A Polar Bear Photo Adventure with Daryl & Sharna Balfour - Nov 18-24, 2012
Join expert photographer naturalists, Daryl & Sharna Balfour as well as our expert polar bear guide in the Canadian Far North, on this immersive journey into the realm of the polar bear, with outstanding guidance to help you capture world-class, close-up shots! This safari runs November 18-24, but we strongly advise participants to arrive a day early in Winnipeg, November 17.
Trip Overview
You won’t find another Churchill-based polar bear tour that promises as much proximity and time among the Kings of the Arctic, coupled with our intensive focus on helping you gain superlative photos. With our Polar Bear Photo Adventure, you'll start from our base in Churchill, where will we head out for three full days on the tundra at the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears congregate each fall waiting for freeze-up and the winter hunting season. Specially designed polar tundra vehicles take us into the heart of their wild habitat, with plenty of space for equipment and spreading out to get just the right shots. On-site guidance from our expert photographer guide is complemented by evening lectures on how best to capture the wonder of Arctic wildlife, most notably the famed Churchill polar bears, through the camera’s lens. There is also a great possibility that during our planned week in Churchill we will be able to see the famed aurora borealis, or northern lights - a spectacular light show in the arctic heavens. Of course, while Polar Bears are the focus of this safari, there are always opportunities for other arctic wildlife such as arctic hares and foxes, snowy owls & ptarmigans.
Join expert photographer naturalists, Daryl & Sharna Balfour as well as our expert polar bear guide in the Canadian Far North, on this immersive journey into the realm of the polar bear, with outstanding guidance to help you capture world-class, close-up shots! This safari runs November 18-24, but we strongly advise participants to arrive a day early in Winnipeg, November 17.
Trip Overview
- Spend three full days on the tundra among the polar bears in special Polar Rovers
- Enjoy unparalleled space & freedom with only 10 guests in our Polar Rover that usually takes anything from 15-30
- Perfect your wildlife photography skills with our renowned photographer guides
- Marvel at how close you’ll get for superb photos of these magnificent bears
You won’t find another Churchill-based polar bear tour that promises as much proximity and time among the Kings of the Arctic, coupled with our intensive focus on helping you gain superlative photos. With our Polar Bear Photo Adventure, you'll start from our base in Churchill, where will we head out for three full days on the tundra at the edge of Hudson Bay, where polar bears congregate each fall waiting for freeze-up and the winter hunting season. Specially designed polar tundra vehicles take us into the heart of their wild habitat, with plenty of space for equipment and spreading out to get just the right shots. On-site guidance from our expert photographer guide is complemented by evening lectures on how best to capture the wonder of Arctic wildlife, most notably the famed Churchill polar bears, through the camera’s lens. There is also a great possibility that during our planned week in Churchill we will be able to see the famed aurora borealis, or northern lights - a spectacular light show in the arctic heavens. Of course, while Polar Bears are the focus of this safari, there are always opportunities for other arctic wildlife such as arctic hares and foxes, snowy owls & ptarmigans.
World's Polar Bear capital
Our special Polar Bear safari is located at Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, the polar bear capital of the world. We have partnered with Natural Habitat Adventures, the most prestigious operators of polar bear safaris, with whom Daryl Balfour has had a relationship since the 1990s. Natural Habitat are the WWF-recommended operators in this region and we believe we have teamed with the best for this unique Wildphotos Safari.
Daryl Balfour Safari Group Size Limit: Only 10 Travelers - A very important feature of our polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups and it is particularly important on this trip so our guests have plenty of room on board the tundra vehicles to take rare polar bear photos. The Polar Rovers can usually accommodate as many as 30 guests - we will limit this to only 10 guests within the overall group of 12 (the extra two being Daryl & Sharna Balfour). The Wildphotos Safaris group will be a smaller intimate and exclusive group. All other groups number at least 15 or more.
Included in the Fare
Return flight from Winnipeg, Canada to Churchill, accommodations on a shared basis, all meals (except either lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill), services of Daryl & Sharna Balfour as well as the Natural Habitat professional Expedition Leaders and assistants, all activities/entrance fees, evening wildlife and cultural presentations, all taxes and service charges.
Not Included Travel to and from Winnipeg, Canada from your home, lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.).
Complimentary Boots & Parkas Natural Habitat Adventures, our partners in this safari, lends winter parkas and Arctic boots to all travelers during their polar bear adventures. Use of this gear will ensure your comfort and eliminate the hassle of carrying these bulky items between your home city and Winnipeg. Enjoy! (To be collected in Winnipeg prior to departure for Churchill.)
Physical Requirements
Easy!!!
This trip requires very little to no walking. Polar Rovers can sometimes offer a bumpy ride though, but for those who have been on an African safari this will be a cinch!
