Know Before You Go
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming Alaska adventure, or you just want to learn more about the Last Frontier, we've got you covered. We've rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to nature quizzes and travel stories to inspire your wanderlust.
Travel Tips
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FAQs | Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
FAQs | Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
Discover our most frequently asked questions about Katmai, Alaska's coastal grizzlies, lodges , transportation, weather and more.
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Wildlife Guide
Wildlife Guide
There is an astounding array of wildlife you can encounter on a trip to Alaska, including coastal brown bears, whales, eagles and so much more!
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Photography Tips
Photography Tips
Whether you're an experienced photographer or just getting started, you'll want to read these essential photo tips from our Natural Photographer blog before your Alaska grizzly adventure.
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When to Go—The Ebbs and Flows of Grizzly Bear Season
When to Go—The Ebbs and Flows of Grizzly Bear Season
Discover the "ebbs and flows" of grizzly bear migration patterns in Katmai National Park, gleaned from more than a decade of operating brown bear trips in Alaska.
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A Closer Look at the Natural
Habitat Ursus
Habitat Ursus
A Closer Look at the Natural
Habitat Ursus
Learn more about the M/V Natural Habitat Ursus—the ideal vessel for exploring the Katmai coast and viewing Alaska’s giant brown bears at exceptionally close range.
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Alaskan Wilderness Trivia
Alaskan Wilderness Trivia
Take our Alaska wilderness quiz to put your knowledge to the test, then share it with friends to see who knows the most about the Last Frontier!
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Alaska's Bears and Climate Change
Alaska's Bears and Climate Change
Changes in Alaska’s climate are affecting its bears in some ways that are predictable, and some that have come as a surprise to the scientists who are studying them.
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Alaska Weather | Alaska Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
Alaska Weather | Alaska Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
Find out about typical weather conditions in Katmai National Park in this month-by-month breakdown of average temperatures and precipitation.
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Alaska Packing List | Alaska Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
Alaska Packing List | Alaska Grizzly Encounter Itinerary
Browse our helpful packing guidelines, which contain gear and clothing recommendations for an encounter with Katmai's coastal grizzlies during the months of June through September.
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Travel Stories & Articles
New Nat Hab Short Film Offers Mesmerizing Portrait of Alaska’s Brown Bears
New Nat Hab Short Film Offers Mesmerizing Portrait of Alaska’s Brown Bears
—By Nat Hab
Watch Nat Hab's short film, The Bear Coast: An Alaska Conservation Story, directed by Andrew Ackerman!
Watch Nat Hab's short film, The Bear Coast: An Alaska Conservation Story, directed by Andrew Ackerman!
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Traveler Story: Photographing Katmai’s Grizzlies & Winning The Washington Post’s Photo Contest
Traveler Story: Photographing Katmai’s Grizzlies & Winning The Washington Post’s Photo Contest
—By Megan Brief
Guided by our Expedition Leader into the wilds of Alaska’s Katmai National Park, Wes Tomer witnessed a tender moment shared between three grizzly cubs. He picked up his camera and took this photo, earning him a second place title and a lifetime of memories.
Guided by our Expedition Leader into the wilds of Alaska’s Katmai National Park, Wes Tomer witnessed a tender moment shared between three grizzly cubs. He picked up his camera and took this photo, earning him a second place title and a lifetime of memories.
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Sights and Sounds of Alaska
Sights and Sounds of Alaska
—By Kelley Ashford, Sr. Video Specialist, Development, WWF-US & Mónica Echeverría-Cota, Deputy Director, Media and Strategic Communications, WWF-US
We both have long anticipated traveling to Alaska. It is one of those places on every nature-lover’s bucket list. But while many dreams of encountering the broad mountains of the North, we never imagined it would be on a trip as special as this Alaska Grizzly Encounter.
We both have long anticipated traveling to Alaska. It is one of those places on every nature-lover’s bucket list. But while many dreams of encountering the broad mountains of the North, we never imagined it would be on a trip as special as this Alaska Grizzly Encounter.
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A Wildlife Photographer on Social Media, Saving the Planet and Getting the Perfect Grizzly Shot
A Wildlife Photographer on Social Media, Saving the Planet and Getting the Perfect Grizzly Shot
—By Joel Centano
Good Nature Travel caught up with Nat Hab's Social Media Manager Dana Cama soon after she returned from her first adventure, our Alaska Grizzly Encounter: Kodiak to Katmai.
Good Nature Travel caught up with Nat Hab's Social Media Manager Dana Cama soon after she returned from her first adventure, our Alaska Grizzly Encounter: Kodiak to Katmai.
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5 Memorable Ways to Explore Alaska by Air, Land and Sea
5 Memorable Ways to Explore Alaska by Air, Land and Sea
—By Cathy Brown
Discover five of our favorite ways to explore Alaska by land, air and sea! Our naturalist guides can’t wait to share lesser-known Alaska with you.
