Polar Rover

Did you know that the vehicle used to see polar bears in the wild in northern Canada was originally a fire control truck at the airport? They then redesigned to cope with icy conditions were rough and bumpy and rocky tundra make travel convenient for tourists who want to see the icon of the Arctic.

Explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area in our luxurious Polar Rover.  These vehicles are heated, wheelchair assessable, reclining seats, easily opened windows and have comfortable washrooms with flush toilets.  All our vehicles have outdoor grated see-through decks and the vehicle height is designed to ensure passenger safety and comfort.

Because of the unique requirements to keep people safe from the polar bears yet enable them to safely view the polar bears, these vehicles have to be custom built for both rough terrain travel and passenger comfort.  They are constructed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada by Don Walkoski

Although massive, our polar rovers put down a low 4lbs per square inch in ground pressure minimizing damage to the fragile arctic landscape which is due to the large tires that we use.  The machines burn an average of 12-15 gallons of fuel per day because of the low gear ratios and small 210 hp diesel engines that power the vehicle.

There are only two operations in Churchill that have permits to access the full Wildlife Management Area (WMA) where the best polar bear viewing occurs. Naturally, NatHab and GWB run one of those operations and we cherish those permits! Since our goal is to provide our guests with the best wildlife viewing, we travel in our exclusive Polar Rovers along the pristine tundra and remote shoreline to access the prime bear viewing and photography areas. Please be aware that some operators provide their guests with ‘bus-like vehicles’ that take travelers along the paved and gravel road to Halfway Point, which is, naturally, halfway to the best viewing areas. If you’re going to Churchill one time in your life, we encourage you to gain the full superior experience.

The original tundra truck used to view bears was invented 30 years ago. It was a really cool concept that has now been improved upon. Our partner in Manitoba – a world-renowned specialty vehicle architect and designer – has created a new type of superior vehicle – The Polar Rover – driven by a new and unique drive train that carefully and safely allows us to patrol the tundra with veritably no chance of breakdowns. Additionally, the elite suspension system, created specifically for our vehicles, has improved passenger comfort and ensured the most pleasant polar experience for our guests. All vehicles have flush toilet facilities (not drop buckets which tend to smell) and offer plenty of heat for comfort. But the vehicles go way beyond comfort: they are truly remarkable machines, consistently giving our guests the closest of polar bear encounters. Built into the rear viewing platforms are innovative corrugated steel mesh floors so we can view curious bears that may walk beneath our platforms – remarkably this allows us to be safely within just inches of the bears! Additionally, inside our vehicles, guests can view and photograph bears through our sliding windows, which we open and close in accordance with the action.

At Natural Habitat Adventures, we are “Nature People”, constantly focusing on what we can do to enhance our guests’ nature travel experiences. One of the most fundamental elements of a great nature expedition is having extremely small groups – it may cost a little more but in the end we know it’s well worth it! This is why we limit our groups to approximately 16 guests, even though our vehicles can hold 30-50 passengers!

our round-trip air transportation from Winnipeg to Churchill is included in the program fee. The vast majority of our fall trips make use of our exclusive private charter aircraft, providing us with the ability to travel to and from Churchill at the most convenient times. Generally we depart Winnipeg at approximately 9:00-9:30 am and arrive in Churchill in time for lunch. On the return, we normally leave in the afternoon so we can maximize our time in Churchill.

To us, there is no question that one of the most important aspects of any adventure is the quality of its leaders. In our effort to offer the best nature vacations, we provide the very best Expedition Leaders... it’s that simple. Our Expedition Leaders travel throughout the world leading small groups of guests on specialized nature journeys, and, though many have one or more Master’s degrees or Ph.D.s, they are chosen for their good nature as well as their good grades. Each year, we fly our leaders from around the world to an exotic locale for annual training (most recently it was held in the canyons of Moab, Utah) to share ideas and skills that simply cannot be learned in school. In Churchill, our Expedition Leaders and staff have an average of six years guiding polar bear trips and many more years guiding bear and Arctic expeditions! This experience truly is unmatched in the industry. Click here for bios on Natural Habitat’s Expedition leaders.

Our specially designed exclusive Tundra Lodge is a remarkable rolling hotel placed in an area of high bear density in the beginning of the polar bear season. Recently constructed and meticulously maintained, the lodge has taken an old concept and perfected it for privacy, comfort, optimum bear viewing and safety. It accommodates up to 35-plus travelers (we limit our trips to 28-30 travelers) in individual single compartments similar to a room on a train. We have installed six full flush toilets in individual bathrooms and four single hot water showers to add some of the comforts of home. Our large lounge area with sliding windows provides wonderful bear viewing from the warmth of the “living room.” Alternatively, there are several large outdoor platforms—each with mesh steel flooring so our guests can come within just inches of bears!—to view and photograph in the elements. Additionally our full dining room is staffed by world-class chefs adding an element of luxury to this renowned adventure.

Because of our reputation for running the finest nature expeditions on the planet, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has selected Natural Habitat Adventures as their exclusive conservation travel provider, a designation that makes us very proud. We work annually in connection with WWF scientists to ensure that our Expedition Leaders are provided with the most current information on natural history and conservation. Further, we gain access to many areas and scientists around the globe via our long-standing relationship. While our trips are surely your vacation, it is our responsibility to be the best in natural history!