Fond Arctic Safari Guest Memories and Photos

by George Williams

Felix Kokocinski and his wife Anja Kolb-Kokocinski have been to the Churchill Wild ecolodges several times, but their Arctic Safari at Seal River Heritage Lodge and the Tundra Camp on the Barren Lands at Schmok Lake, still holds a special place in their hearts.

“We try to do one big trip per year if possible,” said Felix. “And Anja really fell in love with the north, so we keep coming back to Canada, especially with Churchill Wild. Anja had done a trip to the North Pole with her dad, actually, and that’s where she got the polar bug. And she was looking for somewhere to go so that I could also see polar bears. So she started looking around and pretty quickly came across the Churchill Wild offerings.”

“I have fond memories of the Arctic Safari,” said Anja. “It was so very different than our other Churchill Wild trips. Oh, and the abundance of wild berries to snack on, while being out on a hike in this beautiful part of the world,” she recalled, highlighting the sensory delights of their journey.

Guided by renowned photo leader Jad Davenport, Felix and Anja ventured into the polar bears’ domain, experiencing the unparalleled thrill of walking with these majestic creatures at ground level at Seal River Heritage Lodge.

“Amazing,” said Felix about meeting polar bears at ground level. “You do feel safe with the guides there, but just realizing how powerful the polar bears are is just really incredible. And at the same time, they’re so cute that you just want to go over there and hug them. We got quite close a few times. We still felt safe, but it’s definitely an amazing feeling to be so close to this huge predator.

“After having been there in the winter only, it was amazing to have this completely different scenery and see the polar bears in that setting as well. And they were so relaxed and just hanging out around the lodge. The important thing is just to go out there and walk, not sit in a Tundra Buggy© and just look. Walking and experiencing the elements is important for us, it’s a little more wild.

“And Anja is a keen photographer. I sometimes take video and then try to make short films out of it. It was great to have Jad help us with some tips on how to get the most out of this material. We enjoyed taking the trips with Jad.”

“I have selected some pictures from this trip, which hopefully might be of use,” said Anja. “I tried to select some non-polar bear pictures, even if they are my absolute favorite animals. I also included a picture of Felix and myself. That picture was kindly taken by Jad Davenport.”

After their stay at Seal River Heritage Lodge the couple ventured to Tundra Camp on the Barren Lands, a confluence of wilderness, history, and comfort in one of the wildest places on earth. The couple dived into Schmok Lake as soon as they arrived at Tundra Camp.

“It was really cold, but really exciting,” said Felix. “It was a bit of a challenge because there was a young guy with some other travellers and Anja was saying, oh, if he jumps in, we’ll jump in as well. So we had fun.”

“The water in the lake was very, very cold, but didn’t stop us from going swimming,” said Anja. “It added to a truly amazing experience and provided us with memories we’ll never forget.”

“It was beautiful,” said Felix about staying in the tents at Tundra Camp. “I loved it. It was pretty luxurious camping because we had these comfy beds and there was a heater in there. And one of the nicest things is that in the morning, we got a little bag with coffee delivered to the tent so we could wake up slowly. And we really enjoyed that.”

“Everything there was done in such a thoughtful way,” said Anja. “The coffee in the morning, which was brought to us in a little backpack, and the polar bear-shaped warm water bottle, which made our sleeping bag nice and cozy by the time we left the fire at the beach. The landscape was stunning.”

“I think with Churchill Wild, it’s always this nice mixture for us,” said Felix. “On the one side, it’s really wild, but on the other, it’s really comfortable and you get pampered a bit. This kind of twofold thing is really nice.”

The couple’s encounters with wildlife, often unpredictable, added an element of excitement to their safari.

“During that trip, the weather was pretty bad, but we still enjoyed the trip,” said Felix. “Actually, on the morning we were about to leave, it was raining, and some people had already given up on going out onto the landscape, but we never do. So Jad went out with someone else to take a walk, and we said, okay, we’ll join you. And that’s where we had encountered the black bear peeking over the hill.

“For us, it’s also the landscape, and just the size of the area is just amazing. You just feel small there and you appreciate nature so much. It’s so different and great to be there. The important thing is just to go out there and walk.” Felix stressed the significance of immersing in the elements, a philosophy that pervaded their experience from the cozy confines of Seal River Heritage Lodge to the expansive beauty of the Barren Lands.

Their journey was not merely about the destinations but the profound connections they forged and the shared moments that enriched their adventure.

“We actually do recommend these types of trips to our friends if they have some money to spare,” said Felix. “The family feeling is really important at Churchill Wild. You feel so welcome there. And the food is always amazing. And the wildlife is being respected. That’s really important for us as well.

