Discover Churchill, Manitoba – The Ultimate Wildlife Destination in North America (2024)

Churchill’s rugged and remote wilderness in Manitoba is Earth’s finest place to witness remarkable wildlife in their natural habitats. The small town of Churchill is nestled on the coast of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. This part of North America is also nicknamed as Polar Bear Capital of the World. Not only Polar Bears but a range of other wildlife created in Churchill has benefited from the rapidly growing tourism industry of the region.

A visit to Churchill in Manitoba, Canada, is a dream for every wildlife enthusiast in the world. A range of magnificent land and water animals call Churchill their home, and here you can observe them up close and personal. Polar Bears inhabit the region during the Fall season, the Summer season calls for Beluga Whales are on view, AND the Winter season brings a range of Birds into the picture. Whether you go for a wild forest safari, opt for a thrilling boat ride, or pick your binoculars for some Bird views, there are multiple ways to spot wildlife in Manitoba.

DID YOU KNOW? Churchill, Manitoba is one of the rare places in the world where you can safely observe polar bears that too in their natural Habitat. This sight is nearly impossible anywhere else around.

Discover Churchill, Manitoba – The Ultimate Wildlife Destination in North America

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, keep the binoculars and camera, and head towards Churchill. For the Best Wildlife Spotting Experience in Churchill, Manitoba, here’s all that you need to know.

1. Join the Tundra Buggy Tours and watch Polar Bears in their Natural Habitat

Mentioning Churchill, Manitoba, and overlooking Polar Bears is a Sin. Nestled along the southern edge of Canada’s arctic, Churchill is a wonderland for Polar Bear lovers. This landscape offers a unique and beautiful geography, and for a good reason, witnessing Polar Bears here is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

Wildlife enthusiasts can join Tundra Buggy Tours and get safely and comfortably close to one of the largest predators on Earth, Polar Bears. The said tours operate on uniquely designed all-terrain vehicles that can efficiently make it through Tundra’s rugged terrain. The tours are led by an experienced guide who offers educational insights into Polar bears as an animal, their lifestyle, natural habitat, habits, and a lot more. In addition to Polar Bears, this Canadian arctic region will also introduce you to snowy owls, caribou, foxes, and hares. The Tundra Buggy Tours lasts for several hours, some 4 to 5 hours, some even as long as 8 to 10 hours. Though tour schedules are pre-decided, participants can expect longer or shorter trips depending on animal sightings and weather conditions.

Besides housing the magnificent Polar bears, the Tundra region is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The stunning mountain vistas, rugged terrain, and crystal-clear lakes and rivers add up to the experience. The scenery here is dramatic and awe-inspiring, and every nature lover will agree with that. In addition, the Northern Lights from the Tundra on a clear night are some most incredible sights to behold.

Some other wildlife tours that allow watching Polar Bears closely in Churchill include Frontiers North Adventures, Churchill Wild, Polar Bears International Expeditions, Arctic Kingdom Polar Expeditions, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge Tours, and Lazy Bear Expeditions. From a few hours to single-day trips and multi-day expeditions, these tours offer a variety of experiences.

2. Visit Wapusk National Park towards the South of Churchill for a wholesome Wildlife viewing experience

The remote and rugged wilderness of Wapusk National Park is an incredible destination for wildlife viewing. The park covers 4,431 square miles of landscape on the western coast of Hudson Bay and is known for wetlands, spruce and pine forests, and extensive Tundra. It is home to Polar Bears, Wolverines, Arctic Foxes, caribou, and wolves, along with more than 200 bird species. Wapusk’s coastline is one of the extremely selective places in the world that welcomes Polar Bears ashore, even during the summer season.

While planning to visit the Wapusk National Park, plan ahead since permits and entry to the park is very limited. Book so well in advance and apply through Parks Canada’s website for the permit. For a safe and sound experience, it is advisable to explore Wapusk only with experienced guides. Wildlife enthusiasts must take along their binoculars to get a closer look at the animals. A good and powerful camera will help you document this unique and memorable experience.

Wapusk National Park, though, boasts a large number of Polar Bears, but spotting one might take time. Animal sightings here can take several hours or even a day, so be patient and go prepared. Also, since the weather at Wapusk can be extremely cold (even below freezing), dress for your own safety. One of the unique experiences here is observing pregnant Polar Beers in their denning area giving birth during the Fall season. Apart from watching Polar Bears, some other popular activities in the park include hiking, canoeing, and bird watching.

A wildlife-watching experience at Wapusk National Park is unmatchable. However, it is advisable to keep a safer distance from animals, especially Polar Bears, as they can turn dangerous.

3. Take A Boat Tour Of Churchill River And Observe A Unique World Of Wildlife

Churchill is a major Canadian river that passes through Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The river starts from Churchill Lake and flows all the way to Hudson Bay. Churchill River, though is a major tourist attraction for a number of reasons, but its wildlife viewing opportunities top them all. The river and its boat tours are extremely famous for observing Beluga whales, Seals, and Seabirds up close and personal. Some of the popular boat tours on Churchill River include Sea North Tours, Lazy Bear Expeditions, Frontiers North Adventures, and Churchill Wild.

