Going on Safari in Manitoba

Week 7: Canadian Summer Staycation Series!

This is the seventh in a series of 13 weekly blog posts highlighting one iconic Canadian experience in each Province and Territory.

In this weeks’ blog post we’re going on safari in the beautiful province of Manitoba.

Yes, you can go on a safari in Canada! And I’m not talking about one of those road side attractions where you drive in your own car with your family through a park with animals “roaming free” in contained areas.

There’s a small, remote town in northern Manitoba, where you can witness the migration of beluga whales, polar bears and birds! And if you ask me, it rivals any animal safari found in Africa.

Churchill, Manitoba

Churchill is a small rural town on the west shore of Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Churchill River. It’s a very isolated community with a small population of 1,000 residents, located not far from the Manitoba/Nunavut border.

The subarctic climate, rugged wilderness and wildlife, that aren’t typically found in other areas of Canada, make it a once in a lifetime bucket list destination.

Getting to Churchill

There are really only two ways for tourists to get to this remote town.

The easiest is to take a short two and a half hour plane ride from Winnipeg to Churchill.

If you’re more adventurous, Via Rail offers a 2 day – 2 night, 1700 kilometer train journey from Winnipeg. The train is the only dry land option from Winnipeg to Churchill and makes several stops at smaller towns along the way.

*Via Rail usually offers two options for the Winnipeg to Churchill route – economy class in regular seats and sleeper class with berths and pull down beds. At the time of writing this blog post, sleeper class service is temporarily suspended due to Covid-19*

Or if you want the best of both worlds, book a one way ticket on the train to get to Churchill and a one way flight back to Winnipeg at the end.

The Polar Bear Capital of the World

Churchill is known as the polar bear capital of the world. Over a six week period in the fall and winter, hundreds of polar bears pass through the town making their way out onto the freezing Hudson Bay ice to hunt for seals.

The best time to see the migration of polar bears is in October and November, however they can be spotted during the summer months along the tundra shore.

Fun Fact: Churchill has a “polar bear jail” which is a special building (a former military aircraft hanger) used to hold troublesome or dangerous polar bears until they can be released in a different location away from town.

Playing with Beluga Whales

Although Churchill is known as the “polar bear capital of the world”, every summer, thousands of beluga whales make their way to Hudson Bay to feed and give birth.

Belugas are known as the “canaries of the sea” because of their chirping and clicking noises. They have a reputation for being curious, playful and interactive.

Because of their smaller size (on average 13-20 feet long) they aren’t quite as intimidating as other whales and viewing them by Zodiac, kayak or stand up paddle board is possible.

A Birding Paradise

With over 250 birds and ducks nesting and passing through on their yearly migration, bird watching is a popular activity in Churchill.

The diversity of landscape in the Churchill area with grasslands, wetlands, boreal forest and sub-arctic habitats make it an ideal place to spot feathered friends.

What else is there to do in Churchill?

When not on safari searching for animals, Churchill has a few other must see attractions.

Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site is a massive stone fortress that took the Hudson Bay Company over 40 years to build in the 1700’s. It was built to protect the interests of the Hudson Bay Company in the fur trade industry.

It’s been reconstructed twice – once in the 1930’s, most recently in the 1960’s and is now designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Itsanitaq Museum used to be known as the Eskimo Museum.

It’s a small building full of Inuit carvings made from whalebone and soapstone as well as artifacts and antique photographs.

The MV Ithica shipwreck ran aground along the coastline of the Hudson Bay in the 1960 while delivering nickel concentrate.

At high tide it’is surrounded by water but during low tide, it’s possible to take a small hike to reach it and walk around the outside.

The best way to experience Churchill, Manitoba for a wildlife safari is with a package through a tour operator that includes accommodations, meals and excursions.

Because Churchill is a popular destination with limited transportation and accommodation options, planning in advance is necessary.

Stay tuned next week for part 8 of our 13 part Canadian Summer Staycation Series!

Here are the links to our other blog posts in this series…

Newfound and Labrador: Iceberg Alley

Nova Scotia: Tidal Bore Rafting

Prince Edward Island: All Things Anne

New Brunswick: Hopewell Rocks

Quebec: Old Quebec

Ontario: Tobermory

Saskatchewan: Notoriously Moose Jaw

Alberta: The Drumheller Dinosaurs

British Columbia: Rainforest and Beaches

Yukon: The Klondike Gold Rush

North West Territories: The Northern Lights

Nunavut: Inuit Culture in Iqaluit

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If you haven’t had the pleasure of traveling for a vacation within Canada before, now is the ideal time to do so.

With a decrease in the number of international tourists expected to visit because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions in place, popular tourist destinations within Canada will be less crowded this summer. Hotels and resorts have been offering discounted room prices and free room upgrades to entice travelers to book accommodations.

In addition to a less expensive and more enjoyable travel experience, the tourism industry in Canada has been hit hard by Covid-19 and they are going to need our help to recover as quickly as possible with our tourism dollars.

Let’s all do our part and help support our own economy and tourism industry to recover by choosing to spend money on Canadian travel experiences this summer.