Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
This will be a long review, such was our incredible experience at Seal River Heritage Lodge (henceforth referred to as SRHL). Read beyond my summary for details of our adventure on the Canadian tundra.
SUMMARY 1. We had made the long trek to this region for the polar bears and Seal River Heritage Lodge delivered in spades. Amazing polar bear observations and encounters; the guides not only brought us relatively close to bears but also kept us - and the bears - safe from potential harm. 2. Our stay gave us the opportunity to recognize individual bears and their unique behavior. There was the “Old guy”, a scarred old male bear that spent most of the days of our visit dozing next to the lodge. Then there was a young female that showed up towards the end or our stay, beguiling us with her unflinching curiosity and has apparently chosen to remain in the area, claiming the runway as her fiefdom. More on them below. 3. Wonderful lodge stay with attentive staff making sure our needs were taken care of. Thank you to Ben and Nicole for keeping everything and everyone organized. Thanks to Tyler for making sure SRHL had heat, water and electricity. The rooms were warm, beds comfy, and we slept well every night. 4. Flavorful and hearty food as well as decent selection of Canadian beer and wines. Vanessa, Shayna, Haley knew the beverages well and offered good recommendations. Kudos to Chef Pauli for our wonderful meals. 5. Splendid isolation. We had the tundra to ourselves during our hikes and we saw only one other vessel on the water while ashore exploring Hubbart Point. Our 3 Zodiacs were the only water craft out during all our marine excursions. Most importantly we were fortunate to have the undivided attention of the belugas off the Seal River estuary. 6. Dedicated and knowledgeable guides; after an initial outing to the mouth of the Seal River yielded no beluga sightings they brought us back even after we had seen belugas elsewhere albeit at a distance. They were insistent on giving us a chance at a closer look at the belugas. Their effort was rewarded we had as close-up an encounter as one could have short of joining them in the water (an activity that is no longer permitted). Many thanks to Terry, Jess and Luke for your efforts on our behalf. 7. Expedition Zodiacs with actual seats! A game-changer for us, far better than balancing on and hanging onto the inflated tubes of the Zodiac 8. Hearing the belugas “talk” or “sing” as they swam up to Zodiacs to check us out. Canaries of the Sea, indeed! 9. The experience of riding the Zodiacs through the remnants of the Hudson Bay ice pack was an unexpected bonus not just for us but for our guides as well 10. It is possible to see the Northern Lights in August even though ChurchillWild appropriately downplays the chances of doing so. We spotted the Aurora just once and it was incredible. 11. The feared swarms of summer bugs never showed up and we never were forced to deploy our insect or bug hoods 12. The most unexpected aspect of this journey on the tundra was the attention given to the human history of the area, specifically the Thule people who were the ancestors or predecessors of the modern Inuit. Our guides pointed out the not-so-random piles of rocks as the remains of Thule structures at Hubbart Point. 13. Transition days were not up to the high standard set by Seal River Heritage Lodge; the eventual opening of the ChurchillWild-owned Blueberry Inn at Churchill should help with that. The airport hotel in Winnipeg is extremely convenient, obviously, and provides clean and serviceable lodging; not a bad way to start the safari, but it was a relative let down on the way home after the high that was Seal River Lodge. It is hard to see how ChurchillWild could sustain the “high” of the SRLH experience to the very end.
FRIENDLY SUGGESTIONS FOR CHURCHILL WILD 1. Use of handheld underwater viewing devices when beluga-watching. A simple and low-tech option would be a glass-bottomed bucket through which guests might hopefully see a beluga looking back at them 2. Slightly greater emphasis on local avifauna especially their migratory habits. This is billed , after all, as the“Birds, Bears and Belugas”safari. I completely understand the focus on polar bears and belugas. Our guides did point out birds on the hikes when appropriate and there was one outing dedicated to bird-watching. There are not enough nights for all the talks to cover topics relevant to the tundra safari but one potential topic would be about the migratory patterns of the birds guests were likely to encounter 3. Add a WiFi extender to improve signal strength in the rooms beyond the breezeway; there again there might already be an extender in place. Ironically I found the WiFi signal on the observation tower to be stronger and more consistent than in my room. Having any WiFi access at all was much appreciated, nevertheless
MULTIPLE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION Getting to SRHL was not a simple process. Winnipeg was the jumping off point. The Calm Air flight to and from Winnipeg was on a twin-engined turboprop ATR and took 2.5 hours. Both flights were mercifully uneventful without any weather-related delays and only mild turbulence en route.
