Great polar bear, northern lights, and lodge safari on Hudson Bay

Dymond Lake Ecolodge on Hudson Bay

The rustic ecolodge is located 30 kilometers north of Churchill on the edge of Hudson Bay, where boreal forest meets the vast tundra. The diverse landscape not only delights with fantastic views, but is also home to a particularly large number of wild animals such as polar bears, moose, otters, snowy owls, and even the shy wolverine.

The accommodation's eight double rooms all have their own bathroom and are located in cozy guest cabins, ensuring plenty of privacy. Each guest cabin has a small communal area. However, the main meeting place is the main building with its lounge area by the fireplace. Here, you can also indulge in Arctic gourmet cuisine.

For a safe stay, you can move around freely within the fenced grounds. If curious wild animals come by, you are often only a few steps away. The ecolodge has a viewing tower for a wider view or for observing the northern lights at night.

                                Your cozy room at the Ecolodge | © Scott Zielke

                                 Comfortable lounge area with a view | © Scott Zielke

Blueberry Inn Lodge in Churchill

The newly built Blueberry Inn Lodge is located in the heart of Churchill, the lively "polar bear capital of the world." At this premium lodge, you will spend two nights in a cozy atmosphere with every comfort. Thanks to the convenient location of this stylishly furnished accommodation, you can easily reach Churchill's famous sights, shops, and restaurants.

• Fifteen guest rooms (with queen-size beds or twin beds)
• Private en suite bathrooms
• Continental breakfast
• souvenir shop
• Wi-Fi included

Stylish room at the Blueberry Inn Lodge

The elegant lounge area

Polar bear watching on Hudson Bay

In autumn, polar bears gather on the coast of Hudson Bay to wait for sea ice to form. Together with your guide, you will set out in search of these Arctic hunters in the tundra of Manitoba and along the coast of Hudson Bay. The polar bears also regularly visit your lodge, so you can observe them directly through the panoramic window or from behind the protective fence. Once you've seen their thick fur and impressive paws up close, you'll understand why polar bears are also known as the "kings of the Arctic. "

Sightseeing in Churchill, Manitoba

The small town of Churchill is located 1,000 kilometers north of Winnipeg, the last outpost on the edge of the Arctic wilderness. In this remote location, the residents cultivate a strong sense of community as well as the culture and history of the region, which was once an important base for the Hudson's Bay Company. On a personalized tour of Churchill, you can gain a deep insight into Inuit culture at the Itsanitaq Museum and feel the local connection to Arctic nature as you view the SeaWalls Murals. A detour to the Polar Bear Jail, a shelter for polar bears that have attracted attention, highlights how closely life in Churchill is intertwined with the surrounding wilderness.

aurora borealis

On 300 days a year, the magical Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky. Away from artificial light sources, you can watch this colorful spectacle directly from the Dymond Lake Ecolodge. Either from the warmth of the lodge through the panoramic windows or from the sheltered outdoor area on the observation tower. So that you don't miss out on a good night's sleep, the lodge staff keep a close eye on the night sky and gently wake you as soon as the spectacle begins.

Tundra Buggy® Tour

The Tundra Buggy® was specially designed for the demanding Arctic terrain. This powerful vehicle will take you safely and comfortably to places far away from civilization, where you can get incredibly close to wild animals such as polar bears and caribou. Your full-day Tundra Buggy® tour starts near Churchill, with the exact route determined by the whereabouts of the polar bears. To give you plenty of time for intensive observation and photography, you will also have lunch out in the tundra on this day. While you have to keep a safe distance from polar bears when trekking in the tundra, you can relax in the Tundra Buggy® and watch as the kings of the Arctic come closer and closer to your vehicle.

Lectures & Photo Shows

During quiet evenings at the lodge, you will have the opportunity to attend lectures and slide shows and learn more about the unique geology, flora, and fauna of the Arctic region. This will give your experiences and encounters with wildlife in the wilderness even greater meaning.

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.