grizzly bear photo tours

Alaska Grizzly Safaris

Grizzly bears, an icon of the alaska grizzlies safari, katmai bear viewing and tours in alaska.

Providing The Ultimate Wildlife Experience Since 1978.

G uiding Photographers & Adventure Traveler’s Is our Passion.  We Guarantee that you will get up close images of Grizzlies.

 It takes more than Experience to make this guarantee.    It takes having a combination of  Sea planes, b oats  & bush planes with tundra tires .   Our unique location lets us park our 3 sea/float planes and our 2 tundra tire equipped planes at the lodge. Having  instant access  of all 3 combined with Alaska’s oldest bear viewing service guarantees you will see grizzlies. As avid photographers ourselves we understand that seeing lots of bears is not enough. We get you into the proper position for light and background. Helping you capture fantastic images of wildlife is what we do best.

Every Year Art Wolfe, National Geographic, BBC & many other professional photographers use our guide service.

4 us congressmen, general chuck yeager, and even two presidents of the united states have all visited our lodge,.

All our trips are fully guided with 5 aircraft always standing by just to fly our 12 guest to over 127 different locations. Our clients have exclusive use the 5 aircraft which include 2 float planes (sea planes), 3 bush planes on tundra tires as well as 10 jet boats. The planes and boats are not out doing other things during the day.  They are used exclusively for our guests. You never wait for an airtaxi plane stationed somewhere else to show up! Our planes are always with you or at the lodge waiting for you.  In all, we cover a 30,000 square-mile area, including Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks, & the Bristol Bay Watershed.  Having the plane stay with you all day is a huge advantage allowing us to always be where the best bear activity is, and more importantly, if bad weather is blowing in we simply take off for the lodge or a different location.

Living in the area during the off season our aircraft have conducted over 170 aerial wildlife surveys. When abnormal conditions occurred, and other lodges or boats were struggling just trying to find bears our clients were always seeing plenty of grizzlies up close. There is no substitute for 4 decades experience in the area along with our unique access of sea planes, boats and tundra tired equipped bush planes.

Our exclusive lodge and guided trips are on a totally different playing field than those of other wilderness lodges. We boast in our top of the line, daily multi-course meals, and 41 years of experience guiding Alaskan bush-flying adventures of a lifetime. That is why, every year, world renown wildlife photographers such as Art Wolfe, Daryl Balfour, Gavriel Jecan, David Hemmings, Eberhard Brunner, and so many others convene at the Jacques family lodge to lead their wildlife workshops. Don't miss out this year! Book your trip of a lifetime at Bristol Bay Sportfishing and Adventure Lodge!

Take a look at our schedule and book your trip Today!

Adventures in Alaska with this crazyawesome crew. A huge thank you to our incredible host the Jacques Family & Alaska Grizzly Safaris as well as The Luminous Endowment For Photographers for this amazing opportunity! Our week in the backcountry shooting bears and learning from Art Wolfe and Gavriel Jecan was truly unforgettable... hoping to see many of you at NANPA in February!

Jennifer Adler (Reimagining Bears Blog)

• (907) 235.1805

Bear Viewing Tours

Day Tours depart from Homer for a one hour flight, taking you across the Cook Inlet then following the rugged and pristine coastline of the Alaska Peninsula to Katmai National Park where you will see more volcanoes and massive glaciers terminating in iceberg-filled lakes and of course bears!

It is reasonable to presume you may walk four to six miles during the trip depending on the season and level of bear activity. The terrain is generally not steep but we do walk on beaches, bear trails, tidal flats and cross some small creeks.

What Is Included:

• 1 Hour scenic flight from Homer across Cook Inlet to Katmai National Park
• Guided bear viewing
• 1 Hour return flight to Homer
• Hip boots to wear for the trip

Sample Itinerary*

8:30 AM Check-in and pre-trip briefing.

9:00 AM Depart Homer on a scenic flight across the Cook Inlet and along the Alaska Peninsula

10:15 AM Arrive at Katmai National Park

10:30 AM – 3:00 PM Bear viewing with your guide

3:15 PM Depart Katmai for Homer

4:30 PM Arrive back in Homer

* This is the preferred itinerary, but tides, weather or animal behavior may cause changes/rates-reservations/

Bears By Boat Photography Tour

Alaska katmai coast grizzly/brown bear photography tour.

On this amazing adventure, you will have 7-days to immerse yourself in a majestic landscape few travelers to Alaska ever visit. Starting from Homer, Alaska we will cruise in our private chartered ship to the rugged and remote coast of Katmai National Park. You will be photographing bears in a way most can only imagine, in some cases just yards away, while being surrounded by snow-capped mountains, glaciers and volcanoes.

Having a private chartered ship, offers us opportunity not only to follow and photograph some of the largest brown bears in the world, but also explore different locations and bears along the coastline as they fish, dig for clams and roam along the numerous beaches and coves. Ashore, you will hike with your guide and group leader Dave Bachrach to photograph these majestic bears. The days are long and photo opportunities are abundant. Dave works hard at getting you to the right place at the right time for your photography by using his extensive knowledge of bear behavior and photography experience.

Trip Highlights

• Limited to 8 photographers
• Access to multiple locations for photography
• Flexible schedule to maximize photo opportunities
• Daily shore excursions
• Comfortable shipboard accommodations
• Guaranteed to see bears!

Dates and Pricing

• Dates: Summer 2024 Dates – To be determined
• Price: $9999.00 per person
• Tour begins and ends in Homer, Alaska

Includes: 7 days of onboard ship accommodations, guide, photo instruction, all meals while on the tour, double occupancy accommodations.

