Churchill Wild guests kayaking with beluga whales on the Arctic Discovery safari.
Over 50,000 beluga whales will make their way to Hudson Bay this summer. Will you be joining them?
There are still a few spots available on this year’s Birds, Bears & Belugas and Arctic Discovery safaris, which begin on July 6 and July 29, respectively. Perhaps the guest comments below will persuade you to join us.
We’ve been kayaking and singing with beluga whales for over 30 years in Hudson Bay and every safari is an adventure. You never know what type of interactions you’ll have with these “canaries of the sea” when you’re kayaking among them in the Churchill River on the Arctic Discovery, or riding the Hudson Bay waves in a Zodiac on our Birds, Bears & Belugas safari.
Magical moment with a beluga whale calf. Boomer Jerritt photo.
You might spend a magical moment with a beluga whale calf or witness polar bears trying to capture their next meal from the ancient boulders at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Polar bears are always going to be part of the show on the Arctic Discovery safari, which includes kayaking with the whales in Churchill before venturing to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge, and on the Birds, Bears & Belugas safari, which takes place at Seal River Heritage Lodge. Our Summer Dual Lodge Safari features the best of both worlds, which might also include black bears, wolves, and other wildlife, as well as myriad summer birds.
Beluga whale viewing is always a highlight for our summer guests, who have provided us with 5-Star feedback for both Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge and Seal River Heritage Lodge on Tripadvisor.com and via the surveys we send out after each safari. We take our survey responses very seriously and use them to improve our safaris.
We rarely share these responses, but when we asked guests what they would tell friends about their Birds, Bears & Belugas, Arctic Discovery and Summer Dual Lodge Safaris, their comments were just too incredible. Below is a word-for-word sampling of guest survey comments from the past few years. We even left in the ALL CAPS and exclamation marks we received.
Enjoy!
Polar waiting patiently for beluga whale to pass by. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Quent Plett photo.
“That it was one if the most amazing experiences… the bears were great, the belugas fabulous, but the ‘icing on the cake’ of a great week was the wonderful staff and guides at Seal River. Have already recommended Seal River to other tourists we have met on our travels after our Seal River experience.”
— Kerri Churchill
“I’m telling them it was one of your most favorite trips to date! We had a wonderful time, saw lots of bears, including cubs, lots of belugas (singing to them was a highlight) and even some birds, as promised. Our group also got a beautiful northern lights night.”
— Betty Cost
“This trip exceeded all expectations. I was over the moon with your guides and the approach to the ‘animal first’. The concept of having the animals allow us into their lives is one I use while working with wild mammals, and this is the first time I have been with ‘tourists’ (myself being one) where the animals came first, not the people. AND complementing that was your lodge and staff. Remarkable achievement for Churchill Wild. The only comment I have about your guides is that you better do everything necessary to keep them there! They are three remarkable and gifted people who I am bettered by having known.”
— Sally Beckwith
“It was truly a wonderful experience. So exciting to see Nature up close, and Nanuk is a very special place, the landscape, the lodge, the people, and the wildlife was just the best.
— Deb MacDonald
“One of the most environmentally aware ecotourism companies I have had the pleasure to encounter. Would recommend to all nature photographers and those concerned with our fast-changing natural world.”
— Ann Storrie
Churchill Wild guests getting ready to kayak with beluga whales on the Arctic Discovery safari. Mary Nicolini photo.
“Truly a trip of a lifetime. Was a great experience for my family. Our children who are 12 years old and 14 years old will remember their experiences for the rest of their lives. From having belugas within arms reach to having 17 polar bears within eyesight it was beyond our expectations. Always felt safe with our guides. Terry, Emri and Mark know their stuff when it comes to the arctic and polar bears and will go above and beyond to make your experience memorable.”
— Matt Crawford
“Bears, unbelievable. The scenery was beautiful. Liked how we were taken care of the entire time. My wife and I stayed behind the last day. I really saw the family spirit of all the staff. Mike and his family have done a fantastic job of instilling that into everyone I met. I think going in the summer is one time to go. Now we are thinking Kathy and I need to do an Oct/Nov to get the full effect of Seal River Lodge.”
— William Pou
“That it’s amazing! Great guides, great food, great staff. Great everything.”
— Zoe Francis
Waiting for the whales to approach on Hudson Bay. Seal River Heritage Lodge.
“That everyone should do this at least once to see/do it all for themselves and they will truly not be disappointed in any way. it will be very difficult to find something that can surpass a trip like this.”
— Ann Marshall
“The Churchill Wild organization and the trip overall well exceeded my expectations. Everyone from the Nanuk lodge staff, the lodge manager, the guides (both at Nanuk and in Churchill), the “home” office staff to the pilot and external partners were dedicated to customer service — they could give lessons to the rest of the hospitality sector!!! And the food is excellent — exceptional particularly considering your remote location. I would wholeheartedly recommend this trip. It was one of the best I have experienced in my life.”
— Dale Pratt
“I have already recommended this trip to many friends. It is a trip that is indescribable in so many ways. I would tell them that if they wanted to see a rare and beautiful part of the world along with the amazing wildlife, all while be pampered with amazing accommodations and food, this is your trip. I felt as if I was staying with family and friends. The trip exceeded my expectations in every way!!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND AWESOME!!!!!!!!!”
— Christa Andrews
For more information, please call us at Toll Free at  1.866.UGO.WILD (846.9453), email us at info@churchillwild.com, or use the Inquiry Form here to send us any questions you might have.