Churchill river is home to thousands of Beluga Whales that migrate here annually. These sea creatures visit the river for its abundant food supply and its warmer waters. Not only that but harbor seals, bearded seals, or even ringed seals are common to spot here, depending upon the season and time of year. Wildlife enthusiasts, in fact, may also spot sandpipers, plovers, gulls, terns, and cormorants, along with several other seabirds and shorebirds.

Boat tours and other guided experiences are undoubtedly the best methods of exploring Churchill River and its wildlife possibilities. As the boat tours make their way, participants can observe these magnificent creatures swimming alongside. Some of them, in fact, can appear as close as within your arm’s distance. However, involving them physically in any way isn’t advisable. Selective tours, in fact, also offer opportunities like a wetsuit and snorkeling with Beluga Whales. For an adventure enthusiast, it is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience for life. BONUS: Lucky participants might get to spot Polar Bears from their boat tours or even from the shore.

4. Observe Over 200 Species Of Birds Inhabiting Churchill, Manitoba

Churchill is one of the best bird-spotting destinations in the world. This small town is part of Hudson Bay Lowlands, which as a vast wetland, acts as a crucial breeding ground for different species of birds. Not just the town but the Churchill River as well operates as a major migration route for birds that travel from the Arctic to the South. Due to all these possibilities, observing different birds here is quite an easy deal.

Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts can spot the Snowy owl, the most iconic bird of Churchill, throughout the region. Also known as Polar owls, these birds are very rare to find since it is believed that they are less than 30,000 left in the world. A popular subject for photographers and bird watchers, snow owls can be perched atop buildings and trees, especially during winter months. They can be spotted any time of the day, however, majorly on clear, sunny days when hunting possibilities are more active. Or days with low visibility and no wind offer more possibilities. Enthusiasts can also take a guided tour of Churchill town and visit places where Snowy owls appear more frequently. Using binoculars would be a good idea as well.

In addition to Snowy owls, bird watchers can also spot loons, grebes, and ducks, along with several other waterfowl species in Churchill. Some popular bird-watching tours in Churchill you can choose to join include Churchill Nature Tours, Churchill Northern Studies Centre, and Natural Habitat Adventures. All these tours are led by experienced naturalists in a variety of habitats and are surely one of the best of their kind.

5. Experience the Rarest Sights Of Wolverine When In Churchill

Wolverines are elusive creatures, and spotting them is extremely rare (if you are lucky to do so, count it as a blessing). The chances aren’t extreme, but you can spot Wolverines on your wildlife trip to Churchill, Manitoba.

Known for their powerful build and fierce hunting abilities, Wolverines are actively found in and around Churchill, especially during the winter months. The best place to find them is in areas where Polar Bears or other wild animals have recently been hunted. Areas with caribou or lemmings and other population of prey also commonly attract Wolverines. Wapusk National Park is one popular landscape to spot Wolverines. However, despite how lucky you become, always maintain a very safe distance from these wilds, as they can be extremely dangerous. Never dare to approach these animals, as they can literally eat you in pieces.

Winter camping trips, hiking, and wildlife tours are some ways that can make your spot Wolverines. However, none of these tasks are for regular individuals, and doing any of them under expert guidance is mandatory. While spotting a wolverine can be extremely challenging, the experience is undoubtedly the most rewarding. The Arctic ecosystem is incomplete without fierce and robust Wolverine, and their sight is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

Other Popular Experiences in Churchill, Manitoba

6. Enjoy Dog Sledging

When in Churchill, you cannot miss the chance to experience a round of Dog Sledging. These exciting and memorable experiences in the town attract visitors from all across North America. A large number of sled dogs, an experienced musher, and the snowy wilderness will accompany your Dog Sledging trip in Churchill. The dogs in charge are extremely well-trained and strong, and they know how to provide participants with the best experience.

As you will glide through the snowy terrain of Churchill, you will come across breathtaking scenery and adventurous wilderness. Lucky participants may also get a chance to spot caribou or arctic foxes, or probably some Polar Bears from a distance. The crisp air and tranquility of wilderness in Churchill make Dog Sledging the most memorable experience here. However, since it will definitely be freezing, dress appropriately.

7. Never Miss The Experience Of The Northern Lights In Churchill

Last but arguably, one of the best experiences is to witness Northern Lights in Churchill. This town in Manitoba is surely world’s one of the best places to experience the Northern Lights. Churchill hosts long, dark nights throughout the Fall and Winter season, bringing out the best possibilities to witness the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. The colors, patterns, and light games in the sky here will leave you spellbound. If you don’t doubt your existence or freeze for several minutes, you are definitely not witnessing Churchill’s Northern Lights for the first time.

To witness the Northern Lights in Churchill, individuals can rent a car and head out into the wilderness. It will require you to find a spot for the Aurora Borealis experience. Or, book a tour with a local guide, and they will take you to the best spots and will introduce you with all the necessary information. No matter whichever way you choose, this awe-inspiring experience and the beauty and mystery of the aurora will never ever disappoint you.