Not included: travel to/from Homer, Alaska, lodging in Homer before or after the trip, alcoholic beverages, and gratuities for crew and guide.

To reserve your space, send a 50% payment within 10 days of booking your tour. To reserve your space, send a 50% payment within 10 days of booking your tour. Final payment is due by May 15. Reservations made after April 30 require full payment. All participants are required to purchase trip insurance for this tour.

For additional info please contact us by phone at: 907-235-1805 or email us at: [email protected]

Begin your Alaska Bear Viewing Adventure now!

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Alaska Grizzly Bear Photography Tour: Wild Bears in Their Natural Habitat

In Grizzly Bears of Alaska , Upcoming Workshops by Matt Shetzer August 6, 2024

July 9 - July 15, 2025 (ONLY 3 SPACES AVAILABLE)

July 8 - July 14, 2026 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

July 13 - July 19, 2026 (SPACE AVAILABLE)

Important Details

Locations: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve and Anchorage, Alaska

• $8,195 USD per person
• Single supplement (private room) $750

Deposit: $1,000

Optional Excursion: Puffins & Seabirds on Bird Island: $150 plus gratuity

Group Size: Max. 9 photographers

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights

Skill Level: Beginner to pro

Discount: Non-photographers get $250 off!

During our Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop, you will capture stunning images of grizzly bears in their natural habitat and perfect your wildlife photography skills while enjoying the picturesque settings of the Alaskan wilderness. Workshop guests will be immersed in the region’s spectacular scenic beauty, photographing coastal brown bears from early to late while enjoying chef-cooked meals and staying in an exclusive and strategically-located luxury lodge, where bears can often be seen just outside the deck and in the garden.

Why Join Our Photo Workshop?

Small Groups Only! The Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop focuses on small groups and one-on-one instruction.

The small group style ensures maximum field time while catering to each person’s skills and interests and allows photographers to move around easily and efficiently. This helps get the best shots possible – capturing the best light, backgrounds and compositions throughout their wildlife photography – while maintaining respect for the animals. This proven approach results in natural images of the wildlife in their stress-free habitat.

Just recently, we had a sow and her twin cubs walk within 6 feet of the group without any signs of stress. She was very aware that we were there but just walked right by us. It was an incredible experience that our guests will never forget.

The Grizzly Bear Photography workshop is conducted in a beautiful coastal preserve with snow-covered peaks of volcanic mountains towering in the background while brown bears display instinctive behaviors. Throughout the course of the grizzly bear tour, photographers will have the opportunity to capture behaviors like:

• Grizzly bear sows nursing their young
• Grizzly bear cubs frolicking and playing in grassy meadows
• Hungry grizzly bears digging for razor clams in tidal flats along the fertile coastlines of the Cook Inlet
• Cute bear cubs playing with their siblings
• Grizzly bears fighting and playful attacks
• Cubs napping curled up with mom

Our Grizzly Bear Photography Location: Lake Clark National Park at Silver Salmon Creek

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a photographer’s paradise and one of the hidden gems of the National Park System. Located 100 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, but accessible only by small aircraft or boat, the park is deep in the Alaskan wilderness. With 4 million acres of land, there is scenic beauty everywhere in this remote area of Alaska.

Grizzly bears and Brown bears are technically the same species. When the bears are inland, they are considered grizzly, and when coastal, brown. Many just refer to them as Coastal Grizzly Bears.

There are no roads for tour buses to pull up on, and there’s nothing like being out in the true Alaskan wild watching these incredible animals. Unlike sites that have been overrun with tourists, Lake Clark Preserve sustains its pristine environment. The park doesn’t have any crowds, boardwalks or viewing platforms. There are just beautiful landscapes and grizzly bears begging for your lens and that perfect image. Lake Clark is like nothing else you have experienced.

A sow nurses her two cubs that were born this year.

Our Photo Tour Lodge

While at Silver Salmon Creek in Lake Clark, our guests will stay in a luxury lodge, are served meals prepared by a chef, and most importantly, are given ample opportunity to photograph the bears as much as possible. We will be accompanied by a trained Bear Guide in the field who knows the animals just as well as our photography guides know cameras. We will take time when the light in not ideal to discuss different photographic techniques for capturing images of the bears in our private meeting room.

The Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop is an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories and plenty of pictures to commemorate the experience.

Day 1 The tour begins over dinner in Anchorage, Alaska. Here, you will enjoy a gourmet meal while we get to know each other and discuss the exciting plans for the coming week. Matt will also let participants know what to expect when photographing the bears and throughout the photography workshop. (Note: Participants attending the second workshop will be picked up and transported from Anchorage, Alaska by a colleague and will be met by Matt Shetzer in Lake Clark National Park.)

The chartered Cessna’s land on the beach as we get ready for bears

After flying for a little over an hour, the aircraft will land on the beach, and passengers will be greeted by our hosts at the premier lodge at Silver Salmon Creek. We will then be transported by ATV, along with our luggage, to the beautiful, upscale lodge. Once settled, we get right into the action, heading out with our bear guide for our first day of photographing the brown bears in their natural habitat.

The dining area and lounge at the lodge with beautiful views out the windows

We will spend the next four days devoted to capturing images of these beautiful creatures in the Alaska wild, enjoying great meals and discussing different photography techniques to improve the quality of our images. In addition to capturing pictures of bears we might see bald eagles, shorebirds, songbirds, fox, porcupines and harbor seals.

