Black Bear

Grizzly bear viewing on Vancouver Island is often promoted as being at its best during the ‘salmon season’ from late August until early October, but that is to miss the opportunity to witness the Spring bear viewing season in Canada, which is equally impressive and has some unique photography opportunities that you will not have at any other time of the year. Firstly, female grizzlies are out and about with their beautiful spring cubs – twins are commonly sighted – and you will have a great chance to photograph them. Some of the best bear viewing action can be the posturing and aggressive behaviour of the large male grizzlies, as they look for the females to mate with. May and June are the peak mating months of Grizzly Bears.

Alaska wildlife tour for a small group of just 6 travellers visiting in early June, which is the best time to see mother and cubs feeding on the shoreline. Before the start of the main salmon runs and the arrival of the big boars, the female grizzlies will feel more confident to bring their spring cubs out in the open and allows us to observe and photograph them. Add in the fact that the weather patterns are much more stable in June – boats and floatplanes are part of the Alaska experience – and that it is the best time to see Orcas out of Seward and we feel we are onto a winner.

The jewel in the crown of this trip is a 4 night stay at the world famous Katmai wilderness lodges which is one of the best places to see bears in Alaska. We will access this lodge by floatplane from Kodiak and we always include 2 nights there, with options for additional bear viewing and boat safaris, to allow for any weather disruption.

The Kenai peninsula will be stress free, as Allan will rent a transit van and make a triangular itinerary which includes Seward, Homer and the beautiful coastal community of Nikiski; linking up with the best tried and tested small group wildlife operators along the way.

PLEASE NOTE: This Alaska bear safari is very much divided into two parts; the self-drive Kenai Pennisula section and then the fly-in Kodiak and Katmai wilderness lodge from Anchorage. Clients can book just the individual section which works best for them. Places will be given on a first come first served basis for fairness.

A visit to Vancouver Island really showcases the sheer diversity of wildlife, both marine and terrestrial, found in the Pacific Northwest, and offers plenty of varied wildlife activities at a very affordable price. About 300 miles long and 70 miles wide, the best and most cost effective option to explore the island is a self-drive tour which gives you the freedom to visit multiple locations and fully experience all that it has to offer. The northeast of the island offers easy access to both Johnstone Strait, the best place in the world to see Orcas in the wild (as well as Humpback Whales), and the remote coastal inlets on the adjacent mainland where Grizzly Bears still maintain a stronghold, far from any human encroachment. The rugged west coast of the island is on the annual migration route of the Gray Whale, large numbers of which pass by off the coast en-route from Mexico to Alaska, and is also one of the best places in North America to see Black Bears. Sightings of Humpback Whales and Sea Otters are also possible off the west coast, and Bald Eagles and Sea Lions are more or less a certainty. The popular seaside community of Tofino on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island is a great destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Besides the excellent black bear watching tours and whale watchign trips, there are many other outdoor activities which you can book direct, or just enjoy walking the famous Wild Pacific trail.

A lot of what we design here at Wildlife Trails is unique, wildlife focused and tailored around our travellers aspirations. However, this wilderness journey which takes you from marine, to river and finally mountains habitat is right up there with the most diverse and compelling offers for our Canada wildlife holidays. We kick off the tour with a bang, as as well as the scenic flight into Bella Coola and the incredible surrounding mountains, you then have the sea air in your lungs as you take a boat transfer from the harbour across to the historic Tallheo Cannery. A semi-private marine wildlife tour here is followed by some incredible brown bear encounters at the Great Bear Chaket, before you drive up to Nimpo Lake and fly into Nuk Tessli lodge. A superb Canada wildlife tour for those interested in wilderness and the path less travelled.

You can’t beat Vancouver Island for that beautiful combination of wildlife diversity and value for money. This Canada wildlife holiday takes you away from some of the larger towns and focuses on smaller communities and small group or private wildlife activities. The focus out of Campbell River will be a small boat grizzly bear safari to the spectacular inlets on the main BC coast, where brown bears will be feasting on the annual salmon run. This is also a good area for Orcas and Whales and because there is a maximum of 6 people permitted in the boat, your expert naturalist will be able to provide you with superb interpretation. It is always interesting to swtich from one coast to another and you will not be disappointed with the drive to Zeballos. A stay here is more like visiting a family, where all your meals are included and late in September/early October, there is the chance to see black bears fishing for salmon right from the lodges deck. You will also go out on private boat safaris looking for black bears and humpbacks.

Our love affair with the Bella Coola valley located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest has lasted nearly 20 years and was always one of the best bear viewing places in Canada. due to its ethical and responsible approach to grizzly bear safaris in British Colombia. Bear viewing without the sound of engines or need to waste precious resources is both intimate and sustainable and can lead to some of the most spectacular bear encounters in Canada. Leave the big cities behind and enjoy a Canada wildlife road trip like no other when you drive from Vancouver to Bella Coola for this budget Canada wildlife holiday.

Wildlife Trails have teamed up with an excellent First Nations community venture on one of these islands to offer the unique opportunity during the autumn salmon run to go in search on this rare and elusive spirit of the Great Bear Rainforest in the company of expert local guides. All bear viewing is conducted on foot, often involving patient vigils in natural hides. A boat is used to access remote locations on the surrounding islands and adjacent mainland where Spirit Bears are known to fish for salmon, or have been regularly seen in recent weeks, and the group (maximum 10 people) led by a local First Nations guide then hikes a short distance to a position offering the best view. Depending on the level of success with Spirit Bear sightings, there are also several locations in the area that the group can elect to visit in order to also observe Grizzly Bears in a similar fashion. The guides accumulate a great deal of knowledge about the whereabouts, habits and movements of Spirit Bears in the area from members of the community who come into contact with bears while working out in the field (e.g. forestry & fishery workers) in their traditional tribal territory, and from scouting locations themselves, prior to, and during the salmon season.