2026 Great Bear Rainforest Grizzlies: A Fall Photography Retreat

2026 GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST GRIZZLIES: A FALL PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT

Deposit; $1500 
Dates: October 2 - 6, 2026
Spots: 5 
Costs: $6995 CDN + GST  + 2% municipal sustainability charge per person based on double occupancy (includes $1500 deposit)

Single Occupancy $9295 CDN + GST  + 2% municipal sustainability charge per person

More than a photo tour—a journey into stillness, light, and awe

There’s something sacred about drifting down the Atnarko River in autumn, the hush of the forest, the golden fire of cottonwoods, the promise of something wild just beyond the bend. Yes, the grizzlies come here to fish, but what you’ll take away goes far beyond a bear in your frame.

This tour is designed for photographers who want to grow, who crave more than just a “click.” You’ll learn to see light with intention, compose with clarity, and respond to the moment, whether it’s a gull catching sunlight on the wing or a grizzly emerging from the shadows.

We float slowly, camera ready, as the land reveals its stories. When a bear appears, everything changes. The river hushes, the light catches just right, and your camera becomes a bridge between awe and understanding. These are not portraits. These are moments of belonging, bears as part of their landscape, in the full glory of fall.

Throughout each day, I’ll guide you in:

• Harnessing soft and directional light to create depth and drama
• Reading movement and gesture to anticipate compelling scenes
• Making images that feel alive, not just well-exposed

In the late afternoon, before dinner, we gather for intimate photo reviews where your images are seen, supported, and strengthened. I don’t teach from a checklist. I meet you where you are, help you unlock what you already see, and give you tools to go deeper. Each day is a stepping stone in your growth as a visual storyteller.

”Donna’s Grizzlies in the Great Bear Rainforest Tour was an incredible experience from start to finish. Donna’s extensive background as both an award-winning photographer and an educator clearly shows. Donna would actively spend one-on-one time with every single guest, no matter our level of expertise, while we were out in the field. She would help us work through all of our technical questions and everyone was able to capture some stunning moments. Donna also provided a few hours each evening for all guests to come together to review pictures, share tips and feedback, and work on post-processing. Overall, I felt like I made a quantum leap forward in my ability to take beautiful pictures of wildlife. This is also in addition to the stunning views, excellent amenities, and five-star accommodations - which really makes this tour stand out from others. Every single aspect of this experience was crafted so thoughtfully and I can’t wait to join another one of Donna’s tours!” -Arjun, Virginia 

This isn’t a race for bear sightings. It’s a slow immersion into one of Earth’s last truly wild places, where you learn to see like a storyteller and photograph like a poet.

Grizzlies are often seen, sometimes many in a day, sometimes few. But their presence is a gift, never a guarantee. What is guaranteed: you’ll return with more than photos. You’ll come home with new eyes.

What is included

• All meals and snacks (the meals are phenomenal! Gourmet and world-class) 
• All non-alcoholic beverages and domestic beer, and wine
• Daily river drafts and walking explorations with certified bear guides
• Tailored In-field instruction 
• Pre-dinner image review sessions that accelerate your progress
• Luxurious accommodations in chalets, some with lofts, at  Tweedsmuir Park Lodge (a member of the magnificent seven wilderness lodges of Canada)
• Transfer to and from Bella Coola airport 
• Optional use of the lodge’s private bear-viewing platform
• Hot tub and sauna available at resort

What is not included

• Gratuity for guides and hospitality staff
• Airfare to Bella Coola

What to expect

This area of the Atnarko is picturesque and serene, the drift down the river is relaxing and tranquil as the bears quietly fish for salmon along its shores or dive underwater to feast on salmon eggs. Most times, we will have the river to ourselves. Our daily drifts are quiet and unhurried, just you, your camera, the rhythm of the current, and the possibility of grizzlies moving along the shoreline. With limited permits issued for river access, we often have this stretch of wilderness to ourselves. There are no crowds here, just space to breathe, watch, and photograph in peace.. Enjoy the gorgeous mountains and fall colors as we slowly meander downstream for almost 3 hours. 

