There are three types of bears you can spot in Canada. These include black bears, grizzly bears (also referred to as brown bears) and polar bears.
Black bears and grizzly bears can be found in the Canadian Rocky Mountains with peak viewing between May and October.
These bears start to come out of hibernation from late April/May and tend to head towards grassland areas to feed.
This is also the prime time to spot bear cubs who will stick close to their mothers.
The autumn months from late August to October, mark an excellent time to view grizzly bears as they go in search of salmon to bulk up before they settle down and hibernate for winter.
Grizzly bears are the most common type of bear and can weigh as much as 318kg. They can stand on two legs and reach a height of almost two and a half metres tall.
Interestingly, black bears are not always black in colour, they can be grey or a light brown colour and are actually much smaller than their grizzly neighbour.
Enjoy close encounters of grizzly bears at Knight Inlet, especially between late August to mid-October when salmon take to the rivers to spawn.
Of all three bear types, Polar bears are the largest and can weigh up to 550kg.
If you want to spot Polar bears, it’s best to head to Churchill, Manitoba for viewings by Tundra Buggy – one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime.
The best times to visit include March, mid-June to August and October to November.