Tour Dates |
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12 May 2020 - 22 May 2020 | Space available |
The high Arctic is a place to inspire the imagination. Explorers, adventurers and more recently wildlife enthusiasts, have found it to be a place that delivers extra ordinary scenes in a pure wilderness. The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole and here you will find pure untouched Arctic wilderness.
It is a place of extraordinary beauty, dramatic scenery and rich wildlife. It is a land where glaciers are mirrored in pristine waters with snow-capped mountain peaks standing tall, the playground of the largest predator of the Arctic - the polar bear - roaming the vast expanse of pack ice.
Over the years most people travel here in September, when the waters are free of ice making it easier to navigate around the islands. Over the last few years the pack ice surrounding Svalbard has been opening up earlier and earlier each year. This means that it is now possible to navigate Svalbard as early as April, yet also have lots of pack ice available to visit. The reason for requiring pack ice is that it is the home of the polar bear and there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a polar bear walking and jumping on floating ice in the Arctic ocean.
April is the start of spring in the Arctic, with all the migrant birds returning to the shores to start courtship. The Polar Regions have a very productive and short breeding season and our expedition is planned to coincide with the start of this breeding season. Coupled with the large ice packs that surround Svalbard this cruise will offer you the best of both worlds in terms of finding polar bears on pack ice and also experiencing one of the wonders of nature, Spring in the high Arctic.
In addition to the bird life, we will explore and expect to spend time with walrus, artic fox, reindeer and bearded seals. But the king of the landscape is the polar bear and nowhere else can polar bears, be found more reliably in their natural habitat- the sea ice. Photographing these magnificent animals in this austere environment is for most photographers, a “once in-a-lifetime” experience.
Going by boat allows you to move around freely and it allows you to spend as much time at any specific location as needed… in essence it allows for great photographic opportunities. Voyages in spring are best as this ensures that the sun is lower in the sky this time of year and for photographers this means the quality of the light is softer and gentler. The quality of the light is simply quite amazing at this time of year.
In 2012 C4 Photo Safaris chartered their first voyage to Svalbard and it was a grand success, with countless sightings of polar bears.
This will be C4 Photo Safaris eight expedition to Svalbard. We have used our experience of past sightings, season and vessel to ensure that this trip is the best one yet. It is a photography-focused expedition with no fixed itinerary. If we encounter a good sighting, we will stay there as long as we like. Our “itinerary” is to find excellent wildlife sightings during your time on board and make sure you come home with amazing images.
By the end of October the Arctic sun will have shed its last rays for the year and Svalbard heads towards a period of darkness, known as the “Dark Winter”, or polar night when the sun does not rise at all. Between mid-November and the end of January, darkness prevails around the clock. In contrast, the period March to May is known as the “Light Winter” in Svalbard. As the light returns the activity and energy levels on the islands increase – for both the people and the wildlife. Everyone wants to get out, to see and explore! The days become increasingly longer, and by the middle of April, the midnight sun has returned to warm a winter white landscape. The seals and the polar bears enjoy the sun’s rays from the fjord ice and the landscape is still a winter wonderland, an exceptional backdrop for photography (compared to the brown landscapes found later in the year, when the majority of the snow has melted). April/May, being one of the driest months, is also at the start of the Spring season with plenty of new life starting to emerge and tens of thousands of migrant birds commencing their return to the shores to start courtship.
Most people select to travel to Svalbard in the peak season of late May/June/July/August when the surrounding seas traditionally experience less ice, making it easier to navigate amongst the islands. Over the last few years the pack ice surrounding Svalbard has been opening up earlier in the year. It has been possible to navigate Svalbard, in the right vessel, as early as May yet also have plenty of pack ice available, especially in the East and North.