Guests who take part in the wildlife photography workshop will enjoy the adventure of being in the wild without sacrificing the comforts of home. The lodge features warm, cozy rooms, and you can enjoy hot showers each day. Most cell phones work at the lodge and internet connectivity is available for guests.

A Horned Puffin takes flight with its catch. Optional Puffin Photography Tour.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION

Amazing views on our way to photography puffins

Once arriving at the island, we will pull the boat up to the land and let all photographers off to view these great bird’s close-up. Puffin photography can be very challenging, but guests who take part in the puffin photography tour land on the beach can photograph the puffins in the rocks, on their burrows, and in-flight from the shores – not from a moving boat. This excursion is weather dependent as we need a calm day for the trip.

Day 7 We will head out again this morning for another action-packed digital photography session. Then we’ll head back to the lodge for breakfast and say goodbye to our hosts and thank them for spoiling us.

A typical room at the lodge. No roughing it here.

Once the wheels are up on our chartered flight, we will enjoy the spectacular scenery one last time as we conclude the photo tour on our flight back to Anchorage.

There are many nature photography opportunities for anyone who wants to explore the Anchorage area before or after the tour. We are happy to provide tips and insights if you are looking to extend your vacation on this a trip of a lifetime. Options include whale watching, viewing the bore tide on the way to a glacier boat tour in Whittier, fishing in scenic Seward or Homer, or taking the train and exploring Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America, in Denali National Park.

(Tour schedules are subject to change due to changes in weather or other unforeseen events.)

(!– ** START TESTIMONIALS **–)

Over 90% of Our Clients Are Repeat Customers

Here’s why.

Already booked our next trip: Learned to maximize our cameras with Matt

This is our second Grizzly Bear photo workshop with Matt at Lake Clark. Matt plans and organizes his workshops extremely well. He is a great communicator, before, during and after, which is a gift. We have learned many ‘nuggets’ during each of these workshops – how to use the camera to its fullest by assigning tasks to each button to speed up the capture, and how the Histogram is truly your friend! We appreciate Matt’s patient teaching style, and his humble desire to share his vast knowledge with each client. We were able to capture some truly amazing images by taking advantage the information he shared. We are already booked for the Costa Rica Workshop and look forward to more of Matt’s excellence! Check out his workshops and sign up. It will be an amazing experience. You will not be disappointed!

Linda and Joel

from California

First-class lodge and a leader who prepares you for the field

Prior to the workshop, Matt was available to answer lots of questions–that availability really helped us prepare for this Alaska workshop. Once in Alaska, Matt was a great group leader and teacher. He was very patient with us as beginners and he did a phenomenal job making the group dynamic really, really great! The lodge that Shetzers chose was fantastic–really first class. We’re already looking forward to going back to Lake Clark with Matt in a couple of years. We learned so much that will help us with our daily photography for the rest of our lives. Thanks!

from Colorado

Clients rate us five out of five stars on Google.

(!– ** END TESTIMONIALS **–)

PRICE INCLUDES

The cost of the Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop includes all the following amenities:

A Sow and Cub in front of our home for the week, the beautiful Homestead lodge

• 7 days/ 6 nights Grizzly Bear Photo Workshop with 6 days and 5 nights of lodging at a premier lodge in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska and 1 night accommodation in Anchorage, Alaska on arrival. Double occupancy (Single occupancy available)
• First night’s welcome dinner in Anchorage, Alaska
• Charter flight from Anchorage to Lake Clark (65 lbs. luggage per person)
• Lake Clark National Park Bear guide
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and while at the lodge
• Lake Clark National Park fees
• Transportation for the trip
• Instruction in the field with your photographer guide
• Photography classes and workshops on photo editing techniques
• Planning Package including recommendation on the proper camera gear and clothing
• Prior to embarking on your journey, we are happy to provide a free phone consultation with your trip leader, who will give you guidance on what equipment to bring, answer questions about the locale, and give general photography advice to make sure you are ready to capture your dream image.
• We take care of all the trip logistics once guests reach Anchorage, so the only thing you have to concentrate on is having a fantastic time and capturing beautiful images of grizzly bears

NOT INCLUDED

• Transportation to/from Anchorage
• Alcoholic drinks
• Tips for bear lodge staff
• Optional Excursion
• Any additional costs associated with weather delays. If weathered in at the lodge a $150 per additional day is paid directly to the lodge plus meals.
• Guests will be asked to pay for additional lodging in Anchorage due to weather delays outside of our control.
• Travel/Cancellation/Emergency evacuation insurance
• Personal Items

PREVIOUS TRIPS REPORTS

Please take a moment to review our trip reports: 2013 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2014 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop 2015 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshops 2016 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop – July 2016 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop – August 2017 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop – July 2018 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop – July

What does the Grizzly Bear Photography workshop feel like. Enjoy this 2 minute video. To play the video with Full Screen, click the button on the bottom right of the player.

Here is a short 5-minute video to show the wildlife photography opportunities we have in this beautiful location. The video was filmed during the 2013 Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop.

To play the video with Full Screen, click the button on the bottom right of the player.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

You should be in good physical health. While we will rely on the ATV-drawn carts to cover the miles, however will be walking with the bears quite a bit, and on uneven terrain through the sedge fields and tidal flats while carrying our photography gear.

You must be able to walk 2-4 miles per day at a moderate pace while carrying your gear to photograph the bears. We are not able to leave equipment in the ATV carts as the bears like to play with the bags and gear.

If you are concerned about the physical demands of this trip, please contact us and we would be glad to discuss the typical day and options for your needs.

A Brown Bear goes belly up in the waters of Alaska for a quick bath.

