Polar bear mom and cub in July fireweed at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Scott Sugarbaker photo.
Our first Birds, Bears & Belugas safaris of the season at Seal River Heritage Lodge are in the books, and they delivered some of the best wildlife viewing the Hudson Bay coast has to offer.
Bears showed up daily. Lodge reports from the July 12-17 and July 16-23 departures logged animal sightings almost every day, from mothers caring for cubs to a tense standoff where one mother defended her young from a male bear. Curious visitors wandered right up to the lodge fence, and guests watched several bears feeding on a beluga carcass. Bears off the sea ice are still finding ways to eat well, and the bears seen this month were healthy and fat.
Polar bear enjoying the sunshine the sunshine, and a whale bone, in Hudson Bay, at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Adam Weizbel photo.
Thousands of beluga whales filled Hudson Bay at the same time. The boat trip was a highlight for nearly every guest on the July 12-17 departure, right alongside the bears at the fence. The July 16-23 group ran two boat trips of their own, with great whales and sparring bears, plus a trip out on the ATVs.
Guests who filled out surveys after their stay echoed what the guides were seeing.
Mom protecting cubs at beluga kill on the rocks at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Adam Zweibel photo.
“It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I will always remember,” said Dr. Diana Robson in an interview about her trip.
Robin Piddock travelled from the UK. “The overall experience exceeded expectations and the whole team, the service staff and guides were superb, always being there to either help or share their knowledge,” said Piddock. “Nothing was too much trouble. The guides were excellent in ensuring that we all respected and did not encroach on the wildlife or their habitat.”
Helen Codling travelled with Piddock. “The lodge was amazing, spacious comfortable and the views. Couldn’t keep my eyes off that view, it is imprinted behind my eyes,” said Codling.
Sunny day at Seal River. Adam Zweibel photo.
John Keizur came from Washington with his wife Kim. “I really liked being able to get out and hike the tundra. The guides were excellent,” said Keizur. “Great way to experience wildlife of the tundra in an intimate setting.”
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and if you can go, you should! I’ll never forget the polar bears and belugas we saw!” said Susan Jefferson, who arrived from New Jersey. “I’ve been sharing the video and my photos with my friends and family.”
Someone needs a nap. Scott Sugarbaker photo.
Lew Maltby travelled with Jefferson. “It’s not easy to get to Seal River, and spending all day on the tundra can be a bit challenging, especially if you’re almost 80,” said Maltby. “But the thrill of seeing polar bears and belugas in the wild, and sometimes close up, is amazing.” Maltby has hiked with wild animals in Africa. “Boomer and the other guides were the best I’ve ever seen at giving you great experiences while keeping you safe,” he said.
Playtime in July at Seal River. Scott Sugarbaker photo.
Charlie Leonard of Idaho has spent hundreds of hours around different bear species in many different environments, so it takes a lot to impress him. “The beluga whales were a thrill this trip,” said Leonard, who is already looking forward to a future Churchill Wild safari at a different lodge.
Guests observing beluga whales from Zodiac at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Scott Sugarbaker photo.
One family from Indonesia left the July 16-23 departure already planning their next trip, telling staff they want to book out the lodge for a combination of safaris at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, Dymond Lake Ecolodge, and the Arctic Safari at Seal River Heritage Lodge, so they can experience all three lodges along with tundra camp.
Guests kept their cameras busy all month. Thank you to Scott Sugarbaker, who travelled from Texas with his wife Kay, for sharing photos that captured a bit of everything from the week. Thank you also to Adam Zweibel of New Jersey, who shared photos and video from the lodge on Instagram.
Well hi there! Guests having fun on beluga whale excursion at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Scott Sugarbaker photo.
On changeover morning during the July 12-17 departure, one guest named Sam jumped into the Bay and told staff he would be back in four years, this time with his son. Maltby summed up his own week at Seal River Heritage Lodge simply. “I can always think of something that could have been better about a trip, but I can’t think of anything about this trip that could have been better.
“Everything ran like a Swiss watch.”
