Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Cloud Wolves of the Kaska Coast
LODGE
DURATION
9 Nights
WEATHER
Average: -15C to -10C (5F to 14F)
Safari Overview
In a realm ten times the size of Yellowstone, where the Kaska Coast meets the boreal forest, an extraordinary expedition unfolds. For ten nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, the Cloud Wolves of the Kaska Coast safari invites you to join a groundbreaking citizen science project while witnessing one of nature’s most enigmatic predators in its untamed domain.
March brings the wolves’ breeding season, when courtship unfolds against a backdrop of crystalline winter light. Though pack sizes run smaller, the stability of late winter creates perfect conditions for observation and photography. The frozen Hudson Bay extends to the horizon, while the crisp air carries wolf song across the silence. These are intimate moments of discovery, as pairs bond and establish territories across this vast wilderness.
In November, a different drama emerges. Wolf packs reunite after their summer dispersal, testing their skills against prime bull moose and tracking the rhythms of their prey across the unfrozen landscape. As the bay begins its transformation toward winter, each day brings new insights into pack dynamics and hunting strategies.
Join National Geographic photographer Jad Davenport in pioneering research that seeks to understand these remarkable creatures. Our high-ratio team of experts and coastal scouts coordinate daily safaris that contribute to our understanding of wolf populations and behaviour patterns. Between wolf encounters, witness moose moving through ancient forest trails and other wildlife sharing this unique ecosystem.
Evenings bring fireside discussions on wolf biology over meals inspired by our award-winning Blueberries & Polar Bears cookbooks. When the night sky clears, the aurora borealis might paint its ethereal colours across the stars.
This is science and adventure in perfect harmony – where luxury means access to one of the planet’s last great wolf populations, and every observation contributes to our understanding of these magnificent predators.
Lodge + Location
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
250 KM SOUTH OF CHURCHILL BY PLANE
57° 07’ 22.4” N / 91° 39’ 52.0” W
Situated next to pristine Arctic waters on Hudson Bay with Canada’s Boreal Forest as its backyard sits Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. 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 guestrooms 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.
Note that due to EXTREME weather conditions (i.e. very low temperatures) there may be times when it’s difficult to maintain running water under the mid-winter conditions. There will be no laundry facilities.
March Itinerary
Day 1
GET SETTLED, GEAR UP, AND MEET YOUR TEAM
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. Your winter gear fitting and collection will take place at 5 pm prior to meeting the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative.
Includes: dinner
Day 2
Fly to Thompson or Churchill, where you will be met by our staff, and then on to Nanuk Lodge.
Upon arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. Then it’s time to assemble your cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start shooting. Time permitting, we’ll head out for a shakedown hike.
After the excitement of the day prepare for the first of many fine meals from the award-winning Blueberries & Polar Bears cookbooks.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 3 - 8
FIND THE WOLVES!
Enjoy a hearty breakfast while our lead guide briefs us on what the scouts are reporting and our plan of attack for the day. After breakfast, it’s time to head on safari!
These daily safaris (usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon) are a chance for us to track the wolf packs and get you as close as possible to observe and photograph their behavior and social interactions.
While it’s often possible to observe wolves right from the viewing decks at the lodge, wolves regularly travel to hunt and mark their territory; they can easily cover 40km a day. We keep in close radio contact with our scouts as they monitor activity at various points along the coast. With our small group size and high-guide ratio, we are able move quickly along a network of established safari trails.
After morning safaris, we’ll head back to the lodge to enjoy a light lunch and some well-earned downtime. By early afternoon we’ll head back into the field. Some days, depending on wildlife and weather, we may opt for an all-day safari and extend our range.
For those interested in becoming involved with our citizen-science wolf study, the safaris are also a chance to conduct field work. Depending on the weather and wildlife situation, we may have opportunities to collect trailcam images, cast animal tracks, study social relationships, map territories, conduct and record howl surveys, and gather traditional knowledge from First Nation oral histories. Participants contributions will become part of the yearly study.