We rode a small tour bus in Churchill ably driven by Celine. She gave us a quick tour of Churchill, summarizing its history as a fur trading post and military station, unsuccessful attempt at pivoting from the military to the commercial as a grain transshipment center and eventual rebirth as a center of ecotourism with polar bears as the primary draw for visitors from all over the world. She was clearly a Francophone but I never did inquire if she was Québécoise or Française.
We then flew onward in a single engine Cessna Grand Caravan piloted by Jason. He flew at an altitude 500 feet, pointing out the polar bears, belugas and a wolf running below (all spotted on both inbound and outbound trips). He made the effort to bank the plane to give the best possible views of wildlife. It was a short 30-minute flight and a smooth landing on the dirt runway at Seal River Lodge.
There were ATVs at Seal River; we never drove them but rode instead in trailers pulled by the ATV. We felt secure at all times and the elevated position gave us good sight lines. There was an episode where the tidal mud flats stymied even the ATVs; thanks to Ben who drove out from the lodge to assist with the recovery efforts.
Seal River Lodge Zodiacs were the first we had ever rode on that sported actual seats; our prior experience with expedition Zodiacs had 10-12 passengers seated on the sides of the vessel facing inward with limited views to the outside. Seated well above the sides of the Zodiac we had good views forward and to the sides without having to risk falling overboard when twisting our bodies. The supportive seat backs made for a more comfortable ride. There was no deep water in the immediate vicinity of the lodge and our ability to take out the Zodiacs was very much dependent on the tide. On one water outing our guides waded in the water dragging the loaded Zodiacs into deeper waters where the outboards could be used. On another trip we had to come ashore 1 mile away from SRHL due to shallow water; once again Ben came to our rescue.
The time spent around SRHL and points beyond had us truly hiking on varied terrain. Other than the few short trails in the immediate vicinity of the lodge - shared with our polar bear neighbors - we hiked on mostly unmarked territory. Fortunately we were in the tundra, just north of the edge of the boreal forests, so there was no bushwhacking required. All we needed to do was keep an eye on our footing. Hiking the tidal mudflats was the hardest. “Death Mud” - Jess’ term - threatened to suck our rubber boots right off our feet. Clambering over stones, rocks and small boulders made twisted ankles and knees a real possibility; going slowly, carefully, assisting fellow hikers and using hiking poles made sure we made it through safely. Walking on peat, on the other hand, proved to be an interesting experience given the springy surface.
Speaking of hiking, one of the first things we did after everyone had made it to SRHL was to have the bear safety talk followed by practicing our hiking maneuvers that included the “line” and “pivot”
The tundra experience was one that engaged all our senses, not just our vision.
SIGHT Our time at Seal River Lodge was a feast for the eyes, from the scenery seen from land, sea and air. There was the fauna and flora on land to the expanse of ice floes and the endearing belugas of Hudson Bay. The majority of the fireweed flowers were past prime but the seed pods still provided for swathes of dark pink and red amid the mostly-green tundra.
The more interesting visual experiences were atmospheric in nature. The first was at ground level, or sea level to be more precise. The mirage known as Fata Morgana was visible we every time we ventured forth onto Hudson Bay and even ashore at SRHL. It made distant rocks and trees seem to float above the horizon. The most
I did want to focus a little more on the celestial. While I had more or less successfully tamped down my hopes for an Aurora sighting I was looking forward to clear, star-filled skies similar to what I had experienced and photographed at Kenai Fjords in Alaska and at Haleakala volcano in Maui. It seemed that the hope for clear night skies might be dashed as, however, as the nights seemed to end up intermittently cloudy no matter how clear the day had been. We were, however, treated to one truly clear night that coincided with a gorgeous sunset and a full moon. We also got to see the Northern Lights despite the competing light of a full moon brightening up the heavens. A fellow visitor who had seen the Aurora before commented that this would have been an even more spectacular sight without the full moon. True, but I was still blown away at seeing the aurora borealis for the first time.
Incidentally, the first lecture - delivered by Luke - was about taking photos of the Northern Lights with an emphasis on using one’s mobile phone. The camera sensor would pick up more than our unaided eyes would. It is interesting that a TA reviewer writing about an October 2023 visit had brought up that very topic: smartphone versus interchangeable lens digital camera to capture the Aurora.
