Photograph the Bears of Katmai National Park on a Chartered Small-Ship Adventure
We're not exaggerating when we say this is the ultimate bear photography safari! Alaskan brown bears—the world's largest coastal grizzlies—feast all summer on clams, mussels, sedges and spawning salmon, accessible to our cameras at close range. With seven nights aboard our private chartered ship, the Natural Habitat Ursus, photographers have an exclusive opportunity to capture countless images of brown bears on the wild beaches in this roadless sector of Katmai National Park. Go ashore with our expert naturalist guide—who is also a professional wildlife photographer—to capture images on foot from a careful distance. Your Expedition Leader is one of Alaska's top bear experts, coaching you on how to safely get incredible shots at close range. We may view lone males, mothers with playful cubs, or even a wolf interacting with bears along the river. Experience this rarest of encounters with Ursus arctos in all its untamed majesty!
Trip Highlights
No Better Bear Photography on the Planet!
It may be an audacious claim, but it's true—get closer than you can imagine, safely on foot with our expert bear guides who are also pro photographers
A Private Chartered Ship for Exclusive Access
Following the wild Katmai coast aboard the Natural Habitat Ursus, just eight guests have unparalleled access for bear photography in this roadless wilderness
Photograph Highlights of Kodiak Island
Rarely visited Kodiak is replete with Native and Russian heritage, lush mountains and rich marine life, which we photograph on an all-day private boat cruise
WWF In Action
The Bear Coast
An Alaska Conservation Story
The Ultimate Bear Photography Safari
In the roadless wilderness of Katmai National Park, utterly removed from standard cruise ship and tour routes, a select few photographers spend a full week in the bears' midst, with unhurried hours to capture close-up images against a backdrop of ice-crowned peaks and saltwater inlets. Click here to read about the seasonal "ebbs and flows" of grizzly bear season, to determine what you're likely to see and experience in terms of the bears' behavior. Here's why this is the ultimate opportunity to photograph Alaska's fabled brown bears:
- The Most Immersive Bear Photography Adventure You'll Find
Our itinerary—offered solely by Natural Habitat Adventures—is a singular opportunity to spend a full week in remote brown bear habitat, not available via any other operator we know of. This is an exclusive photo safari focused wholly on bears. In fact, you can't even get here by cruise ship or by road: We reach this isolated wilderness by float plane, then transfer to our small chartered ship to explore the uninhabited coastline with the flexibility to follow the bears' movements. It's a genuine, unparalleled wilderness immersion!
- A Maximum of Just 8 Guests
Using a chartered small expedition ship for our exclusive access, with just eight photographer guests, we can comfortably approach bears safely without disturbing them. You won't find a more intimate setting in which to observe and photograph bears. - Our Own Privately Chartered Ship
The Natural Habitat Ursus offers the optimal way to explore the scenic coastal wilderness of Katmai National Park. Completely retrofitted to provide comfortable, compact accommodations, the Ursus is a converted research vessel with a shallow draft that allows us to cruise near the shoreline, watching bears forage in the meadows and dig clams on thetide flats . Since we sleep aboard, our route can be flexible—we follow the bears! - Photograph Bears at Incredibly Close Range
It's hard to fathom that we can stand safely on the ground with Alaska's mighty brown bears. Yet that's exactly the amazing photo opportunity this rare adventure affords, in a wild realm where bears have never regarded humans as a threat. With expert coaching from our guide, we remain unobtrusively in the bears' presence, immersed in solitude. You simply won't find such an experience anywhere else. - Your Outstanding Naturalist Guide is a Bear Photography Pro
Our Expedition Leaders are not only accomplished professional wildlife photographers, they are also trained naturalists who are seasoned experts on bears and bear behavior. In their company, you'll get insight and access to bears you could never get otherwise. We take pride in employing the most qualified, dedicated and passionate photo safari guides, who also receive natural history training from leading WWF scientists. Our Expedition Leaders will facilitate an outstanding photography experience while ensuring your safety and comfort. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders. - Perfect Your Shots through Workshops & Editing Sessions
Each evening, once we have spent a full day in the field photographing grizzlies and other wildlife, return to the Ursus for a hearty home-cooked gourmet dinner followed by an extended workshop session to review, share and edit your images from the day. Gain insight from our Photo Pro Expedition Leader and your fellow photographers as we explore best practices together. - A Commitment to Conserving Bears & Other Wildlife
In support of our commitment to conserving Alaska's brown bears and other wildlife, we've created a special website, Bears & Beyond, managed and edited by Nat Hab Expedition Leader, professional photographer and bear expert Brad Josephs. The site is a showcase for photos and stories about bears and other wild animals, including wolves. Take a look, and share the link with your friends. - Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Bear Photography Adventure
Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, which clearly states that we will meet the lofty expectations established in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise. - Feel Good About the Way You Travel
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100-percent offset—Natural Habitat Adventures is the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company. - Natural Habitat is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our adventures. World Wildlife Fund— the planet's leading environmental conservation organization—has named Natural Habitat as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
