Bear watching is one of the most sort after experiences for visitors to Canada, with around 60% of the world’s bear population found there. While chance encounters are possible, putting yourself in the best locations is the best way to ensure success. But it’s more than just the locations of bear watching lodges that make staying at one such a memorable experience. It’s also about the guides.
Meet the amazing guides from three of our favourite wilderness lodges in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Bryn Mitchell, Knight Inlet Lodge
Most memorable bear encounter?
It was in mating season when there is a lot of interaction between bears. I had just exited my truck which was full of guests on a tour. Immediately I heard a crack in the woods. Then saw a male grizzly come running out behind my truck. It ran past then turned back to look at another male bear that came crashing out. The second male chased it up a hill. Then the first male bear stood up and roared at the chasing bear from high on the hill. This ended the chase and the two went their separate directions.
Best time to see bears?
The spring is my personal favourite. In the spring we find grizzlies descending from their dens to the coastline to forage on sedge near the waterline. This is also the time where the mountains are still covered in snow, which adds to the beauty of the area
Grizzlies aside, what are your top five animal sightings?
- The first black bear I saw in the Rocky Mountains while with my grandpa when I was 5.
- A moose and calf in a snowstorm in June in northern BC while tree planting.
- A wild red panda in the Himalayas after searching for one for 7 days.
- A humpback seen lunge feeding in the cove 300 meters from Knight Inlet Lodge.
- 300 dolphins in the middle of knight inlet that surrounded my boat. They were flipping and jumping all around us.
The Great Bear Rainforest in three words
Wet, Remote, Wild.
Best thing about being a guide
Being able to re-experience seeing a grizzly bear for the first time through my guests’ eyes. And the rush of adrenaline and admiration that comes with this experience.
Top tip for guests
Don’t just come for the grizzlies. Come for the entire experience, enjoy the birds, the fish, the trees, the rainy weather. It all comes together to create a remarkable experience. Also enjoy not having internet; disconnect from the human world while you reconnect with the natural world.
Apart from wildlife watching, what else can you do?
The lodge offers a variety of activities including kayaking, hiking and interpretive walks in the forest focused on bear ecology. There is also ping pong.
What makes the lodge so special?
The community of people that have worked at the lodge for many years or those who have just started. We are all focused on spending as much time around wild grizzlies with a minimal impact and being connected to this magical place.
How does it embrace minimal impact?
We keep our waste to a minimum at the lodge. All the guides follow the bear management plan. This is a standard of practice that dictates how we behave around the bears to ensure minimal impact and displacement. It was written by bear biologists who have spent time observing boats and people around bears, that information was then put into this document that we all follow.
What’s the essence of the place that you want guests to experience?
When I think of the Great Bear Rainforest I think of mist filled rolling hills and mountains. The rainy days where it is glass calm in the cove and bears can be seen moving through the terrain munching on sedge. The peace and quiet of these days will stick with you for the rest of your life.
How do you support conservation?
A guide’s job is to educate and provide an experience to their guests. In so doing, a guide naturally contributes to conservation by connecting those around them with the natural world. Conservation only happens when people feel connected and aware of the natural world around them. They will then spread the message about why grizzly bears and their habitat are worth protecting
Favourite time of day?
I love the sunrise. It is when bears are quite active and so are the birds. The sun slowly peaks over the hills and illuminates the slopes above.
Tell us about the importance of indigenous culture?
Indigenous people are rooted to the land to a degree not many people can understand. They have lived in some of these places for thousands of years. They have so much wisdom when it comes to how to live alongside the natural world and how to thrive with it. With the climate crisis rearing its head every few days in the news. It’s important for society to shift to a mindset that first nations have had for millennia. We need to learn how to find a balance with nature and not over take our share.
Experience it for yourself: Grizzly Bear Adventure at Knight Inlet »
Klemkwateki (Randy) Louie, Klahoose Wilderness Resort
Most memorable bear encounter?
There was a time when I was walking between bear viewing towers and the scout called me on the radio to say he saw a bear 100 meters from me. I stopped, looked around and saw the bear watching the river. He raised his head, sniffed the air and then stood up. He was taller than me. I started talking to him, he looked at me and sat back down.
Best time to see bears?
We see black bears and spring grizzly bears in May and June, but the best time to see grizzly bears is when the salmon run starts. This is from late August, after the first heavy rain, and until mid-October.
Grizzlies aside, what are your top five animal sightings?
- Orca
- Humpback whales
- Elk
- Bobcats
- Beaver
The Great Bear Rainforest in three words?
Paradise. Refreshing. Spiritual
Best thing about being a guide?
Sharing Klahoose stories and history with guests.
Top tip for visitors?
Be prepared for a cultural experience.
Apart from wildlife watching, what else can you do?
Ocean swimming off the dock, paddle boarding, kayaking, boat tours, nature walks, enjoy delicious meals and experiencing First Nations culture.
What makes the lodge so special?
The location in in the Klahoose territory is remote but unbelievable beautiful. Guests will see this beauty though the eyes of our Klahoose first nation through guide tours, songs, drumming, weaving as well as sharing history and stories. Most guests leave here deeply touched and honoured to have had the opportunity to share in such beautiful traditions
How does it embrace minimal impact?
The Klahoose ancestors have managed this legacy of natural resources, honouring and protecting the environment and its inhabitants for millennia. We have recently added, to our off-the-grid resort, a new clean energy system that will triple our energy with storage eliminated carbon turning off our diesel generators. We also give guest reusable water bottles and discourage use of one-use plastics.
What’s the essence of the place that you want guests to experience?
Connecting with the Klahoose culture though nature and history
How do you support conservation?
Besides, our own clean energy use, we are members of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association. Through each guests stay we collect a conservation fee that goes back directly to bear conservation.
What’s your favourite time of day?
Late morning, seeing momma bears teach their young how to fish in Toba Inlet.
Tell us about the importance of indigenous culture
In our tradition there are 3 times in your life time where you can change your life:
- when you become a young woman or man
- when you lose your parents
- when you get honoured into the long house
Indigenous culture believes that we should all move forward together and the resort offers a connection through shared experiences.
Experience it for yourself: Wildlife and Culture at Klahoose »
Feeling inspired?
The renown of these lodges mean that they book up well in advance, so it’s essential to plan your adventure as soon as possible to get the pick of availability. If you would like to incorporate a wildlife watching adventure into a Canada holiday, get in touch with our Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250, or send an enquiry to start discussing your options.
Other blogs you may like: