Polar bear in summer green at Seal River. Brian M. photo. Click photo for associated review.
Another amazing summer season has wrapped up at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge and Seal River Heritage Lodge, and the glowing Tripadvisor reviews are pouring in from every corner of the planet. Guests travelled to our ecolodges from Australia, the United Kingdom, Hawaii, and across North America to experience what many are calling “the trip of a lifetime.”
We’re so lucky to have such incredible guests every season, many of whom will be returning, and we greatly appreciate their kind words!
What makes these reviews particularly remarkable is the consistency of praise across every aspect of the Churchill Wild experience. Whether visitors chose Nanuk’s intimate encounters in the boreal forest or Seal River’s dramatic rocky landscapes, they found themselves walking safely alongside polar bears, something possible in only a handful of places on earth. Multiple sightings were common this summer, with some guests counting more than twenty bears during their stay.
Black bear mom and cub at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Olivia B photo. Click image for associated review.
The magic, however, extends far beyond the wildlife. Guest after guest highlights the exceptional hospitality, from lodge managers Emma and Danny at Nanuk to Ben and Nicole and their team at Seal River. Expert guides and staff like Terry, Luke, Johnny, and Shayna earned special recognition for their knowledge, safety protocols, and ability to create stress-free viewing experiences for both guests and bears. The culinary teams surprised visitors with gourmet, five-star meals in the middle of absolute nowhere, while the comfortable, sustainable lodges provided warm refuge after exhilarating days in the Arctic wilderness.
These aren’t just vacation reviews, they’re love letters to an experience that ranks alongside gorilla trekking in Uganda and diving the Galápagos. Read on to discover why seasoned travelers are already planning their return trips and why first-time wildlife adventurers are calling Churchill Wild “unforgettable.”
5-Star Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge Reviews
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is bordered by the boreal forest. Michael Poliza photo.
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is the best!
There are no words to describe what an unbelievable experience I had at the Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. If I could give 10 stars in this review, I would!!! The staff/guides are among the best in the world, the food was 5-star dining and the scenery/wildlife was incredible. I can’t think of a more perfect place to visit if you love nature, wildlife and to be off-the-grid. It exceeded all my expectations for this trip. I can’t recommend them enough. ~ Bill L, Nashville, Tennessee
This remote lodge is absolutely the best and most beautiful way to see polar bears and other animals and experience this part of Canada. The lodge is well run, the food is great and the guides go all out to make your wildlife viewing the best possible experience. We saw black bears, foxes, caribou and, of course, polar bears. ~ Shirley S, White Rock, Canada
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge – What an Experience!
A First Class, well organised trip, from start to finish. We were totally looked after in every way, from our rooms, to the delicious meals, to the information we were given. The Lodge is so cozy and comfortable and you don’t have to take boots, wet weather gear or slippers, as they are all provided. Emma and Danny, the Lodge Managers do a brilliant job and the guides, Terry, Hondo and Brandon, are well experienced and kept us safe at all times. The housekeeping staff and chefs also did an amazing job.
You DO walk with polar bears, although you have to go out in the ATV’s to locate them most of the time, but sometimes, they just pass by the Lodge. We had an amazing encounter with one bear who was only 35 yards away, munching on gooseberries and not bothered by us. We saw polar bears, black bears, bald eagles, thousands upon thousands of geese as well as other birds. An amazing experience. I would suggest taking a long lens as you will get better shots. I HIGHLY recommend this trip. If you are thinking about it, do it! I am already thinking of going back. Thank You!! ~ Shamim R
This was our second Churchill Wild trip. Nanuk was a totally different experience than Seal River but equally amazing. The boreal forest with rows of spruce trees interspersed with bogs and wetlands is hauntingly beautiful and a totally different landscape from the tundra. We observed polar bears on the Hudson Bay, had a wolf wander through our picnic site and a black bear with three cubs hang out in the trees near the lodge runway. Our guides, Terry, Hondo and Brandon shared their vast knowledge of the Arctic ecosystem and used their tracking skills to give us several encounters with wildlife. Lodge managers, Emma and Danny and their amazing culinary and housekeeping staff kept us well fed and comfortable. If you love wildlife and want to experience the beauty of the boreal forest, add Nanuk to your bucket list! ~ Nancy P, Troy, Michigan
Polar bear visitor at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Bill L photo. Click image for associated review.
We learned about Churchill Wild via our travel agent, Bailey Robinson. Our brief to BR was we wanted to see polar bears, in August, for a “final” family big adventure before our son’s time became wholly his own to navigate the scheduling of study, work, family, other commitments, etc. We knew exactly nothing about Churchill Wild. So it was solely down to BR recommending Nanuk as the best place to go and we took them at their word. They were spot-on!
