The Khutzeymateen Summer Explorer 2025
ABOUT THE KHUTZEYMATEEN GRIZZLY SANCTUARY:
Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary is located at the tip of a long, remote and pristine inlet on the northern coast of British Columbia. Much of the area is closed to the public - and only two licensed guides are allowed to lead very small groups into the heart of this majestic, globally unique ecosystem - The Khutzeymateen Estuary. The sanctuary is home to about 50 resident grizzlies, with many more passing through during the year. This remote piece of wilderness is set within one of the planet's few remaining completely intact temperate rainforests and offers a stunning, verdant backdrop to observe and photograph wild grizzlies as they interact with one another as they have for millennia. The bears themselves grant visitors with a very rare privilege: they allow humans fully and completely into their rich and behaviourally diverse daily lives. Be one of under 200 people - and far, far fewer photographers - annually gifted with the intimate experience of sharing the lives of the Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen.
OVERVIEW OF THIS KHUTZEYMATEEN SUMMER EXPLORATORY PHOTO TOUR:
ALL NEW FOR 2025! Think of this all-new tour as an exploration of the northernmost portion of the world-renown Great Bear Rainforest, with a healthy dose of the amazing Khutzeymateen Grizzlies thrown in for good measure! On this exploratory photo adventure we'll board the Afterglow (a fully customized 60' Gulf Commander powerboat) in Prince Rupert BC and travel south and west to Porcher Island while searching for Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, and other marine mammals. We'll then head north towards the Khutzeymateen Inlet while searching for marine mammals, coastal Gray Wolves, Black Bears (and more) on the coast line and many islands of the region. We'll follow that up with a minimum of two days in the Khutzeymateen Inlet and Estuary viewing and photographing the region's spectacular grizzly bears during the late summer salmon run. Next on our agenda will be heading south while visiting several islands and more spectacular coastline...and continuing to search for dramatic photo ops of marine mammals, bears, wolves and more! This trip is about exploration, great wildlife diversity, fantastic land- and seascapes, AND spectacular grizzly bears!
This photo tour begins and ends in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada.
What's Included? Pretty much everything after you arrive in Prince Rupert on Day 1 of this great trip! That means one night of accommodation in Prince Rupert and all food and accommodation once we board the Afterglow for our week of exploration. A certified bear guide, photography guide, and all sanctuary and conservancy fees are also included. Note that all participants will receive detailed information and extensive photographic "tips and tricks" about the idiosyncrasies of shooting wildlife on the spectacular BC Coast.
Sample Photos? This trip offers a wide diversity of wildlife photo ops. Feel free to sample my "Bears" photo gallery and my "Marine Mammals" photo gallery to get an appreciation for the type of subject matter and photo ops you can expect to have on this photo tour!
Other Khutzeymateen Photo Tours Offered in 2025:
• Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen 5-Day Instructional Photo Tour 2025
• Grizzlies of the Khutzeymateen 4-Day Photo Op Photo Tour 2025
THE CRITICAL DETAILS:
• PHOTO TOUR TYPE: Exploratory Photo Adventure (without formal pre-trip photography instruction - go here for a description of the types of my photo tours).
• SCHEDULED PHOTO TOUR LEADER: Brad Hill.
• DURATION: 8 NIGHTS/9 DAYS (including arrival and departure days) with 7 NIGHTS/8 DAYS aboard the Afterglow (a 60-foot fully customized Gulf Commander powerboat).
• PROVISIONAL DATES: August 23-31, 2025, including arrival and departure days. August 24-31 aboard the Afterglow.
• NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 6.
• CURRENT NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SPOTS: 0 (sold out). But note that when trips sell out this early cancellations can occur. Please contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca if you'd like to be placed on a waiting list for this amazing photo tour.
• COST: $8499 CAD plus 5% GST. Currency converter available here.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS TRIP: This is an exploratory photo adventure and, as such, requires a moderate level of physical fitness and good mobility for at least some of the outings. We will be walking/hiking on trails or beaches a number of times on this trip and we will be shooting images from the deck of a boat, from within a Zodiac, and on shore. To maximize your enjoyment of this trip you should be able to perform the following tasks:
• Be able to hike up to 2-3 km (up to 2 miles) on uneven, slanted and potentially slippery terrain and/or over some obstacles that could be up to a meter or slightly more high (e.g., large fallen logs) - all while carrying your own camera gear.
• Be able to easily move between the main boat and the Zodiac. This involves stepping from the deck of the Afterglow and into the Zodiac.
• Be able to easily move from the Zodiac and a beach and/or rocky shoreline. This involves being able to climb over an obstacle (the side of the Zodiac!) approximately 1 meter high to or from a surface that may be unstable or slippery. This requires some balance and mobility.
• Be able to shoot your camera from within a Zodiac. This ultimately involves multiple tasks that are dependent on a degree of mobility and flexibility. The specific tasks including shooting your camera while sitting on the pontoon of the Zodiac or, at times, while sitting on the floor of the Zodiac. In some cases you may find that the most convenient way to shoot will be while kneeling (on your knees) on the bottom of the Zodiac. Note that tripods can NOT be used within the Zodiac and while it is theoretically possible to use a monopod in the Zodiac, few photographers find it practical. This means you must be able to hand-hold the camera/lens combinations you choose to bring on this trip.
Note that on some occasions it may be possible to stand in the Zodiac when shooting, but you will be shooting while sitting or kneeling far more frequently. A degree of flexibility and/or suppleness can make your time in the Zodiac far more productive and enjoyable!
• REGISTRATION: Contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca to reserve your spot!
• MORE INFORMATION? Brochure available in autumn 2024. Or contact me at seminars@naturalart.ca for more information and details about this spectacular photo tour.