Safari special: Bears

Grizzly bears in BC 

A huge presence with humped shoulders crawls over the rocks, its silver-tipped hair catching the sunlight. Grizzly bears are enormous – often around 8-feet tall – and the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada, is one of the best places to see them. Your personal Travel Counsellor can arrange a rainforest exploration by helicopter, where you'll enjoy unobstructed views of waterfalls and ice fields, fly through fjords, and enjoy a picnic lunch on a remote beach.

Alternatively, stay at Sonora Resort, a luxury wilderness resort for unrivalled fishing in world-famous salmon-filled waters. Follow the salmon to hungry bears and view them safely with a First Nations guide who will take you on a sightseeing tour through the lush rainforest, sharing native stories and traditions.

Polar bears in the Arctic

Polar bears are classed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group. Sea ice loss from climate change is the biggest threat to their survival, and learning about the species is key to their conservation. We can take you to see all three species of these North American creatures: black bears, brown bears (aka the aforementioned grizzly) and, of course, polar bears – in style on a luxury cruise around Alaska aboard Silver Nova, departing from Vancouver.

Silversea offers the world’s most all-inclusive voyages to the Arctic onboard small, luxurious expedition ships. Sail past raw tundra and remote landscapes, kayaking past glaciers in the day, and sleeping in a luxurious suite at night. We’ve paired your cruise with Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Stay in one of just 25 Canadian safari tents set on the doorstep of the stunning Sound after which it is named.

Black bears in Yellowstone

Have you seen Yellowstone? If the rugged landscapes and stars of the show (the black bears) have put the National Park on your holiday radar, we can help you explore this vast terrain with wildlife experts. Yellowstone is inhabited by black and grizzly bears, and is so big it spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho in the United States. Visit during Yellowstone’s spring, summer, or autumn for the best chance of spotting them, avoiding winter when they go into hibernation. In the spring, you might be able to catch sight of black bears feeding on young elk.

We can arrange a stay inside the park itself - Old Faithful Snow Lodge is the newest full-service option – or plump for a stay in Big Sky country at Sage Lodge which offers ‘Bears of Yellowstone’ full-day tours during May – July and October… or we can even create a custom glamping experience, just for you!

Pandas in Sichuan

Giant pandas, panda bears, pandas… whatever you call the rarest member of the bear family, you’ll have to venture to China to see them in the wild. They mostly live in temperate forests in the mountains of southwest China, and there are only around 1800 of them.

We can take you on a tour of China adding a visit to the Panda Breeding Centre in Chengdu as part of your itinerary. The centre is home to nearly 100 of these beloved creatures and you’ll learn about their conservation efforts while observing pandas in their natural habitat.

Other must-sees on your trip include the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, Xi’an, for the Terracotta Warriors; Yangshuo, for a bamboo rafting trip; and Shanghai, to experience its blend of tradition and modernity.

Suggested itinerary

This bear adventure pairs a stunning wilderness lodge on the west coast of Vancouver Island with a luxurious 14-day Silversea cruise to see Alaska’s spectacular landscapes. Fly to the Clayoquot Sound area by seaplane to discover a protected ecosystem of temperate rainforest, lakes, rivers, and alpine peaks, home to black bears. Enjoy expert-led wildlife tours and kayaking during your stay before embarking on your cruise through Alaska on one of the world’s finest ships.

Your voyage aboard Silversea's Silver Nova includes excursions to Ketchikan, home to grizzly and black bears, and Icy Strait Point, a village that prides itself on being home to more brown bears than humans!

Travel style

You’ll fly to and from Clayoquot by seaplane, getting a great view of the wild landscape below. Onboard Silver Nova, you’ll travel in style. This all-inclusive cruise allows you to relax and enjoy gourmet restaurants, personalised service, and a luxurious suite with a choice of shore excursions by boat, 4x4, e-bike, dog-sled, kayak, or tram!