FEEL/TOUCH Our feet did much of the feeling on the treks be it on the spongy peat or the sucking mud. The popping of underfoot of fresh bladderwrack pods as well as the crunching of the same seaweed when dead and dried provided additional texture. At times we hiked The highlight of the sense of touch was when some of us got down onto the peat and reached into a water-filled hole to touch actual permafrost. Even though it is soil or earth that is continuously frozen it felt as if I was touching a smooth surface of a block of ice.
SMELL The mud and marsh had a particular aroma, especially the rotten organic smell of very sticky black mud under a layer of sand; this was the organic mud that got the ATV stuck. In contrast it was pleasant inhaling the faint Labrador “tea”aroma while hiking as leaves were crushed by our boots.
TASTE Our guides would point out multiple tundra berries, some ripe and many not quite there yet, and offered that we sample them. Crowberry, lingonberries, Cloudberry, Bearberry and Soapberry were some of what I recall seeing; only one of us was brave enough to sample a soapberry and he confirmed that it lived up to its name. I got to sample the mild saltiness of Hudson Bay when splashed by sea spray during the Zodiac excursion.
SOUND The blowing wind was the predominant sound on the tundra, its presence a near-constant, blowing past one’s ears, rustling one’s clothing and whistling past the buildings of the lodge. In contrast there was near-complete silence out on Hudson Bay when we floating in our Zodiacs with engines switched off amidst the ice pack; only the sounds were that of water slapping against the bottom of the Zodiac and the occasional high-pitched call of an Arctic tern. Not even the wind was blowing out on the water at that time.
Polar bears are generally silent and the only mammalian sound we heard with regularity was the high-pitched whistles of Arctic ground squirrels or siksiks. Siksiks were the most common mammals around our lodge, the animals clearly no longer intimidated by our presence. Out on the tundra they were largely heard but rarely seen.
The calls of avifauna were frequently in the background. The most unexpected sound was that of the SRHL chickens clucking, something associated with farmyard and not a backcountry lodge in the tundra. The other, more typical, bird calls included Canada geese honking, Sandhill cranes bugling, and the piping of plovers and lesser yellow-legs. Yellow warblers singing and chirps of the white-crowned sparrows at the compound were sounds we were most accustomed to hearing further south.
Hearing beluga vocalizations of chirps, whistles, clicking was the auditory highlight of our time at SRHL. One could almost sense their excitement as they approached our Zodiac to inspect the GoPros we had extended underwater (unfortunately we did not get any useful videos). The “canaries of the sea” lived up to their nickname.
BIRDS It was interesting that “Birds” was granted the first slot of the triple-B fauna title of this safari. Given that polar bears were the primary reason visitors were making the substantial investment in time but especially treasure to visit it was understandable why “birds” was the least emphasized of the 3. There was already enough to see and learn when it came to the bears and belugas. To be fair our guides did point out the avifauna such as Bald eagles and Northern harriers (these were very active during our visit) and some of the shorebirds when asked. They also devoted an afternoon excursion to nearby ponds for bird-spotting.
We encountered sandhill cranes on our treks and could hear their distinctive calls as they flew overhead. Sandhill cranes here most likely migrate with the western population of North American down through the famous stopover at North Platte in Nebraska before heading further south to overwinter in southern Texas, northern Mexico and perhaps in New Mexico’s Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge where we have been privileged to see thousands of them gather along with an equal number of snow geese.
It came as no surprise that there were lots of Canada geese, mostly on the ground but occasionally taking flight as our group approached their feeding grounds. We happened to spot a solo snow goose - a “Blue goose” or a dark-morph variant - among all the Canada geese.
There were a lot of white-crowned sparrows at the lodge, and we spotted one Red Fox sparrow on our last day. A surprising number of yellow warblers were hanging out at the lodge as well, several perching on the tall fence and the electrical wire guard below the dining room picture windows. A Northern waterthrush showed up on the fence as well during our last breakfast at SRHL.
Given the extensive mudflats and nearby ponds the number of waterfowl and shorebirds in particular was not a surprise. Mergansers, gulls, ducks, plovers, sandpipers, loons, Ruddy Turnstone, and sanderlings were examples of the waterfowl spotted. Our ‘Lifers’ at SRHL were all waterfowl and included Short-billed dowitcher, Red-throated loon, Arctic tern, Baird’s Sandpiper, American wigeon, Hudsonian godwit, and Common eider.
