DESTINATIONS CANADA | MANITOBA


operator operator ASK THE


“Summer in Manitoba offers travellers the chance to


experience Canada’s diverse landscapes, iconic wildlife and authentic outdoor


adventures. With long, sunny days and crystal-clear lakes, it’s the ideal destination for nature lovers, active adventurers and families. Clients can spend a couple


of days in Manitoba’s vibrant capital Winnipeg, before escaping into nature with a stay in Riding Mountain


National Park, where rolling hills, forests and lakes create the perfect summer retreat. The charming town of


Wasagaming on the shores of Clear Lake offers waterfront dining and a relaxed resort atmosphere. Visitors can go canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cycling or simply unwind


by the lake, surrounded by spectacular natural beauty.”


Charlotte Porritt, Canada and polar product manager, Magnetic North Travel


ABOVE: Celebrating Ukrainian culture in Dauphin, known as Canada’s Ukrainian capital PICTURE: Travel Manitoba


As I drew closer and they lifted their heads, I realised it was a black bear and her two cubs. The sighting caught me by surprise, but instead of running back into the undergrowth, they stayed, watching me inquisitively, as interested in me as I was in them. It would be one of several encounters on the journey, each one as exciting as the last. As I neared the enclosure, there were several lookout


points offering views of Riding Mountain’s expansive landscapes and another vantage point to see the herd of up to 50 bison that roam across the grasses. But I had better luck spotting them at the roadsides, where bison congregate near the gravel tracks, grazing on the pastures and tending to their young. They seemed to like the attention, with a pair blocking the road as if they wanted me to stay with them a little longer. “May and June are great times to see bison here, as


BOOK IT


Magnetic North Travel offers a seven-night trip to Manitoba from £995 per person. The package includes three nights in Winnipeg, four nights in Wasagaming, five days’ car hire and admission to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg. Flights not included. magneticnorthtravel.com


42 25 JUNE 2026


there are lots of dandelions and grasses for them to eat,” explained Pat Rousso, a local guide and retired park ranger of 34 years. “September and October are also good months, because it’s rutting season and the bison prefer the cooler weather.”


THE SIMPLE LIFE


Clients on a self-drive adventure in this southwestern corner of Manitoba can experience remarkable variety – if they know where to look. An hour’s drive from Wasagaming lies Dauphin, Canada’s Ukrainian capital, where more than 40% of the population are reported to have Ukrainian heritage. Ukrainians moved here from the


33The sighting of the bear and her cubs would be one of several encounters on the journey, each one as exciting as the last


Austro-Hungarian empire in the late 19th century, with the promise of farmland from the Canadian government for immigrants who settled in western Canada. Visitors can learn more about this period of


Manitoba’s history at Selo Ukraina, a recreation of a prairie settlement from 1896 to 1925. It’s open between May and August and invites guests to see first-hand what a church, school and general store were like. For the more adventurous, nearby Northgate Trails offers thrill-seekers a wide network of mountain bike routes (with bike hire available) spanning a range of abilities. For a gentler cycle route, I headed back to Clear


Lake in Wasagaming, where guests can hire bikes to trace a portion of the lakeside trail with nothing but pristine vistas for company, or simply stroll along the shore with an ice cream. Some of my most memorable moments came from these simple pleasures, enjoying a peaceful moment of solitude or watching those fiery summer sunsets next to a cluster of locals. It felt like I was sharing in their secret to the good life. And it’s still their secret – for now.


TW travelweekly.co.uk


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