“The first trip we went on was the Great Ice Bear at Dymond Lake. We were on the wolf trip two years ago and then last year again. We did see wolves right when we arrived, and that was probably one of our most amazing encounters. Yes, there were bears at Dymond Lake too. Anja took a great photo of a mother and maybe a two- or three-year-old cub coming over the frozen lake. That was really nice because it was a stormy day, so the bears were going against the wind and it was perfect scenery. We’ve been to all the lodges now.”

Anja and Felix’s narrative, interwoven with their vivid recollections and the immersive details of the Arctic Safari, offers a compelling invitation to future guests. It’s an opportunity to embark on a journey where luxury meets adventure, where intimate wildlife encounters are framed by the stunning beauty of the Arctic wilderness, and where every moment is a step deeper into the heart of the wild.

The Arctic Safari beckons those seeking to explore the Arctic’s untouched landscapes, to walk with polar bears, and to witness the serene beauty of the Barren Lands — a journey that promises to transform and inspire.

Felix and Anja have travelled extensively around the world to see wildlife. Would Churchill Wild’s polar bear safaris rank highly on their list of wildlife experiences?

“Oh, yes, definitely,” said Felix. “Otherwise we wouldn’t be coming back.”

The Seal River Heritage Lodge Experience

Situated along the rugged rocky coastline of Hudson Bay, Seal River Heritage Lodge is the gateway to witnessing polar bears in their natural habitat. The experience of walking with these magnificent creatures, guided by experienced photo leader Jad Davenport, offers an unparalleled opportunity for wildlife photographers, luxury wildlife travelers, and adventure seekers alike. The thrill of approaching a 1,000-pound polar bear at ground level, with only the vast tundra stretching to the horizon, is an experience that burns brightly in the memory of all who dare, and stays in the heart forever.

Tundra Camp: A Journey into the Heart of the Barren Lands

The adventure deepens as guests are transported north to Schmok Lake, nestled in Manitoba’s Barren Lands near the Nunavut border. This remote and scenic area, known for the Qamanirjuaq barren-ground caribou, sets the stage for Tundra Camp. Here, amidst the breathtaking colors of autumn, guests delve into the ancient migratory grounds of the caribou herds and explore areas where few humans have ever been before. The Barren Lands, with their profound silence and boundless skies, offer a humbling experience that redefines one’s place in the natural world.

For the Serious Luxury Wildlife Traveler

The Arctic Safari caters to the luxury wildlife traveler by combining the thrill of close wildlife encounters with the comfort of cozy Arctic luxury accommodations and tundra-inspired cuisine, complemented by select Canadian wines. The chance to gaze upon the Northern Lights nearly 300 nights a year adds a touch of magic to the experience, promising moments of awe beneath the auroral oval.

For the Adventure Traveler

Adventure travelers will find their spirit ignited by daily guided hikes across the tundra, camping in the vast Barren Lands in a private expedition tent, and the educational insights offered by lodge managers and naturalist guides. The rich ecosystems of the Hudson Plains and Taiga Shield, filled with history and wildlife, offer endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

For the Wildlife Photographer

Joining acclaimed photojournalist Jad Davenport, guests will gather invaluable tips and inspiration to document their experience and develop a unique storytelling style. From capturing the elusive “blue-hour” to photographing the Northern Lights, photographers of all levels will find themselves equipped to capture the exhilarating experience of looking into the eyes of a polar bear at ground level, and the untouched beauty of the Barren Lands.

The Mystery and History of the Barren Lands

The Barren Lands, a region steeped in the legends and folklore of the Indigenous peoples, offer a deep dive into a cultural heritage that has thrived in harmony with this harsh environment for millennia. From tales of survival and coexistence to the profound spiritual connection to the land and its animals, guests will gain a richer understanding of the Indigenous history and the mystical aspects that make the Barren Lands truly enchanting.

Churchill Wild’s Arctic Safari is not just a trip; it’s an immersive experience into one of the planet’s last frontiers, where the raw beauty of the Arctic wilderness meets the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture and history. It’s an invitation to step into the wild, to witness the majestic dance of nature and history, and to capture moments that will linger long after the journey ends.

Embarking on Churchill Wild’s Arctic Safari transcends a mere journey; it invites the soul into the heart of the Canadian Arctic’s vast, untouched wilderness. It takes place this year from September 4-12 and September 10-18, 2024, at Seal River Heritage Lodge and  Tundra Camp at Schmok Lake, for those who seek not only intimate wildlife encounters at ground level and the thrill of adventure, but also an intimate communion with nature’s rawest beauty.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Arctic Safari please Click Here or call our sales team at 1-866-846-9453!

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