Safari Overview

Embark on an immersive adventure and learn about the ecosystems, wildlife, and history of southern Hudson Bay and iconic York Factory with our Arctic Discovery safari.

Your trip will include a tour of the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg where you’ll be introduced to the wildlife and history of the Arctic region during a private tour. Then, you’ll spend two days exploring Churchill, enjoying marine tours, and beluga encounters before boarding a plane for the flight to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.

Highlights:

  • Four days of guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.
  • Kayaking with beluga whales in the Churchill River.
  • Exploring the historic port of Churchill, meeting local characters, and uncovering its charms.
  • Indulging your taste buds with our tundra-inspired cuisine, complemented by select Canadian wines.
  • Sky gazing! Our location beneath the auroral oval offers nearly 300 nights of aurora viewing each year. If conditions permit, you will be able to enjoy the greatest light show on earth from within the lodge or out in our secure compound. There is a low to moderate chance of seeing the lights on this safari.
  • Educational evening presentations by our lodge managers or naturalist guides about our Arctic ecosystems, landscape, and lifestyle.
  • Travelling further afield on one of our half or full-day ATV tours. Our low-impact tundra vehicles give you access to areas up and down the coast.
Sights:
Polar bears, beluga whales, wolves, black bears
Lodge:
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Date:
July & August (Click for Detailed Dates & Rates)
Length:
8 nights
Weather:
Average: 3C to 15C (37F to 60F)

Lodge + Location

Situated next to pristine Arctic waters on Hudson Bay with Canada’s Boreal Forest as its backyard sits Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World. The diverse ecosystem surrounding Nanuk is home to Canadian icons such as polar bears, black bears, wolves, and moose.

From the safety of the fence surrounding the Lodge, view the northern lights or get up-close-and-personal with the polar bears and other wildlife that meander past, as curious about you as you are about them.

The eight guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms are housed in two guest wings connected to the main dining room/lounge area, each with cozy sitting areas overlooking the Bay. After a long day trekking the tundra, kick back in our lounge and enjoy an informative presentation by our guides or simply relax and enjoy conversations with new friends.

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

250 KM SOUTH OF CHURCHILL BY PLANE

57° 07’ 22.4” N / 91° 39’ 52.0” W

Day 1

ANTICIPATION BUILDS DURING YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY 
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg airport. To start off your northern Manitoba experience, you’ll be shuttled to the Manitoba Museum for a tour of the Arctic Gallery. Dinner will be served back at the hotel followed by a short orientation.

Includes: dinner

Day 2 to 3

HISTORICAL AND MARINE EXCURSIONS 
You will depart for Churchill this morning and be greeted there by our expediter who will take you to one of our preferred hotels, your home base for the next couple of days. After settling in, you will enjoy a hearty brunch while your local guide introduces you to the itinerary for your time in Churchill.

Day 2 to 3 continued...

During your two days in this historic port town, you will be scheduled for multiple marine excursions. These will include a combination of kayaking with beluga whales in the Churchill River, estuary tours and touring the Prince of Wales Fort while beluga watching from the boat. Excursion times for your Churchill adventures will vary with the tides to maximize your time with the belugas.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 to 7

NATURE TREKKING AND POLAR BEARS! 
Day four begins with a scenic flight from Churchill over the coastal flats of the Bay before arriving at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.

Hot breakfasts will be served daily, and your outings will begin soon after. Lunch will either be served at the Lodge or enjoyed out on the land. Daily outings may include the following, depending on weather and ground conditions:

Coastal exploration to the tidal flats and Hudson Bay shoreline using a combination of people power (walking!) and our specially outfitted all-terrain vehicles. Routes will vary but ample time will be provided to photograph polar bears and the other wildlife that live in this unique environment.

Day 4 to 7 continued...

An exploration of the river deltas and vast beach ridges of this pristine area or staying close to the Lodge to take advantage of opportunities to photograph the polar bears and other wildlife.

Wind down from the day’s excitement during appetizer hour and after one of our signature dinners enjoy an informative lecture, slide show presentation, or free time.