Daryl Balfour Safari Group Size Limit: Only 10 Travelers - A very important feature of our polar bear trips is the limited group size. Nature is always best experienced in smaller groups and it is particularly important on this trip so our guests have plenty of room on board the tundra vehicles to take rare polar bear photos. The Polar Rovers can usually accommodate as many as 30 guests - we will limit this to only 10 guests within the overall group of 12 (the extra two being Daryl & Sharna Balfour). The Wildphotos Safaris group will be a smaller intimate and exclusive group. All other groups number at least 15 or more.
Included in the Fare
Return flight from Winnipeg, Canada to Churchill, accommodations on a shared basis, all meals (except either lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill), services of Daryl & Sharna Balfour as well as the Natural Habitat professional Expedition Leaders and assistants, all activities/entrance fees, evening wildlife and cultural presentations, all taxes and service charges.
Not Included Travel to and from Winnipeg, Canada from your home, lunch or dinner on your final day in Churchill, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, travel insurance, items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.).
Complimentary Boots & Parkas Natural Habitat Adventures, our partners in this safari, lends winter parkas and Arctic boots to all travelers during their polar bear adventures. Use of this gear will ensure your comfort and eliminate the hassle of carrying these bulky items between your home city and Winnipeg. Enjoy! (To be collected in Winnipeg prior to departure for Churchill.)
Physical Requirements
Easy!!!
This trip requires very little to no walking. Polar Rovers can sometimes offer a bumpy ride though, but for those who have been on an African safari this will be a cinch!
Important Info about this safari
Our Photo Bear Adventure is based in Churchill town, giving us access not only to bears but also to the culture, people and history of Churchill. During the three full days spent on the tundra and our evenings in town, our expert photographer leaders will share their knowledge of the natural world around us as well as how to best capture its essence on film. Polar bears are typically in the Churchill area all year round. The highest concentration occurs in Oct. and Nov. Sometimes the best viewing is in the beginning of the season, sometimes the middle and sometimes the end - we never know for sure. In 2011 the last week of the season, Nov 14-20, was totally awesome, the best of the year. The bears are waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze, and when it does, many of them depart. Historically, this has been in early December, but an unusually early cold spell may occur, hastening their departure.
Getting There & Getting Home: In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early (November 17) and either participate in our Extra Day in Winnipeg program or stay on your own. Our trip begins with a 7:00 pm welcome dinner on November 18. You are free to depart at any time on the final day, November 24.
2012 Safari Cost: US$8695 per person sharing
Deposit: A Non-Refundable deposit of $2000 required to secure your place.
Click Here Now to book - when booking specify that you are on the "Daryl Balfour Safari Nov 18-24, 2012" IMPORTANT - Please confirm with us prior to making your bookings HERE
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Currently only very limited single occupancy is available, at US$755 per single!
CONTACT ANDREA HERE TO BOOK THIS SAFARI AND PAY YOUR $2000 DEPOSIT. PLEASE SPECIFY WHEN BOOKING THAT YOU ARE BOOKING FOR THE "DARYL BALFOUR SAFARI - NOV 18-24, 2012." PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR TO CONFIRMING YOUR RESERVATION.
THE WWF HAS ESTIMATED THAT POLAR BEARS COULD GO EXTINCT IN THE NEAR FUTURE IF GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT CHECKED. TAKE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THEM WHILE YOU CAN! Enquire now for 2012 & BEYOND!
Getting There & Getting Home: In case of flight or weather delays, we recommend that you arrive a day early (November 17) and either participate in our Extra Day in Winnipeg program or stay on your own. Our trip begins with a 7:00 pm welcome dinner on November 18. You are free to depart at any time on the final day, November 24.
2012 Safari Cost: US$8695 per person sharing
Deposit: A Non-Refundable deposit of $2000 required to secure your place.
Click Here Now to book - when booking specify that you are on the "Daryl Balfour Safari Nov 18-24, 2012" IMPORTANT - Please confirm with us prior to making your bookings HERE
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Currently only very limited single occupancy is available, at US$755 per single!
CONTACT ANDREA HERE TO BOOK THIS SAFARI AND PAY YOUR $2000 DEPOSIT. PLEASE SPECIFY WHEN BOOKING THAT YOU ARE BOOKING FOR THE "DARYL BALFOUR SAFARI - NOV 18-24, 2012." PLEASE CONTACT US PRIOR TO CONFIRMING YOUR RESERVATION.
THE WWF HAS ESTIMATED THAT POLAR BEARS COULD GO EXTINCT IN THE NEAR FUTURE IF GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT CHECKED. TAKE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THEM WHILE YOU CAN! Enquire now for 2012 & BEYOND!
