Know Before You Go

While polar bears can be encountered at any time of year in Churchill, the peak time for viewing them is October and November. It is during this time that the polar bears are waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze so they can once again head out onto the ice to hunt.

The northern lights, one of Churchill’s most brilliant attractions, are most prominently viewed during the clear winter months of January through March. While we do see the lights at times during the polar bear season of October and November, it’s not as likely to witness them because skies tend to be more overcast. Nevertheless, our Expedition Leaders have a system for waking guests should the lights appear, so be prepared!

The average high temperature in Churchill in the second half of October is 21°F to 30°F. High temperatures the first three weeks in November range from 15°F to 28°F. Even though it is cold, Churchill is located in a semi-desert environment, so the area does not get a lot of snow, especially in the fall. Our Polar Rovers are heated, so expect a more comfortable range of temperatures from 30°F or 40°F up to 60°F as you observe the tundra on board.

It can snow in Churchill at any time, but in the fall, snow usually comes in squalls that bring a light ground covering, rather than large accumulations. We are not likely to get significant snow in the fall, though we often get a dusting that melts quickly once it warms up. The average amount of precipitation in October is 1.8 inches, which sometimes falls as snow and occasionally as rain, while the average in November is 1.4 inches. When it does snow later in the season, it is more likely to stay on the ground as temperatures drop, but a solid white ground cover should never be expected.

The Hudson Bay polar bear population is likely a little less than 1,000 strong. These bears spend the winter months hunting seals on the ice in the northern part of the bay, but in the late spring, when the ice begins to melt, the prevailing northern winds blow the bears southward, and they land on the southern shores in the area around Churchill. The bears spend their summers dispersed along the coast nearby but gather closer to Churchill in October when the cold snap in the air tells them that the bay is about to freeze. Why Churchill over other areas along the bay? Because the waters of the Churchill and Seal rivers empty into the bay just outside in that area, and since the river water is fresh rather than salty it freezes first, giving bears earlier access to their hunting grounds. Considering that many of these bears haven’t hunted since they came ashore in May or June, it is absolutely to their advantage to wait near Churchill for the bay to freeze.

All bear viewing will be experienced from the safety of our private Polar Rovers, from which we can view these wild animals through large sliding windows and the large front windshield. The vehicles also have a unique mesh steel flooring on the back platforms, which may give us rare encounters with the bears from just inches away! Natural Habitat Adventures is one of only two companies with exclusive permits to the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, which is where most of the bears are located. From here, you are guaranteed to experience the best possible polar bear viewing. However, please do keep in mind that weather and the animals’ own behaviors will have an impact on how close we get. After all, this is nature.

Churchill’s unique climate and location—at the confluence of the southern prairie, northern tundra, boreal forest, Churchill River and Hudson Bay—allows for a multitude of different species to exist within close proximity to each other. Along with polar bears, we often see Arctic fox, willow ptarmigan and Arctic hare, and sometimes see red fox and snowshoe hare. From optional helicopter excursions you may also see moose, caribou and rarely, gray wolves.

Our private Polar Rovers have 6-foot tundra tires and leaf spring front/walking beam rear suspension, which provide a smooth ride over the wilds of the tundra. The vehicles are controlled by a special drivetrain, which provides a safe and efficient journey. Soft, professional, motorcoach-style seats add to the comfort. The Polar Rovers are heated throughout and, as an unusual luxury on an adventure like this, they include full flush toilets rather than drop buckets. The rear viewing platform is outfitted with an exclusive see-through, steel-mesh floor that allows guests to come almost face to face with bears that tend to like to investigate beneath the stationary trucks. Inside the vehicles guests can view and photograph bears through sliding windows that open or close, or through the front windshield, which offers a panoramic, downward view of the animals.

Although it can be cold outside, much of our time is spent on our Polar Rovers, which are heated to around 30°F or 40°F to 60°F, depending on whether the windows are open for bear viewing. We also provide private bus transportation around town so guests do not have to be exposed. Regardless, in order to stay warm, we recommend guests bring a thin base layer, a second warmer fleece layer, and a heavy outer layer that is both water repellent and wind resistant. Although it rarely rains, it does happen. So that our guests do not have to purchase major winter gear they may not use again, Nat Hab provides thick winter parkas and warm Arctic boots. Although if you have your own, you are welcome to bring them. A warm hat and mittens or gloves are also a must. For further details of what to bring, peruse this helpful packing list and check out Nat Hab’s online Gear Store for some of the key items recommended for your adventure.

Churchill’s hotels are clean, simple and comfortable. They are conveniently located in the center of Churchill, with easy access to all of the most important destinations of the trip. Room size, amenities and range of services may vary among hotels, but expect them to be very simple, yet clean and comfortable.