Evenings at Nanuk are a chance to unwind and enjoy a nightly happy hour with a short presentation on wolf biology and natural history, storytelling and wildlife photography, followed by a delicious dinner and socializing around the fire.
The Kaska Coast boasts over 300 nights a year of Auroral activity, making it one of the best places in the world to see the dazzling Northern Lights. March weather is cooler and can offer more crisp clear nights increasing our chance for Aurora viewing. If the sky is clear and the solar winds are active, we’ll be sure and wake you up for a dazzling show. Jad will be on hand to help you set up your cameras and capture the haunting beauty.
This is your expedition. While we want to offer you as many experiences as possible, we also encourage you to relax. Take an afternoon or morning off (or a couple) and have the lodge to yourself. We’ll stoke the fire, pour you some coffee and leave you with some tasty brownies. Some of our best wildlife viewing happens right from the lodge. You never know who might wander up to the window and look in on you.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 9 - 10
BACK TO WINNIPEG
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the Lodge and the wildlife whose home you’ve shared over the last 8 days.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10
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.
November Itinerary
Day 1
GET SETTLED, GEAR UP, AND MEET YOUR TEAM
Arrive in Winnipeg where you will enjoy a relaxing stay at our choice hotel, The Grand by Lakeview at the Winnipeg Airport. Your winter gear fitting and collection will take place at 5 pm prior to meeting the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative.
Includes: dinner
Day 2
WELCOME TO NANUK POLAR BEAR LODGE!
Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions of the morning transfer. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. This exciting 60-minute flight takes you over Wapusk National Park as well as the historic York Factory. Keep a sharp eye en-route for wildlife including wolves, caribou and polar bears.
Upon arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travelling in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings. Then it’s time to assemble your cameras, hard drives, and tripods and start shooting. Time permitting, we’ll head out for a shakedown hike.
After the excitement of the day prepare for the first of many fine meals from the award-winning Blueberries & Polar Bears cookbooks.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 3 - 8
FIND THE WOLVES!
Enjoy a hearty breakfast while our lead guide briefs us on what the scouts are reporting and our plan of attack for the day. After breakfast, it’s time to head on safari!
These daily safaris (usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon) are a chance for us to track the wolf packs and get you as close as possible to observe and photograph their behavior and social interactions.
While it’s often possible to observe wolves right from the viewing decks at the lodge, wolves regularly travel to hunt and mark their territory; they can easily cover 40 km a day. We keep in close radio contact with our scouts as they monitor activity at various points along the coast. With our small group size and high-guide ratio, we are able move quickly along a network of established safari trails.
After morning safaris, we’ll head back to the lodge to enjoy a light lunch and some well-earned downtime. By early afternoon we’ll head back into the field. Some days, depending on wildlife and weather, we may opt for an all-day safari and extend our range.
For those interested in becoming involved with our citizen-science wolf study, the safaris are also a chance to conduct field work. Depending on the weather and wildlife situation, we may have opportunities to collect trailcam images, cast animal tracks, study social relationships, map territories, conduct and record howl surveys, and gather traditional knowledge from First Nation oral histories. Participants contributions will become part of the yearly study.
Evenings at Nanuk are a chance to unwind and enjoy a nightly happy hour with a short presentation on wolf biology and natural history, storytelling and wildlife photography, followed by a delicious dinner and socializing around the fire.
The Kaska Coast boasts over 300 nights a year of Auroral activity, making it one of the best places in the world to see the dazzling Northern Lights. March weather is cooler and can offer more crisp clear nights increasing our chance for Aurora viewing. If the sky is clear and the solar winds are active, we’ll be sure and wake you up for a dazzling show. Jad will be on hand to help you set up your cameras and capture the haunting beauty.
