churchill Wild’s lodges prioritize comfort, providing cozy rooms with private ensuite bathrooms, timber frame lounges with fireplaces, and panoramic views of the Hudson Bay coast. Meals are inspired by the “Blueberries & Polar Bears” cookbook series and crafted using locally sourced ingredients and produce from their Prairie Wild orchard and gardens.
The polar bear walking safaris are planned meticulously to ensure ethical wildlife viewing and guest safety. Expert polar bear guides lead daily walks, maintaining safe distances and using non-invasive deterrents to manage curious bears. Their three-guide system and stringent safety protocols have maintained a flawless safety record for over 30 years.
Known for its excellence and numerous accolades, including membership in the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World collection, Churchill Wild has been recognized with several awards such as the PURE Life Experiences Award for Contribution to Experiential Travel, the Transat Sustainable Tourism Award, and multiple TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Churchill Wild’s lodges are preferred destinations for filmmakers and photographers seeking unique ground-level encounters with polar bears and wolves. Their work is featured in films by National Geographic, BBC, and the National Audubon Society. Churchill Wild maintains an engaging social media presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
What makes Churchill Wild’s polar bear safaris truly special is the opportunity for small groups to have intimate, ground-level encounters with polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. This experience offers a rare and authentic connection to nature, far removed from traditional tours that rely on buggies or ships. The luxury offered here is defined not by opulence, but by the uniqueness and immersion of the experience.
Churchill Wild sets the standard for polar bear tours and safaris, offering remote luxury accommodations, outstanding customer service, an impeccable safety record, and the chance to see polar bears up close. It provides an immersive, exclusive, transformative, and rare adventure for those pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Booking for summer 2024 and 2025 is now open, with limited availability.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Churchill Wild.