Safari Overview

One of our two safaris geared toward aspiring and professional photographers, this trip takes place during the classic late-fall season and offers ground-level opportunities to capture polar bears, wolves, moose, boreal owls, northern lights, and more!

Although there are no photo leaders, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded travellers who share your passion for wildlife photography. Our guides are dedicated to maximizing your time in the field and positioning you to capture the perfect shot. Choose from either a four- or five-night stay at Nanuk.

Highlights:

  • Daily, guided hikes across the tundra to view polar bears and other Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, in their natural habitat.
  • 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 high 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.
  • Sunrises, sunsets and blue hour—our photo safaris give you ample opportunity to photograph the wildlife and landscapes of the Hudson Bay coast during the best light.
Red fox. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ian Johnson photo.
Sights:
Polar bears, wolves, moose, northern lights
Lodge:
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Date:
October, November (Click for Detailed Dates & Rates)
Length:
6 - 7 nights
Weather:
Average: -20C to -5C (-4F to 23F)

Lodge + Location

Gray wolf in front of Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Gillian Llyod photo.

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.

Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

250 KM SOUTH OF CHURCHILL BY PLANE

57° 07’ 22.4” N / 91° 39’ 52.0” W

Itinerary

Day 1

ANTICIPATION BUILDS DURING YOUR OVERNIGHT STAY IN WINNIPEG 
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

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!
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 one-hour flight takes you over Wapusk National Park as well as the historic York Factory.  Keep a sharp eye en-route for wildlife including the ‘Great Ice 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.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Polar bear strolling by Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Karl Heinz-Hoefert photo.
Guests enjoying the northern lights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.

Day 3 to 5

NATURE TREKKING, POLAR BEARS AND MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHY!
Each morning after a hot breakfast, your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursions. Note that to maximize photography time and opportunities, your daily schedule may be adjusted. Our Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge is a wildly rugged and remote location catering to the photographer willing to spend long hours in the field getting up close and personal, at ground level, with Arctic wildlife. The shoreline location of the lodge is ideal for photographing bears on snow and ice, and on clear nights offers excellent chances for northern lights photography.

After appetizers and another one of our signature meals, evenings are spent near the fireplace downloading images, sharing the day’s adventures, or taking in an informative lecture or slide show.

Bedtime is at your leisure and you can rest easy knowing you won’t miss out on anything. Our staff monitor the compound and skies and will rouse you if the aurora or a nocturnal polar bear make an appearance.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6

LAST MINUTE WILDLIFE VIEWING
After another hearty Lodge breakfast, we will begin air transfers back to Churchill.  Have your cameras ready for the return flight as it affords excellent opportunities for great aerial shots.

Back in Churchill, 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 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

Ptarmigan camouflage. Jenni Lisacek photo.
Polar bear in the snow. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ian Johnson photo.

Day 7

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

*NOTE FOR 8 DAY ITINERARY
The above itinerary reflects a 7-day package as that is the majority of our Nanuk Lodge departures.  We are offering a couple departure as an 8-day package. Essentially, the itinerary is the same but as you will have five nights at the Lodge and your days would be numbered slightly different. Day 3-6 are your days at the Lodge, Day 7 is the day you transfer back to Churchill/Winnipeg and Day 8 would be the day you fly 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 7 day PDF ItineraryDownload 8 day PDF Itinerary

8 DAY TRIPS: October 25 – November 1 and November 11 – 18, 2024

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

October 25 - November 1, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

October 30 - November 5, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

November 3 - 9, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

November 7 - 13, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

November 11 - 18, 2024
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

2024 Rates
Price (per person)
$15,995 CAD (7 day)
$17,495 CAD (8 day)

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$29,595 CAD(7 day)
$32,395 CAD(8 day)

+ 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
  • Four/five nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
  • Winter gear*

*The winter gear we provide is designed to fit guests from child to adult.  Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 or a very small child are customized sizes 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.

