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.

SUSTAINABILITY is a top priority here: the lodge is powered by solar energy and uses graywater recycling and biodegradable cleaning and hygiene products. Consistent waste management is also one of the Ecolodges' 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, untouched 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 surrounding ecosystems—Hudson Bay, taiga, and tundra—creates a true paradise for cold-loving creatures.

An untouched corner of the world where nature is still allowed to be natural. 

What is ethical wildlife viewing? 

Ethical wildlife viewing involves observing wild animals in their natural habitat without disturbing or influencing their instinctive behavior.

In practice, you must therefore observe the following principles:

Getting around on foot:

• The excursions are usually conducted on foot in order to approach the wild animals quietly and unobtrusively. Although this means covering long distances on foot, it is the only way to protect the rich ecosystem with your small footprint.

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 travel to the untouched Arctic regions of Canada to observe the majestic wildlife. Our mission is to offer you safaris that have minimal impact on the environment and wildlife. The safety of travelers and the integrity of the animals are our top priorities.

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.