Safari Overview

Our Birds, Bears & Belugas safari takes place during the beautiful Arctic summer when the bears are pristinely white after coming off the ice, the belugas are plentiful, and the weather is balmy.

During this Canadian Signature Experience, you’ll spend five nights at Seal River Heritage Lodge enjoying tundra treks and marine tours. It’s a great trip for families and one of our most beloved safaris!

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 low to moderate 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.
  • Zodiac tours to view beluga whales near the mouth of the Seal River estuary where they congregate by the thousands in the summer months.
Sights:
Polar bears, beluga whales, Arctic fox, shorebirds, sik-siks
Lodge:
Seal River Heritage Lodge
Date:
July, August (Click for Detailed Dates & Rates)
Length:
7 nights
Weather:
Average: 7C to 17C (45F to 63F)

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 guest rooms 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

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 during an orientation dinner hosted by a Churchill Wild representative.

Includes: dinner

Day 2

WINNIPEG TO CHURCHILL TO THE LODGE
Arrive in Churchill by air where one of our expert staff will meet you at the airport and provide you with instructions for the morning transfers. Your adventure begins with an aerial flight over the winding Hudson Bay coast en-route to your home for the next six days, Seal River Heritage Lodge. Watch out for pods of whales, birds, and of course, the magnificent Ice Bears. The Seal River Estuary is a summer favorite for these goliaths, and they are seen swimming or basking near the water’s edge.

Day 2 continued...

Upon your arrival, your hosts will provide a tour of the Lodge and get you settled into your room. A thorough orientation on travel in polar bear country will be provided prior to any outings.

After lunch, you’ll experience the coast for the first time. Ensure your camera batteries are charged!

Back at the lodge, enjoy appetizer hour followed by another of our signature meals. Evenings typically include an informative lecture or slide show presentation narrated by one of Churchill Wild’s knowledgeable guides or staff.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 to 6

TUNDRA TREKKING, POLAR BEARS AND PRICELESS PHOTOGRAPHY
After breakfast, head out for either a marine tour or hike. Lunch will typically be back at the lodge, unless your guides take you on an ATV excursion further down the coast. Marine tours are tide-dependent, so scheduled mealtimes may be adjusted to accommodate whale watching.

Relive the excitement of the day during daily appetizer hour before sitting down to dinner, then top up your glass of wine and settle in for the evening’s presentation.

Bedtime is at your leisure. We monitor the Lodge area all night so be prepared to have your sleep cut short by a nocturnal visit from one of the great ice bears (or by one of our dazzling displays of northern lights!)

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7

CHURCHILL TIME!
After one last 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, 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 8

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.

Dates & Rates

2024 Dates
Download 2024 PDF Itinerary

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

July 6 -13, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

July 11 -18, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

SOLD OUT

July 16 -23, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

SUMMER POLAR BEAR PHOTO SAFARI – ONE ROOM & ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

July 21 -28, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

SUMMER POLAR BEAR PHOTO SAFARI – FOUR ROOMS AND ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

July 26 - August 2, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

July 31 - August 7, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

THREE ROOMS AND ONE FEMALE SHARE AVAILABLE

August 5 - 12, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

TWO ROOMS AVAILABLE

August 10 - 17, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 15 - 22, 2024
Seal River Heritage Lodge

ONE ROOM, ONE FEMALE AND ONE MALE SHARE AVAILABLE

2024 Rates
Price (per person)
$15,695 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$29,095 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Children
$14,095 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
  • Five nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
  • Excursion gear*

* The equipment we provide at the Lodge (rain gear, rubber boots, and gear for use during marine excursions) 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

Churchill Wild reserves the right to change any published 2025 Rates via increase or decrease.
Maximum 5% increase over quoted rates. No increase will be applied if invoice is paid in full.

Download 2025 PDF Itinerary

Dates

Lodge

Availability

Inquire

July 6 -13, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

July 11 -18, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

July 16 -23, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

SUMMER PHOTO SAFARI – AVAILABLE

July 21 -28, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

SUMMER PHOTO SAFARI – AVAILABLE

July 26 - August 2, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

July 31 - August 7, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 5 - 12, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 10 - 17, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

August 15 - 22, 2025
Seal River Heritage Lodge

AVAILABLE

2025 Rates
Price (per person)
$16,495 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$30,495 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Children
$14,895 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
  • Five nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions, and guide services while in Churchill and at the Lodge
  • Excursion gear*

* The equipment we provide at the Lodge (rain gear, rubber boots, and gear for use during marine excursions) 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
Quote.

Superb experience provided by an exceptional staff and management. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect experience or better-quality service in such a remote lodge. I don’t praise often or easily but you deserve every word. Much love and endless appreciation for everything!

Kevin M.

We are grateful for your hospitality at Seal River Lodge. You shared the wonder of this beautiful northern environment that will be with us for eternity. I am filled with new appreciation of what earth is offering. Great laughs, great food, new friends too! “In nature, nothing exists alone” – R. Carson

Kathy and Jeff M.

Thanks Churchill Wild for this amazing week. It was more than amazing to see these incredible polar bears in the wild but also so close. I’m very thankful to have this experience forever in my mind. Not to forget the lovely belugas with their absolutely cute baby beluga learning to swim. Thank you.

Melanie and Susann I., Sebastian K.

COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!!!! BRAVO!!! This has been one of the best experiences ever, thank you! Super guides, lovely staff, brilliant management! You have all been brilliant! Felt like family and super logistics – thinking where we are! Thank you all so much! This was lovely! I would repeat every year!

BB L.

To all the staff at Seal River – thank you sooooo much for your wonderful and warm hospitality, the staff in the lodge were all so efficient and friendly, the food was amazing and delicious. Now the guides – words are not enough!! Very knowledgeable (as you would expect), but passionate about the area, so patient and jolly good fun. Thank you all so much for a brilliant stay.

Susan C.

Many thanks for a wonderful wildlife experience. We loved lunch with the belugas, getting close-up and personal with a top predator and a lovely birding trip with Andy. All the food (and drink) was delicious—special appreciation to the chefs. We enjoyed the special touches, such as the mulled wine in the tidal zone. We valued the expertise of the guides. Thanks again.

Irene and Dave I.

Exceptional experience! Thank you for the amazing tours and terrific food. Thank you especially for the warm and genuine care from the staff and guides. This trip was everything we had hoped for and more!

Jocelyn and Norm B.

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