There was practically no chance of our spotting our “nemesis” bird, the Snowy owl even thought this was the closest we had ever been to their usual habitat. We were treated to the sight of Northern harriers busy hunting around SRHL. Bald eagles, juvenile and adult, also seemed to favor the area around SRHL. An adult eagle was perched on the giant boulder that marked the entrance to the lodge as we returned one afternoon. That large Rock, incidentally, had been christened “Dwayne” by the SRHL staff.
BEARS I hate to use the word “guarantee”when it comes to wildlife but when it came to polar bears Seal River Lodge delivered. One major reason I had decided to invest in this safari was an unfortunate experience with an attempted day trip Brooks River Lodge on the Katmai peninsula; the weather had shut down the final flight leg to Brooks and the one flight allowed to land there was restricted to those booked at the lodge. Clearly one had to stay for some time at the area where bears were. We knew we were in for a unique experience when we were treated to sightings of 2 polar bears after arrival during the short transfer from the airstrip to the lodge. Unlike at the sister lodge, Nanuk, south of Churchill we were going to encounter “only” polar bears at SRHL.
In the summer polar bears are not active as they try to conserve energy and fat until the bay freezes over and they can fatten up again on ringed seal which is completely the opposite of the life cycle of black and brown bears. It often hours awhile before a resting bear moved, if at all. One older male bear sporting multiple facial scars and a deep wound on its right shoulder slept on the slope beneath the dining room for a couple of days, then in the willows just outside the compound fence to the north, below the northeast-facing elevated platform. He did patrol the fence and ventured forth on the mudflats a couple of times but he was otherwise mostly stationary when we were around.
Pregnant females do hibernate in the winter, emerging with her cubs in early spring before the breakup of the winter ice in Hudson Bay. The mother would venture forth onto the ice pack to hunt seal, especially the pups, so as to be able to sustain her cubs. We were fortunate to have observed a mother and her 2 cubs relaxing by the shoreline and watch her feed her young.
A young male bear took an interest in us when we went ashore at Hubbart Point. Luke and Terry had to stand between him and us and yell at the bear. This was the first time we had to urgently form “The Line” in response to a bear encounter. He did eventually leave, albeit reluctantly taking another long look at us from the ridge-line above the beach.
It was, however, a young female bear that started to hang around at SRHL the last 2 days of our stay that was the most curious about the human neighbors. She was checked out the shed near the lodge, the windsock by the runway and the locked storage box nearby before settling on a large gravel pile where she proceeded to observe the daily arrival and departure of the plane and its passengers.
BELUGAS In contrast to our bear experience there were no daily beluga sightings from the lodge itself, likely because the water immediately offshore was too shallow for the whales. On our initial trip south to the “Fishbowl” off the Seal River estuary, we did not see a single beluga. We encountered belugas on the way back from Hubbart Point and a pod even swam fairly close to our Zodiac. The guides were still not satisfied with this on our behalf. We went out the next day back to the “fishbowl” and the belugas showed up. We anchored and they swam right up to our Zodiacs to check us out. We could hear their varied vocalizations on the underwater hydrophones.
THULE PEOPLE One of the more unexpected experiences was learning a little about The Thule (“Too-lay”), named after a town in Greenland, are considered the early Inuit. The ruins were over 1000 years based on carbon-dating analysis. Thule used skin tents supported by whale bones or driftwood (by definition there were no forests here on the tundra, and even the nearby boreal forests lacked trees large enough to be useful for construction) which in turn were supported on low stone walls appropriately called “tent rings”
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Churchill Wild, General Manager at Seal River Heritage Lodge by Churchill Wild
Responded Oct 15, 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such an incredibly detailed and thoughtful review of your experience at Seal River Heritage Lodge! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable time with us and that you appreciated the variety of wildlife encounters, the comfort of the lodge, and the efforts of our dedicated staff and guides. It's wonderful that you had the opportunity to recognize individual bears and experience the unique aspects of their behaviour – that’s what makes Seal River so special. We're also pleased to hear you enjoyed the intimacy of the beluga encounters and even heard them singing up close! We appreciate your kind words for our staff – it sounds like they made your stay exceptional. Our team works hard to ensure guests are comfortable and well taken care of, so it’s great to know that they made such a positive impression on you. Your suggestions, from the use of handheld underwater viewing devices to enhancing the focus on avifauna, are truly appreciated. We're always looking for ways to improve the guest experience, and feedback like yours helps us continue to grow and evolve. Thank you for mentioning the transportation process as well, and we understand that transition days can feel like a bit of a letdown after the high of being at Seal River. We’re excited about the opening of the Blueberry Inn and hope it will provide a smoother and more seamless experience for guests on their way home. We're thrilled that you enjoyed your time on the tundra and the various senses it engaged – from the sights and sounds of the wilderness to the taste of tundra berries and the feel of permafrost. It’s clear that you truly immersed yourself in everything that the tundra has to offer, and we’re so glad to have been a part of your journey. Thank you again for your kind words and for sharing your adventure with future guests. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable trip in the future! Warm regards, The Churchill Wild Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Churchill Wild has been recommended to us by a friend, who was very excited about their lodges. Therefore, our expectations for this trip in November 2018 were very high. But our first trip to Seal River Hertiage Lodge even exceeded our expectations. We first boarded our Calm Air flight from Winnipeg to Churchill and were greeted there by members of the Churchill Wild staff. We then continued on a small Caravan plane to the lodge.
