The Great Bear Rain forest is home to a significant concentration of coastal grizzly bears. During the late summer and early fall bears are drawn to the many salmon spawning streams feeding into the coastal inlets. While the local bear population reaches its peak in the fall, during the spring and summer numerous bears feed on sedges, succulents and grasses that make up the dense bio-mass of the river estuary. These ongoing sources of high quality food are why coastal grizzlies or brown bears are larger than inland grizzlies.
Our ecotourism lodge is the ideal base for photography and wildlife viewing tours, nestled at the mouth of a pristine salmon river. Wilderness-gourmet meals await you upon your return from the two guided viewing sessions per day. With a maximum of ten guests, you are assured of a personalized wilderness adventure in this very special area.
Two bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day at the lodge, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We tailor the sessions to the activities of the bears, observing them when they are most active in their chosen habitats. Viewing blinds have been constructed with photographers in mind. They are comfortable and optimal places to shoot from. When the bears move from the river to the estuary, we view them from a boat.
Each season offers a unique view into the world of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rain forest. A wonderful time for photography, spring takes us to the estuary to observe the grizzlies as they graze on grasses and sedges and engage in mating behavior. Bird life is abundant in spring, and long hours of daylight ensure optimal light for photography. At this time we view the bears from small boats, watching the bears quietly. During the summer season, the grizzlies move between the various habitats to optimize their feeding. We will find them gorging on berry patches, grazing on estuarine grasslands and scouting for the early salmon. The grizzly bears congregate at the river in fall to take advantage of the best food source available on the coast: Pacific salmon. Watch as each individual bear demonstrates its own fishing style, from methodically checking under riverbanks with their paws to charging up the river after salmon.
Guest safety is of utmost importance and our viewing program is organized using the protocols developed at McNeil River State Game Sancturary on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. This management philosophy is consistent with our goal of safely viewing bears in a natural setting while eliminating or minimizing impact on them. Along with grizzly bears there is a chance to view other wildlife like wolves, black bears, river otters, pine martens, mink, harbor seals and bald eagles. Bear viewing areas are reached by a boat or bus ride from the lodge, which are opportunities to spot other wildlife in the area. The bear-viewing program has been developed by Tom Rivest (MSc). As a professional guide and wildlife biologist he is well versed in bear behavior as well as the natural history of this remarkable area.
The Lodge
The fully self-contained floating lodge is situated at an outstanding wildlife viewing location. Glacier fed waterfalls cascade down massive granite cliffs into the blue-green waters of the inlet. This is a place of spectacular beauty where one can still find the silence and solitude of another era. From this location we operate our Grizzly Bear viewing program. The charming floating lodge has five bedrooms. The common area is a comfortable place for relaxing and listening to natural history presentations from our wildlife biologist. Each bedroom has a private washroom, with hot showers located downstairs. Gourmet meals await you at the lodge on your return from the wilderness. We use the freshest possible local ingredients, and all organic food when it is available. In between bear viewing sessions you will be able to join a guided activity such as sea-kayaking or an interpretive hike, or you may choose to relax with a book from the extensive library.
The following itinerary is based on a three night stay. Tours can last from 1 to 7 nights. Tour itineraries change through the seasons as we need to allow for differing hours of daylight and tide changes (for spring and summer viewing).
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Departing from Port Hardy in the afternoon, you will leave behind the noise of modern life for a remote wilderness. Transportation is by seaplane. Journeying to our site is a spectacular adventure in itself, traveling past the breathtaking scenery of the central coast and over the rich waters of Queen Charlotte Strait, the home of orca, gray and humpback whales.
Upon your arrival at the lodge, your hosts will be on the dock to welcome you to your wilderness retreat. Settle into your private room at the lodge, before joining the group for your first wildlife viewing session. We have a range of different viewing sites, and will choose one according to where the bears have been most active. Estuary sites are reached by boat, while river sites are reached by bus. The viewing blinds on the river have been constructed with the photographer in mind, and are optimal and comfortable places from which to view bears.
There is nothing quite like seeing your first grizzly emerge from the forest. Returning to the lodge that evening, you will be treated to a wilderness-gourmet meal. Our biologist will present slides and videos, explaining the interaction of the grizzly bear with this unique ecology.
Day 2: At dawn, you will be on the trail of the grizzly bear. (Even those choosing to be out at first light will be fortified with good coffee and fresh baked goods!) A typical viewing session lasts three hours. Brunch will be served at the lodge in the late morning. Spend the early afternoon exploring the surrounding area with the guide. A popular activity is the interpretive rain forest walk, examining bear sign and the general ecology of the area. In mid-afternoon you will venture out to see the bears before relaxing in the lodge for dinner. On clear nights, the stars are amazing.
Day 3: As your stay at the lodge continues, you begin to settle into the natural rhythm of the valley. The bears are generally most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours, which is why we focus our viewing sessions on these times. Over the course of your stay we will take you a variety of sites, depending on the bear activity. For the afternoon recreation today we may take a guided sea-kayaking tour of the estuary, or a boat cruise to explore the glacier-carved inlet. Or you may prefer to relax and enjoy the view from the lodge. The Great Bear Rain forest is home to many animals, including grey wolves, otters, black bears, mink and bald eagles.
Day 4: After your parting session with the bears, you will be returned to Port Hardy in the afternoon after a farewell lunch.
Items to bring:
- Camera and camcorders. Tripods are recommended for wildlife photography. Electricity is available for recharging batteries (but not for hair-dryers).
- Warm clothing: thermal underwear, multiple layers, including gloves, extra socks and a warm hat. It is important to wear warm clothing even for summer viewing, as we sit still in a shaded location for periods at a time.
- Rain gear and rubber boots, if available. Great Bear Nature Tours will provide these items for guests, if needed, however they may be more comfortable in their own. Waterproof pants are recommended in addition to jackets, especially for spring viewing.
- Insect repellent is sometimes required. Please do not use perfumed toiletries.
Note: Guests should call us the day before their tour departure to confirm travel arrangements (before 5 pm). Guests will be required to sign a waiver release and indemnity form before joining our tour. Due to the limited luggage of our transportation, we ask that guests leave their excess luggage in Port Hardy while they are at the lodge. The luggage capacity for each guest is 30 lbs (14 kg). We are able to make exceptions for photography equipment. Excess luggage may be stored at their hotel or at our office. On your arrival and departure days, you will be able to participate in one session. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Two grizzly bear viewing sessions per day, with a wildlife biologist as guide
- Accommodation in a private room at the Great Bear Lodge
- Wilderness-gourmet meals, including wine with dinner
- Optional activities such as interpretive hikes and sea kayaking
- Float plane flights from Port Hardy to the Lodge
- Binoculars, rain gear and rubber boots, if required.
Also see tour packages in:
Canada
British Columbia
Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Viewing
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
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