PHOTOGRAPHY SKILL LEVEL

Our Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop is open to all photographers, from beginners to professionals.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Summer weather in Alaska’s Lake Clark region is ever-changing and can be anything from 80 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny to 50 degrees Fahrenheit with rain and wind. Typically, you can expect daytime temperatures to range from 60 to 70 degrees during the photo safari. We always say, “Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.”

As the bears are protected in Lake Clark, therefore it lends to great photography as the bears are not bothered by humans displaying their nature behaviors.

TRIP LEADERS

Matt Shetzer – Matt has been photographing grizzly bears in the Alaskan wilderness for the last 12 years, and loves being outside enjoying their daily life. Leading the Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop and sharing this beauty with our guests is always a highlight of the year. To read more about Matt, click HERE .

INSTRUCTIONAL TOPICS

Grizzly Bear Sow and Cub Drink from the Silver Salmon Creek, Alaska.

While our primary goal is maximum field time, we will take advantage of non-optimal photography conditions to provide photo workshops, discussing the following subjects in detail:

• Achieving the best composition
• Proper exposure for the scene
• Motion blur to add movement to your images
• Focus techniques for that crisp image
• Getting the most out of the histogram
• Mastering the modes (when to shoot manual, aperture and shutter priorities)
• Filters for the digital age. Split ND filters and polarizers
• Taking images for HDR (High Dynamic Range)
• Image workup techniques with Photoshop and Lightroom. At each workshop, we demonstrate how to work up attendees’ images from scratch, displaying our nondestructive techniques to produce the highest quality image.
• Best Plugins to use
• Color Correction
• Layers and Masks (Masks are targeted adjustments)
• Noise reduction and sharpening techniques
• Lightroom and portfolio management
• Photography discussions – Review select images and discuss which images work and why to expand your skills and move to the next level

As the bears say farewell, we hope to see you next year – Matt

CAMERA EQUIPMENT TO BRING

• A telephoto lens from 200 to 500mm
• A wide-angle lens from 24-100 for landscapes
• Tripod with Gimbaled or Ball Head
• 400 +mm for the Puffin photography tour

If you need assistance in selecting gear to meet your photography goals just let us know. All guests will receive a detailed planning package to assist in the process prior to the trip.

NON-PHOTOGRAPHER GUESTS

The magnificent setting provides a spectacular experience for anyone involved in the grizzly bear tour. Non-photographers are welcome to join us in the field and join in on all activities with a discount of $250.00.

CLIENT COMMENTS

Read what our fantastic guests are saying about our Grizzly Bear Photography Workshop. Client Comments

CANCELLATIONS/TRIP INSURANCE

We strongly recommend all participants purchase trip insurance purchased from a third-party operator to protect your travel investment against medical emergencies, participant trip cancellations, trip interruption and delay, weather delays, missed connections, baggage loss or delay, emergency evacuation and repatriation or simply ‘Cancel for any reason coverage’.

Because Shetzers Photography must pay fees for reservations and leases of accommodations and transportation needs of the group far in advance of the workshop, all paid tour fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be applied to a future workshop. Shetzers Photography runs small group workshops and wants to ensure the workshops are not canceled due to participant cancellations thus impacting the participants who do not cancel. All tour cancellations must be submitted in writing and will result in loss of deposit and all fees paid.

Please review our Workshop Terms and Conditions .

COVID-19 and Variants Policy

If regulatory restrictions in the hosting location prevent the workshop from running as scheduled, the workshop will be rescheduled to a future date. All participants must meet hosting country vaccination requirements. No refunds or rescheduling will be allowed due to guest cancellations when the workshop is able to run following all host location regulatory restrictions.

WAITING LIST – IF A TRIP IS SOLD OUT

Over the last few years all of our trips have sold out. We start to fill up about a year before the workshop and keep the website updated with the current workshop availability. If a workshop is full\sold out you can add your name to the waitlist. If a spot becomes available we will contact the guests immediately on the waitlist in the order they signed up. We tend to have the most cancellations 90-180 days before a trip starts so being on the waitlist can help you get on a sold out trip. We require no deposit to be on the waitlist.

PAYMENT/RESERVATIONS

The cost for the tour is $8,195.00 USD. The lodge has limited single room availability. If you would like to guarantee a private room for one person, the fee is an additional $750.00 USD. Otherwise, guests of the same gender might be roomed together based on availability.

To reserve a spot on this tour, we require a $1,000.00 deposit per person that is paid by credit card at the time of registration. Full tour payments must be completed by Janurary 1st of the year of the trip, and are paid by check or bank transfer.

Once the final trip payment has been received, the detailed trip planning documents will be sent to each guest to assist in planning for the best photography workshop.

The well-equipped rooms at the lodge will vary in size, bed number and configuration. Single occupancy space is very limited, please inquiry when booking your trip.

Our workshops are based upon a first come, first serve basis. Workshop availability will be updated on this page.

If you have any additional questions or would like to speak to us, please contact us at 303-888-2710 and we would be happy to answer your questions.

Grizzly Bear cubs play and entertain the group as they practice their fighting skills for later in life.

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ALASKA: GRIZZLY BEARS OF KATMAI

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) photographed with an undewater camera in Katmai, Alaska

A mossy Alaskan forest

Alaskan landscapes are legendary and Katmai is no exception

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) fishing for salmon in Katmai, Alaska

Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) in Katmai, Alaska

Sometimes you need to do what it takes to get that great shot!