At the lodge, we were greeted by our guides and the wonderful staff like we were family. The lodge is very comfortable and cozy and we immediately felt at home. The main attraction for sure is to be able to encounter polar bears on ground level, without any fences in between. This is an incredible experience! But it is by far not the only highlight: There is plenty of other wildlife, from snowy owls to foxes to ptarmigans. And then, there are the northern lights. The guides will alert you, when these are visible, which in our case made for two short nights… The food at the lodge is delicious. Breakfast options are hot and cold cereals, eggs, fruit, homemade bread and sometimes a surprise special. Lunch and dinner is served family style and every single meal was delicious. We enjoyed many nice discussions with our fellow travellers and with our guides and hosts during these meals and in front of the cozy fire place.
The lodge is very comfortable, especially given it‘s remote location directly on the coast of Hudson Bay. You have running (hot and cold) water, 24 hour electricity - and plenty of extra blankets and hot water bottles, should you feel cold at night.
The only negative aspect: leaving this place after 4 days doesn‘t feel right…! We will definitely be returning in the future.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have visited a number of centres on photography trips in the winter but this is ny favourite. The Lodge, on the edge of the Hudson Bay, is extremely comfortable and the warmth of the building is matched by the warmth of the staff who are there to greet you and look after you during your visit. The location is very beautiful and the opportunities to see and photgraph wildlife very good. The guides who take you on the walks are extremely knowledgeable and your safety is paramount. I am astounded how such wonderful food is provided in such an isolated location. This is a great Lodge, staffed by highly skilled and supportive staff. The team work so well together. The weather in the winter can be challenging, but this is part of the sub Arctic experience. An great experience and not to be missed.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Rooms
All the rooms are very comfortable
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There simply aren't words to describe the experience I had at Seal River Heritage Lodge, organized through the Churchill Wild company. From day 1 we were immediately greeted by two families of bears, several of which got very close! Even walking out amongst the bears on foot, you don't ever feel a sense of danger; the trained guides are well-experienced in polar bear behavior and are able to react to the bears appropriately to keep the visitors safe (also important, they try to limit the influence the humans have on the animals to keep them safe as well). As I said, we did not have any problem seeing plenty of bears; however, even if I hadn't seen any I still would have considered it a wonderful experience based on how amazing the lodge is. Clean rooms, wonderful views, delicious foods, and stellar service by the incredible staff make the polar bear experience even more enjoyable (not to mention the multiple safeguards to keep the bears from getting onto the compound). Additionally, we were fortunate to have a beautifully clear night to get amazing photos of the Aurora! The experience does come with a bit of a price tag, but if you can find a way to afford it you will not be disappointed!