Discover five of our favorite ways to explore Alaska by land, air and sea! Our naturalist guides can’t wait to share lesser-known Alaska with you.
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Salmon-Fed Flowers, Sockeye-Rich Shores and Self-Aware Fish
Salmon-Fed Flowers, Sockeye-Rich Shores and Self-Aware Fish
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Salmon carcasses play an important role in the functioning of healthy ecosystems. The remains provide food for many carrion-eating species and their nutrients also contribute to the growth of surrounding plants.
Salmon carcasses play an important role in the functioning of healthy ecosystems. The remains provide food for many carrion-eating species and their nutrients also contribute to the growth of surrounding plants.
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See Alaska’s Big Five: Brown Bear, Moose, Gray Wolf, Caribou & Dall Sheep
See Alaska’s Big Five: Brown Bear, Moose, Gray Wolf, Caribou & Dall Sheep
—By Michelle Peters
There’s a new “Big Five” in town. Well, in Alaska, that is. Go beyond the famous quintuplet of creatures found on an African safari and head north, instead, to the Great Land. There you’ll meet Alaska’s brown bears, moose, gray wolves, caribou and Dall sheep—the “other” Big Five.
There’s a new “Big Five” in town. Well, in Alaska, that is. Go beyond the famous quintuplet of creatures found on an African safari and head north, instead, to the Great Land. There you’ll meet Alaska’s brown bears, moose, gray wolves, caribou and Dall sheep—the “other” Big Five.
Photo Expeditions Available
Mothers & Cubs: Grizzly Photo Roundup
Mothers & Cubs: Grizzly Photo Roundup
—By Emily Goodheart
Few things are more powerful than witnessing the bond between mother and child—or in this case, cub! In the wilds of Alaska, travelers will observe and photograph fascinating bear behavior and will be treated to affectionate displays between protective mothers and playful cubs.
Few things are more powerful than witnessing the bond between mother and child—or in this case, cub! In the wilds of Alaska, travelers will observe and photograph fascinating bear behavior and will be treated to affectionate displays between protective mothers and playful cubs.
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Wildflower Season in Alaska
Wildflower Season in Alaska
—By Emily Goodheart
Experience Alaska’s summer splendor as we survey a tapestry of mixed forest and the wildlife within, glacier-fed lakes and rivers, ice-crowned peaks and the wonderous wildflower meadows of this glorious state.
Experience Alaska’s summer splendor as we survey a tapestry of mixed forest and the wildlife within, glacier-fed lakes and rivers, ice-crowned peaks and the wonderous wildflower meadows of this glorious state.
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Traveler Story: Memories of Alaska
Traveler Story: Memories of Alaska
—By Nat Hab traveler, Barry Lazarus
Some of our best memories of our journey are of the new friends we made and, of course, our fantastic guide from Nat Hab. By the end of the two weeks, we felt that we had all been friends for years.
Some of our best memories of our journey are of the new friends we made and, of course, our fantastic guide from Nat Hab. By the end of the two weeks, we felt that we had all been friends for years.
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Coastal Bears of Katmai
Coastal Bears of Katmai
—By WWF
Walking past fresh bear tracks in Katmai is an exhilarating experience, with each footstep bringing us closer to that once-in-a-lifetime photograph of the bears at close range.
Walking past fresh bear tracks in Katmai is an exhilarating experience, with each footstep bringing us closer to that once-in-a-lifetime photograph of the bears at close range.
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Traveler Story: Surrounded by Bears in Alaska
Traveler Story: Surrounded by Bears in Alaska
—By Bob & Norma Schafer
A mother grizzly bear and her two cubs were walking about 5 feet in front of our line of travelers in Katmai National Park, Alaska. There was a small...
A mother grizzly bear and her two cubs were walking about 5 feet in front of our line of travelers in Katmai National Park, Alaska. There was a small...
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Traveler Story: Grizzly Bear Drama in Katmai
Traveler Story: Grizzly Bear Drama in Katmai
—By Mary Glaser
I had so many fond memories from our trip to Katmai National Park, but one of my favorite stories was when we went...
I had so many fond memories from our trip to Katmai National Park, but one of my favorite stories was when we went...
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When Is the Best Time to Go to Alaska to See Grizzly Bears?
When Is the Best Time to Go to Alaska to See Grizzly Bears?
—By Emily Goodheart Kautz
An excursion into Katmai National Park and Preserve varies widely from one month to the next due to...
An excursion into Katmai National Park and Preserve varies widely from one month to the next due to...
Photo Expeditions Available
The Coastal Grizzlies of Alaska: A Photo Journal
The Coastal Grizzlies of Alaska: A Photo Journal
—By Candice Gaukel Andrews
Having the opportunity to spend time with Alaska’s big brown bears is one of the most authentic wildlife experiences any...
Having the opportunity to spend time with Alaska’s big brown bears is one of the most authentic wildlife experiences any...
Photo Expeditions Available
