“What did the survey say?” Hannah Rheaume photo.
We ask every guest the same question after they return home: Did we exceed your expectations?
The answer, overwhelmingly, is yes.
But we don’t stop there. We ask them to tell us why. To put into their own words what it felt like to walk beside a wild polar bear on the open tundra, to stand in silence while a wolf pack materialised from the treeline, to sit down to a tundra-inspired meal at the edge of the world with people they had only just met and would never forget.
What follows is what they said. Unscripted. Unsolicited. Unfiltered.
Survey says…
Josh Caspers came home still searching for where to stop raving.
“No matter how much I could tell them about how amazing the experience was, they couldn’t understand unless they were there. From the introduction dinner to meeting the team in Churchill to the beluga whales to flying and landing on a remote dirt airstrip, the crew at the lodge, the wildlife — where do I stop raving! If you wanted to be so close to polar bears that you have to stop and really think about what you are experiencing, to getting little nudges in the kayaks in the river from the beluga whales, it’s a surreal thing. The team at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge made you feel right at home, almost like family.”
Niki McGowan has travelled to all seven continents. She had something to say about where the Hudson Bay Odyssey ranks.
“I honestly can’t think of a single thing I would do differently. We have travelled a lot over the years — all 7 continents, 75 countries, 20-plus cruises, overland, safaris. This trip was one of the very best, if not the best. Well done!”
Andrew Holmes could not think of a single improvement. His recommendation was short.
“Go. Just go. Two of our friends are already signing up and I’m sure more will follow.”
Gill and Michael O’Connor ran out of adjectives before they ran out of things to say.
“I’ve run out of adjectives with everything I’ve told everybody, absolutely unbelievably amazing, beyond my wildest dreams to be soooo close to a wild polar bear and not feel the slightest bit of fear knowing the guides were in total control.”
Brittany de Temple had watched polar bears before, from a distance, in Svalbard. She came to Churchill Wild to get closer.
“This trip was wholly life-changing. There is something about being on the ground with them, looking them in the eyes, that is just so, so powerful and moving.”
Polar Bear Photo Safari at Seal River Lodge
Jill Willis did not mince words.
“Trip of a lifetime and truly the best way to experience polar bears and the Arctic tundra. The polar bear encounters were unforgettable and meaningful, and it was obvious that every staff person we encountered was passionate about what they do.”
Tanya Collins chose a comparison that anyone who has watched a Churchill Wild departure day run without a hitch will recognise immediately.
“It was a bucket list, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The guides were fantastic — we always felt safe with their no-nonsense approach and loved how they shared their knowledge about the bears and other wildlife. The staff were always smiling and ready to help. It was so organized. I would call it a well-oiled machine. A true adventure!”
TerrySue Wallace said what matters most to us, the thing we have been building toward for more than three decades.
“Churchill Wild is the only outfitter that I am aware of that provides a true ‘boots on the ground’ with the polar bears’ experience.”
Christoph and Fabienne Jansen are not first-time guests. They have been to multiple Churchill Wild lodges on over 40 safaris with Churchill Wild. After their stay at Seal River Lodge, they kept it short.
“The Churchill Wild lodges are the best for close Arctic wildlife encounters. And the staff is awesome!”
Polar Bear Photo Safari at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Emilia Ahsan arrived at Nanuk and found something she had not expected to find: a company with a conscience.
“An escape to the wilderness away from human life — a beautiful retreat of cozy lodge and fine dining, all whilst being an observer to nature and animals as they should be. An ethical tourist company reducing their footprint and treating animals with respect over anything else.”
Lisa Gonzalez sat down to lunch in a place most people will never see.
“It was an amazing experience to experience the world of the polar bear and its habitat. Having lunch with the bears in their ‘home’ was a moment to remember for the rest of our lives.”
Roslyn Hyde kept her recommendation simple.
“It’s the trip to do before anything else. The whole trip ran like clockwork and all staff were very helpful. It’s a trip of a lifetime to be so far out in the wilderness and to experience walking out to see the wildlife.”
Christoph and Fabienne Jansen, who have been on over 40 departures with Churchill Wild, said what a lot of guests think but rarely find the words for.
“The Churchill Wild lodges are unique because you won’t find this combination of close wildlife encounters, wonderful lodges and a team that makes you feel welcome, anywhere else.”
Cloud Wolves of the Kaska Coast
Sarah Shobrook had been to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge before. She came back for the wolves. After her first trip she was inspired to write a children’s book using her photographs. She said a second trip reignited that inspiration. This is what she told people to expect.
“This trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and in terms of adventure and viewing wildlife in a true wilderness this should be top of anyone’s bucket list. The camaraderie of fellow guests, the knowledge and experience of the guides and their commitment to get you where you need to be to see wildlife is second to none. If you want an adventure that leaves you with memories for life, this is the trip to do.”
Melissa Rapp paid close attention. To the detail. The daily rhythm. The way the guides moved through the cold.
“It was truly magical. Each day was full of learning and wonder. We were cared for in every way possible — from food to extra hand or foot warmers, to check-ins by guides to make sure guests were warm and well, to short informational presentations each evening. Every detail was crafted with love and care.”
Hannah Rheaume said the thing that guests sometimes need a week in the wilderness to understand.
“Yes, you go for the animals and a unique experience, but it’s the people and the land that really make this place special. Every single detail of the trip is well thought out and organized and the guests are really well taken care of.”
Anne Weisberg summed up what Churchill Wild delivers from the ground up.
“Walking among the animals, the landscape, and under the endless sky makes the Arctic Safari a totally immersive experience unlike any other. Every element that Churchill Wild creates for this experience is first rate. From the guides to the food to the accommodations to the logistics, Churchill Wild delivers a spectacular experience that is truly unique.”
Fardin Zamani arrived with no expectations. He left with a lot to say.
“Go with no expectations but come back with exhilarating emotions. Out of this world. An experience that teaches nature rules and in the grand scheme of things we are part of the whole and nothing but a speck. Come back a person ten times better. Truly spiritual.”
Roger and Fiona Hales had questions before they ever booked. They came. Here is what they said when they left.
“It was unbelievable, incredible and so magical to be out on the tundra walking so close to such magical creatures — the polar bears. A childhood dream fulfilled. We had the most amazing experience which we will treasure for the rest of our lives.”
Adele Garber was asked if there was anything she would change. Here is what she said.
“This was an amazing and wonderful experience. There is no place in the total experience that I could ask for improvements. The facilities are wonderful, the guides are great, the staff and food were impeccable. The bears were cooperative in showing up and showing some of their stunts and interests.”
Scott Niedringhaus had nothing to suggest we do differently. Except, perhaps, adding a wolverine.
“The hiking experience is fantastic. You feel much closer to the bears, you get to see and feel the spongy tundra and get a little exercise as well. It certainly didn’t hurt that we saw 6-7 bears every day on our hikes.”
If you are ready to speak for yourself, we would love to hear from you. Before the trip, during the planning, and long after you have returned home with photographs you will spend the rest of your life showing people. Thank you so much to our wonderful guests for providing such genuine and heartfelt comments.
The survey has spoken.