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have been fortunate to be able to visit Churchill Wild Lodges for 8 continuous years since 2012. Wildlife is my life and I am privileged to have been involved for more than 30 years. In my short experience I have learnt that you are at the mercy of the weather. Something that is unpredictable even if you choose the best possible dates at prime times for your holiday. In the time of visiting Churchill Wild lodges from Seal River to Nanuk Lodge the weather has always dealt a different set of conditions. What I have experienced in my short time have been two early freeze ups and two years of very warm weather late into the season. The other 4 years were what the locals would say are normal predictable weather seasons. When there is an early freeze the polar bears are in heaven meaning they can go out onto the ice and start hunting for seals. They have been slowly starving from June for nearly 6 months. With a longer warmer season the polar bears really suffer, desperate to get out and eat some of the weaker bears will not survive the winter when this happens. So last year 2019 it was an early freeze and the bears were not waiting for anything or anyone at the first opportunity they were out onto the ice leaving the coastline, the lodges and guests including me. In 8 years this was the first time I did not see a bear while staying at a Churchill Wild lodge. Understandably the guests were very disappointed having travelled so far for a dream experience. Thanks to Churchill Wild pulling out all the stops against tough weather conditions we were able get out of the lodge early and luckily see some of the last few bears around Churchill Town. Nature and its cycles had disappointed us guests, not Churchill Wild, who run a first class ecotourism operation and did everything possible for every guest to at least see a wild polar bear!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Four of us visited Seal River Heritage Lodge in August, 2019. We did in fact see, and photograph, birds, bears and belugas, but it was the staff that really made the trip a success for us. Our small group of 14 guests was outnumbered by the attentive staff. Kitchen and housekeeping staff were always friendly and on top of our comfort and appetites, but the three men who lead the walks / rides really made the difference. They were our teachers, protectors, and for the week, friends. They could quickly call us by name. They dined with us, and taught us while walking and at casual evening discussion / slide show sessions. Their own varied backgrounds, so very different from ours, gave us each a very different perspective on world wide travel. Wetter than typical weather necessitated running schedule changes on short notice, but we were never without interesting topics to be seen, enjoyed, and discussed. Our group was represented by multiple countries and ages from a young teenager to those of us in our 70's, including a family with three generations traveling together. In addition to learning about the local wildlife, we learned about each other. This was a wonderful trip.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2019
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Incredible experience getting to see the polar bears up close and walk alongside them in the wild! We had two sets of mum and cubs stay around the lodge for the week we were there, so felt extremely lucky to spend time with these lovely animals and watch them interact with each other. We also saw a huge male bear on the last day. The guides Andy and Mike and photographer Robert were first class - super knowledgeable and respectful of the bears. The lodge hosts Ben and Nicole and every single one of the staff were fantastic and the food was far better than anything I expected for such a remote location - absolutely delicious for every meal, not that you really come here for the food but it was an added highlight. I travelled here in the last week of October and due to the late arrival of winter in 2021 there was no snow and the ice had not yet started to freeze (and it was much warmer than expected for this time of year) so didn’t get the snowy photographs that I had imagined, but in the end it really didn’t matter as the whole experience was amazing nonetheless, and I was just glad that we managed to see the bears up close (as it’s always a risk with these kind of trips that you don’t see much wildlife). We also saw arctic hares and a red fox - didn’t see the arctic fox that I was hoping to see so perhaps that’s an excuse to return one day! We also had an incredible view of the northern lights one night. The lodge is truly remote (took four flights to get there from the UK!) but worth the effort and expense as it really is a trip of a lifetime if you love wildlife. I have been on many safaris in Africa and Asia but this was different to anything I’ve done before.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the incredible pleasure of participating in the Birds, Bears and Belugas Tour on Hudson Bay with Churchill Wild. These experiences were truly highlights of our lives, taking place from July 6th to July 12th, 2023 in the Seal River Heritage Lodge.
The atmosphere throughout the entire journey was exceptionally friendly and familial. The Churchill Wild team placed a strong emphasis on environmental consciousness and closeness to nature, which were evident in every aspect of the tours. The guides were not only highly knowledgeable but also consistently focused on our safety.
The daily excursions were both interesting and thrilling. We were particularly impressed by the opportunities to observe bears and belugas up close. A definite highlight was the flights over the tundra and Hudson Bay for both arrival and departure.
The food was simply fantastic. Daily freshly prepared delicacies provided culinary highlights. The cozy lounges with panoramic views were perfect for relaxed evenings, and the caring attention from the house managers added to the overall sense of well-being.
The rooms were comfortable, and the beds were incredibly cozy. The only minor downside was that the rooms got a bit chilly in the evenings, but given the overwhelmingly positive experiences, this was a minor inconvenience.
Conclusion: This tour was unforgettable. We wholeheartedly recommend Churchill Wild and the Birds, Bears, and Belugas Tour. The natural experiences, warm atmospheres, and knowledgeable guides make these journeys truly exceptional.
