Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure

The World’s Most Coveted Small-Group Polar Bear Expedition
When you're standing on the outdoor platform of our Polar Rover, the chill Arctic air feels invigorating. But not as much as the sight of the huge polar bear ambling toward us. Sometimes they are silhouetted against the horizon, slowly moving shadows on the vast expanse of tundra. Other times, one may wander up directly below. Safely elevated, you're nonetheless just feet away as you look down on his shaggy, cream-colored bulk. Noticing us, he stops, sniffs and turns his face our way, curious. We grin with delight. The big bear rises on his haunches to peer at us more deliberately. We watch in wonder. Minutes go by, perhaps an hour, who knows? Out here among the bears, time stands still. Join us for one of nature's most wondrous wildlife encounters—no one does it better than Nat Hab!
Nat Hab guests aboard the Polar Rover, Churchill, Manitoba.
Colin McNulty
Nat Hab guests aboard the Polar Rover, Churchill, Manitoba.
Nat Hab guests, Churchill, Manitoba.
Eddy Savage
Nat Hab guests, Churchill, Manitoba.
Polar bears sparring, Churchill, Manitoba.
Justin Gibson
Polar bears sparring, Churchill, Manitoba.
Snowy owl, Churchill, Manitoba.
Snowy owl, Churchill, Manitoba.
Polar bear with cubs, Churchill, Manitoba.
Colby Brokvist
Polar bear with cubs, Churchill, Manitoba.
Nat Hab guests dogsledding, Churchill, Manitoba.
Lianne Thompson
Nat Hab guests dogsledding, Churchill, Manitoba.
Nat Hab guests watch polar bears from the Polar Rover, Churchill, Manitoba.
Jeremy Covert
Nat Hab guests watch polar bears from the Polar Rover, Churchill, Manitoba.
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba.
Jeremy Covert
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba.
Nat Hab guests in front of Inukshuk and northern lights, Churchill, Manitoba.
Court Whelan
Nat Hab guests in front of Inukshuk and northern lights, Churchill, Manitoba.
Arctic fox, Churchill, Manitoba.
Arctic fox, Churchill, Manitoba.
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba.
Eddy Savage
Polar bear, Churchill, Manitoba.
Nat Hab guests in front of Inukshuk, Churchill, Manitoba.
Eddy Savage
Nat Hab guests in front of Inukshuk, Churchill, Manitoba.
Tundra sunset, Churchill, Manitoba.
Tundra sunset, Churchill, Manitoba.

Trip Highlights

The Most Intimate Polar Bear Encounters

In the smallest groups available—capped at just 16—meet the world’s greatest concentration of polar bears, as they gather to wait for freeze-up on Hudson Bay

Superlative Tundra Vehicles Get You Closer

The newest fleet of technologically advanced Polar Rovers, with huge windows and a see-through steel outdoor viewing deck, get you closest to the bears

Search for the Aurora on the Tundra at Night

An exclusive tundra excursion after dark provides a unique perspective, including the chance, on a clear night, to view northern lights away from town

Photo Departures Available

Our immersive polar bear photography adventure includes three full days of photography on the tundra. No one offers you more time and proximity with the King of the Arctic, coupled with an intensive focus on helping you create outstanding images. Our Expedition Leader is an expert nature photographer and naturalist, by your side to offer hands-on coaching and augmenting your learning with evening lectures on Arctic wildlife and landscape photography. With just 16 guests aboard vehicles designed for 30-plus passengers, everyone has a window seat, plenty of room for gear, and space to position for the best shots.

View Photo Itinerary
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Polar Bear Country

There is a Difference in Polar Bear Tours—Choose Wisely!

