BLACK BEAR EXPEDITION

Outer Banks Area, North Carolina
_______________________

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES

( 6 Days Expedition / 4 Days Wildlife Safari )
3 SPACES AVAILABLE


THE ADVENTURE

black bear photography expedition in north carolina.

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:
Ready to join us? Sign up now… or reach out with any questions.
We’re here to help.




TRIP ITINERARY


  • 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.

IMG_5953.JPG

“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 of $800 USD is required to reserve a space on SDM adventures.

  • 50% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 180 days prior to departure.

  • 100% of the expedition cost (balance) is due 90 days prior to departure.

  • A 4% surcharge is applied to payments made via credit card.

  • A 3% paypal surcharge is applied to payments made using paypal.

  • Payments can also be made via wire transfer. Just let us know and we will send you the bank transfer info.
    Please add $40 to cover bank fees.

  • Payments can be made by mailing a U.S. Check, or U.S. Money Order Payable to:

  • SDM adventures
    332 East 15th St.
    San Juan, Texas 78589

    CANCELLATION POLICY 

    All cancellations made more than 120 days prior to departure will receive refund (less an administrative fee of $800 USD per person). This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. However, if we manage to fill the trip after you cancel, we will apply the deposit towards any of our trips that you sign up for, during the following 12 months. If you cancel again during that period, you will lose the deposit.

  • Cancellations made (91 to 120), calendar days prior to departure, are assessed a cancellation fee of 50% of the entire trip price, (including extensions).

  • Cancellations made within 90 days of departure date will not be refunded, therefore we strongly recommend all guest purchase travel insurance.

  • All cancellations must be made in writing by mail or by email to sdm@sharkdivermag.com, - received and acknowledged by SDM Adventures.

  • We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.

  • No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after an expedition begins.

  • We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

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.