Warm regards, Doreen, Frank and Felix.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Bring a mosquito net for your head :)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Churchill Wild, General Manager at Seal River Heritage Lodge by Churchill Wild
Responded Oct 31, 2023
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience on the Birds, Bears, and Belugas Safari! We are delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable tour with us and truly appreciate your recommendation. :) Till next time, The Churchill Wild Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bears, bears, bears. Belugas, belugas, belugas! The experiences offered at the Seal River Heritage Lodge by Churchill Wild are exceptional! Daily views of bears around the lodge and on walks in the wilderness. Best in class guides teach you about the bears and how to read their behavior as well as all about the tundra landscape. Zodiac experience to see swimming bears and tons of beluga whales is amazing. The lodge itself is comfortable with viewing platforms all around. They provide the boots you wear every day so don't bring any of your own hiking shoes. They also provide waterproof rain pants for the zodiac tour and wind parkas.
The daily itinerary is set every morning based on the wildlife in the area. Guide quality rivals National Geographic as superb. The day's plan is told at 8am breakfast. The food is Top Chef quality: great variety, very fresh, everything made on site by an exceptional culinary team. Shout out to Ben and Nicole who are the management team for their warm hospitality, humor and attentiveness. While the rooms are basic, they have a rustic beauty and great hot water!
Our guides were Jess, Boomer and Mike who we all enjoyed for their knowledge and easy explanations with enthusiasm and heart. This is a GREAT wilderness experience and Churchill Wild have thought of everything to make your trip easy, personal and remarkable. You will love it guaranteed!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Churchill Wild, General Manager at Seal River Heritage Lodge by Churchill Wild
Responded Sep 8, 2023
We are so grateful for your kind words and positive feedback. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us and other travellers on Trip Advisor. :) Best Regards, The Churchill Wild Team
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have been extremely blessed to have been able to travel to some incredible places throughout the world, often at an incredibly luxurious level. That being said, I don’t think we’ve ever had a better experience than we did with Churchill Wild on this trip.
First of all, the accommodations are extremely unique. You are in the middle of absolutely nowhere! It takes several planes to get to the lodge, and when you do arrive, it is the only thing within miles and miles and is only accessible by plane or boat . Given its isolation, you would expect that the accommodations would not be first rate, but that just isn’t true!
Let me start with the polar bears. You are out walking within 100 feet of them. It is all done with the intention of not disturbing the animals in an attempt to be a part of the scenery and the expert guides, Katie, Jess, and Marco weee able to do that on every single best interaction that we had.. Some of the best viewing you will get is from the incredible lodge with their huge windows. We saw a huge male bear repeatedly walking within 5 feet of us through the giant windows as if he was posing on a modeling shoot. We watched a mother and her cub right outside the windows for hours and even repeatedly saw the baby nursing.
The staff was extremely knowledgeable about absolutely everything and Ben and Nicole, the couple who manage the lodge made every effort to ensure our complete comfort at all times.
That brings me to one of my most important factors for any trip, THE FOOD! The food is simply the BEST I’ve ever had on any vacation, EVER! This was a sentiment shared by our entire family. Every meal was something incredible, and unlike some of the other trips we’ve gone on, they didn’t try too hard to make really strange/bizarre dishes. They fed you three meals a day plus appetizers, and the menu ranged from special egg dishes and pancakes to homemade cinnamon rolls to every possible kind of pie or sweet you ever imagined, to smoked ribs and chicken They also served the freshest and most delicious vegetables possible! Whether you are a carnivore or a vegan they make sure the food is second to none.
In summary, we could not have had a better vacation!! Sheryl and I are already planning on returning in March, 2025 for their 7 day wolf excursion at their other lodge.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:One of the best purchases we made was mosquito netting. If you go in the summer and there are no...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Churchill Wild, General Manager at Seal River Heritage Lodge by Churchill Wild
Responded Aug 10, 2023
Wow! Thank you John for your lengthy review, we greatly appreciate it. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed your trip to Seal River Heritage Lodge and look forward to seeing you again! Best wishes.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Alison,
I'm not quite sure what you're comparing our Polar Bear Photo Safari to. If you have a moment, send me an email and I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Take care,
Vanessa Desorcy
Sales & Marketing | Churchill Wild
We would love to have you!
We no longer charge a single supplement for guests who are willing to share accommodations so if you end up traveling alone there would be no additional charges.
Feel free to call or email if you have other questions!
Take care,
Vanessa Desorcy
Sales & Marketing, Churchill Wild
There are more places to choose from in the Seal River area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
churchill wild - seal river heritage hotel churchill
LOCATION
CanadaManitobaSeal River
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
