Every October and November, polar bears congregate in the Churchill area to await the return of the sea ice and access to their preferred prey: the ringed seal. This high concentration of polar bears is the perfect opportunity for photographers and wildlife lovers to experience bears, arctic foxes, caribou, and snowy owls in their habitat. We will spend 3 nights at the Churchill Northern Study Centre along the Hudson Bay coastline. We tour the Wildlife Management Area for 3 1/2 days: 2 days on private van tours and 1 day on a tundra vehicle in the Wildlife Management Area, with an additional 1/2 day van trip into town on our arrival day.
The tundra vehicles have an outside observation deck for photography and heated interior. These vehicles take us places a regular vehicle can not go indside the massive and varied Churchill Wildlife Management Area. While on our private van with a local guide we will see more bears and also pause for other arctic wildlife. We will be allowed to venture out of the van to photograph handheld or with tripod as long as our local guide feels it is safe. This allows eye level perspective photography. At the Northern Studies Centre we are immersed in the beauty of the reserve area and we will meet researchers also staying at the Centre for the season. There is astar dome for enjoying the night sky from inside . The outside deck is perfect for night photography and seeking the Northern Lights.
This trip is limited to 6 guests and you will be accompanied by photography host, Gregory Sweeney as well as local professional guides. .
Where
Participants
Encounters
Trip Dates
Price
October 29: Meet in Winnipeg airport hotel
October 30:Flight from Winnipeg to Churchill. Transfer to Studies Centre and tour of facility. Possible 1/2 day excursion in town.
October 31: Morning departure for private van tour to photograph arctic wildlife and bears
November 1: Morning departure for private van tour to photograph arctic wildlife and bears
November 2: Bear buggy for the day in the Wildlife Management Area.
November 3: Breakfast, transfer to airport for mid day flight to Winnipeg. Airport hotel - some guests maybe have connecting flight to home
November 4: Guests depart for home
Scuba and Snorkel trips including whale sharks, Billfish, Sharks, Whales
Sharks, Sailfish, Whale Sharks, Manta, Etc. : My collection on Vimeo
Underwater photography tips, trip announcements, and more
Photos and description of our past trips.
Our photo safaris are for photographers and non photographers who want to get up close to large marine life. All of our trips are to destinations proven to be reliable for great encounters. Gregory Sweeney is on hand to help guests with camera gear and techniques before and during the trips. We have been hosting Shark Scuba trips on the MV Dolphin Dream for 10 years.