Adult Bald Eagle at Katmai

Wild Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) in Katmai National park, Alaska

A gathering of Grizzly Bears fishing for salmon at Katmai

Wild Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) in Katmai National Park, Alaska

Wild Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) hunting salmon in Katmai National Park, Alaska

Grizzly Bear cubs playing in Katmai

Grey Wolf at Katmai, Alaska

Fishing Grizzly Bear at Katmai

ALASKA: GRIZZLY BEARS OF KATMAI PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WITH WILD IMAGES

Welcome to a unique wild Alaska photo tour! In the heart of coastal Katmai, situated in western Alaska, we are organizing some very special photo expeditions to photograph the Grizzly Bears and other wildlife. A visit to the Alaskan wilderness is a dream come true for most nature photographers. In September the shallow rivers on the Alaskan coast are filled with salmon running up to spawn, and the bears follow. At this time of the year, they are relaxed and easy to photograph. There is no hunting in the area, so the animals here are easier to get close to. The bears can be photographed from close range, which gives us some unique photo opportunities. We should encounter some cubs with their mothers.

We have chartered a small expedition ship for 8 days along the coast of Katmai. The main target is the Grizzly Bears, but we will also photograph other land mammals (quite possibly including Grey Wolf), Sea Otters, whales, seals, seabirds and great landscapes.

The ship will act as our base and mode of transportation but most of our photography will be done from our inflatables or during landings. We will try to land as often as possible to make the best of the salmon runs where bears and other wildlife are used to people and will let us get close for our images.

See some of the opportunities from this area in the gallery below with images from guides and guests from previous trips. See also the official Nikon D5 beta test Inspired , filmed in September 2015 by photo guide Ole Jorgen Liodden.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

• Day 1: Evening tour start at Kodiak.
• Day 2: Seaplane flight to Katmai. Commence expedition.
• Days 3-8: Exploring Katmai region.
• Day 9: Return by seaplane to Kodiak for morning or perhaps afternoon tour end.

To see a larger map, click on the square-like ‘enlarge’ icon in the upper right of the map box.

To see (or hide) the ‘map legend’, click on the icon with an arrow in the upper left of the map box.

To change to a satellite view, which is great for seeing the physical terrain (and for seeing really fine details by repetitive use of the + button), click on the square ‘map view’ icon in the lower left corner of the ‘map legend’.

PRICE INFORMATION

Wild Images Inclusions: Our tour prices include surface transportation, accommodations, meals and entrance fees.

Our tour prices also include these charter flights: Kodiak-Katmai-Kodiak.

Tips/gratuities are not included.

Deposit: First Deposit: US$200o or equivalent. Due at booking. Interim Deposit: 50% of the tour cost, less first deposit. This will be invoiced around 7 months before departure for payment not later than six months before departure. The tour balance will be invoiced around 3 months before departure for payment not later than two months before departure.

TO BOOK THIS TOUR: Click here (you will need the tour dates)

Single cabin accommodation is not available.

This tour is priced in US Dollars. Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

Air Travel To & From The Tour: Our in-house IATA ticket agency will be pleased to arrange your air travel on request, or you may arrange this yourself if you prefer.

ALASKA: GRIZZLY BEARS OF KATMAI PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR: DETAILED ITINERARY

The itinerary for this expedition is weather dependent, but our plan is:

Arrive at Kodiak airport with regular flights from Anchorage. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Kodiak.

Flight by seaplane to our expedition ship in Katmai and the start of our expedition.

Enjoying the wilderness experience and photographing the Grizzly Bears, sea mammals, birds and landscape along the coast of Katmai.

Fly back to Kodiak by seaplane, then transfer back to Kodiak airport.

(We recommend at least one night in Anchorage in case the flight back from Katmai is delayed.)

Other Wild Images Tours featuring signature mammals

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March-April 2025

INDIA: TIGER & WILDLIFE SPECTACULAR – Tadoba, Agra, the Chambal River, the Little Rann and Velavadar

TANZANIA: WILDLIFE SPECTACULAR – Predators & Prey of Ngorongoro & Serengeti

SRI LANKA’S WONDERFUL WILDLIFE – In search of everything from Leopards to Lizards

August 2025

BRAZIL’S PANTANAL: JAGUARS AND SO MUCH MORE – South America’s best wildlife photography destination

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CHILE: WALKING WITH PUMAS – An Extraordinary Photographic Adventure at Torres del Paine

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ETHIOPIA’S EXTRAORDINARY WILDLIFE: Geladas, Ethiopian Wolves, Ibexes, Hyenas, Birds & Much More

Alaska Bear Adventures

Guided wilderness bear viewing, coastal trips, brooks falls, mcneil river.

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Valid for reservations completed by June 30, 2023 . To get your $100 off, enter code  EB2023  at time of booking.

June 2024 Sale!

$50 off per person for coastal classic day trips taken in june 2024., awesome alaska bear viewing tour options.

Once In A Lifetime Bear Viewing Opportunity

We fly by Cessna bush plane to the remote wilderness grizzly watching area of Katmai National Park, Alaska which has the highest concentration of protected brown bears in the world!

Our grizzly bear tours cater to both wildlife photographers and wildlife viewers. The flight from Homer, AK to Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park to the bear watching area is an adventure by itself with magnificent flight-seeing including volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains all set against the backdrop of the azure ocean.

Alaska Bear Viewing Tours In Katmai & Lake Clark

One of our rigorously trained guides will take you on your Bear Adventure. We keep tabs on the bears for over 100 miles of Katmai and Lake Clark park coastline. We go to the best bear viewing location for the day of your trip.