Unforgettable sums it up. We have been on some super special animal adventures. This is definitely in the top three, maybe even top two, depending on how we think individually within our family trio about the rankings. Nanuk is sharing company with some BIG contenders… mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and liveaboard diving on the Galapagos Sky, diving at the isolated Wolf and Darwin islands surrounded by whale sharks, schooling hammerheads, sea lions and turtles galore!
Besides the amazing polar bears… it was the staff at Nanuk that made this experience so special. They were simply excellent. Emma, Danny, Terry, Hondo, Brandon, Mary, Georgia, Sam, everyone; we loved spending time with each. The food…OMG, the food! The Chef (simply knows to us as “Chef”) was so incredibly passionate about food, he reminded me of Heston Blumenthal OBE, and his approach to creating food. But, incredibly, Chef did it out in the middle of absolute nowhere!
The other guests we shared the lodge with, 15 of us in total, were each incredibly friendly and interesting. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer group to spend time with.
Animal adventures are made or broken based on a few important pillars. The animals need to make an appearance (this is timing, luck and weather, usually), lodgings/food, and staff. Nanuk ticked every single box. The bears were plentiful. On arrival, a black bear mum and cubs ran across the runway just before we landed. On our first day at Nanuk, I think we saw 11 bears. Even on our flight back to Churchill, I stopped counting after about 15 bears.
We were lucky and a beluga whale carcass turned up on the beach a day before we arrived, so the bears were attracted to the free food. We also had an “approach” to our group by a mum and second-year cub. AMAZING! Our guides were in complete control and we never felt threatened. It was an experience of a lifetime. Inquisitive Mama Bear would have probably kept coming had she not been told by Terry that that was “close enough” then encouraged back by the clinking and tossing of a few rocks by the well aimed throws of Terry and Danny. Had you told me two weeks before that a polar bear would be deterred by a couple of rocks, I would have told you were clearly mistaken and didn’t know anything at all about bears. I maybe wouldn’t recommend these actions with any other polar bears, but with experienced guides who know the behaviours of the bears in this area, it was a privilege to witness.
We hope to be back in future. Maybe to see mother/cub emergence? Or maybe Seal River Heritage Lodge for the belugas. We will of course hope for a repeat of the magic we experienced at Nanuk! ~ Karen C, Jersey, United Kingdom
Northern lights over Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ricardo B photo. Click image for associated review.
This was my first wildlife adventure experience and it was extraordinary. Churchill Wild teams are super friendly and treated us as if we were the first group to visit. From the guides to the managers to the support staff and the chefs everything was faultless. Loved everything. ~ Jenny, Australia
An incredible experience! The lodge was lovey, relaxed, warm and cozy. The food was plentiful and delicious. Emma and Danny were fabulous hosts and our guides Terry and Norm very experienced and knowledgeable, not to mention entertaining. We witnessed unforgettable polar bear interactions with over 20 sightings plus the bonus of a Black Bear Mumma with three cheeky cubs. A trip of a lifetime! ~ Kate W
We had an amazing trip to Nanuk. The adventure was incredible with polar bears, black bears, the lone black wolf every day. The staff were amazing, the food was beautiful. I will definitely be back. This was truly a very special experience. ~ Olivia B
One-in-a-lifetime Arctic Safari
This was the trip of a lifetime! From the moment we arrived and were greeted by a bear family on the runway, to watching the Northern Lights, every day brought a new highlight.
The lodge is beautiful and cozy with stunning views, comfortable rooms, and amazing food — family-style meals that felt like dining with friends. The guides were beyond impressive: knowledgeable, engaging, and experts at managing close wildlife encounters in a way that felt safe but thrilling.
We saw polar bears up close, mothers and cubs, bears interacting by the river, and even belugas on the water during our tour of Churchill. The wildlife experiences were breathtaking, but what made the trip even more special was the community, sharing adventures and meals with wonderful people from all over the world.
An unforgettable Arctic safari experience that I would recommend to anyone who loves wildlife, adventure, photography and warm hospitality. Check out my Instagram account for a trip highlight reel and photos of the wildlife – @FirstClassCreativeCo ~ Priscilla C
The first sight of a polar bear is unforgettable. I visited in August 2025 and, being honest, it’s hard to put into words the whole experience. The lodge is extremely cozy, the staff is always helpful and they’re ready anytime to make sure you’re having a great time. The food is out of this world. When it comes to activities, the guides are very experienced and make the experience of walking with polar bears very safe and enjoyable. I had the time of my life! ~ Ricardo B
5-Star Seal River Heritage Lodge Reviews
Seal River Heritage Lodge at sunset. Michael Poliza photo.
