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Banff Evening Wildlife Safari

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Starts atCA$ 95US$ 71€ 62£ 53A$ 102
Duration: 2 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, Varies seasonally
Season: Apr-Oct

Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.

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Overview

As the sun sets behind the craggy peaks, the wildlife of Banff National Park become more active in the cool hours before dark. We see wildlife on 95% of our tours, so this is your best chance to get up close with some of Banff’s wildest residents.

Your guide will lead a paved road bus tour to the hotspots where you are most likely to see Rocky Mountain creatures. You might spot an elk sauntering across a clearing, bighorn sheep grazing in an alpine meadow and sometimes even a grizzly bear snuffling through a berry bush. You’ll also learn about how the park protects these animals and their natural habitat from many threats to the ecosystem.

Highlights

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Bus Tour
Bus Tour
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing
Interpretation and Education
Interpretation and Education

Tour Details

Tour Duration
2 Hours
Departure Time
5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm, Varies seasonally
Age Required
All Ages
Season
Apr-Oct

Included

  • Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff)
  • Professional certified guide
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
  • Hands on interpretive tools

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?+
While the starting time varies depending on the sunset, this is a 2 hour tour.
What does the tour include?+
The two-hour tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour to look for local wildlife.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from most hotels in Banff, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tour, and a popular central downtown meeting point is the public bus parking area behind the Mt Royal Hotel (the hotel address is 138 Banff Avenue). Most guests choose to self-drive into Banff, although please note that you will need to find parking in Banff that exceeds the duration of the tour. You can park at the Banff train station for instance and we also pick up from there. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the banffparking.ca website for live parking availability. For guests staying in Canmore, you can also use the Roam bus service and disembark at the Banff High School. The closest pick up point to the Banff High School is across the road at the Elk and Avenue Hotel.
Where does the tour go?+
The tour is a paved road tour and there are a number of routes this tour follows, depending on wildlife activity.
Is there a lot of walking involved?+
This is not a walking tour and most of the tour will be spent on the bus, but there are opportunities for you to step off the bus to take in scenic views around Banff. However, when in the presence of the wildlife we do not step off the bus unless the guide believes it is safe.
What animals can you see?+
It is possible to see the following in the park: white tail deer, mule deer, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, chipmunks, eagles, coyotes, wolves, osprey, ducks, Canadian geese, squirrels, big horn sheep, mountain goats. Unfortunately we can never guarantee seeing any animals, but our guides try their best to take you to areas we know animals frequent.
Can we pet the animals?+
No, as all wild animals experience stress when crowded by humans, which is hard on the animal and dangerous for us. Discover Banff Tours adheres strictly to the recommendation set out by Parks Canada for safe wildlife viewing.
What should I bring with me?+
Just your camera and warm clothes, plus any refreshments you may like.
What is the cancellation policy?+
We require 24 hours notice prior to departure to change/cancel or refund a tour without penalty. Group bookings of 9 or more guests, as well as custom and private bookings, have a 7 day cancellation period.
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.

Booking Terms

  • Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
  • Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.

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Banff Evening Wildlife Safari
From CA$ 95US$ 71€ 62£ 53A$ 102