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Alaska – Grizzly Bears

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We are working on the details for an incredible Alaska Grizzly Bears Photo Tour , for summer 2021 (it will be a yearly trip). In this workshop, we will stay in a lodge right in the middle of the wild Alaska , in an area which is home to dozens of grizzly bears . Every single day, from dawn till dusk, we’ll be exploring the area with our local guides, photographing these fantastic animals. Undoubtedly, one of our more exclusive photo tours.

At this moment, grizzly bears will be very active , brining us extraordinary opportunities to photograph them. They will be eating, searching for salmon or clams, playing… we’ll be even able to photograph precious grizzly cubs! Undoubtedly, these scenes will allow us to capture amazing images .

This will be a fantastic photo adventure, staying there for a whole week, under full board conditions. After this Alaska Grizzly Bears Photo Tour, you’ll get back home with thousands of bear images. An experience you’ll never forget! We are finishing the preparations for this trip, but you can contact us for more information and details. Just send us an email to [email protected]   and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

What to expect from this Alaska Photo Tour?

• Photographing amazing grizzly bears in their natural habitat
• Capturing the wonderful wild Alaskan landscape around us
• Photographing precious grizzly bear cubs
• Enjoying several hours of bear photography everyday
• Getting chances to photograph other wildlife, such as bald eagles and moose
• Getting tips, ideas and instruction for composition, as well as learning different wildlife photography techniques

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Grizzly Bears Fall Photo Tour

NB: I’ve now added this trip to our regular webpages. By all means, browse this page, but also visit the page listed under ‘Phototours’ on the Trips section of the website. That page can be found here.

This coming year, 2010, I’m super excited to offer a new phototour to Katmai National Park and Preserve; we’ll be basecamping in remote southwest Alaska, photographing grizzly bears, dawn til dusk, for a week. Katmai National Park is home to some of the largest grizzly bears (or “brown bears” as they’re often called in that region) in the world. Feeding largely on salmon from some of the richest salmon runs in Alaska, the bears are magnificent creatures and there’s no better time to photograph them than in the fall. This trip offers an unsurpassed opportunity to photograph wild grizzly bears in a remote and brilliantly wild setting and promises some simply incredible photographic possibilities.

Schedule – Trip #1: Sept 19-25, 2010. – Trip #2: Sept 26 – Oct 2, 2010 Price – Fully Outfitted Camp and Guided Photo Tour $2675.00 –  Both trips (14 days) $4600.00 Trip Includes Small, discreet, photography tour (5 clients max.) Fully outfitted; comfortable camping w/ electric fence All food and camping gear 7 days; 5 complete days shooting 100% safety-first protocols Peak fall colors and classic Alaskan scenery High population density of grizzly bears Experienced, knowledgeable, professional guide Certified Wilderness First Responder trained guide National Park Service permitted & licensed company Local Alaskan owner-operated business Satellite Phone for emergency use Return Charter Flight from King Salmon to our camp. For more information or to make a booking, either please use this Contact Form .

The Location

The Katmai area was declared a National Monument in 1918, and in 1980 the boundaries were greatly extended and the region declared a National Park and Preserve. At 4.2 million acres it stands a sizable chunk of land set aside for the preservation of an amazing abundance of wildlife, sovereign of which is the grand old Grizzly bear.

Bear population density in the area increases dramatically in the fall as food sources concentrate. Nearly 100 bears were in the area fall 2009. Due to the very high number of young females in the area, it is expected that 2010 will be a great year for sows and cubs in this area, which are always a treat to photograph. We’ll have the opportunity to photograph bears of all sizes, from massive 1000 pound boars to tiny young spring cubs: walking, running, fighting, playing, fishing, napping, climbing, swimming, etc, etc.

As fall winds up, the bears look better and better; their coats fill out, the bears fatten up and lose their shaggy, lean summer look. Some males will gain as much as 500lbs in a few short months gorging on rich Sockeye Salmon (also known as red salmon) and Coho Salmon (silver salmon). The vibrant peak fall color of the transitional boreal forest provide a backdrop as photogenic as any; photography in the fall here simply can’t be beaten.

Your and the bears’ safety is paramount, and we maintain a “safety-first” standard at all times. We go through a thorough safety talk before the trip, and closely adhere to the most current protocols on safe travel in bear country. Safety-first means caution, it means responsibility and it requires an excellent knowledge of the area: the terrain, wildlife, backcountry camping, etc. Your guide is also a certified Wilderness First Responder. We make a concerted effort to not harass and/or disturb the wildlife. A smaller group size not only ensures you the photography opportunities you need but also that our group doesn’t bother the bears. We understand the difference between nature photographers and the paparazzi, and will neither approach too closely nor stay too long. Respect for the subject is absolute.

By keeping our group size small, your trip remains about you and your photographic experience with the bears. Group size is restricted to 5 participants; exceptions will only be considered on a case by case basis. We think group size is a critical part of the experience, and don’t like to see hordes of photographers bunched around a subject, crowding and pushing for photos.

In order that we maximize your time in the park, we will meet in King Salmon, Alaska, and take a charter flight from there to our camp before lunchtime (as such, it is best if you schedule your arrival in King Salmon the day before our trip begins). We’ll get a chance to shoot the first afternoon and evening, then have 5 more full days of shooting, before our final night in camp. We then have a few hours to shoot in the morning before a midday charter flight back to King Salmon. It’s only a little more than a one hour commercial flight from King Salmon to Anchorage, so most folks can be back in Anchorage that evening if they wish.