Fantastic stay at Seal River Heritage Lodge to view polar bears and other wildlife
Seal River Heritage Lodge is fantastic! The lodge itself is beautiful, with many large picture windows for viewing polar bears. We saw multiple bears every day right from the lodge, which was awesome! The staff, food, accommodations, and service were all excellent. We loved every minute of our stay there and were sad to leave. We were at the lodge for 4 nights and then spent another 3 nights at a more remote tundra camp as part of our Arctic Safari trip with Churchill Wild. I highly recommend booking a trip with Churchill Wild, it was 5+ stars all the way. ~ Carla C, San Ramon, California
We had a once in a lifetime trip at Seal River Heritage Lodge this past week. We opted for the Arctic Tundra camp and lodge experience and had one of the best vacations of our lives. Every step was flawless, from the accommodations to the guides to the food…. and did we mention the incredible nature and wildlife we got to see? We got amazing photos and had encounters with polar bears that took our breath away. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ~ Erin G, Maui, Hawaii
Amazing experience. Can’t wait to return.
What a fantastic experience. Everything about our stay at Seal River was wonderful. The bears – the bears!!! The guides (Luke, Johnny, Shayna) were awesome. The food was fantastic. As a vegetarian, they made some really yummy meals. We are going back next year. The guides got us as close and safely to the bears as possible, which is why you go. ~ Carol S
We have been on many wildlife holidays but this ranks at the very top. This must be one of the very few places in the world where you can hike with polar bears, which has been both intense and breathtaking. Even without the hikes, we had bears around the lodge almost continually, some right up at the windows. The beluga whales were gorgeous and we must have seen hundreds on our morning boat trip. The lodge itself is really comfortable, the food is great and even the weather was great. Finally, hats off to the staff who simply could not have done a better job. ~ Brian M
Unforgettable week at Seal River heritage lodge – we got lucky with the weather and wildlife, but the Churchill Wild Staff makes all the difference. They care and take care of each guest. The small details that are looked after leave a long lasting impression. This was my second visit with Churchill wild and I’ll be back. It’s absolutely stunning – natures beauty and the ability to disconnect. ~ BB_USA_01, Seattle, Washington
Mom and cub at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Brian M photo. Click image for associated review.
Thank you CW for a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime experience of the unique Hudson Bay wildlife and ecosystem. Thank you Dana for seamlessly organizing all of our pre-trip preparation. The correspondence was timely and the packing recommendations are on the nose. We had everything we needed in addition to the high-quality outer wear that CW provides. We had smooth transitions with Candice and Chelsea through Winnipeg and Churchill to reach Seal River Heritage Lodge. Thank you Celine for teaching us and touring us around Churchill. We learned a lot! We had wonderful flights with Jason, bears and belugas visible below.
The lodge is remarkable—beautiful, comfortable, sustainable. No detail left out in order to operate in a remote location while minimizing our footprint on the fragile landscape. Thank you Ben and the hospitality team at Seal River. How surreal to dine on your gourmet food and view bears right outside on the breakwater. Our rooms were clean, warm, amply provisioned and we never lacked for a warm shower. Thank you Luke, Shana, and Johnny, our guides. Not only did they teach us about bears and belugas, but also about the multitude of resilient sub-arctic plants, visiting summer shorebirds, and regional archeology.
We truly walked with bears with the goal of a stress-free viewing for the bears and us. I never thought I would have the privilege to see polar bears or belugas with my own eyes! Listening to the whales via hydrophone was also remarkable.
Everyone worked tremendously hard to curate a superb experience for us including evening teaching and aurora watch. We had two viewings of the auroras even during shorter summer nights and a full moon. We appreciate everyone’s enthusiasm and hospitality, especially as you worked through a packed summer season to host us. Thank you! ~ Diantha W, Salt Lake City, Utah
A wonderful heart warming experience of a lifetime
We had the most amazing holiday experience at Seal River Heritage Lodge… a truly heart warming experience seeing the polar bears in their natural environment. Apart from the professional and meticulous approach to every aspect of the trip, the one thing that stood out to us was the care and consideration shown to the bears by our guides… far from a “ touristy” approach, our interaction walking just metres away with these wonderful creatures was greatly enhanced by our guides constant reinforcement that we were in the bears’ habitat and they must be respected. All of this was done whilst ensuring that at all times we always felt extremely safe in what was an incredible situation to be in.
The staff , food ,accommodation and overall experience at Seal River Heritage Lodge could not be faulted, and having been fortunate enough to have travelled to many parts of the world in the last 45 years of marriage we would both, without a doubt, rate this trip as up at the top when it comes to lifetime experiences. Thanks again so much, and we do hope to be back again !!.. Paul & Elizabeth ~ Companion03362721356
Churchill Wild 2025-2026 Polar Bear Safaris
