Spirit Bear & Great Bear Rainforest Tour
British Columbia
Katmai Grizzly Bear Tour
If you’ve ever dreamed that one day you could feel what it’s like to be a BBC camera crew member on a Grizzly Bear assignment then you are in for a real treat because that’s what this Grizzly Bear photography tour is all about. The BBC, Disney Studio’s, National Geographic and The Discovery Channel all chose Katmai Alaska to capture their footage of Grizzly Bears and now you can too.
Kent Fredrikssen has over 25 years of experience camping among the Grizzly Bears of Katmai National Park, often solo for months at a time. Camping offers wildlife photographers a unique opportunity to live amongst and photograph the grizzly bears and wolves of Katmai National Park with back drops of snow covered mountain tops, glaciers and meadows.
Travel details
Katmai National Park is a truly jewel in the wilderness where grizzly bears have not been hunted for decades. As such they are fairly habituated to man which often times brings them in close proximity to photographers so you’ll want to be carrying a long lens and wide angle most of the time. The landscape is breathtaking so the backdrops for your images are amazing, from snow covered glaciers to fields of grass and streams.
Your trip will depart from Kodiak, Alaska and you should plan to arrive there two days in advance of your scheduled departure date to allow for weather. We will make our way to camp where you get settled in and briefed on what to expect from the adventure that lies ahead. You will be sleeping in a tent and there will be a larger dining tent provided for group gatherings and meals. The perimeter will be lined with efence for your safety.
Kent’s been camping with the bears and wolves of Alaska since 1994, He’s been a licensed outfitter and bear viewing guide since 1999. Thus it is safe to say that if you had to choose a guide to camp with in Katmai National Park who could show you all the choice locations that these bears frequent Kent is your man. In addition to being an expert Grizzly Bear guide Kent is also an accomplished photographer where he has had his wildlife photography published on the cover of Alaska magazine, Outdoor Life magazine and in National Geographic kids books from 2008 to present. That means he knows what you’re looking for and can get you in to the right positions to capture the best images possible.
What to bring
The following is a list of the clothing and equipment you will need while camping on your Grizzly Bear tour. The weather in Alaska varies greatly from cold and rain to warm and sunny and everything in between. Proper clothing is essential for your comfort during the trip. When selecting your clothing, keep in mind the following principles about staying warm and dry.
It is very effective to wear layers of clothing to stay warm, as the air trapped between the layers acts as an insulator. Layering also allows you to regulate your body heat by adjusting the number of layers, depending on the temperature and your activity level. There are 3 main layers: Transfer which is the layer next to your skin; Insulating which is the main warmth layer(s); and, Protective which is the outer layer to protect you from wind, rain, and other elements.
Wetness increases the loss of body heat and is uncomfortable, so it’s important to stay as dry as possible. Some clothing is hydrophobic, and therefore, stays dry (i.e., synthetics such as polypropylene, polyester, capilene, and natural fibres such as wool and silk). Clothes made of these materials make great expedition clothing. Be careful of other materials (e.g., cotton and down), because they are absorbent and stay wet. Also, avoid overdressing as it can cause excess perspiration and therefore wetness.
If you wish to discuss specifics regarding which camera bodies and lenses you own and which ones are best suited to the trip, I will be happy to discuss that with you.
As mentioned above, the weather while you’re on your grizzly bear tour can be all over the map so your camera gear is best kept in a waterproof case or pack. It is crucial to keep gear dry while sitting in the rain. We strongly encourage you invest in a rainproof cover for your camera – both AquaTech and Think Tank Photo make excellent models that fit most cameras.
There will be no access to power during your trip however some participants have brought along solar panels for charging purposes. You should bring plenty of memory cards and batteries No drones allowed in Katmai! A sturdy tripod is recommended for long telephoto lenses.
Every participant must bring the following items:
- waders although they can be provided by us with advance notice
- Sleeping bag, ground mattress and pillow
- water bottle, collapsing style preferred to save space
- 1 Pair waterproof hiking boots/shoe to be worn around camp
- Wool or thermal socks
- Headwear/Handwear:
- 1 Wool or pile (fleece) hat
- 1 Sun hat
- 1 Rain hat
- 1 Pair Warm, waterproof gloves
- Upper Body:
- Synthetic long-sleeved wickable
- T-shirts – long and short sleeve
- Light wool/fleece pullover/sweaters
- Heavier wool/fleece pullover/jackets
- Shorts
- 2 or 3 Pants (1 wool or fleece)
- Long underwear and short underwear – e.g. capilene
- 1 Durable Waterproof Rain Jacket
- 1 Pair Durable Waterproof Rain Pants
- IMPORTANT NOTE: Please ensure your rain wear
- will keep you dry for long periods in the heavy rain.
- Additional Required Essentials:
- Personal toiletries kit
- Sunglasses (with neck cord)
- Sunscreen and lip salve
- 1 Bug repellent or bug net
Kent will have a first aid kit and a Satellite phone however, you should bring the following items for your own personal use:
- Pain reliever (e.g., aspirin)
- Mild anti-inflammatory (e.g.,Ibuprofen)
Dates and cost
Grizzlies go where the fish are and fish move with the tides, as such Kent bases trip locations based on the tidal charts to select the best possible opportunities for bear viewing. Actual dates below will be updated once Kent determines the best locations based on the tidal information. All Grizzly Bear tours are camping trips.
Trip #1
August Trip TBA – Inquire to be added to the contact list
Hallo Bay, Katmai Alaska
Trip #2
September Trip TBA – Inquire to be added to the contact list
Hallo Bay, Katmai Alaska
Please inquire to have your name added to the list for future contact once dates are confirmed.
Cost: $6950 USD from Homer, Alaska
Deposit: $3500 USD (Deposit due at time of registration)
Balance due 45 days prior to the day we fly out (Cash or Bank Transfer)
4-6 guests per trip (6 guests maximum)
What’s included
- All meals (Kent is all about organic, so you’ll be eating very healthy) Be sure to go easy on the Dave’s Killer bread, very high in fiber if you know what I mean.
- Tent
- Expert bear guide
What’s NOT included
- Your airfare TO and FROM Kodiak, Alaska.
- Meals and accommodations in Kodiak, Alaska.
- You must arrive at least two days before the tour is scheduled to depart and plan to be in Kodiak at least one day after the trip is scheduled to have you back in Kodiak to avoid possible weather delays. As such you will require accommodations on the front and back end of the trip in Kodiak. I highly recommend staying at the Cliffhouse B&B in Kodiak, Marty and Marion are the best hosts ever.
- Alcoholic beverages and tips/gratuities.
Registration
Please contact us to begin the registration process for this workshop / course.
Workshops and Courses
Wildlife photography workshops or wildlife tours are a great way to get up close and personal with wildlife that you might otherwise never have an opportunity to shoot. View all upcoming tours
