Natural Habitat Adventures

A small-group wildlife travel company from Colorado

Natural Habitat Adventures, often shortened to Nat Hab, is a US company based in Boulder, Colorado, that runs small-group nature and wildlife expeditions with its own Expedition Leaders. Its "Why Travel with Us" page says it has been building "a conservation travel company" since 1985 and that World Wildlife Fund selected it as its exclusive conservation travel partner in a relationship that began in 2003. The print catalog is described as holding "more than 100 nature adventures on all seven continents". The region menu covers Churchill polar bear tours, African safaris, US national parks, Alaska, Canada and the North, the Galapagos, Antarctica and the Arctic, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Mexico and Central America, South America and Europe. Its African list runs from Botswana, Kenya and Tanzania to Madagascar, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and its Asia list from Bhutan and Borneo to India, Japan, Mongolia and Nepal. Prices are shown in US dollars and usually exclude airfare.

Polar bears, safaris and photo expeditions

Churchill on Hudson Bay is the company's signature. The polar bear page lists 9 trips, led by Canada's Premier Polar Bear Adventure, described as "an expertly guided small-group adventure to see the world's largest concentration of polar bears", at 6-7 Days from $8495 (+air), September to November. Other Churchill options include the Polar Bear Quest & Helicopter Safari (7 Days, from $11495), a stay at the company's private Tundra Lodge (6 Days, from $14595), and summer trips to see beluga whales by Zodiac and kayak (7 Days, from $9295). Ultimate Churchill combines the Tundra Lodge with two nights in town (7 Days, from $12595), and Churchill Autumn adds whales and a chance of the aurora in late summer (8 Days, from $9795). Departures on the page run from July to November, with dates listed for 2026, 2027 and 2028, and the page also filters trips as Easier Adventures, Women's Journeys and a Climate Change Departure.

Photo Expeditions are a separate line, led by photographer-naturalist guides. The photo tours page lists the Churchill Polar Bear Photo Expedition at 7 Days from $10495 (+air), a Northern Lights Photo Expedition at 7 Days from $9795, Secluded Botswana at 12 Days from $21995 with a doors-off helicopter flight, Wild Namibia at 11 Days from $18995, and a Secluded South Africa photo safari in private reserves including MalaMala, "Limited to just six guests!", at 11 Days from $19995. In Asia, a snow leopard photo safari in Ladakh runs 11 Days from $13395, and a Nepal and Bhutan journey 14 Days from $16895. The same page lists gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey treks in Uganda and Rwanda, a Galapagos trip with a night at a private Tortoise Camp, and Alaska bear camps. Longer photo trips include a 12-day Alaska itinerary that includes Kenai Fjords and a 17-day Galapagos trip, both from $19995, and a Botswana green-season safari over 12 Days from $19995. The page describes the guides as accomplished photographers and instructors, and the trips as suited to every skill level, with personalized instruction in the field.

Other interests on the menu include Cultural Journeys, Family Adventures, Expedition Cruising, whale watching, rainforest tours, hiking, kayaking, Earthwatch wildlife research expeditions and a custom Africa safari planner. Each trip card offers "Make It Custom" and "Make It Private".

Group size, guides and camps

The company says it leads "some of the smallest groups in the industry", typically 8 to 10 travelers, and some trips are capped lower, like the six-guest South Africa photo trip. Its Expedition Leaders are described as expert naturalist guides with deep field experience, and the site publishes Expedition Leader bios. The company says WWF scientists and staff help with itinerary planning and guide training. Accommodation is part of the pitch: the Why Us page mentions fly-in bear camps on Alaska's coast and mobile safari camps along Africa's Great Migration routes, and in Churchill the company uses a custom Polar Rover and its own Tundra Lodge.

Booking, conservation and support

Trips are browsed by region, interest, month and year, and booked with a departure date or customized. The footer links to a Cancellation & Refund Policy, Traveler Insurance, Know Before You Go notes, a travel advisor section and a Quality & Value Guarantee page. Contact is by phone on 800-543-8917 in the US and Canada or 303-449-3711 internationally, or by email at info@nathab.com. Returning travelers can join Natural Habitat Explorers, and there is a refer-a-friend program. The Why Us page also links to office staff bios and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion page, and a weekly eNewsletter carries new trips, offers, webinars and photography tips.

Conservation runs through the site. Nat Hab calls itself "the world's first 100% carbon-neutral travel company", a status it says it has held since 2007, and says it offsets the emissions of each trip, including flights. It publishes an annual sustainability report, runs an electric safari vehicle, and lists a philanthropy program and community relief fund. Traveler resources include Daily Dose of Nature webinars, the Good Nature blog run with WWF, videos such as a short film on the wolves of Yellowstone, and pages on the company's definition of luxury and its camps, lodges and ships. The site cites awards including Outside Magazine's "World's Best Travel Company" and Travel + Leisure's "Top Tour Operator" in its World's Best Awards.

What the pages leave open, and who it suits

The overview pages do not set out the deposit or cancellation charges; those sit in the separate Cancellation & Refund Policy. Prices are "From" figures with airfare extra, and the Galapagos trip notes a park fee on top. Individual caps beyond the typical 8 to 10 are not listed for every trip on the overview pages, so checking the trip page matters for anyone who wants the smallest groups.

Natural Habitat Adventures suits travelers who want a guided, small-group wildlife trip with naturalist leaders and a conservation focus, especially polar bears in Churchill, African safaris in private reserves, or a dedicated photo expedition. These are premium-priced trips, and travelers on a tight budget will find the prices steep. For wildlife viewing in small groups with experienced guides, the company's long record and WWF link stand out.