Expeditions Alaska provide high quality, comfortable tents with an electric fence around the campsite. This trip will be outfitted completely, all camping gear other than your personal gear (sleeping bag, clothes, etc) will be furnished; we take care of food and shelter, with our own camp cook. We have solid, secure gear and food caches, plus weather-protected wooden shelters for inside dining in wet weather; even in harsh weather the camping is more than comfortable. If you need assistance with any gear, please don’t hesitate to ask. We carry a satellite phone, as well as both First Aid and Basic Life Support kits.

With 10 years of experience photographing Grizzly bears and many trips to Katmai National Park, as well as guiding extended remote wilderness backpacking trips, Expeditions Alaska owner Carl Donohue works impossibly hard to ensure trip participants have a safe trip and a fantastic experience. The advantages of being a local Alaska business include knowledge of the place; the relationships of the history, the geography and ecology of the area, promising trip participants a fascinating adventure. We offer a first rate trip because we keep it small and we maintain the utmost respect for the places we visit; this translates to an unforgettable photo tour that we’re more than sure you’ll absolutely love. You can read more about Carl and Expeditions Alaska on the About Us page of this website.

The Photography

This trip is perfect for the intermediate to advanced or professional photographer looking for a small group to join for a week of concentrated grizzly bear photography. The photography requires some walking, so being in reasonable shape is important. Special attention is given to capturing unique and creative grizzly bear photos, so we make the extra effort to put ourselves in the best spots to shoot from. By camping on site, we’re able to be in place to photograph during the best light, rather than on a boat or in a lodge. Meals will be scheduled around our photography, ensuring we don’t miss any great light or bear action.

Carrying long telephoto lenses, plus other camera gear, we’ll walk several miles each day, but it is hard work – you’ll be tired at the end of a long day, and ready for some great food and good times by the campfire. Chest waders are necessary, for both safety and optimal photography opportunities – we (and the bears) spend a good deal of time in the water. 2 camera bodies are optimal, and you’ll also want to bring plenty of extra batteries, memory cards (or film), backup storage, warm clothing, rain gear, and a range of lens choices, from wide to telephotos. All that and a bundle of enthusiasm will make your trip a memorable and successful one.

Carl Donohue, Owner, Expeditions Alaska .

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For more information or to make a booking, either please use this Contact Form .

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Campbell River’s Top Grizzly Tour Company

Embark on a journey into the wild.

Starting your journey from Campbell River, a quaint coastal city on Vancouver Island, our expert guides will lead you into the remote wilderness where towering mountains and moss draped temperate rainforests serve as a backdrop while Grizzlies search for food. This full day immersive experience will offer opportunities to see whales and other marine life along the way, and tidbits of local knowledge from your naturalist tie the whole experience together.

Grizzly Bear tours

Bute Inlet Tour

Experience world class bear viewing, as we travel with our experienced Homalco First Nation Guides. Watch Grizzlies along the Orford River from multiple viewing platforms

Toba Inlet Tour

Join us along with the Klahoose First Nation for a once in a lifetime experience in Toba River Valley. We will view Grizzlies in their natural habitat, along the River, as they search for salmon.

Spring Bear & Waterfall Tour

Watch the coast awaken this spring as we search for foraging bears on the beach and rushing waterfalls!

Photo Courtesy of: Fabien

Words from our customers

“5* + trip, this fulfilled every wish my wife and I ever had in seeing Grizzly Bears in the wild in their natural habitats. Incredible and worth every penny, a bucket list dream come true. Seeing the Humpback Whales, Golden and Bald Eagles were unexpected bonuses. Tyler and the team were knowledgeable, excellent guides and hosts, we cannot recommend this more highly. ”

This was our second Grizzly Bear Tour but our first with this company and the best tour so far!! Our guides, Jim and Pat were extremely knowledgeable and so helpful and organized! We had 2 friends from England with us and we all thoroughly enjoyed every moment! The grizzlies we saw were amazing and the icing on the cake were the humpback whales we saw on the way home!! Hopefully we will get to take another tour with this company!

Awesome trip! Our tour guide, Damian, was excellent and his passion for the wild life was really showing. He provided great anecdotes and cool stories – I’ll definitely recommend everyone to go!

Preserving the Grizzly Bears of British Columbia

The conservation of grizzly bears in British Columbia is crucial to preserving the ecological balance of the region and ensuring the continued existence of these iconic animals for future generations.

Your Welcoming Hosts

Our Grizzly Bear Tours would not be possible without our Partners! We are very fortunate to work with two local First Nation’s — The Homalco First Nation, and Klahoose First Nation, who host us in their territory to view Grizzlies each season!

Accommodations A floating lodge sitting in a protected bay surrounded by British Columbia's gorgeous shorelines and mountains.

Price Includes: 6 nights accommodations. Enclosed comfortable boat ride to and from Khutzeymateen floating lodge. All meals and transportation while at the Khutzeymateen floating lodge. Personalized instruction offered at all times. Not included: Accommodations, meals and transportation while in Prince Rupert. All flights to and from Prince Rupert.

Book Your Photo Adventure Now

Gilakas’la! Welcome to one of the best grizzly bear viewing experiences in the world.

World Class Wildlife Viewing

Knight Inlet Lodge is an Indigenous-owned wildlife viewing destination in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada.

We invite you to spend your days viewing magnificent Grizzly Bears & Incredible Wildlife, and your nights enjoying fine dining and accommodation in the most spectacular natural environment…

Booking is open now for the 2024 and 2025 seasons (May 21 to October 15).

Grizzly Bear Viewing & Whale Watching

Knight Inlet Lodge offers unique spring-to-fall grizzly bear tours and seasonal marine and whale watching tours during your 4 to 6 night stay at our west coast-style floating lodge.

