Grizzly Bear Viewing

Welcome to one of the most pristine grizzly bear habitats in the world

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 6

Time of year

August 15 - October 16, 2024

Duration

3, 4, or 5 nights

Minimum Age

12

Minimum Fitness Level Easy - Light walking with a few climbs that are more challenging than a flight of stairs. Easy does it, however, if you have mobility issues, this activity, or all our packages, may not be appropriate for you (call us to discuss).

To take part, you should be able to;
- Walk over uneven ground for several hundred metres for up to 3 hours
- Be able to step into a drift boat (3 feet high) on uneven ground

Package Description

Bella Coola, British Columbia is home to one of the highest concentrations of grizzly bears on the planet. Each year, as wild Pacific salmon return to the area and swim upstream, migratory grizzly bears congregate in large numbers along surrounding river banks in search of protein-rich enhancements to their spring diet of bulbs and berries.

The lodge’s close proximity to the Atnarko River, along with its private viewing platform, allows for ample opportunities for frequent, diverse, and unobtrusive encounters from a safe and respectful distance.

Self-directed viewing opportunities are supplemented by a curated combination of Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts and Grizzly Bear Ecology Walking Tours. Each day, our team of professional wilderness and wildlife guides will lead awe-inspiring interpretive excursions into the everyday lives of these remarkable animals.  

Our Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts offer a silent safari around the cascading curves of the Atnarko River, drifting by feeding bears and eddying out along the secluded shoreline to observe remarkable bear behaviour. Our Grizzly Bear Ecology Walks offer the opportunity to move through critical bear habitats in tandem with a certified bear viewing guide in order to gain eye-level insights into the sights, sounds, and smells of the surroundings.

Package Inclusions

  • Meet and greet at the Bella Coola Airport or BC Ferries Terminal
  • Small group transfers to and from Tweedsmuir Park Lodge at the start and end of your stay
  • Your own private timber-frame chalet or open-concept suite
  • Three gourmet meals per day, plus savoury and sweet snacks available anytime
  • A selection of top wines predominantly from British Columbia, craft beer from local breweries, and award-winning spirits
  • Two half-day or one full-day guided activities on each full day of your stay
  • The service of professionally trained and certified wilderness and wildlife guides
  • Binoculars, radios, rain jackets and pants, umbrellas, climbing harnesses, mountain bikes, helmets, and lifejackets
  • Private wildlife viewing platform, hot tub, cedar sauna, fitness centre, yoga studio, dining room, lounge, outdoor patio, fire pit, and retail shop
  • A full-service bar, billiards table, dart board, foosball table, poker table, satellite television, stone fireplace, well-stocked library, and board games

*Please note that packages do not include the cost of travel to and from Bella Coola, alcohol, custom trip enhancements, or gratuities.

Optional Trip Enhancements

  • Helicopter Sightseeing
  • Helicopter Hiking

Tweedsmuir Park Lodge's Grizzly Bear Safari is a Canadian Signature Experiences

Our Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts are recognized by Destination Canada as a "Canadian Signature Experience". This curated list showcases authentic, immersive and engaging tourism experiences for travellers from around the world.

Fresh Tracks: August 15-31, 2024

August is the start of the salmon run and is an exciting time to witness grizzly bears as they emerge from the subalpine. As salmon swim upstream, bears begin to move down to the surrounding river banks in search of protein-rich enhancements to their spring diet of bulbs and berries.

Through an immersive itinerary of river drifts, interpretive nature walks, and assisted climbing adventures, our team of professional wilderness and wildlife guides will offer educational insights into the behaviour of these impressive animals as well as the diversity of their habitat.

August is generally warm and dry, making it an excellent time to explore the outdoors in comfort.

  • 3 Nights

    2 full days of guided activities.

    $3825 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 4 Nights

    3 full days of guided activities.

    $5100 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 5 Nights

    4 full days of guided activities.

    $6375 per Adults (19+)

    See Itinerary

All rates are per person based on double occupancy, in Canadian Dollars before tax and are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax, a 2% Sustainability Surcharge, and an $11 per person per night Municipal and Regional District Tax.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

If you have questions, we have answers! Inquire now to speak with one of our expert travel advisors to start planning your dream vacation to The Great Bear Rainforest today.

Book Now

The Salmon Run: September 1-30, 2024

September is the peak of the salmon run and is a terrific time to witness grizzly bears catching and feasting on salmon along the banks of the Atnarko River. 

Self-directed viewing opportunities are supplemented by a curated combination of Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts and Grizzly Bear Ecology Walking Tours. Each day, our team of professional wilderness and wildlife guides will lead awe-inspiring interpretive excursions into the everyday lives of these remarkable animals.

In addition to encountering grizzlies, September is also an excellent time for bird watching as many species of rare and migratory birds pass through the area during this time.

 

  • 3 Nights

    2 full days of guided activities.

    $4785 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 4 Nights

    3 full days of guided activities.

    $6380 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 5 Nights

    4 full days of guided activities.

    $7975 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

All rates are per person based on double occupancy, in Canadian Dollars before tax and are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax, a 2% Sustainability Surcharge, and an $11 per person per night Municipal and Regional District Tax.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

If you have questions, we have answers! Inquire now to speak with one of our expert travel advisors to start planning your dream vacation to The Great Bear Rainforest today.

Book Now

Autumn in The Great Bear Rainforest: October 1-16, 2024

October's fall feast attracts animals in abundance. As the bears move their feeding into the forest, the nutrient-dense deposits fuel the fall foliage, beginning its annual transformation into a colourful collage. 

By now, the bears are typically well-fed, their movements have slowed, and their feeding and migration patterns are well understood. As a result, Autumn offers exceptional opportunities for photographers to capture impressive images of both wildlife and the environment.

October is generally cooler and rainfall is more frequent, making it the best time of year to experience the beauty of the rainforest in its most natural state.

 

  • 3 Nights

    2 full days of guided activities.

    $4305 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 4 Nights

    3 full days of guided activities.

    $5740 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

  • 5 Nights

    4 full days of guided activities.

    $7175 per Adult (19+)

    See Itinerary

All rates are per person based on double occupancy, in Canadian Dollars before tax and are subject to a 5% Goods and Services Tax, a 2% Sustainability Surcharge, and an $11 per person per night Municipal and Regional District Tax.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

If you have questions, we have answers! Inquire now to speak with one of our expert travel advisors to start planning your dream vacation to The Great Bear Rainforest today.

Book Now & Save!

  • Package Formats

    Grizzly Bear Viewing packages are available from September 1 to October 16, 2023, and guests of the lodge have the opportunity to select either a Small Group or a Private package.

    Small Group = Social + Value

    Wildlife viewing experiences are so much better in small, intimate groups. Small Group packages feature a predetermined itinerary in a fun and social setting. In this format, guided experiences feature a maximum of 6 guests per group. Activity substitutions are possible based on availability and are subject to an upgrade fee.

    Private = Flexibility + Exclusivity

    Whether you’re looking for adventure or prefer to leisurely explore, Private packages offer a tailor-made itinerary, based on the personal interests and physical abilities of the group, led by a private guide.

    On Grizzly Bear Viewing River Drifts you'll be equipped with a McKenzie Drift Boat, which is the best option for serious photographers, versus an Inflatable Raft, which is used in our Small Group packages.

  • How Long Should You Stay?

  • Suggestions for Photographers

  • Travelling with Children?

  • Travelling Solo?

  • Group Rates