Offering a true wilderness experience that would be difficult to surpass, Alaska’s various habitats each have their own natural attractions over different geographic and temperate zones, but all have the same sense of inconceivable open space and unique wildlife that makes for the perfect Alaska wildlife holiday.
For many, grizzly bear viewing will be one of the key considerations when planning a safari. Katmai National Park is one of the best places in the world to witness them, and despite being such a vast and isolated environment, visitors tend to be situated in one area - Brooks Camp - which contains trails, lodges and boardwalks along the Brooks River, where bears can be seen catching salmon at Brooks Falls as the salmon make their way upstream. Much smaller than grizzlies, black bears are however much more commonly found in Alaska, with a population between 100-200,000 and varying in colour from black to brown and white.
The brown Kodiak bears found on the Emerland Isle of Kodiak here that are estimated at 3,500-strong are Alaska’s largest at up to 10ft tall and are known to flock to the mouths of streams during the mid to late summer months - the salmon spawning season. Kodiak’s hills are also punctuated with flowers over the tundra in the spring months and valleys are filled with tracts of dense, verdant rainforest, ideal for the other resident wildlife that includes elk, deer, mountain goats, wolves, sea lions, otters and whales. The best trip on which to see these huge grizzlies is our up close and personal Kodiak bear tour. Kodiak grizzlies, found only in Alaska, are the largest of the grizzly bears.
The Arctic region is where you will not only enjoy native heritage, minerals and rivers, with coastal plains that contrast heavily with mountain ranges, but also the infamous polar bear, whose population may become endangered but ranging over sea, ice and land, they can be seen in the North and North Western territories of the Arctic region.
Aside from the grizzlies, a variety of whale species are found in Alaska including Beluga, Humpback and Orca. Witness humpback whales breaching, feeding, and calving during the summer months and orcas often spotted in places like the Inside Passage and the waters around Kodiak Island. Beluga whales are usually found around Kodiak and the Bering Sea and on the odd occasion, you may even see polar bears stalking the Belugas in the shallow waters.
Alaska's rivers teem with several species of salmon, including sockeye, chinook, and coho. These fish play a vital role in the state's ecosystem and support a wide variety of wildlife.
These charismatic marine mammals are commonly found along the coastline, particularly in the kelp forests of the Aleutian Islands.
Combine sheer luxury with true wilderness on this extraordinary getaway to Denali National Park, where you'll spend four nights in a mountaintop chalet indulging in fine wines, sumptuous cuisine and unparalleled vistas, with plenty of time for skiing, snowshoeing, stargazing and helicopter flights thrown in for good measure.
From 10100 per person
A genuine encounter with the Alaskan wilderness often starts with a bush plane. And this adventure begins with a private flight across Cook Inlet, passing active volcanoes and massive glaciers before landing on a pristine beach. The stretch of sand is empty, except for the brown bears that live here - and we often see them ambling along the shore before we even land.
From 5870 per person
Six days of adventure showcasing the wildlife of Alaska's southwest coast. This unique trip offers volcanoes, beachcombing, hiking, wilderness solitude, and world-class wildlife viewing.
From 5900 per person
An exciting adventure into the largest protected landmass on earth, where your journey will be governed by the elements. Paul Claus will provide your adventure options each day dependent on the weather and natural conditions, and you can decide from there, with highly skilled qualified pilots and light aircraft at your disposal. Dine on the largest non-polar glacier in the world, fish for salmon alongside grizzly bears, soar the skies in special bush safari planes, hike through the wilderness watching for wildlife or even visit gold rush historic sites - the options are endless.
From 9160 per person
The iconic moose has a thriving population in Alaska and can be found throughout the country, from the temperate rainforests of the southeast to the boreal forests of the interior and the tundra regions of the north. They are also known to frequent wetlands and areas near lakes and rivers. Moose are herbivores and primarily feed on a diet of woody vegetation, such as willow and birch leaves, aquatic plants, and grasses. During the winter, they may rely on stored fat reserves and feed on tree bark and twigs.
Alaska offers excellent opportunities for birdwatching, especially during the summer months when many species are actively breeding and nesting. Alaska serves as a crucial breeding ground for numerous migratory birds, including shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds. It is also home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the United States and you can often spot them near rivers and coastal areas. Known for their distinctive beaks, several species of puffins, including horned puffins and tufted puffins, nest on coastal cliffs and islands in Alaska. They are known for their distinctive beaks and colorful plumage.
