Canada: The next trip ahead!

Normally in August/September Andy and I embark on our usual trip to see the `wildebeest migration in Kenya. This year things have changed! As much as it 'pains' us to say it this year the 'wildies' will have to carry on without the Skinners! Thats right, this September we are off to Canada! 

Masai Mara, I promise we WILL be back soon, just not for a little while. Let the crowds ease first. We have another migration in mind for now........

So, we have talked of going to photograph bears for about 4 years now and every year we could not help but go to the Mara "Oh just one more migration"!  This year it just seemed the right time, enough talk lets just get on with it. Now its booked we cant wait! (Although admittedly now the house refurbs will be a little more delayed now, oh well, it will have to wait! )

The trip will involve 3 locations around British Columbia in Western Canada, to hopefully view Grizzly and Black Bears feeding along the rivers as well as seeing Canada's other endemic wildlife, including Orca and Humpback Whales and Bald Eagles.

In short our self drive itinerary looks like this: Start from Vancouver, by car/ferry to Vancouver Island, visiting Tofino, Port McNeil, and Campbell River over the course of 8 days. Focusing on Bears, Whales and Eagles. Travelling back on to the mainland we head on the long drive to Bella Coola for another 5 days, where we hope to see bears fishing in the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir National Park during the annual salmon migration before heading back to Vancouver and home. 

You see a migration had to come into our trips somewhere. A September without migration, nope, I don't think so!

Unlike the Skinners normal accommodation style 'ala' roof tent we are staying in small local B&Bs, and self catering wilderness cabins. We may even take the night remote camera, bears around the cabin, now that would be something! 

See the 'black dots' on the maps below for our planned destinations for Sept 2011