Restaurant options in Churchill are limited but the few available offer a range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since transportation in and out of Churchill is limited, we must fly a good portion of our food into town for our guests. We also bring some chefs who cater to our Tundra Lodge guests and prepare some meals for us to have on our Polar Rovers. Special dietary needs can generally be accommodated if given advanced notice.

The Tundra Lodge is Natural Habitat Adventures’ unique, custom-built rolling hotel placed in an area of high polar bear density during the months of October and November. The individual cabins are heated, and there are shared toilets and showers. The lodge also offers a comfortable lounge area for prime bear viewing and a dining car with sliding windows. Raised outdoor platforms facilitate excellent polar bear spotting and photography opportunities, as well as potential aurora borealis watching.

According to the experts over at The Natural Photographer, the best camera in any situation is the one you have with you. Yes, this is deliberately simple, but it’s also very true. You don’t ever need to go out and buy the latest and greatest to get great shots—you just need to have a keen eye and be in the right place at the right time. By choosing to join us on a photo trip, you’re making the decision to hone your keen eye, and we’ll take care of getting you in the right place at the right time! That said, a camera and lens combo capable of getting to 10x or 20x zoom, or 300mm or 400mm if you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, is sufficient. There will always be a time when you wish you had more telephoto capabilities, but they often come at a cost (either weight, bazooka size or price tag), and we feel comfortable with a 400mm the vast majority of the time. Both mirrorless and DSLR cameras will offer the highest resolution, but advanced point-and-shoots are getting better with time and are perfectly suitable for our Churchill polar bear tours.

Absolutely! In fact, it’s encouraged, for this is the best way to learn. Not only are you likely to be in the company of other beginners, but you’ll also be able to learn from more seasoned photo travelers as well as your professional photographer Expedition Leader throughout the trip. Whether you have a point-and-shoot and use “full auto” settings or have an advanced DSLR or mirrorless camera and want to know more about how to best use it to its full capabilities, you’ll return with hundreds or thousands of great polar bear images.

The official currency of Canada is the Canadian dollar (CAD), and though U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, we recommend exchanging your money at your home bank or airport to get the best exchange rate. Click here to check the current exchange rate for USD to CAD. The majority of services in Manitoba take credit cards, but they are not accepted everywhere. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards.

While Internet connection is offered at the hotels in Churchill, it may be slow and unreliable. There is little to no cell phone service in Churchill or on the tundra, so do not expect to rely on your phone for communication.

Nat Hab’s Expedition Leaders are known for their excellent rapport with kids. This fun dynamic, along with a diverse array of activities and unforgettable wildlife encounters, will leave children with lifelong memories. We strongly encourage you to call our office to speak with an Adventure Specialist about the specific requirements of our Churchill adventures. If you’re looking for a trip designed specifically for children and families, consider our Family Adventures.

Yes! Families or friend groups can reserve entire departures on a private basis. Please call our office at 800-543-8917 to get details on group size and pricing.

Guests are responsible for booking round-trip flights from their home city to Winnipeg. We recommend that you use Natural Habitat Adventures’ Travel Desk, as our Air Travel Specialists are intimately familiar with the requirements of our trips and can arrange the most efficient and cost-effective travel. Please check the Getting There & Getting Home section on the Dates, Prices & Info page for details on your adventure's required arrival and departure times.

Nat Hab is happy to reserve a hotel room for you in Winnipeg before your Churchill tour begins, but please note that pre-nights are subject to availability at the time of booking. Please speak with our Travel Desk if you’re interested in booking extra nights.

Nat Hab offers several different itineraries for our polar bear tours:

Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure
On our flagship polar bear adventure, we will stay at hotels in town. The trip includes several excursions in our private Polar Rovers. 

Churchill Polar Bear Photo Expedition
This trip is much like our Premier adventure but with a special emphasis on photography.

Polar Bear Quest & Helicopter Safari
This expedition is similar to our Premier adventure but also includes an extended helicopter exploration over the tundra to a denning area where we may have a chance to climb inside an unoccupied polar bear den.

Tundra Lodge Adventure
A unique adventure indeed, this journey allows guests a rare chance to comfortably live out in the tundra in our exclusive Tundra Lodge. Comprised of individual cabins and shared facilities, the lodge is placed in an area of high bear density. Daily half-day excursions in Polar Rovers give us a northern safari experience.

Tundra Lodge Photo Expedition
An expedition similar to our Tundra Lodge Adventure, focused on gaining that perfect image of the northland!

Ultimate Churchill: Tundra Lodge & Town
For those who cannot decide between staying at our Tundra Lodge and staying in a hotel in town, this adventure offers guests the opportunity to do both. Like all our polar bear adventures, this trip also includes Polar Rover excursions on the tundra.