For wildlife photographers keen to capture close-up images of polar bears, this is the ultimate photo tour in the very best spot to get those coveted shots! Stay in the very heart of the bears’ territory at our exclusive Tundra Lodge, isolated in the wild near the edge of Hudson Bay. This unique accommodation offers round-the-clock proximity to polar bears, providing unparalleled opportunities for stunning close-ups. Outdoor observation decks grant intimate access to the bears, which often approach us directly. And look for polar bears from inside the comfortable interior of our train-style lodge with its connected lounge, dining and sleeping cars. We also embark on daily Polar Rover excursions farther afield, to photograph bears and other northern wildlife in its natural habitat. Your Expedition Leaders are expert naturalist guides and accomplished wildlife photographers, eager to share their knowledge and experience with you. Join us for the ultimate polar bear photo immersion!
Trip Highlights
Polar Bear Photography Around the Clock
Stay 24/7 in wild polar bear habitat at our exclusive Tundra Lodge base—a truly unique accommodation providing matchless proximity to polar bears
Capture Photos of Bears on Polar Rover Excursions
Aboard Polar Rover vehicles with custom features designed for photography, venture beyond the lodge to search for even more polar bears
Round Out Your Portfolio with Other Arctic Wildlife
Capture shots of other northern wildlife thriving along the Hudson Bay, including Arctic fox, Arctic hare, snowy owl and willow ptarmigan.
What Makes The Tundra Lodge So Special for Polar Bear Photography?
A truly unique accommodation, the world-famous Tundra Lodge offers the most effective way to immerse yourself (and your camera) in the polar bear’s realm. From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep, you won't miss a shot, since scouting for bears is our top pursuit—even during meals and activities. If getting once-in-a-lifetime polar bear photos is your dream, whether you're a professional photographer or a keen amateur, here are some important things you should know before you select a trip:
The Best Polar Bear Photography Spot on the Planet!
The Tundra Lodge is strategically located on a small spit of land where the sea ice first begins to form in Hudson Bay. This isolated spot attracts polar bears at the start of the bear-viewing season, placing Tundra Lodge photographers in the very heart of the most concentrated polar bear activity on the planet.Close-Up Viewing Directly from the Tundra Lodge
This unusual accommodation, designed like a train with sleeper cars, offers multiple vantage points on the polar bears that surround it. Since we're elevated above the ground, we can get very close to the bears in total safety, whether photographing from multiple outdoor viewing decks or by simply opening the expansive sliding glass windows in the lounge and dining cars. Each guest has a compact private cabin with windows to keep an eye out for bear activity. And if the aurora borealis makes an appearance, we’re perfectly situated to capture it, too!Access the Best Bear Photography Area with Our Exclusive Permits
Not every photo tour operator holds permits to access the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, where the best and sometimes only polar bear viewing occurs. Naturally, Nat Hab, in partnership with Great White Bear Tours, holds one of these coveted permits, securing full access to maximize your photo opportunities.Our Polar Rovers: The Best Tundra Vehicles for Polar Bear Photography!
Custom-built for polar bear photography, our Rovers are the best tundra vehicle in Churchill. Built by our partner in Manitoba—a world-renowned specialty vehicle designer—they feature large sliding plate glass windows and an angled front windshield designed for capturing shots of bears directly below, where you’ll have an excellent vantage point for fantastic portraits. The Rover also has an outdoor viewing platform with a steel mesh grated floor, so you can get a photo of your feet mere inches from a curious bear that may wander up beneath. With a custom-designed heavy-duty suspension system that offers a surprisingly smooth ride, plus flush toilet facilities, our Rovers allow our guests travel in superior comfort and safety.Steel Mesh Platforms Allow Close-Up Bear Observation
Innovative steel-mesh decking built into the rear viewing platforms of every Polar Rover, and between cars on the Tundra Lodge, allows us to observe and photograph polar bears from literally inches away! Since curious bears sometimes wander up right beneath us, you might even get a photo of your toes next to a bear's nose!Dog Sled Ride Included on Every Departure
Every one of our Churchill tours includes a personal visit with a local dog musher and his team, and the chance to glide through the boreal forest on a dog sled ride! During the earlier part of our season, if there isn't sufficient snow cover, the dogs will pull our guests in a wheeled cart. But whenever you come to Churchill, this authentic northern adventure is standard on all departures...and it makes for a great photography opportunity!The Smallest Groups for the Finest Nature Photography Adventures
Nat Hab is known for its small groups, especially while out on the tundra in our Polar Rovers. Vehicles with access to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area can hold 30-50 people, but we generally travel with no more than 16 aboard our Polar Rovers, so every photographer can comfortably spread out with their gear and have ample room to pursue varying shot angles.Private Chartered Flights Maximize Your Photography Time
Rather than waiting at airports and navigating security screenings, we charter our own private plane to fly us directly from Winnipeg to Churchill at our convenience. We know you'd rather spend your time on the tundra photographing polar bears, not sitting around in airports!We Outfit Your for Cold-Weather Arctic Photography Conditions
At no cost to you, we provide heavy Arctic-style insulated parkas and heavy-duty winter boots, so there’s no need to go spend money buying bulky outdoor gear you’ll use only once.The Finest Naturalist Guides on the Planet
Nat Hab is known worldwide for the highest-quality guides in the industry. Our Polar Bear Photo Expedition Leaders have been guiding for an average of more than 10 years each. They have the benefit of in-depth annual training, including additional resources provided by WWF scientists at the forefront of polar bear research. Additionally, our photo tour leaders are professional photographers, with a passion and talent for sharing their knowledge with guests of all ability levels. Our philosophy on this is simple: a nature adventure is only as good as the guide, so we simply must provide the best! See Photo Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Special Polar Bear Experience
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high 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.Feel Good About the Way You Travel
We all care about the planet, and you can travel with us knowing that the emissions from your trip are 100-percent carbon-offset. Natural Habitat Adventures is the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company, a feature that is particularly important when considering that polar bears are under major threat from climate change.Natural Habitat Adventures is World Wildlife Fund'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 as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
