Canada Safaris

Canada is an adventure traveller’s playground waiting to be explored. A sanctuary to vast National Parks, tranquil turquoise lakes, rugged mountains, grizzly and polar bears, the Aurora Borealis and vibrant cities, a holiday to Canada is a true riot for the senses.

The world’s second-largest country, Canada may be instantly known for its Mounties, rocky mountains and grizzly bears, but this is just scratching the surface of a vast country that contains one third of the world’s boreal forest; home to some of the most thrilling wildlife experiences on Earth. Wilderness is always just a heartbeat away with an astonishing diversity of landscapes; the vast Canadian Prairies rise abruptly to the glacier-topped Rocky Mountains; rugged and unspoiled coastlines abide to immense forests dotted with emerald lakes; and Arctic waters lap upon frozen tundra. Whatever your expectations are heading into this naturally rich world, be prepared for them to be met and exceeded.

With ice grizzlies accessible for only two weeks of the year, or luxury yachts pushing into the wilds of the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada offers you a truly unique selection of things to do and places to go. Home to some of North America’s most iconic species, expect to encounter grizzly and black bear, wolves, beaver and powerful cougar. Lucky travellers may also see more unusual species such as the elusive Kermode (spirit) bear, humpback whales, and orca.

Why NWS for your Canada safari?

Our fascination for bears originally started over 10 years ago with our niche company named World Bear Safaris. Our CEO and Founder Will Bolsover spent many years alongside our specialists locating the best bear haunts in the midst of Canadian wilderness. As a leading specialist operator, we have specifically chosen lodges that are in some of the most remote areas in the heart of bear country, where it is possible to experience incredible close encounters with grizzly bears. Our team of specialists have extensive on-the-ground knowledge of Canada’s wilderness, allowing them to design your journey around you, at the right place at the right time.

As well as our long history working in the region, we have developed excellent partnerships with naturalists and conservationists. We know our wildlife and do what we can to preserve its natural habitat. Choose to visit the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy to capture a sight of these unique bears with our highly experienced guides, or head to the frozen tundra to come face-to-face with the King of the Arctic. Our safaris support conservation across Canada, helping to restore and maintain these environments, protecting wildlife and educating future generations.

How much does Canada cost?

Typically, expect to budget around £6500 per person for a 10-day safari in Canada. This will generally include accommodation, charter flights and excursions. For a shorter 6-day experience staying at just one intimate camp in the heart of the rainforest, expect to budget £4500 per person. Enjoy close encounters with grizzly bears, helicopter flights over glaciated valleys and delicious gourmet cuisine.

The relaxed Canadian way of life and welcoming attitude make this country one of the best destinations for active, adventurous travellers, regardless of the season. A country of such sheer, deciding how to explore the beautiful terrain is just the beginning. Whether you decide to travel by car, floatplane, train or even helicopter, our specialists will meld their first-hand experience and knowledge with your own travel style and ideas to create the best of Canada, designed in your way.

You may wish to include the following in your Canada itinerary:

• Explore Vast Wilderness: There are many different ways to explore Canada, including camping, hiking and canoeing.
• Track Wild Grizzly Bears: Grizzly bears are often the highlight of a Canadian safari, and can be seen swiping salmon from bubbling rivers with their huge claws.
• Coastal Exploration: We can take you down the coast of British Columbia on some beautiful expedition ships where you’ll meet some of the most amazing wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears and humpback whales.
• Search for Spirit Bears: Also known as the Kermode bear, this white-furred subspecies of the black bear can be found in the forests of British Columbia, and features prominently in the oral traditions of the region's indigenous peoples.
• Helicopter Safaris: Explore vast wilderness and huge glaciers from the air, as high as the circling eagles.
• Grizzly Bear Gatherings: When temperatures start to freeze in the northern Yukon, watch in wonder as grizzlies flock to the region's rivers to feast on salmon, coating their fur in ice.
• Head to the Arctic: Head north of the Arctic Circle to see wild polar bears, the Northern Lights, narwhals - the unicorns of the sea - and much more.
• Kayaking : Kayak with whales off of Vancouver Island.

Where to stay in Canada?

Canada has a wide variety of accommodation ranging from quaint guest houses to luxury hotels, and can also vary according to location, ranging from smaller floating lodges or tented camps in the heart of the wilderness to modern hotels in larger cities such as Vancouver or private yachts that ply the waters of the Pacific North West.

When to go to Canada?

The best time to go to Canada is between June and October. Whilst Canada is perceived as a year-round destination, the temperatures of the summer months lend themselves to more of the outdoor activities for which Canada is renowned, although there are huge regional differences to consider, highlighted below, as well as best times to view specific wildlife. Generally, in the South, the summer period is between late May and early September, whilst in the north, this is a much shorter season between mid-June and mid-September, after which snowfall can begin.