We know that most travelers who come to see the polar bears of Churchill will do so just once in their lives. For that reason, we promise you will enjoy the highest-quality polar bear trip available! Here's why our polar bear adventures stand apart from the rest:

  1. We Hold Exclusive Permits for the Best Bear Viewing Area
    Not every polar bear tour operator in Churchill holds permits to access the full range of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area where the best—and often only—polar bear viewing occurs. Naturally, the Nat Hab/Great White Bear team possesses one of these permits. Those who don't can only offer trips along the road to Halfway Point, which is, as the name implies, only halfway to the prime polar bear-viewing area. If you’re going to Churchill just once in your life, make it a complete experience!
  2. Our Polar Rovers are the Most Impressive Vehicles in the North
    The original tundra buggy designed for polar bear viewing was invented in the 1980s, an innovative concept that has since been substantially improved upon. Our partner in Manitoba, a world-renowned specialty vehicle designer, has created the world's premier tundra vehicle—the Polar Rover—which we operate exclusively in Churchill. Its innovative drive train allows us to traverse the tundra with virtually no chance of breakdowns. With the advanced elite suspension system that smooths the ride, plus on-board flush toilet facilities, our guests enjoy a superior level of comfort and safety. 
  3. Steel Mesh Flooring Offers Close-Up Bear Observation
    Built into the rear viewing platform of every Polar Rover is an innovative and exclusive feature we've pioneered for optimal polar bear viewing—corrugated steel-mesh floors that facilitate remarkably close encounters with curious bears that sometimes wander beneath our vehicles!
  4. The Smallest Groups Ensure the Best Nature Adventures
    A fundamental element of the best polar bear expedition is a small group. It may cost a little more, but considering the hugely superior experience, we know it’s well worth it. By limiting our groups to approximately 16 guests (even though our Polar Rovers hold more than 30 passengers), we ensure plenty of space aboard our vehicles, room to angle for the best photos, and a window seat for all.
  5. Private Chartered Planes Maximize Time with the Bears
    So we don't waste time dealing with airline schedules and airport security screenings, we charter our own aircraft to fly directly between Winnipeg to Churchill at a time that's most convenient for us. We know you'd rather spend your time watching polar bears rather than sitting around airports.
  6. Sled Dog Experience Included on Every Departure
    Every one of our Churchill tours includes a personal visit with a local dog musher and his team, and a ride through the boreal forest behind a team of sled dogs. Earlier in the season, if there isn't sufficient snow cover, the dogs pull us in a wheeled cart. But whenever you come to Churchill, this authentic northern adventure is part of your experience. 
  7. We Provide Heavy Parkas & Winter Boots for Your Use
    No need to go spend a lot of money buying heavy outdoor gear you may use just once—we provide Arctic-style parkas and heavy-duty winter boots for your use in Churchill, at no cost. 
  8. Special Photography Departures Spend Three Full Days on the Tundra
    If you're especially interested in polar bear photography, choose a Photo Tour: Our custom Polar Rovers get us in prime range of our subjects, and photo departures spend three full days roving the tundra in search of bears and other Arctic wildlife, with expert photography coaching from our Expedition Leader. 
  9. The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet
    Natural Habitat Adventures is known for employing the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Polar Bear Expedition Leaders—who have been guiding bear tours for an average of more than 10 years each—receive additional training and resources from WWF’s top scientists, ensuring a superlative interpretive experience. Expedition Leaders meet you in Winnipeg and travel with the group the entire way, sharing their wealth of knowledge and insight at every turn. On our special photo departures, guides are professional photographers with extensive experience photographing polar bears and other Arctic wildlife—and they're constantly by your side to share their knowledge. Our philosophy is pretty simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide, so we simply must provide the best! See Expedition Leader bios with traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.
  10. Local Cultural Interactions Enhance Our Adventures
    Through years of developing close relationships with local people, we are able to offer our guests exclusive opportunities to meet revered elders of First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultural groups in Churchill. These storytellers are some of the most senior in their communities, passing on their knowledge of the past to younger generations and also to our travelers.
  11. Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Special Polar Bear Experience
    Natural Habitat Adventures offers an exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.
  12. Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
    We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.
  13. Natural Habitat Adventures 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 world's leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!

Read what travelers are saying about Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure:

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