Great Bear Lodge opens a window into the life of the majestic grizzly
As your seaplane glides gently across the surface of the lake towards your floating lodge, you’ll know you’re in for a completely different style of holiday – bears included
Some 50 air miles from Port Hardy in the depths of the Great Bear Rainforest, Great Bear Lodge opens a window into the life of the majestic grizzly. Seaplane is the only way to reach this self-contained floating lodge where all guides are wildlife biologists or ecologists. The lodge itself is small and intimate, with just eight snug rooms surrounded by wooden viewing decks. The common areas include a library, sitting room and dining area where hearty meals are served throughout the day.
From cubs play-fighting in the shallows of a stream to the sudden snap of huge jaws as an adult grizzly plucks a leaping salmon out of the air, you may already have an idea of the grizzly bear viewing you’ll enjoy at Great Bear Lodge – part of the BBC series ‘Secrets of the Living Planet’ was filmed here. Two bear viewing sessions are scheduled each day, both from hidden viewing platforms on land and from boats on the river. The lodge is in a prime location for the salmon run in autumn.
While Grizzly Bear viewing programmes are the order of the day, the area is also famed for its sightings of black bears, otters, mink and even grey wolves and mountain lions. Not to mention birds ranging from ducks and loons to occasional golden eagles, kestrels, goshawks and harriers.
Great Bear Lodge, Great Bear Rainforest
Great Bear Lodge, at a glance
- Charming, fully self-contained floating lodge on a picturesque lake
- Set amidst remote and pristine scenery in the Great Bear Rainforest
- Just 50 miles by seaplane from Port Hardy
- Choice of just eight bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms with showers
- Simple, rustic décor but very comfortable and cosy
- Unrestricted views of the lake and surrounding wooded hillsides
- Wind and solar-powered for low-impact eco-tourism
- Dining room serving gourmet cuisine, including fresh lake-caught salmon and organic produce
For leisure and pleasure
- Nature viewing tours to watch grizzlies, black bears, wolves and bald eagles
- Natural history presentations from expert wildlife biologists
- Superb birdwatching with any number of waterfowl, raptors and forest species to spot
- Two nature expeditions a day with a maximum of 16 guests per trip
- Opportunities to watch orcas, sea lions, humpbacks and dolphins
- Exploration of the Great Bear Rainforest
- Library well stocked with natural history books
- Tours of the surrounding inlets by boat
- Inviting communal sitting area with a fireplace
- Wooden decks offering panoramic views of the surrounding scenery
We had a wonderful safari experience in South Luangwa, Zambia this September. Despite a few unexpected setbacks behind the scenes, everything ran seamlessly for us. Our driver and guide were outstanding, and the standard of accommodation was truly first class.
