The Camp
For 25 years, the SAFARI camp has traded off the plush comforts of the typical Alaska fly fishing lodge for a pristine setting in the middle of nowhere.
We are in an area where the coastal brown bears easily out number the fishermen and rugged mountains stretch as far as the eye can see. Oh yeah… and there are no-name rivers teeming with countless numbers of chrome-bright salmon and sea-run dolly varden eager to take your fly.
Yet in spite of our extreme location, we still have all the essentials of a comfortable retreat to enjoy after each fulfilling day on the water.
Camp Overview
Here’s what you can expect of our facilities on your remote Alaska Peninsula fly fishing adventure:
- Rugged, semi-permanent Weatherport shelters
- Hot showers
- Large dining shelter with wood burning stove
- Gourmet wilderness dining
- The observation table, a great spot to hang out before and after meals.
- Double occupancy sleeping arrangements
- Daily tent cleaning
- Plenty of fresh wild Alaska salmon and halibut for dinner
- Limited complimentary drinks
- Eco-friendly solar power system for charging your camera battery
- Separate drying/storage shelter for wet gear
- Spectacular panoramic scenery directly in front of camp
- Fewer bug problems compared to the typical Alaska bug experience
- Only 9 guest max. per week
Do you prefer a “rustic” wilderness camp with fewer frills? Check out our small stream Alaska trout fishing operation, Alaska Wilderness OUTPOST.
Location
Nakalilok Bay, Alaska
Alaska Wilderness SAFARI is located approximately 120 miles south of King Salmon, Alaska on the Pacific side of the Alaska Peninsula in Nakalilok Bay. We are surrounded by the 3.7 million acre (about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined) Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, which is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Please thank the Wildlife Service for managing and preserving such lands, as there are few places on Earth as pristine as this region.
Limited and challenging access to the area allows us to operate here without fishing with other fishermen from other lodges our entire season. Literally.
The camp sits atop a high bluff overlooking a beautiful tidal estuary and is bounded by the North Pacific Ocean on one side, and the Aleutian Mountain Range on the other. Our close proximity to both the ocean and the mountains gives rise to a diverse range of ecosystems and geographic features unique to both sea and land. More importantly, fish are in peak condition as they enter the nearby freshwater systems for their spawning migration!
Around Camp
Most likely the nicest amenity of the entire camp, besides our cook, is the “observation and central-gathering” table, located on a bluff overlook with an absolutely amazing view. It is here where we spend most of our time before and after meals – watching the Alaska wildlife while socializing and reflecting on the day of fishing and hiking adventures.
Or, you may engage in a friendly game of washers (played like horseshoes), take a short stroll to the “overlook” for another amazing view over the ocean, climb the lower hills directly behind camp, spend some time learning how to tie flies or improve your cast, or sometime during the week we may enjoy the ambiance of a bonfire on the beach below camp.
Instead of fishing for the day, guests may choose to lounge around the observation table and read a favorite book, look through the spotting scopes to watch the bears feeding in the meadows, spot a herd of caribou in the snow fields, or just watch your friends hammer fish all day with your feet propped up at camp. Trust us, it’s not a bad way to spend the day.
Cuisine
The kitchen staff is legendary for producing fabulous cuisine in the middle of the wilderness, and Phil has surely stepped it up a notch!
When in season, you may wake up to fresh picked blue berries in the muffins or pancakes, or a camp favorite – smoked char frittata. Perhaps a hearty bowl of hot oatmeal or a generous plate of eggs and bacon with biscuits and gravy may be more your style. Dinner reads like a gourmet menu – almond crusted salmon with citrus glaze, creamy alfredo pasta and garlic crustinies; New York strip steaks with mushroom sauce and baked potatoes; halibut fish tacos (a camp favorite) with pico de gallo, charro beans, Spanish rice (and our famous wilderness margaritas); roasted pork loin with apple poblano chutney, wild rice and braised red cabbage with port wine. Each main entrée is often complemented with wild Alaska salmon or halibut just minutes from the water. Freshness like this will forever change your opinion about the fish you have been eating back home!
Green salads, vegetables and homemade bread complete the meal, but delicious deserts like molten chocolate brownies, canolis, and carrot or tres leches cake, will surely satisfy your appetite.
The guide’s wood fired, fresh fish shore lunches are known to raise a few eyebrows as well, but most mid-day meals consist of a riverside “brown bag” style lunch with sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips and dessert.
Special diet considerations, including those who do not care for fresh fish? Usually not a problem, but please contact us in advance.