"This trip exceeds all expectations"
2004 client
"This trip exceeds all expectations"
2004 client
"This
is the best trip I've ever taken"
2006 client who has traveled the world to
see wildlife
Join us on the best bear viewing trip in the world. Small groups, bear biologist guide,
an unparalleled life experience in Alaska's wilderness.As featured in the BBC David Attenborough production, 'Life of Mammals' and the IMAX Production 'Bears'.
Photo courtesy of John Wright, taken on this trip, 2005
Join us on the true trip of a lifetime - aboard a small vessel that transports you to another world. The vast wildness of Alaska's Katmai coast is like no place on earth. During our most recent trip we saw over 100 bears per 5 day trip and were faced with unimaginable photography and bear viewing opportunities (see video clips below). At one point we were literally surrounded by 27 brown bears! The inaccessibility of the location also means that you have this wilderness paradise practically to yourself.
Our vessel allows you to explore the coastal bays and lagoons in safety and comfort (gourmet chef included!), while taking regular trips ashore to explore the world of the brown bear with Chris Morgan, your bear biologist guide.
Arrange to bring your own group of friends or colleagues (5-8 people), or alternatively join another group.
The Katmai coastal area is truly the best place for bear viewing and spectacular Alaskan scenery. 2005 was my fifth trip in as many years and each time, I leave still in awe of the total experience. Chris Morgan's knowledge, unbridled enthusiasm and energy made 2005's trip even more enjoyable!
Sandy Struble, Wildlife Photographer, Michigan. Guest, 2005Chris, you made our trip "over the top"!
Guest, 2005
Once again we have to tell you how much we enjoyed being with you and seeing the wonderful bears of Katmai. When you spend some time with these truly amazing animals you can't help but love them. Having you with their to teach and enlighten us about their behaviors and habits made the trip one we will never forget. Of course, we also have a million pictures to bring back the thrill of seeing a brown bear standing right in front of us, with his mind of catching a salmon full of eggs!
Guest, 2005
Over the course of the past four years Chris has led me to some of the world's best bear-viewing locations and enriched my photography with his knowledge and awareness of the characteristics of bears and the environment in which they live. Chris's enthusiasm and passion for his subject shines through in his informative, lively and friendly approach. Anyone who spends a few moments with Chris will leave feeling endowed and, in so doing, will help ensure the survival of this most enigmatic of creatures.
Chris Weston, Professional Wildlife Photographer, England. Guest, 2005
For me it began with children's stories about bears, but at some point my interest turned to real bears and over the years I became fascinated with the majesty of them, their playfulness mixed with a capacity for real danger, and sadly the horrors meted out to them by man in the name of sport and medicine. In September 2005 I lived a long held dream and was privileged to visit the Katmai coast of Alaska where bears live their lives largely undisturbed by man in an environment that has remained unchanged for centuries. The highlight of this trip for me (apart from seeing 100 bears in 3 days!) was the enthusiastic and insightful guidance of Chris Morgan who had us examining bear scat within hours of arriving by float plane and peppered the next few days with a wealth of fascinating information which was put across with such passion that you couldn't not take it all in! Quite literally a holiday of a lifetime. Thank you Chris.
Andy Gutteridge, England. Guest 2005
I have spent my career teaching about bear conservation and how to behave around bears, so I am compelled to share a note regarding the coastal brown bears of Katmai and the context of the video clips attached below. The brown bears (Ursus arctos) in these video clips are on the coast of Alaska where thick runs of salmon mean that these normally solitary animals have become quite tolerant of each other over a rich food resource. In certain situations, they seem to extend that tolerance to humans, and will frequently come quite close to people during their everyday feeding activities. This is very different behavior to grizzly/brown bears (Ursus arctos) in the interior (e.g. Denali, Yellowstone, Glacier etc), where a much larger buffer space is advised. In Katmai, the Park Service rules sensibly stipulate that people should not approach closer than 50 yards to any bear, or 100 yards for females with cubs. Generally speaking, close-up interactions with bears should be avoided at all cost (Wildlife + Distance = Safety). Situations can vary immensely and a knowledge of bear behavior is essential when determining the best course of action. The video clips show bears in close proximity to people in Katmai National Park. These bears are calmly walking by with incredible tolerance and were not approached by the visitors. Our calm response to their approach means safety for bears and people. For more information on bear safety, please go to: http://www.bearinfo.org/bearsafety.htm
Click here to watch short clip from our 2005 trip (800kb video file - bears fishing)
Click here to watch short clip from our 2005 trip (1.3mb video file - bear chasing fish).
Click here to watch short clip from our 2005 trip (5mb video file - Chris Morgan describing bear sign).
Click here to watch short clip from our 2005 trip (1.2mb video file - bear walking by).
Click here to watch short clip from our 2005 trip (775kb video file - 26 bears fishing!).Reservations and other information
Chris Morgan guides several Katmai trips each year.
For more information: please contact chrismorgan@insightwildlife.com or call 360 734 6060.
Price per person from Kodiak is $3750 (5-8 guests, 4 days/3 nights). Remember, you'll have to include at least one buffer day in Kodiak either end of your trip to account for unpredictable weather. This price does not include your flight to Kodiak, or accommodation/meals in Kodiak.
Contact us for more information on this
and other guided adventures to the world's wild places:Chris Morgan, Executive Director
Insight Wildlife Management
PO Box 28656, Bellingham, Washington State, 98228-0656, USA
email: chrismorgan@insightwildlife.com
tel: USA (360) 734 6060
fax: (360) 734 0800Back to main IWM page: www.insightwildlife.com
Join Chris Morgan in the Scottish Highlands in 2007
Chris Morgan is a British conservation ecologist specializing in international bear research and conservation. He has a Masters degree in Advanced Ecology and has worked on bear research and environmental education projects in many wild locations including Spain, the Pakistani Himalayas, the Canadian Arctic, Ecuador, the Canadian Rockies and the USA. In 1997, he emigrated to Washington State and established Insight Wildlife Management which specializes in field research and environmental education – especially regarding bears and other carnivores. Chris is the co-founder of Canopy - an organization that creates links between corporations, communities, and the natural world, and a lecturer at Western Washington University’s Environmental Science Department. He is also the co-director of the North Cascades Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) – an innovative approach to promoting knowledge about bears in local communities. In 2006 Chris started to work on the production of BEARTREK, an epic adventure feature film about the bears of the world as part of a campaign to raise awareness and funding for conservation. In 2003 he was honored by the Environmental Education Association of Washington as 'Outstanding Environmental Educator' of the year. He is known for his infectious passion and enthusiasm for wild places, and he is happiest when sharing this with others in the field. Chris describes Katmai as his "favorite place on earth". He has been leading bear viewing trips here since 1998. Chris lives in Bellingham, Washington, USA.
