This safari is a must-do for professional and aspiring photographers. View polar bears as they amble past the lodge on their migratory route, and watch frisky foxes play outside the lodge windows. Stunning sea ice landscapes, early morning and evening shoot opportunities, and spectacular northern lights viewing round out the adventure.
Safari Overview
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.
- 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.
- Professional photography instruction available on select departures.
Sights:
Polar bears, Arctic fox, coloured fox, Arctic hare, northern lights
Lodge:
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Date:
October, November (detailed dates below)
Length:
6 nights
Level:
Challenging (5-10 km walking/day, cold and/or extreme weather and/or snow)
Weather:
Average: -20C to -5C (-4F to 23F)
Lodge + Location
Perched on the rugged coast of Hudson Bay lies Seal River Heritage Lodge. Located near the Seal River Estuary, this Lodge is in a prime location for observing polar bears as they wander the coast during summer and fall waiting for the Bay to freeze and viewing beluga whales in July and August.
The fenced-in compound, viewing platforms and tower lend themselves to unique photography opportunities for northern lights and the wildlife that approach to check out the sights, sounds and smells of the Lodge.
Accommodations are eight, double guestrooms each with an en-suite bathroom. The guest wing is away from the lounge and dining room, allowing you to enjoy quiet time as needed.
Our cozy lounge, complete with fireplace, is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine, sharing photos or talking with new friends.
Seal River Heritage Lodge
60 KM NORTH OF CHURCHILL BY PLANE
59° 09’ 09.87” N / 94° 46’ 54.87 “ W
Dates & Rates
2021 Dates
Download 2021 PDF ItineraryDates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
October 29 - November 4, 2021
Seal River Heritage Lodge
SOLD OUT
November 2 - 8, 2021
Seal River Heritage Lodge
SOLD OUT
November 10 - 16, 2021
Seal River Heritage Lodge
SOLD OUT
2021 Rates
Price (per person)
$13,495 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
Single Private Room
$24,995 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
Children
$12,195 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
November 6 to 12 – Shoot the Light Departure – Photo Leader Charles Glatzer
Price (per person)
$14,995 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
2022 Dates
Download 2022 PDF ItineraryDates
Lodge
Availability
Inquire
November 2 - 8, 2022
Seal River Heritage Lodge
SOLD OUT
2022 Rates
Price (per person)
$14,395 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
Single Private Room
$26,695 CAD
+ taxes and gratuity
Children
$13,295 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 Seal River Heritage Lodge
- Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
- Four nights’ lodge accommodations
- All meals, excursions and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
- Winter gear* (2022 only)
*The winter gear we rent/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
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. Meet the rest of your group at an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative. This is the day that you will pick up winter gear if you have opted to rent items from us.
Includes: dinner
Day 2
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Arrive in Churchill by air where our expediter will meet you at the airport. You will then be transferred by fixed wing aircraft to Seal River Heritage Lodge. This exciting flight takes you out over the historic Churchill River, and then northwest up the rugged Hudson Bay coast. 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 your first outings.
Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 to 5
TUNDRA TREKKING, POLAR BEARS AND PRICELESS PHOTOGRAPHY
Each morning your guides will outline a plan for the day’s excursion, and after a hearty breakfast, you’ll head out, cameras in hand, in search of wildlife. This safari caters to the wildlife photographer dedicated to documenting Arctic wildlife, up-close-and-personal, so mealtimes will often be adjusted to take advantage of the encounter taking place. Your photos will have stunning backdrops with the sea and/or snowy landscapes surrounding the Lodge.
Scroll through the day’s photos during appetizer hour before enjoying one of our signature dinners. Then, top up your wine glass and head to the lounge, cozy up in front of the fireplace and enjoy a presentation by one of our team members.
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, 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
Day 7
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.
Meet your Photo Leader
Robert Postma
Professional photo instruction available on the following departures:
October 25 – 31, 2021
Robert’s love affair with photography began at a very early age. He has traveled the world, honing his skills in Iceland, Bolivia and all over North America but considers Churchill and the Hudson Bay area to be among his favorite destinations for photography. His photos have been published in calendars, books, travel guides and magazines and have won numerous awards.
Robert travels the globe in the hopes of finding and capturing the indescribable moments that nature gives us so that he can share them through his art. To him, there is nothing better than standing in front of an approaching storm or beneath a blanket of northern lights.
A frequent visitor to the Churchill Wild lodges since 2010 and a photo leader since 2014, Robert is well acquainted with our wildlife and landscapes. The knowledge and experience he’s amassed over the seasons make him a valuable addition to any group.
Robert’s relaxed and friendly teaching style will put you at ease and give you the confidence to go after those once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities.
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