Great White Bear Tours
Great White Bear Tours
4.5
4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
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(51 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
155 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
4
Terrible
4
bitsytraveler
Newark, CA53 contributions
Nov. 2022
We have been hosted by Great White Bear tours twice now - in 2013 and in 2022. The two experiences were quite different, but equally exciting.
[In 2013, in October, there were mostly male bears who came up close to the vehicles. In 2022, in November, there were numerous females with cubs just heading out onto the ice for the winter.]
They have the most experienced and informed drivers on their polar rovers - wonderfully conceived and comfortable vehicles.
We have ridden with Bill (aka Grouchy, because he is anything but), Val, and Michael.
They and the van drivers who take customers too and from the rovers are all like an extended family - and they quickly include their guests into that family.
We wouldn't mind going again in a few years - the tourism industry there helps to fund the conservation of these "great white bears".
[In 2013, in October, there were mostly male bears who came up close to the vehicles. In 2022, in November, there were numerous females with cubs just heading out onto the ice for the winter.]
They have the most experienced and informed drivers on their polar rovers - wonderfully conceived and comfortable vehicles.
We have ridden with Bill (aka Grouchy, because he is anything but), Val, and Michael.
They and the van drivers who take customers too and from the rovers are all like an extended family - and they quickly include their guests into that family.
We wouldn't mind going again in a few years - the tourism industry there helps to fund the conservation of these "great white bears".
Written January 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this 5-star review with our team! We love hearing how much you enjoyed your trips with us and how they varied. Every season is unique and our wonderful staff work hard to create the best viewing experiences for guests. We will pass along your kind words to our team, especially your past drivers. Thank you again for supporting our local business and we hope to see you again in the future!
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kathie K
2 contributions
Nov. 2022
Cannot say enough good things about Great White Bear Tours. Our driver, Bill, was amazing. I wish everyone who travels onto the tundra could go with him. He spots not just polar bears and foxes, but snowy owls, which are almost impossible for the novice to notice. He has been driving for the tour for 20 years and really knows his stuff. He is safety conscious while at the same time offering an atmosphere that is fun, exciting, and even polished. His lunch and dinner service on the evening outing on the tundra are fabulous. This was one of my all-time top vacation experiences!
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your 5 star review. Reviews like yours mean the world to us and are so important for future travelers.
We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your time aboard our Polar Rover with Bill. He is a fountain of knowledge and experience and we are fortunate to have him on our team and as a friend. Thank you again for taking the time to share this wonderful feedback and we will pass along your kind words to Bill.
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dernes
Fort Collins, CO51 contributions
Nov. 2022 • Couples
What a wonderful experience this Natural Habitat tour was! The guide was extremely knowledgeable about the flora, fauna and local people and customs. The Polar Rovers used have six wheels, while all other companies have only four. I assume this makes for a more stable ride. The biggest selling point is the tour is limited to 16 people (while the Rover holds 32) which assures all guests of a window seat. Our driver (Robert) provides exceptional customer service and had lived there many years, adding to the great information shared.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your 5 star review. Reviews like yours mean the world to us and are so important for future travelers. We take pride in creating the most comfortable viewing experience and are happy to see that you noticed the difference in machines and seating. Thank you again for taking the time to share this wonderful feedback and we will pass along your kind words to Robert.
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vicki K
25 contributions
Oct. 2022
Val was a great guide, We saw bears the first day which surprised us all because our trip was an earlier one in October, we had great food on the rover and lots of laughs with our amazing leader Leaha.
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your wonderful 5 star review Vicki. Reviews like yours mean the world to us and are so important for future travelers. Thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback and we will pass along your kind words to Val.
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thon
Ottawa, Canada725 contributions
Oct. 2022
We were on their Rover for the first day of the 2022 season with driver Bill and guide Koral. There were only 12 of us on this tour so lots of room. Both had years of experience and provided a great experience even though we only found 1 bear close enough to really see (using binoculars). We also saw ptarmigans, a snowy owl and lots of snow buntings. The homemade stew for lunch was really good! I had 2 helpings, some had 3! On their bus coming back into town we saw a couple of arctic hares and another polar bear that was close enough to get some good pictures. It’s hard to plan in advance as to the best time to visit Churchill for polar bears as everything is weather dependent - I think if we had come the following week this year we may have seen more bears. But overall we had a great time
Written October 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review! We are happy to hear that you had a great time and were able to spot the various wildlife on your trip.
