Grizzly bear and wildlife viewing safari from a lodge

For those arriving by air, enjoy the 70 minute mid-morning flight to Bella Coola, marveling at the impressive Coast Range mountains and expansive fjord system as you fly overhead. On arrival, our staff will greet you and transfer you the 45 minutes to the lodge, highlighting points of interest along the way. If you are arriving by car, your chalet will be ready from 4pm.

Your bear viewing commences with a late afternoon River Drift down the Atnarko River. Relax and enjoy the amazing mountain scenery……..and keep your eyes open for wildlife! The salmon are spawning and provide an easy meal for majestic bald eagles and impressive grizzly bears. River otters and black bears may also be seen. Small Group River Drift Bear Viewing is a unique experience only found at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and is the best way to see grizzlies. The bears are busy fishing and ignore your presence, allowing you to see them at their most natural. It's also a great way to capture amazing photographs.

The bears aren't the only ones who will be feasting on a delicious meal; you will too, with a scrumptious 3 course dinner back at the lodge! Dinner is at 7:30pm every night.

Check out the Wildlife Viewing Station before breakfast. Then it's time hit the river with your guide for a morning drift on the Atnarko River in search of more bears! The bears are most active in the morning and evening and it's a great time to enjoy a quiet float. A nutritious lunch will be served at the lodge before you head off with your guide to further explore Tweedsmuir Park. Our knowledgeable and friendly guides know the area well and have mapped numerous short hikes to superb vantage points overlooking the Atnarko River to see spawning salmon…and the bears and eagles fishing for them!

For those arriving by air, enjoy the 70-minute mid-morning flight to Bella Coola, marveling at the impressive Coast Range mountains and expansive fjord system as you fly overhead. On arrival, our staff will greet you and transfer you the 45 minutes to the lodge, highlighting points of interest along the way. If you are arriving by car, your chalet will be ready from 4pm.

Your bear viewing commences with a late afternoon River Drift down the Atnarko River. Relax and enjoy the amazing mountain scenery……..and keep your eyes open for wildlife! The salmon are spawning and provide an easy meal for majestic bald eagles and impressive grizzly bears. River otters and black bears may also be seen. Small Group River Drift Bear Viewing is a unique experience only found at Tweedsmuir Park Lodge and is the best way to see grizzlies. The bears are busy fishing and ignore your presence, allowing you to see them at their most natural. It's also a great way to capture amazing photographs.

The bears aren't the only ones who will be feasting on a delicious meal; you will too, with a scrumptious 3-course dinner back at the lodge! Dinner is at 7:30pm every night.

The Bella Coola Valley is an extraordinary place with fantastic geography, pristine ecosystems and a rich First Nations heritage. This day will take you down valley to see the culturally modified ancient cedar trees, the totem poles and the petroglyph gardens. Lunch will be a picnic at Clayton Falls Park overlooking the fjord. This is also your opportunity to visit the Bella Coola town site and to shop at the art gallery for First Nations jewellery and masks.

Departure day! We recommend one last visit to the Wildlife Viewing Station before your final breakfast with us. Check-out is 11am. If you are flying out, take advantage of a leisurely morning in which you can enjoy the lodge property, make use of the spa and gym, play some lawn games, or simply relax before taking our shuttle back to the Bella Coola Airport for the flight back to Vancouver. If you are departing by ferry, we will arrange to drive you to the harbour. Thank you for visiting us!

Your guide, a naturalist, will show you how to track the bears and will point out various bear signs, including rub trees with claw and bite marks, and places the bears dig out in the forest floor for their naps called day beds. A picnic lunch will be served in the field.

In the afternoon, continue exploring the park with a drive on the Tote Road past old, abandoned homesteads brimming with character. This is prime bear habitat and sightings are common. At the end of the road, there is a short, highly recommended hike to Stillwater Lake. This is a beautiful, pristine place that should not be missed! You will arrive back at the lodge in the late afternoon. Now you can relax and enjoy some hors d'oeuvres on the sun deck of the lodge, exchanging stories of wildlife seen with your fellow guests. Make sure to head back to the Wildlife Viewing Station before dinner.

The Bella Coola Valley is an extraordinary place with fantastic geography, pristine ecosystems and a rich First Nations heritage. This day will take you down the valley to see the culturally modified ancient cedar trees, the totem poles and the petroglyph gardens. Lunch will be a picnic at Clayton Falls Park overlooking the fjord. This is also your opportunity to visit the Bella Coola townsite and to shop at the art gallery for First Nations jewelry and masks. Then, before heading back to the lodge, it's time for a helicopter sightseeing tour of the mountains surrounding the Bella Coola Valley. The towering peaks and glaciers are some of the most stunning in all of British Columbia and will leave you inspired.

Day 5

Similar schedule as Day 3; begin your day with a morning River Drift on the Atnarko. In the afternoon your guide will take you on a Nature Walk to explore the park. It's yet one more chance to look for grizzly bears!

 Tours begin and end in the town of Bella Coola, BC. Transportation between the Bella Coola airport and the lodge is included in the package. Flights between Vancouver and Bella Coola can be arranged.