This is your expedition. While we want to offer you as many experiences as possible, we also encourage you to relax. Take an afternoon or morning off (or a couple) and have the lodge to yourself. We’ll stoke the fire, pour you some coffee and leave you with some tasty brownies. Some of our best wildlife viewing happens right from the lodge. You never know who might wander up to the window and look in on you.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 9 - 10
BACK TO WINNIPEG
After breakfast it’s time for one last goodbye-howl to the wolves before we fly back to Churchill and on to Winnipeg.
Back in town, you’ll spend the day with one of our tour guides exploring the town and surrounding area and learning about its rich history as a seaport and ex-military base. Your tour will include highlights such as the Parks Canada exhibit, the Itsanitaq Museum, the Polar Bear Jail, chatting with the Cree and Inuit ladies sewing moose-hide mitts at the Arctic Trading Post, or learning about the Lost Franklin Expedition while gazing at the stained-glass memorial in St. Paul’s Anglican Church. 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 10
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.
Photo Leader
Jad Davenport
Jad’s career in photojournalism began as a documentary photographer who started developing his talent for image storytelling while covering more than a dozen wars. His knack for capturing the essence of an experience have defined his career, and Jad is a full time travel photographer with an open assignment with National Geographic Creative. Jad’s abilities have garnered no less than four Lowell Thomas awards which is one of the most respected awards in the field.
His work has frequently appeared in many of the world’s elite publications including Newsweek, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Audubon, Sierra, Coastal Living, and many more while also appearing in esteemed galleries including the Smithsonian.
Jad’s work has taken him to some 160 countries in some of the wildest places on earth; from photographing the mountain gorillas in the Congo war zone to the black pearl farms in Tahiti – and of course, the polar bears of Churchill Wild!
Jad specializes in the art of capturing images that take you back to the time and place and elicit the emotions which make an experience profound. Jad provided the first digital cover and inside story for National Geographic Adventure Magazine, and he is adept at using any of the variety of digital tools now available for the modern traveler who is not always able to travel with the latest and greatest photographic lenses and equipment.
With Jad’s direction, you will be able to capture your journey into the Arctic like never before, whether using an iPhone, point-and-shoot, DSLR or mirrorless camera. Jad’s focus on the subject and composition make the art of photojournalism accessible to all, regardless of your present level of photographic sophistication.
Dates & Rates
2025 Dates
Dates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
2025 Rates
2025
Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$23,195 CAD
2025
Single Private Room
$42,895 CAD
Download 2025 March PDF ItineraryDownload 2025 November PDF Itinerary
2026 Dates
Dates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
2026 Rates
2026
Price Per Person (Double Occupancy)
$25,495 CAD
2026
Single Private Room
$47,095 CAD
Download 2026 March PDF ItineraryDownload 2026 November PDF Itinerary
Prices are subject to taxes of 8.5%.
* 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
- 7 nights’ lodge accommodations
- All meals, excursions, and guide services while at the Lodge
- Winter gear*
* Temperatures will range from -20 to -40C, likely with high wind chills, blowing snow and/or blizzard conditions. Only the very best winter clothing is acceptable and for this reason we will provide you with insulated boots, pants and parka for this expedition. The items are designed to fit adult guests. Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 would be considered a custom size that we do not provide. Additionally, guests over 6’4” may be required to bring their own gear as we may not have clothing sizes to fit. For your own safety and comfort, we will provide you with an additional list of what to bring.
Not Included
- Taxes and Gratuities
- Personal outdoor gear not included are winter hat, balaclava, scarf and mitts. If you cannot get at home, you can purchase them with us but advance notice is required.
For questions or booking inquiries, call 1-866-UGO-WILD (846-9453) or contact us.
Download March ItineraryDownload November Itinerary
For questions or booking inquiries, call 1-866-UGO-WILD (846-9453) or contact us.
Get the Latest News
Get the latest news from Churchill Wild delivered straight to your inbox!
By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to receive news offers, and information from Churchill Wild. Click here to visit our Privacy Policy. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email.
Our Partners