The king of the Arctic is the polar bear. They are at the top of the regional food chain, the largest bear species in the world, are marine animals who swim and walk great distances. Their true habitat is the dense drift ice and the fast ice of the frozen fjords and bays. This pack ice is the home of the polar bear and there is nothing more beautiful than seeing a polar bear or a bear and cubs, walking across a floating ice wonderland in the Arctic region. While only the hardiest of Svalbard’s wildlife can be seen in winter, the island’s animals come out to play in spring. March/May is the peak breeding time for polar bears, and groups, including mother and cubs (who then emerge from their dens for the first time), can frequently be seen together at this time of the year. Also, the bears will have seen no vessels for the entire winter and so are more curious. In May they are not ‘harassed’ by vessel after vessel seeking to get close to see them, as occurs in June/July/August when the number of cruise and expedition ships increase dramatically. In May, the bears are generally more relaxed and approachable. Having only a small group (14 maximum), in two zodiacs, makes approaches to bears and especially to bears with cubs, less threatening, compared to ten or twelve zodiacs from the vessels which carry in excess of a hundred passengers. Using a smaller vessel at this time optimises opportunities for getting closer to walruses from both shore and zodiac.
The polar regions have a short but very productive breeding season and the expedition is planned to coincide with the commencement of the breeding season. It is designed to offer you the best of both worlds in terms of finding polar bears on pack ice and experience one of the wonders of nature – Spring in the high Arctic, one of the most magical places on the planet.
Finally, typical wind speeds in May, vary from 1 mph to 15 mph (light air to moderate breeze), rarely exceeding 27 mph (strong breeze) making it very amenable for photography from a smaller ship like MS Stockholm.
The tour leader is Shem Compion, Owner of C4 Photo Safaris.
Shem is the founder and owner of C4 Photo Safaris and we have led many photographic adventures over the last ten years, including several to polar regions. You will appreciate his knowledge of wildlife and the experience he has of Svalbard. He will get you to the best photographic locations and introduce you to the best photographic opportunities in the icy waters of Svalbard. His photographic eye and excellent naturalist knowledge enable him to capture unique and compelling images be it in the Arctic or in the deserts of Namibia. The diversity and amount of awards he has won are testament to his versatility as a global wildlife photographer. This will be Shem’s 7th trip to the Arctic. We chose to use the same crew and Expedition Leader in the Arctic to ensure continuity and be satisfied that we are working with the best team while in amongst the pack ice searching for polar bears.
Shem Compion is the founder and owner of C4 Photo Safaris. He uses his intricate knowledge of travel in Africa, its wildlife and fantastic photographic locations to give you the best photographic tour experience you will ever have. Shem grew up roaming the wilds and this interest in Nature led to him studying a National Diploma in Nature conservation and Wildlife Management.
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Please note that the tour starts and ends on the MS Stockholm. It is advisable to arrive in Longyearbyen at least one day earlier.
Board MS Stockholm in Longyearbyen harbour at 16.00 hrs. Please note you are responsible for finding your own way to the vessel in Longyearbyen Harbour. There are a number of taxi services in Longyearbyen.
Closer to the date of departure we will advise you on transfer arrangements from your hotel to MS Stockholm in Longyearbyen Harbour. When on board it will be a “meet, greet and enjoy a drink”, followed by an evening of orientation before retiring. The ship will sail as we sleep.
On board MS Stockholm. Heading along the west or east coast of the archipelago MS Stockholm will continue to sail until it reaches the pack ice where the quest for polar bears begins. The actual itinerary, selected by the captain, will be determined by the sea, wind and most importantly by the conditions prevailing at the time of planned departure from Longyearbyen. Both the eastward and northward passages provides many photographic opportunities.
If the light obliges, we should have spectacular ice landscapes over the wilderness. Every endeavour will be made to spend extended periods photographing polar bears as they hunt, rest and play on the pack ice. Be aware however that polar bears are not easy to find and there may will be extended periods with little polar bear activity. After spending the allotted time in the east and or north region the vessel will begin its return voyage to Longyearbyen arriving approx. 9.00am on 17 April 2019.
If ice and weather conditions permit, the vessel will visit the spectacular ice cliffs of Ausfonna, an incredible spectacle. On occasions the ship will operate continually over twenty four hours. At other times the engines will shut down at night in the ice or in a sheltered harbour. This can often be an attraction for bears and frequently they are found close to the ship in the early morning.
