BLACK BEAR EXPEDITION
Outer Banks Area, North Carolina
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PRIVATE EXPERIENCES
( 6 Days Expedition / 4 Days Wildlife Safari )
3 SPACES AVAILABLE
THE ADVENTURE
North Carolina's Hidden Giants
This is not a traditional wildlife tour.
This is a private exploratory expedition into one of the wildest and least understood corners of the eastern United States.
Each morning we head into the forests and farmlands of the Albemarle Peninsula in search of the largest black bears on Earth.
These giant bears roam the edges of fields, forests, and wetlands, often appearing at first light when the world is still quiet.
On our last trip there we experienced more than 70 bear encounters in just four days.
But the bears are only part of the story.
The Albemarle Peninsula is also home to one of North America's rarest predators.
The red wolf.
With fewer than 20 believed to remain in the wild, every day spent in this landscape carries the possibility of encountering an animal few people on Earth will ever see.
There are no guarantees.
Only possibility.
And that is what makes this place special.
This expedition is designed for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and explorers who appreciate the search as much as the sighting itself.
Some of the most meaningful wildlife experiences are not the ones we expect.
They are the ones we earn.
This is one of those places.
Private Exploratory Expedition
This expedition operates on a private basis for one to three guests.
Pricing starts at $9,864 per departure and varies based on group size.
Maximum 3 participants.
PRICE INCLUDES:
4 WILDLIFE DAYS: Spend four days seeking out, observing, and photographing massive black bears and awe-inspiring red wolves.
5-NIGHTS LODGING: Indulge in five nights of comfortable accommodations that provide the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Round-trip transportation between New Bern Airport (EWN) and hotel is organized for your convenience, eliminating any travel-related stress.
EXPERT PHOTO COACHING: Capture every incredible moment guided by our skilled photo coaches. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, you'll learn techniques to improve your images.
PRIVATE EXPEDITION VEHICLE: Roam the landscapes in your very own private vehicle, offering you unparalleled flexibility to chase those perfect shots.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
airfare, all meals, alcoholic beverages, crew gratuities, trip insurance.
🔥 YOUR NEXT MOVE:
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TRIP ITINERARY
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Day 1
ARRIVAL DAY
We will pick you up from the New Bern Airport (EWN) and travel 2 1/ 2 hours, via private vehicle, to the beautiful coastal town of Manteo, NC.When we arrive, we will check you in to your hotel. The evening is yours to relax and prep cameras and gear for our trip in the early morning.
7PM we will get together to discuss the plans for the week, as well as photography tips for the morning session. -
Day 2 - 5
4 DAYS OF WILDLIFE VIEWING
(AM Session). We leave the hotel early (6:30AM), and spend the early morning hours seeking out bears, and if we are lucky, red wolves, around the Alligator River National Refuge area and the Albemarle Sound. We will spend the next three hours searching for bears.
Between 10-11AM, we will break for lunch and return to our hotel. You can spend the next few hours relaxing, downloading your footage and recharging your camera batteries.
(PM Session). In the afternoon (3PM-ish) we will return to the refuge, seeking out more bears. We will stay until the end of the day. Or if the bears have already departed for the day, we might head to a few spots we have visited in the past, for opportunities for sunset photographs.When we leave the reserve we will find a place to have dinner. Depending on when we leave the reserve will determine the time chosen for dinner. During dinner we can discuss the days images, and work on your camera settings or editing.
Please note; these are long full days, seeking out wildlife. -
Day 6
DEPARTURE DAY
We will depart from the hotel at 7am and drive you to the New Bern airport (EWN) for your journey home. Driving time is about two and a half hours.Please schedule your return flights home for after 12 noon.
“The Outer Banks is home to the critically endangered red wolf.”
In addition to our wildlife excursions, during our downtime, we will visit the Red Wolf Conservation Center to learn about the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve what is left of the the red wolf population.
Understanding the conservation challenges and the actions being taken to safeguard the last remaining red wolves will deepen our appreciation for the importance of preserving their fragile habitat.
By participating in this expedition, you'll become part of the efforts to raise awareness about the plight of the red wolf and support the conservation initiatives aimed at securing their survival.
TRIP REPORTS
PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
PAYMENT POLICY
A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve a space on any SDM Adventures expedition.
*Reservations are not considered confirmed until the deposit has been received.
Payment schedule:
• 50% of the expedition cost is due 180 days prior to departure.
• Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Payment methods:
• Credit card payments incur a 4% processing fee.
• PayPal payments incur a 5% processing fee.
• Payments may also be made via wire transfer or Zelle. Please contact us for banking details.
• For wire transfers, please add $40 to cover bank processing fees.
CANCELLATION POLICY
SDM Adventures understands how disappointing it can be if you are forced to cancel your trip after looking forward to it for so long. However, our expeditions require significant advance planning, and we must make non-refundable payments to hotels, vessels, and other suppliers well before departure. For this reason, we must strictly adhere to the following cancellation policy for all guests.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself in the event you must cancel.
Cancellation terms are as follows:
• More than 120 days prior to departure:
A refund will be issued minus the trip deposit, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. If we are able to fill your space after you cancel, we will apply your deposit toward another SDM Adventures trip booked within the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, the deposit will be forfeited.
• 91–120 days prior to departure:
A cancellation fee of 50% of the total expedition price (including extensions) will be applied.
• Within 90 days of departure:
No refunds will be issued.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing by email or mail and must be received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.
SDM Adventures is not responsible for cancellations due to medical or personal reasons.
No refunds will be issued if a participant withdraws after the expedition has begun.
SDM Adventures is not responsible for any penalties associated with non-refundable airfare or travel arrangements. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
LATE PAYMENT POLICY:
To keep trips running smoothly for all guests, we require timely payments according to the schedule provided. If a payment is not received by the agreed-upon due date, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and release the space to another guest without refund of previous payments. We will make every effort to communicate and send a reminder before doing so, but it’s important to stay on schedule to secure your spot.
