Churchill Wild: Experience Luxury and Polar Bears Up Close

Deep in Canada’s polar bear territory, along the Hudson Bay coast, Churchill Wild offers an incredible wilderness experience from March through November. Guests can embark on walking safaris with polar bears at three remote luxury ecolodges.

Mike and Jeanne Reimer, the founders of Churchill Wild, introduced the world to polar bear walking safaris in 1993 at the Seal River Heritage Lodge. Their family’s connection to the Hudson Bay coast spans over 80 years. Today, Churchill Wild offers 11 unique, all-inclusive safaris combining luxury and adventure, earning more than 460 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor and several prestigious travel awards.

Your journey begins with a flight from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba, where you’ll stay at the new Blueberry Inn. From there, you’ll fly to one of their three lodges: Seal River Heritage Lodge, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, or Dymond Lake Ecolodge. These lodges, built with local lumber and powered mainly by solar energy, are situated right on the “polar bear highway” that bears traverse from July through November.

Located 60 kilometers north of Churchill, Seal River Heritage Lodge offers sightings of polar bears, beluga whales, and Arctic foxes. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, 250 kilometers southeast of Churchill, is where the Boreal forest, Hudson Bay, and tundra plains meet. It’s the only place in the world where polar bears, black bears, moose, and wolves coexist. Meanwhile, Dymond Lake Ecolodge, 30 kilometers north of Churchill, is perfect for spotting polar bears, moose, snowy owls, and wolverines. Northern lights frequently grace the skies at all lodges.

Staying at Churchill Wild is all about comfort, warm hospitality, and delicious food inspired by the tundra. The lodges feature cozy rooms with private bathrooms, timber-frame lounges with fireplaces, and stunning views of the Hudson Bay coast. The culinary offerings are based on the award-winning “Blueberries & Polar Bears” cookbook series by Jeanne Reimer’s mother, Helen Webber, and Marie Woolsey. Meals are crafted with locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce from their Prairie Wild orchard and gardens.

Walking with polar bears is a carefully managed and ethical wildlife experience at Churchill Wild. Expert guides lead daily walking excursions, maintaining a safe distance and using non-invasive deterrents for curious bears. Their three-guide system and safety protocols ensure a perfect safety record spanning over 30 years.

Churchill Wild’s excellence is evident in its loyal guests, prestigious accolades, and inclusion among luxury travel providers. Both Seal River Heritage Lodge and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge were original members of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World collection. The company has also received the PURE Life Experiences Award for Contribution to Experiential Travel, the Transat Sustainable Tourism Award, and several TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.

These lodges are top destinations for filmmakers and photographers looking for rare, ground-level encounters with polar bears and wolves. Films by National Geographic, BBC, and the National Audubon Society feature footage from these lodges. Churchill Wild also maintains an active social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

The magic of Churchill Wild’s polar bear safaris lies in the rare opportunity to walk with polar bears in their natural environment. Unlike typical tours using buggies or ships, Churchill Wild offers intimate, ground-level encounters, allowing small groups to connect deeply with polar bears and Arctic wildlife. This luxury is about the authenticity and exclusivity of the experience rather than opulence.

Churchill Wild sets the standard for polar bear tours and safaris, offering luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, an unmatched safety record, and the chance to see polar bears up close. For those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Churchill Wild promises unforgettable memories.

Now taking bookings for summer 2024 and 2025. Availability is limited.