Safari Overview

Our most challenging safari, but with opportunity for the most rewarding payoff.

The goal of this expedition is to find and photograph female polar bears and their newborn cubs in the Kaskatamgan Wildlife Management Area on Manitoba’s Hudson Bay coast.

This safari includes 11 nights at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge for the best chances of witnessing moms and cubs as they travel from their den and head out onto the sea ice.

Highlights:

  • Daily excursions in search of polar bear moms and cubs, wolves, moose and other boreal wildlife
  • 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.
  • Snowshoeing, igloo building, and other winter activities
  • Nearly 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, ensuring an ultra-personalized experience
Sights:
Polar bears (mom and cubs only), wolves, moose, northern lights
Lodge:
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
Date:
February, March (Click for Detailed Dates & Rates)
Length:
13 nights
Level:
Challenging (Extreme cold and possible blizzard conditions)
Weather:
Average: -25C to -20C (-13F to - 4F)

Lodge + Location

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.

Note that due to EXTREME weather conditions (i.e. very low temperatures) there may be times when it’s difficult to maintain running water under the mid-winter conditions. There will be no laundry facilities.

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 
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

ARCTIC FRONTIER ARRIVAL
Fly to Thompson or Churchill, where you will be met by our staff, and then on to Nanuk Lodge.  After settling in at the Lodge, you’ll head out on the first of your expeditions to search for wildlife, time and daylight permitting.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 to 12

YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Your days will start with a hearty, full-course breakfast to fuel your daily activities which will consist of guided expeditions to search out wildlife encounters, primarily of mothers and newborn cubs.

Guides and/or scouts will patrol the area daily to seek out  bears traversing the the coastline with their newborn cubs. These guides will always be in radio contact to coordinate viewing/photography opportunities of bear families as they make their way to the coast and onto the sea ice.

Other activities may include igloo building, wolf howls, soapstone carving and snowshoeing expeditions.

Includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13

BACK TO WINNIPEG
After breakfast it’s time to say goodbye to the Lodge and the wildlife whose home you’ve shared over the last 10 days.

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 14

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

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

February 19 - March 4, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

March 2 - 15, 2025
Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge

SOLD OUT

2025 Rates
Price (per person)
$19,695 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Single Private Room
$36,495 CAD

+ taxes and gratuity

Children
N/A

+ taxes and gratuity

Prices are subject to taxes of 8.5%.

* 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.

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip airfare between Winnipeg and Thompson/Churchill, Manitoba
  • Roundtrip airfare between Thompson/Churchill and Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
  • Two nights’ accommodations in Winnipeg
  • 11 nights’ lodge accommodations
  • All meals, excursions, and guide services while at the Lodge
  • Winter gear*

* Temperatures will range from -20 to -40C, likely with high wind chills, blowing snow and/or blizzard conditions. Only the very best winter clothing is acceptable and for this reason we will provide you with insulated boots, pants and parka for this expedition. The items are designed to fit adult guests. Boot sizes larger than a men’s size 13 would be considered a custom size 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. For your own safety and comfort, we will provide you with an additional list of what to bring.

Not Included

  • Taxes and Gratuities
  • Personal outdoor gear not included are winter hat, balaclava, scarf and mitts. If you cannot get at home, you can purchase them with us but advance notice is required.
Quote.

Churchill Wild is an outstanding ecotourism company that is family run and offers amazing wildlife experiences you cannot get anywhere else and pampers its guests with 5 star food and lodging at remote fly inn lodges that are totally self sufficient. I have been all over the world and Churchill Wild is one of the best companies I have traveled with. They really take care of you from start to finish. What are you waiting for?

Virginia H.

Some might wonder, why you would want to travel to this remote area in the middle of the arctic winter. If you are lucky, you might be able to encounter polar bear moms with their cubs on their journey from there denning areas to the sea ice. It was definitely the trip of our lifetime. We will definitely be returning to Nanuk.

Christian J.

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