In late September and October we view wild grizzly bears deep in their natural habitat.
Each day we head out into remote terrain walking on bear trails and following bear tracks in habitat little changed since the last Ice Age.
We often see bears – sometimes with cubs in tow – fishing for salmon in our wilderness river.
We will show you how to read tracks, rubs and tiny hair samples left on trees and explain how bears read the landscape they are moving through.
The bear-viewing we offer is immersive. You will join an experienced guide in the wilderness with no physical barriers between you and the bears.
We are experts in interpreting bear behaviour and body language and it is this knowledge that allows us to walk with confidence around grizzly bears, even mums with cubs.
Our valley is little known and we have the only permit to view bears in our area. Often on our walks we don’t see another person all day.
In more than 15 years in operation and after many thousands of bear encounters we have a perfect safety record.
We will also take you on a float on one of BC’s most beautiful wilderness rivers offering a chance to watch the spawning salmon as well as bald eagles.
Some grizzly viewing operations use wildlife-viewing platforms that can seat a dozen or more guests at a time. Some draw in semi-tame bears with various forms of artificial or natural attractant.
What we offer is a wilder, more natural experience that is nevertheless extremely safe.
Our autumn grizzly viewing experiences are not designed for professional photographers.
Many guests do come away with excellent photographs (all the photos on this website are taken at or near the lodge) but the experience of viewing wildlife is always our priority.
Safety is at the core of what we do. As well as being trained naturalists and certified bear guides, we are also trained in off-road driving, swift-water rescue (rafting guides only) and wilderness first aid.
Julius, your lead guide, has nearly two decade’s experience walking around wild bears and is one of the few guides in BC certified to train new guides.
Wild Bear Lodge is a member of the British Columbia Commercial Bear Viewing Association, an organisation which is responsible for promoting safe viewing and bear conservation.
Our holidays are not especially physically demanding. But you should be able to walk comfortably for a couple of hours at a time over uneven terrain.
Our age recommendation for the autumn is 14-75.