When we are not drifting down the river, short walks with our bear guide are provided. If walking is challenging, you’re welcome to stay at the lodge and spend time on the private viewing platform, which often feels like your own personal window into the forest. With only 12 cabins, the lodge offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere where the staff greet you by name and make you feel genuinely welcome.

Before dinner, we gather fireside to review images, exchange ideas, and reflect on the day. If you prefer a quieter wind-down, you’re free to enjoy a sauna or a soak in the hot tub, surrounded by the scent of cedar and the hush of the rainforest.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive at the lodge by 1:30 pm. A bear guide will provide a bear orientation in the afternoon. You can enjoy the bear viewing platform and we will meet for dinner in the main lodge at 7 pm.

Day 2 - 4 The bear viewing platform opens at 7 am., You can look for bears, review your images from the day before, or exercise in the workout room. Ensure you have grabbed breakfast by 8:45, as we will meet at 9:00 am each morning for our first bear excursion. Each day, we will alternate between a river drift for part of the day and a walk with a bear guide for the other part. We are usually back from the first excursion by 12:00 pm, giving you a few minutes to get those batteries charging before lunch, which you can enjoy between noon and 2 pm. We will regroup at 2:00 pm for our afternoon excursion, returning by 5 pm. This gives plenty of time to freshen up, download images, or enjoy the bear viewing platform before we all meet for dinner at 7 pm. I will be available each evening before dinner to review images and provide feedback and tips for editing. 

Day 5 - The morning is your own to enjoy in this picturesque location, with check-out at 11 am. I am available to go over images or join you at the viewing platform that morning. 

What will the weather be like?

• It will be mild usually between 6 - 14 °C, this time of year. However, it may be raining, so bring rain gear with you. The lodge also has rain gear available.
• An updated forecast will be provided closer to the actual date of the tour. 

What should you bring?

• Warm clothes that can be layered and hiking boots.
• Plenty of batteries.
• You can use a variety of lens sizes; a 100-500mm zoom or a 400 or 600mm lens would be ideal. Consider a longer lens for eagles, opsrey, and close-ups of bears, and a shorter lens for habitat and landscape images. 

FAQs

Will we see spirit bears on this trip?
No. Spirit bears (the white variant of black bears) are found in a different part of the Great Bear Rainforest, much further north. This tour focuses on grizzly bears along the Atnarko River near Tweedsmuir Park Lodge.

How many grizzlies will we see?
It varies. Some days we see several bears, other days we may not see any. These grizzlies live in the forest and come to the river to feed, then melt back into the trees. This isn’t Alaska, there aren’t dozens of bears stacked on a riverbank. But when they do appear, it’s raw, real, and unforgettable. If you're looking for guaranteed quantity, this isn’t that tour. If you’re looking for beauty, mood, and the chance to photograph bears in their natural rhythm, this is your place.

How close will we get to the bears?
Our licensed guides keep a respectful distance—typically around 100 feet or more. These are wild animals, and we honour their space. The goal is not to get “close-ups,” but to create compelling images that place the bears in their stunning autumn habitat—where the story is as much about place and light as it is about the subject.

What other wildlife might we see?
The river is alive with life. Bald eagles are everywhere, and you may also see osprey, kingfishers, gulls, ducks, and sometimes mink. Every species offers opportunities to practice working with light, motion, and composition.

Can I bring someone who isn't a photographer?
Absolutely. If your guest wants to join the river floats and walks, they’ll be considered a full participant and pay the same rate. If they prefer to relax at the lodge and enjoy the scenery while you photograph, you can arrange a non-participant rate directly with the lodge.

I have mobility issues, can I still participate?
Yes. If you can walk 500 metres and get into a raft with a little help, you can enjoy this tour. Walks are short, and terrain is uneven in places but not strenuous. The lodge also has a private bear-viewing platform, so you can photograph comfortably without hiking at all if needed.

How much photography guidance will I receive?
A lot. This tour is built for growth. I offer in-the-moment coaching while we’re out in the field, helping you with light, composition, and creative choices as things unfold. Before dinner each day, I host supportive photo review sessions where you’ll receive honest, helpful feedback and tips you can apply the very next day. Whether you're looking to sharpen your vision or find your photographic voice, I’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward.

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