We appreciate you taking the time to write a review and hope that you have a wonderful next adventure.
Written November 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA6,298 contributions
Nov. 2021 • Couples
The equipment is top notch and very safe and spacious.
Our driver, Kyle, was competent and quite helpful.
Comfortable ride.
The lodge has cramped quarters but the kit staff is five star. Every meal was absolutely delicious.
Great location for watching the Polar bears.
Our driver, Kyle, was competent and quite helpful.
Comfortable ride.
The lodge has cramped quarters but the kit staff is five star. Every meal was absolutely delicious.
Great location for watching the Polar bears.
Written November 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this 5-star review with our team! We love hearing how much you enjoyed your time aboard our Tundra Lodge and Polar Rover. While our lodge bedrooms are on the small side we have made every effort to ensure guests are comfortable and getting the best viewing experience out on the tundra. We will pass along your kind words to Kyle and our lodge staff. Thank you again for supporting our local business and we hope you’ll visit us again in the future!
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
waymega
United Kingdom53 contributions
Nov. 2021
We really enjoyed our trip to Churchill and glad we took the Great White Bear Tours Rover out to see the polar bears. We travelled independently so it was not part of a package tour and were lucky to get on one of their day trips (hint - book early). Great White Bear does not pack every seat in the rover, so there is lots of space to move about and take photos when you spot a bear. Also the guide was first rate, we got so much information about the flora and fauna and some history as well! Lunch was home made stew and cookies. We would highly recommend Great White Bear Tours for the rover experience - especially if you're an independent traveller.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this 5-star review with our team! We love hearing how much you enjoyed your individual tour with us. We strive to create the best viewing experience and that includes limited seating on our 32 seater Polar Rovers and delicious homemade meals. We know you have choices when it comes to your travel adventures, and it means the world to us that you’ve chosen to book an experience with our team. Thank you again for supporting our local business and we hope you’ll visit us again in the future!
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TravelinSuz
Chandler, AZ943 contributions
Nov. 2019
We were snowed out of our lodge and tour rerouted us here. My husband wasn’t happy at first because he wanted to be on the ground with the bears. I loved it. The tundra truck is wider than I thought. It was so fun to be in nature. The bonus was all the bears. I could do this all day for at least 3 days. The drivers were awesome.
Written April 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello TravelinSuz,
Glad that an unexpected turn of events led you to our company and a great day on the tundra. We hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip in the north.
We appreciate you taking the time to write a review and wish you all best on your next adventure.
Written September 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mary B
Mount Pleasant, IA141 contributions
Nov. 2019
Traveling with Natural Habitat Adventures were used the Great White Bear tour and their transportation. The rovers are the key element to seeing Polar Bears in their natural habitat and limit their contact with humans. The rovers while comfortable and warm, do travel over the tundra, which is rough and the trails that they take are rock strewn. The flush toliets were a definite plus. Meals served on the rover while out on day tours are delicious and we were well taken care of. Windows come down to pictures can be taken unimpeded. The rover was very warm-unless the windows were put down and the wind was from that direction but overall the rovers are the "transportation of the tundra".
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review Mary B. We hope you had a wonderful time in Churchill.
Sincerely,
Dorota Walkoski
Written February 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David T
Houston, TX136 contributions
Nov. 2019
This was our first trip with NatHab and it was a good experience in spite of the fact that the bay had frozen earlier than usual and the polar bears had moved from the tundra to the ice. Even without bears, the tundra was interesting and we did see arctic fox and ptarmigan along with snow and ice in our 2 days on the tundra. The tundra vehicle was comfortable and roomy for our small group of 14. The absence of bears on the tundra, while disappointing, did not spoil the trip. Our outstanding guide from NatHab kept us entertained and informed. Also, our first day in Churchill was full of fun and adventure. We had a 2 hour helicopter ride and from the air saw a total of 15 bears, including several sows with cubs and a male attempting to grab a seal on the ice. We also did a dog sled ride late in the afternoon and at night we had a special treat as clear skies allowed us to view an aurora borealis. We saw several species of fox at night in town and on our last morning in Churchill we got word of a wolf sighing which interrupted breakfast. Our guide and driver got us to the right spot and we were able to see 2 wolves cross the RR tracks just outside of town. So, all in all it was a great trip.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your 5 star review! Churchill has so many wonderful things to see and do and we love your positivity and detailed review of everything you were able to experience. Reviews like yours mean the world to us and are so important for future travelers. Thank you again for taking the time to share this wonderful feedback.
Written January 12, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marika
Bari, Italy453 contributions
È possibile dare/lanciare del cibo agli orsi ? Mi dispiacerebbe andare solo a vederli.. vorrei potergli dare qualcosa da mangiare..
Chiedo, perché in altri posti che ho visitato con altri animali, c’erano delle persone che vendevano il cibo adatto a quegli animali..
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
no, è illegale nutrire gli orsi polari a Churchill. gli orsi sembrano tutti molto sani quest'anno con oltre 7 mesi di tempo di caccia sul ghiaccio marino.
abbiamo usato google translate per rispondere alla tua domanda. ci scusiamo per i problemi di comunicazione che ciò potrebbe causare. Grazie per la tua domanda.
scott p
Springfield Central, Australia4 contributions
Hi, this is the type of tour I am looking for. Is there accomodation in Churchill? Or will I have to find accomodation in a nearby town? Thank you. Scott
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Accommodations can be found right in the town of Churchill. There are 6 hotels and a number of bed and breakfasts to choose from but they do book up quickly during the busy seasons. If you decide to book through a group such as Natural Habitat they will have accommodations included in the packages.
If you have any further questions please let us know.
SEs
London, UK25,876 contributions
Hi
Please let me know if you do polar bear tours in June and how much per person.
Thanks
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Hello,
There are no bear tours available in June. The best time to see polar bears is October-November.
Thank you for your question.
LAURALAURAEXPLORER
Sydney, Australia105 contributions
This day tour sounds great! What's the maximum number of passengers per buggy and do you all get window seats?
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Thank you for your question Laura. Our individual tours have a max occupancy of 28 guests. There are 36 seats on the Polar Rovers so many guests will have a window seat but that is not guaranteed. There is a back viewing deck guests can take photos on and moving around within the machine is encouraged when the machine is stopped.
We hope that answers your question and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any more.
Sincerely,
Dorota Walkoski
Social Media Coordinator
fizzeo
Toronto, Canada18 contributions
Thank you LesTAZ and everyone else for the great reviews of your Polar Bear adventure... How did you decide which tour company to book with - what other ones did you check into and why did you pick this one....hoping to take this trip next November (It looks like this would be the best month???) Any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Hello fizzeo,
If you have any further questions about our tours please visit our website or contact our office. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help with booking.
Dorota
julieday12
Danbury, UK80 contributions
We want to do a polar bear tour but just for one day. When is the best time and is it very expensive.
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Hello,
We do the Polar Bear day tours every season starting in October thru to November every year. All the dates and prices are listed on our web site. This year the price is $472.50 Canadian per person per tour
Mari9
Naperville, IL652 contributions
Do the vehicles have a bathroom on board?
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
Yes they all have 1 washroom with a flushable toilet
Mari9
Naperville, IL652 contributions
Do the vehicles have a bathroom on board?
Chingachgook
Santa Monica, CA499 contributions
Yes
How can I book a one-day tour in Manitoba?
Great White Bear Tours
Churchill, Canada
You can book your daily Polar Bear Tour on our web site select the Tours tab then book on line
mamakeib
sebring34 contributions
Any way kids under 8 can see the polar bears and when is the season to see them? Can anyone just visit Churchill the town and hope to see bears?
Georgie
25 contributions
We visited in mid October and did two tours out on the tundra. We ended up seeing more bears by renting a pickup and driving out of town! I would recommend going in early November when there are likely more bears.