Churchill Wild staff will monitor Aurora Borealis after dark and will provide a gentle wake-up call to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities to witness and photograph this spectacular Arctic phenomenon.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8

LAST MINUTE WILDLIFE VIEWING 
After another hearty Lodge breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to Churchill. Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in town, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring Churchill and surrounding area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military town. Your tour will include stops such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, and the Polar Bear Jail. Along the way, your guide will point out murals that were commissioned in 2016 as part of the SeaWalls mural festival. Before a group dinner, your guide will give you free time to shop for last-minute souvenirs at the unique gift stores in Churchill.

Your flight south to Winnipeg will take place this evening. Upon arrival, collect your bags, head out of the arrivals doors and back to The Grand Hotel.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9

HOMEWARD BOUND
After a restful sleep you will pack your bags in preparation for your flight home.

Churchill Wild reserves the right to make changes to this itinerary due to weather and logistical complications that can arise from traveling in the north and to remote locations.

Dates & Rates

2024 Dates
Download 2024 PDF Itinerary

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

July 29 - August 6, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

FOUR ROOMS AVAILABLE

August 2 - 10, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

August 6 - 14, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

FOUR ROOMS & ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

2024 Rates
Price (per person)
$16,995 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$31,495 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Children
$15,295 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Prices are subject to taxes of 8.5%. Children from ages 8 to 12 qualify for the child rate.

* Single guests can sign up to share a room with another person of the same gender at the regular rate per person based on double occupancy. If a single guest prefers to have a private room option we also have a single private room rate as listed above. This rate guarantees a private room at the Lodge as well as at the hotels required within the package.

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
  • Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Churchill
  • Four nights’ accommodation at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
  • All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at Nanuk Lodge

Not Included

  • Taxes and gratuities
2025 Dates

Churchill Wild reserves the right to change any published 2025 Rates via increase or decrease.
Maximum 5% increase over quoted rates. No increase will be applied if invoice is paid in full.

Download 2025 PDF Itinerary

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

July 29 - August 6, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 2 - 10, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 6 - 14, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

2025 Rates
Price (per person)
$17,895 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$33,095 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Children
$15,995 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Prices are subject to taxes of 8.5%. Children from ages 8 to 12 qualify for the child rate.

* Single guests can sign up to share a room with another person of the same gender at the regular rate per person based on double occupancy. If a single guest prefers to have a private room option we also have a single private room rate as listed above. This rate guarantees a private room at the Lodge as well as at the hotels required within the package.

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Churchill, Manitoba
  • Roundtrip airfare between Churchill and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Churchill
  • Four nights’ accommodation at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
  • All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at Nanuk Lodge

Not Included

  • Taxes and gratuities
Quote.

Churchill Wild fulfilled a bucket list trip and long-time dream of spending time with the polar bears. The wolves were definitely an unexpected bonus! This trip was everything we wanted and more! The staff made the experience even more special! Everyone was so friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. We felt as though we were in someone’s home.

Mitch C. and Don S.

Arctic Discovery Tour Churchill Wild is one the best expedition trip to explore Hudson Bay area. The lodge was surrounded by the wildness, visited by black bears, polar bears all time. We also thrilled to see strong burst of Northern light in August. Everything was wonderful, the staff at the lodge are experienced and friendly. Unforgettable experience of lifetime!

An X.

I recently returned from Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. My thoughts are still consumed with all the amazing adventures we experienced. Incredible people, wonderful staff, beautiful beluga whales, polar bears and wolves. It was one of the most memorable and enjoyable vacations of my life. I cannot say enough about the 5-star experience in dealing with Churchill Wild. These people love their jobs and love the wildlife in Manitoba. The feeling of family and togetherness was present from the time we arrived in Winnipeg. I literally cannot think of one negative aspect to my trip. My time spent with Churchill Wild will always be remembered with fondness and happiness!

Mary H.

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge – Is by far my most favored wildlife experience. Each day was more exciting than the last. Every day without fail we would encounter some form of wildlife, from wolves to bear, ducks or beluga whales. We even had a large mother bear repeatedly appearing which our guides called “Big Mama” Our guides were incredible and not once did I feel in any sort of danger. The food was extraordinary. Not only this, but the scenery was out of this world. I can say for myself and all those whom I enjoyed it with; this place is more than amazing.

Kieran Y.

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