Choose from a range of options to see bears and marine wildlife in one of the most magnificent natural settings in the world, surrounded by ancient forests and snow-capped mountains.

Grizzly Bear Viewing

Knight Inlet is home to a dense population of grizzlies. It is common for numerous bears to be near our lodge throughout the season, and especially during the fall when the salmon are running in nearby rivers.

Enjoy the experience of seeing grizzly bears in the wild on our 2—3 night tour packages.

Located in the Great Bear Rainforest

Knight Inlet Lodge, 240 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of Vancouver, lies in the southern reaches of one of the last intact temperate rainforests on earth, the Great Bear Rainforest – home to Indigenous peoples, ancient forests, and wild bears since time immemorial.

Your Home Away From Home

Arriving at the lodge by floatplane from vancouver island in the morning, your adventure begins right away we will provide you a lodge orientation and safety briefing, then head straight out on the first tour of the day. after returning to the lodge and enjoying a delicious lunch, you will participate on two more tours, including bear viewing. at the end of your day come and relax in the privacy of your room, or join other guests in the lounge or on the water front deck before dinner.  , accommodation.

Our guest rooms feature queen size beds and private bathrooms with showers. Some of our rooms have capacity for families of up to 4.

All rooms enjoy either views of the inlet, or the shoreline behind the lodge, where bears are often spotted.

Seafood like crab, salmon or prawns are harvested fresh from Knight Inlet allowing our Chef to offer the most glorious West Coast cuisine! Served with fine wines, our tasty menu is locally sourced from Knight Inlet, plus other fresh local ingredients flown in daily.

With advance notice, we can accommodate most dietary needs.

A Sustainable Legacy

As an Indigenous-owned, fly-in wildlife viewing destination, we at Knight Inlet Lodge take our corporate and environmental stewardship responsibilities seriously. We work hard to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and are doing everything we can to minimize our environmental footprint.

Committed to Conservation

We are strong advocates for sustainable fisheries and wildlife management policies in the Great Bear Rainforest.

We also support and facilitate independent research on bear-human interactions, which is integrated into our bear viewing management plans.

In 2017 we successfully helped to end the grizzly bear trophy hunt in British Columbia.

A Dedicated Team

A tight-knit team of dedicated, like-minded people, with years of experience managing and operating a remote tourist destination like Knight Inlet Lodge, offer our guests the highest quality service and expertise.

From our on-site managers to our guides, our chefs to our technical staff – we all can’t wait to welcome you to our own working home away from home!

Decades of Experience

Knight Inlet Lodge is owned by an Indigenous partnership of five First Nations whose stewardship and conservation knowledge and experience goes back to time immemorial

Knight Inlet Lodge, founded in the 1990s, has been a hallmark of not only hospitality, but grizzly bear and pacific salmon conservation and responsible environmental stewardship for decades.

- JOURNEY INTO THE -

Grizzly bear sanctuary .

Photo Credit: David duChemin

KHUTZEYMATEEN GRIZZLY BEAR SANCTUARY

Managed by BC Parks, the Tsimshian Nation and the Gits'iis tribe, the protected area is monitored by First Nations Rangers on a floating camp and visitor centre in the park.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND HOW THE AREA IS MANAGED IN THIS BC PARK ORIENTATION VIDEO.

In the traditional territory of the Gits'iis, the Khutzeymateen was established in 1994 as Canada's first and only grizzly bear sanctuary, protecting the entire watershed of the Khutzeymateen and Kateen Rivers and the foreshore of the Khutzeymateen Inlet. The Khutzeymateen Inlet Conservancy was added in 2008 to further protect the intertidal and foreshore habitats of the inlet. Approximately 60 bears utilise the diverse and rich coastal habitats including numerous estuaries throughout the inlet.

THE KHUTZEYMATEEN INLET & CONSERVANCY

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Grizzly Bear Watching and Tours, BC

Grizzly bear

Tours & viewing.

Simply the best wildlife experience.

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In their natural habitat.

Whale Watching

Humpbacks & killer whales, grizzly bear tours bc, knight inlet | grizzly bear lodge, welcome to sailcone’s grizzly bear lodge we offer grizzly bear watching and wildlife adventure tours in the southern reaches of canada’s great bear rainforest..

Allow us to share the natural beauty of British Columbia’s remote wilderness with you from our small, boutique style lodge. We are a family run business with long ties to the area providing experienced and respectful wildlife viewing, delicious west coast dining and comfortable waterfront lodging.

Knight Inlet, British Columbia

We are located in an ideal location to view both Grizzly and Black Bears along the coastline, in the shallow river estuaries and upriver when the salmon are returning. Our location also gives us access to world class whale watching in Johnstone Strait with frequent sightings of Humpback Whales, Orca, Dolphins and a huge variety of birds. Come immerse yourself in nature and true wilderness with us.

Welcome to the wilderness adventure destination of your dreams!

Please use the form below to learn more or book your trip now.

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Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles are frequently sighted in our area. At times they can be seen in large numbers. This is usually where food supplies are high. For example this could be in areas with high concentrations of baitfish or along the rivers in the fall when the salmon are spawning. They are not migratory, but do move around with the food supply. As mentioned earlier when the salmon are spawning we often see many along the rivers, while there will be fewer along the coastline. With little need for camouflage their white head and tail feathers can be spotted easily. The female is slightly larger and her white head extends down a bit farther onto the body, but it is subtle. It takes these birds 4.5 – 5 years to acquire this unique plumage. As juveniles they are a brown colour. With exceptional eyesight and the ability to view 270 degrees they are understandably often seen in high perches and in trees near points and passageways.