Return to port with an anticipated time of disembarkation at Longyearbyen harbour of 09.00 hrs. This is the end the workshop. Please note you are responsible for finding your own way back to your hotel or the airport. There are a number of taxi services in Longyearbyen.
You will be traveling on the MS Stockholm. It is a small, extremely strong vessel and along with its highly experienced captain and crew is known as being “the best ship” in the whole of the Svalbard Archipelago.
Due to the capabilities of our specific vessel, we are able to:
As well as a C4 Photo Safaris Photo guide (Shem Compion), we will also have four recognized and highly experienced specialist Arctic natural history guides
Three meals a day and all Zodiac excursions as per daily program.
A non-refundable deposit of 30% is balance is payable 8 week before tour start date.
There is accommodation for a maximum of fourteen (12) clients and a minimum of nine (9) clients on this tour, registrations will be accepted strictly in the order they are received.
A detailed pre-departure document detailing climate, clothing, travel logistics, travel information, camera gear and other safari information will be sent to you a 6 weeks prior to your departure date.
Although polar bears will remain our focus throughout, you can expect to photograph a range of wildlife and landscape subjects using a variety of lenses from wide-angle to telephoto. Most wildlife subjects will require a telephoto in the range 300mm - 500mm. A wide-angle zoom (e.g. 28 -135mm) would be ideal for scenic images. A tripod is recommended. The power supply on the boat is 220 volts. A European plug adaptor (two thick round pins) will be required.
For clients who book with us, we will send through a comprehensive list on:
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Board MS Stockholm in Longyearbyen harbour at 16h00.
Onboard ship.
Return to port with an anticipated time of disembarkation at Longyearbyen harbour of 09h00.
Please note that the tour starts and ends on the MS Stockholm. It is advisable to arrive in Longyearbyen at least one day earlier.
"I have just finished my adventure with C4 Safaris aboard the MS Stockholm out of Svalbard in the Arctic. Let me start out by saying the organisation of this tour by C4 Safaris Shem is excellent in every way. From the skills shown with the manoeuvring of the MS Stockholm by the captain and crew to make sure we were in the best photographic positioning, the general cheery nature of the stewardesses, and the outstanding culinary skills of the chef on board was just amazing. A special mention must go to the dedication and knowledge of our guides Ronald and Annette, who spent countless hours organising, spotting, giving educational and historical talks, and of course putting the safety of our group as their number one priority. This trip was by far the best experience I have ever encountered and I have travelled extensively. I come away with some excellent photos, and I feel my photographic skills have improved due to the expert knowledge and professional support of Shem himself. I would not hesitate to book my next adventure with C4 Safaris – Africa is on my list for 2016. "
Kelvin Blake"Once again a wonderful trip. Everything was well organised. The ship was small but cozy, the cabin tiny, but we were only there to sleep anyway. We had sensational sightings. Great experts on board and Shem took his turn in the polar bear watch with the experts, looked lousy in the morning, but we got our bears....they somehow always showed up on his watch! Good people, great food from a tiny kitchen, lots of useful tips... Were hooked!"
Astrid Juerg Bluemel"Our 5th to 15th September 2014 trip to SVALBARD with C4 Images Safaris was, in short, simply splendid! The pristine Arctic wilderness, the hauntingly beautiful landscapes in the fjords and pack ice, the glaciers and the icebergs, the magical light, the polar bears, reindeers, walruses, seals and avifauna all contributed to make this one of our most memorable experiences. Personally, as a visual artist, I appreciated Shem Compions on-the-tap photographic inputs and insight sharing on technical as well as creative aspects, both in the field and in respect of digital workflow. And what is more, Shems warm, pleasant and knowledgeable company ensured that both my wife a non-photographer and I had an enjoyable and interesting time throughout. Our expedition leader, Ronald Vissers, patience with our queries and enthusiastic communication of his deep knowledge of the Arctic, its people, wildlife, history and geography, really enlivened the trip and has given me a lot of material for my next travel story! We also really appreciated the fact that Shem, Ronald and Magnus the captain and crew of the Ms Stockholm really worked hard to ensure we had the most optimal yet safe sightings and landings from the ship and the zodiac trips. Arctic conditions are alien to people like us from the tropics and we are obliged to Amanda and other crew members for helping make things comfortable for us. Ours was a multi-cultural group with participants hailing from different countries, but the shared passion for photography nature facilitated pleasant and enriching interactions. My wife, Koel, and I have travelled on photographic expeditions to various places around the world and had a lot of expectations from this Arctic Adventure - we are happy to say that this trip exceeded even those high expectations and we would whole-heartedly recommend this trip to any nature lover photographer!"
