Arctic Polar Bear Safari & Northern Lights

Heritage Lodge on Hudson Bay

60 km northwest of Churchill

Your comfortable lodge for the next few days is located on the seemingly endless coast of Hudson Bay. It is situated near the Seal River estuary and is the perfect base, secluded and far away from crowds and the nearest town, if you want to observe wild polar bears and beluga whales in their natural habitat.

Spectacular photos of wildlife and the northern lights can be taken from the secure grounds. The tower with its viewing platform offers an exclusive view of the action.

The accommodation has eight double rooms with private bathrooms, which are far enough away from the common areas that you can retreat and relax when needed.

In front of the lounge's open fire, accompanied by the soothing crackling of the wood, you can relax with a glass of Canadian wine and a book from the lodge library.

The lodge uses solar energy and recycles graywater. In addition, consistent waste management is one of the lodge’s environmental measures.

Tundra Camp

200 km northwest of Heritage Lodge

Tundra Camp is located on the shores of Schmok Lake, just a few kilometers from the border between Manitoba and Nunavut. This camp is set up every year in September for just a few weeks so that you can experience the Canadian Barren Lands.
A double, electrified, and alarm-secured fence encloses the site with its seven cozy Arctic Oven expedition tents. Each is equipped with a heater and comfortably accommodates up to two guests.

There is a heated bathhouse on site with lockers, showers, sinks, and toilets. Meals are served in a large expedition tent or on the beach, weather permitting.

In the evening, enjoy an aperitif by the fire and, with a little luck, watch the northern lights dance across the sky before retiring to your tent. You will sleep soundly, breathe in the pure tundra air, and enjoy the silence of nature.

The coastline of Hudson Bay is pure wilderness and the natural habitat of many wild animals, such as polar bears, wolves, caribou, black bears, and arctic foxes. The adjacent Arctic bays are home to seals, ringed seals, and even beluga whales during the summer months. The combination of the three distinct surrounding ecosystems—Hudson Bay, the taiga, and the tundra—creates a true paradise for cold-loving creatures.

Rules for Wildlife Viewing at Hudson Bay

When observing wildlife, you watch wild animals in their natural habitat. The goal is to keep your distance and avoid disturbing them as much as possible.

The following rules apply:

Getting around on foot:

• The excursions are usually conducted on foot so that we can approach the wildlife quietly and unobtrusively. While this means walking longer and farther distances, it allows you to observe the animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them unnecessarily.

Keep your distance: Better safe than sorry

• Cute and fluffy are definitely adjectives that can be used to describe polar bears. However, they are the largest land-based predators on earth and can quickly feel threatened. To ensure the safety of these frosty predators and your own, you must maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters. If a curious polar bear does stray into your vicinity, the guides have various deterrent measures at their disposal to safely de-escalate the situation.

Noise reduction: 

• Psst! Polar bears are very sensitive to noise and are startled even by the simple creaking of wood.
  As soon as a polar bear approaches the lodge, you should remain calm and, for example, turn off the sound of the shutter when taking photos. This way, both you and your wild visitors can enjoy the experience undisturbed.

No drones:

• As tempting as it may sound to film these majestic animals from high above, you should refrain from using them. Flying drones are a visual and acoustic stimulus for polar animals and expose them to avoidable stress.

No perfume: 

• Polar bears have highly sensitive noses and can detect smells from miles away. To avoid irritating the bears, you should therefore refrain from wearing perfume.

Do not feed wild animals: 

• Feeding wild animals can trigger a dependency on humans and, in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

You will travel to the Arctic regions of Canada to observe the majestic wildlife. Wildlife viewing takes place in small groups led by experienced nature guides. The daily itinerary is based on the movements of the wildlife, the tides, and the weather. The guides’ safety and social distancing guidelines apply at all times.

To ensure this, our customers travel in small groups and are accompanied by experienced nature guides. The daily program is flexible and depends on the current movements of the wild animals, the tides, and the weather.

inventia and our local partner accept no liability for unforeseen events ("force majeure") that affect the sighting of wild animals in their natural environment. Although our travel itineraries and content are the result of many years of experience, we cannot guarantee the extent or diversity of animal sightings.

Weather conditions, population density, behavior patterns, and migrations of other wildlife are some factors that can influence the behavior and activity of animals. Therefore, there is a possibility that the desired wildlife may not be sighted. While this is unlikely, it is not impossible.

Due to the remote location of your destination in the Arctic, flight irregularities are possible due to rapidly changing weather conditions. It is important to remain flexible on this type of expedition trip. We will always arrange alternatives for you.

Be aware that traveling to remote regions of Canada can involve risky activities such as polar bear encounters, which pose risks to your health. These experiences are vastly different from visits to the zoo or Disney World. Please follow the instructions of our local partners and guides at all times. Any deviation from these instructions is at your own risk.

Similarly, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. We cannot guarantee that they will appear.