Churchill is the self styled ‘Polar Bear capital
of the world’. Every year around mid- October, Polar Bears gather
around the town of Churchill waiting for the Hudson Bay to freeze, thus
allowing them to go out and feed. The bears are around town for a little
over a month, after which time all the tourists leave and Churchill resumes
its sleepy existence. The largest of all the bears, the Polar is a fearless
creature with no natural predator other than mankind; to see one in the
wild is an unforgettable experience. Excursions to see the bears are
by way of a specially adapted vehicle called a ‘Tundra Buggy’.
Driving out of town it should not be long before an inquisitive bear
comes to greet you. Polar Bears will sometimes walk into the centre of
town, when they do they are taken to the ‘Polar Bear Jail’ and
out of harm’s way. The jail is a large corrugated iron building
and a visit will usually be included as part of your tour. Accommodation
in Churchill is varied, ranging from a three-star hotel to an overnight
stay on a converted tundra buggy. Churchill is located to the far north,
during the dark evenings you may be lucky enough to see the sky illuminated
by the mysterious Northern Lights.
Properties
Tundra Buggy Lodge
This is surely one of the more unusual places that
you will ever stay. The ‘lodge’ has been created out of a
number of tundra buggies and offers a unique opportunity to stay outside
of Churchill, in close vicinity to the Polar Bears. This is by no means
a luxury lodge and facilities and conditions on board are pretty basic,
however it is lovely and warm, there is an amazing atmosphere and you
have a great chance of getting a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
Canada is all about the great outdoors. Explore the Rocky Mountains
and experience great wildlife in dramatic wilderness locations.
Eastern Canada is beautiful during the autumnal months, head north
to Churchill in October for the mysterious Northern Lights and the
ever inquisitive Polar Bear.