Amartya Koel Mukherjee"The Svalbard trip was exceptionally well organised and everything was effortlessly taken care of. Ronald Visser imparted his vast knowledge of the area, sea ice, glaziers and the animals with enthusiasm - together with Shems photographic expertise and passion they ensured we would have the best photographic memories. The Captain and crew on the SS Stockholm also ensured that the trip surpassed my expectations. Safety was always taken care of as that is something photographers tend to forget in the excitement of getting the shot. The starkness of the landscapes photographed from the SS Stockholm leaving Svalbard and travelling through the icey regions of the North is breathtaking. Added to this being able to photograph Polar Bears, Walrus, Seals, Rheindeer and the final excitement of the Arctic Fox in their natural habitat was unforgettable. The colours of early morning sunrise, brilliant light through the ice sculptures, misty moody ice capped mountains gave us photography at its best. The weather conditions were challenging at times but Ronald and Shem ensured we always got the shot. Timing was essential when photographing from a moving Zodiac, together with climbing up slippery slopes - all added to the excitement of a once in a lifetime trip. Im very lucky to have been part of this amazing experience - a highly recommended trip and destination for every Photographer. Thank you Shem and the C4 Team."
Glynnis Salvado"My trip on the SS Stockholm went perfectly.Ronald Visser. our expedition leader,led us with enthuasiasm and shared his knowledge as a naturalist and geologist with us. Well supported by Shem from whom we learnt a great deal about taking photographs, particularily in the Arctic, how to process them and also about the art of photography. Photography in Arctic conditions is challenging, not only is the weather frequently against one, but you cannot always land and have to shoot from a moving Zodiac or the boat. Conversely when the light and conditions are right there are some superb scenes to be taken and excellent natural history shots.jpgptain of the Stockholm was very cooperative and on one memorable occaison circled a Bearded seal amongst the sea ice - we took the photos.For anyone interested in photography this was a great trip if I did not get some good photographs it was my fault."
John Cucksey"This was an adventure so few have enjoyed with ,never to be forgotten wildlife in their own environment with magic light sky, ice-scapes from glaciers noisily diminishing to sea ice retreating as our boat forged through it, to perma-frost. The passion knowledge of Shem Compion Ronald Visser, the co-leader environmentalist resulted in a stream of instruction information. What more could an intrepid curious photographer wish for"
Neil Cumpston"Thank you for arranging the Svalbard photography trip. This was an amazing once in a lifetime experience always to be remembered. Everything on this trip exceeded my expectations from the services and meals on the ship to the wild life and landscape photographic opportunities we experienced. The exceptional scenery and nearly 24 hour perfect light makes this trip a landscape photographers dream. The polar bear visits to our ship on the packed ice, the inquisitive walrus approaches to the zodiac, the sly arctic fox and bird life, just to mention the highlights is a paradise for wildlife photographers You and our guides knowledge, experience and assistance during the trip was of great value and much appreciated. I highly recommend the Svalbard experience to anyone interested in photography and a must visit as a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Jamie van Zyl"Once again C4 Images and Safaris delivers a photographic trip beyond belief! Polar Bears, walruses, seals and Arctic foxes in their natural environment in one of the most beautiful regions on Earth. Great light, sightings, information, both about the environment/wildlife and how to photograph it - what an awesome trip! Topped up with great company and superb organisation - I am very lucky to have been on this trip, thank you again Shem and the team at C4."
Christine Chong