Wapusk NP, Manitoba, Canada

Introduction:


Wapusk is the Cree word for "white bear", and as the meaning indicates, the 11,475-square-kilometre (4,430 sq mi) park protects one of the world's largest known polar bear maternity denning areas. It includes a large part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a subarctic region bordering Hudson Bay that is mostly muskeg and wet peatlands. It is one of the wildest and most remote of Canadian landscapes.



General:


Flights:
I booked my flights with Air Canada from Munich MUC to Winnipeg YWG via Toronto YYZ. The return-flight from Winnipeg to Churchill was part of a package provided by Wat'chee lodge.
I did not plan some space between the ending date of the package from Watch'ee lodge and my return international flight. This was bad idea, as because of havy blizzards we were not able to leve on time so I needed to pay additional fees to rebook my international flights.


Accomodations:
In the package from Watch'ee lodge the stay in Wapusk NP is included, you will need two more nights in Winnipeg on the airport very easy to book over booking.com or expedia.com.


Car Hire:
You don't need to rent a car, unless you decide to make a stop over for some days in churchill. There you can spot red foxes and arctic foxes. I recommend in this case http://tamarackrentals.ca/


I took two bodies NIKON D4S and NIKON D3S and my lenses Nikon 600mm f4 + NIKON TC II 1,4 (for polar bears and wildlife) ; and NIKON 24mm f1,4 (for Northern lights). GITZO-Tripod. My iPhone was my best camera for landscapes and movies... You need more than one battery as the temperatures are very low -20° to -40°C. You have to put camera and batteries in plastic backs to prevent water condensation.
 


Clothes:
Follow the instruction from Watch'ee lodge but you need at least  boots and mittens designed for -100°C or bellow!!! You need also goggles!!! as your eyelashes would freeze without... 

Churchill, Manitoba:
They have experienced the worst blizzards ever recorded with tonnes of snow.

 

 

Watchee Lodge:

We found only one mum with her cub moving to the Hudson bay, but I was happy.

Watchee Lodge, the magic of the Northern lights:
You have to see this magic and you need only clear sky. So do not sleep but go out and enjoy the magic!

Wildlife in the tundra of Wapusk NP: