Photography Tour in the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Santuary
Join me for an epic and intensive trip into the heart of grizzly bear habitat in the northern portion of the Great Bear Rainforest. The Khutzeymateen was set aside as a grizzly bear sanctuary in 1994 and has since become well known as one of the best habitats to see bears in the spring. Beginning our adventure in Prince Rupert, we’ll take a floatplane directly to the Khutzeymateen Inlet where we will meet the 60ft motor vessel “Afterglow”, anchored just minutes from the estuary. Grizzlies spend their time feeding on lush sedge of the estuary, digging in the mudflats at low tide, or cruising the shore for inter-tidal food. As well, spring-time is ripe with breeding dramatics as male and female bears seek each other out, courting, and potentially mating. It’s a photographers dream locale, and we have exclusive, permitted access to view bears in the estuary. In all, we’ll spend the better part of three full days immersed in the world of the grizzlies.
Trip Dates: TBD – 5 days – May/June 2027
Start point: Prince Rupert, British Columbia
End point: Prince Rupert, British Columbia
CAD $7000.00 per person + 5% GST
Price includes: Accommodations in Prince Rupert on Day 1, Transportation to Floatplane dock, all meals (including group dinner on day 1) as per the itinerary, return charter float plane flight between Prince Rupert and the Khutzeymateen Valley, $150 Park Fee, $25 Bear Sustainability Fee for research and conservation, and $25 Bear Viewing License fee.
This trip is limited to 6 travelers. A $1000 CAD non-refundable deposit due at time of booking with the final balance due 90 days before the trip start.
Key Trip Highlights:
Bears, Bears, and more Bears
This trips main focus is on grizzly bears. While we may encounter marine mammals, migratory birds, and other species, most of our time will be dedicated to spending time searching for, observing, and photographing the grizzly bears of the region. While most of our focus will be on searching in the estuary of the Khutzeymateen, we’ll also explore the coastline watching for bears coming down to dig in the mudflats, or browse the intertidal foods.
Exclusive Permitted Access
The Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary encompasses over 440sqkm of pristine grizzly bear habitat. From the lush coastal estuary, to the 2100m high mountains, it’s where the grizzlies thrive. While much of the inlet is open to exploration by other vessels, the Khutzeymateen Estuary (where we will spend most of our time) is restricted to only a handful of permits each year. Only a few hundred visitors (us included) will get to explore this estuary this year.
Breathtaking Scenery
Carved out of the rugged Coast Mountains by intense glacial activity, the Khutzeymateen Inlet is a fjord. High mountains flank a narrow inlet over 30km long. Waterfalls pour down steep polished rock faces and lush rainforests blanket the land.
About Edward Savage
I am a career naturalist, photographer, and author based on Vancouver Island, BC. I have been leading wildlife focused expeditions across Canada and internationally for nearly 20 years. I’ve been a certified bear viewing guide since 2013, and have held the highest level of guide for over a decade. The backbone of my experience is in the coastal temperate rainforest on the West Coast of North America in search of grizzly bears, black bears, and marine mammals. In 2025, I published “Wild Bears of Canada”, a book filled with stories, knowledge, and over 150 high quality images of black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Prince Rupert – Please arrive to Prince Rupert a day before the beginning of our expedition. Flights in and out of Prince Rupert can be temperamental due to seasonal weather.
Day 2 – We will depart Prince Rupert early in the morning by floatplane to reach our charter vessel the Afterglow. The ship and crew will be waiting for us at anchor and we will begin searching for wildlife almost as soon as we reach the ship.
Day 3 & 4 – These days will be left flexible to accommodate the best wildlife viewing potential. Our main focus will be on grizzly bears, but there is also the chance we will see black bears, coastal wolves, seals, river otters, bald eagles, and migratory birds. We’ll travel the waters via a 19ft boat that can get us into the narrow estuary channels and a comfortable distance from shore.
Day 5 – After breakfast we will depart via floatplane back to Prince Rupert to connect with our returning flights.