Not Included

  • Taxes and gratuities
2025 Dates
Download 7 day PDF ItineraryDownload 8 day PDF Itinerary

8 DAY TRIPS: October 25 – November 1 and November 11 – 18, 2025

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

October 25 - November 1, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

ONE ROOM AVAILABLE

Inquire
October 30 - November 5, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

TENTATIVE HOLD

Inquire
November 3 - 9, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

November 7 - 13, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

FIVE ROOMS AVAILABLE

Inquire
November 11 - 18, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

2025 Rates
Price (per person)
$16,795 CAD (7 day)
$18,395 CAD (8 day)

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$31,095 CAD(7 day)
$34,095 CAD(8 day)

+ 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
  • Four/five nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
  • Winter gear*

*The winter gear we provide is designed to fit guests from child to adult.  Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 or a very small child are customized sizes 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.

Not Included

  • Taxes and gratuities
2026 Dates
Download 7 day PDF ItineraryDownload 8 day PDF Itinerary

8 DAY TRIPS: October 24 – 31, October 29 – November 5, and November 11 – 18, 2026

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

October 24 - 31, 2026
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

Inquire
October 29 - November 5, 2026
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

Inquire
November 3 - 9, 2026
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

Inquire
November 7 - 13, 2026
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

Inquire
November 11 - 18, 2026
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

AVAILABLE

Inquire
2026 Rates
Price (per person)
$18,395 CAD (7 day)
$20,395 CAD (8 day)

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$33,995 CAD(7 day)
$37,695 CAD(8 day)

+ 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
  • Four/five nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
  • Winter gear*

*The winter gear we provide is designed to fit guests from child to adult.  Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 or a very small child are customized sizes 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.

Not Included

  • Taxes and gratuities
Arctic hare in the winter. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Jad Davenport photo.
Two wolves on the runway at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Ptarmigan. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Susan and Tony Knowler photo.
Northern Light. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ryohei Orihara photo.
Gray wolf. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Andy Skillen photo.
Large polar bear. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Lynne Davis photo.
Moose in the boreal forest. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ian Johnson photo.
Northern bird. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Jeff MacDonald photo.
Guests enjoying the northern lights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Polar bear strolling by Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Karl Heinz-Hoefert photo.
Polar bear in the snow. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Ian Johnson photo.
Wolf howl. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Polar bear on the sea ice. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Michael Sterns photo.
Ptarmigan camouflage. Jenni Lisacek photo.
Red fox among the willows. Nanuk POlar Bear Lodge. Ian Johnson photo.
Polar bear in front of Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Andy Skillen photo. Churchill Wild Polar Bear Tours and Walking Safaris.
Sparring polar bears. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Soren Hansen photo.
Wolf stretch. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Jeff MacDonald photo.
Red fox. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Soren Hansen photo.
Quote.

“Thank you for a multitude of amazing experiences! The location is magical. It is mind blowing to fall out of bed to see wild wolves and polar bears at the window! The staff at the lodge made us feel like family! And the food…top notch. The guides are so incredibly helpful, professional and always give 110 percent. Wish we could stay longer but we will definitely be back!”

Brenda & Marsha S.

“What is “magic”? Magic is Churchill Wild’s Nanuk lodge! This is our second time with this beautiful family run company. From magnificent food to fantastically educated guides and beautifully maintained rooms, it does not get better than this! Many thanks to Stuart for his kindness and attention, Service is perfection, every guest is made to feel special. I’m going home wit ha soaring spirit! Wolves, polar bears, snowy owls, lemmings, moose – until next time.”

Denae D & James Y.

“Amazing and often magical experience with polar bear and wolf – every day a new and unexpected adventure followed by exceptional accommodations and meals – the staff and guides made our time here delightful as well as educational and safe. We will dream of Nanuk Lodge and close encounters with wolf and bear when we’re home! Thank you!!”

Rita N. & Bill N.

“My daughter and I are grateful to you sharing your passion for your special part of the world. To be able to experience the wonder of polar bears in their environment and to being to understand how hard it is to survive and thrive was magical. Your guides were so knowledgeable and committed to the bears first in balance with waiting and to giving us the thrill of a lifetime. The rest of the crew kept us so well feed and comfortable. all in all, it was a fabulous and amazing time.”

Ann & Diane S.

“We travelled to the land of the polar bears not knowing what to expect. The temperatures were crazy cold, but the warmth of the lodge was only outdone by the warmth of the staff. Seamless service and the attention to detail made our stay magnificent. The vistas and the quiet made the week one of reflection on the beauty of nature in challenging conditions. Thank you “fur” a wonderful visit.”

Katie S.

Explore Related Polar Bear Safaris

Polar Bear Photo Safari

Nanuk Emergence Quest

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