Clients can get up close and personal with the greatest apex predator of the North
IAN STALKER
Arctic Kingdom is inviting people to get up close and personal with the North’s greatest apex predator.
The tour operator, which has different packages in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, noted in a recent webinar that it has cabins at a site by the western shore of Hudson Bay that polar bears pass as they work their way north in October and November. The bruins are heading north as they seek ice, which better enables them to catch seals.
Arctic Kingdom clients are able to see the bears from behind an electric fence at a cluster of cabins the tour operator has in the area, found in Nunavut just above the Manitoba border and about 50 minutes by air from Churchill.
“We have bears on their own terms, doing what they do in their daily life. They come towards us and get very close,” Arctic Kingdom’s Dave Briggs told webinar viewers of the “curious” mammals.
“Occasionally we may come across bears outside of the camp perimeter, but the majority of encounters are in camp,” Arctic Kingdom’s David Lambert reported. “Each side of the perimeter is probably between 30 to 50 meters. Plenty of space for 8 guests to find good angles to photograph.”
Up to eight clients can be on hand for the viewings and are accompanied by Inuit guides who have rifles as a precaution, but which they have never needed to fire.
Briggs said the fence doesn’t obstruct views of the bears and isn’t life-threatening but will give a bear a “good zap” if it tries to cross it.
The tour operator doesn’t provide food for the bears, as it doesn’t want them to become accustomed to people, a development that can be dangerous for the bruins.
The week-long Arctic Kingdom packages have people travel by plane from Winnipeg to Churchill, Man., after which they travel by bush plane to the Arctic Kingdom cabins. Those guests overnight in Churchill on the way back.
Briggs said there are three “very comfortable” guest cabins, two of which can each accommodate two people, while another can host four, with two couples each being assured of privacy within that guest unit.
Briggs praised the available food, which can include sushi.
Guided hikes are found in an area that has numerous types of wildlife besides the polar bears, including Arctic foxes, ptarmigans, snowy owls, wolverines, caribou and “hotly-sought-after lemmings,” said Briggs, who during the webinar showed a video of an Arctic fox inspecting boots, something that caught the attention of National Geographic.
Local creatures can be tough to see but the Inuit guides are good at spotting them, Arctic Kingdom reports.
Briggs said that those visiting the area — found above the treeline — may spot the Northern Lights, with “a dome of the Aurora over top of you.”
A polar clothing package is available for those who don’t have suitable clothing.
Private journeys are available from Arctic Kingdom and the tour operator will customize trips if asked.
Some spaces are available for October and November and the company is taking 2025 bookings.
More information is available by emailing [email protected].
Bottom photo courtesy of Graham Dickson.
