Evening Wildlife Safari
4
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Evening Wildlife Safari
By Discover Banff Tours
This is a great pick for wildlife fans visiting Banff. Get more out of your vacation by going on an evening safari in Banff National Park. Look out for elk, deer, bears, sheep, and more in their natural environment. Get more out of the trip than if you were exploring alone by having informative commentary about local wildlife and preservation schemes from a guide.
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Ages 0-99, max of 24 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Features animals
Highlights
- Avoid the hassle of driving, and enjoy an evening bus safari
- Explore Banff National Park with a guide so you don’t get lost
- Lots to look out for—the park is home to deer, bears, elk, and more
- Learn as you travel—guide commentary is provided
- Professional guide
- Transport by climate-controlled vehicle
- Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
- Hands on interpretive tools
- Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel
What's not included- Gratuities
- Departure details
- Mount Royal Hotel, 138 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, Canada All guests must wait at the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave. You must be ready at the pick up point 20 minutes prior to the tour start time.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3827EWS- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- This is a bus tour, and you will be on the bus for the majority of the tour.
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3827EWS
Itinerary
- You'll start atMount Royal Hotel138 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A7, CanadaAll guests must wait at the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave. You must be ready at the pick up point 20 minutes prior to the tour start time.See address & details
- 1Banff National ParkStop: 2 hoursTravel through prime wildlife areas in Banff on this paved road bus tour, with little to no walking involved. There are a number of routes available depending on wildlife activity and so every night is a new adventure!Read more
- You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
Sharon N
00Don’t Waste your Time
Half the tour was picking people up and taking them home. Another quarter was listening to the young guide talk abo…
Ellen K
00Very worthwhile trip!
I highly recommend this tour. We were so lucky to have Emma as our guide. Not only was she a font of information ab…
Shiying Z
00Best Tourist Group and Tour Guiders
This place is worth to go and they also provide warm drinks and food. Jeff and Max have wonderful experience and kn…
wu1014
00Didn't get to join the tour; was not picked up at my hotel where I had been told to wait
Several days before the tour, one of the tour organizers had confirmed that I could be picked up at Fairmont Banff …
Lashl
00Stunning
Wonderful guided tour by Neil, he was very knowledgeable and made the tour fun. So grateful that we were provided w…
Daydream424712
00Great experience.
Wonderful trip. Weather was sunny and comfortable temperature. Our tour guide Jeff, was a wealth of information and…
Geoff H
00Great Day Out
We had a great day at Johnson Canyon with our guide Jeff. Jeff had an amazing amount of knowledge about the canyon …
F364UFpatrickm
00Worth the hike
Our guide Emma was awesome! Highly recommend the hike. Be sure to go to the upper falls. It is worth it.
juliel8888
00Johnstone Canyon Icewalk
Jake the tour guide was awesome! He was incredibly knowledgeable and funny. The conditions were great and the scene…
Relax86377
00Highly recommended, well organised, educational tour of the beautiful Johnston Canyon
Phenomenal ice walk experience through Johnston Canyon hosted by our lovely driver and guide, Chris. Aside from the…
435ettas
00Wonderful outdoor adventure
We had a great time on our snowshoe tour. Our guide Heidi made sure we had a wonderful outdoor adventure. She share…
Camper95021
00Evening walk to the lower falls and back.
Tim from Strathroy, ON was our guide. He was very polite, adjusted the walking speed for the group, drove safely an…
lynnen804
00Not as advertised
Jake gave a really interesting commentary about Banff and its history, geology, wildlife and Lake Louise on the Lak…
clarehat
00Beautiful walk with a fantastic guide
I was lucky to have the Heidi as a guide who was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the Canyon, wildlife and e…
BekikmC
00Marble Canyon in winter <3. Roz a great guide!
This was an incredible tour - it was so beautiful to go an visit Marble Canyon during the winter. Roz was a great…
More to explore in Banff
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
158 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
22
Average
18
Poor
11
Terrible
22
Beebeeanca
Blainville, Canada166 contributions
Oct 2022
We love animals and enjoy seeing them in a safe and friendly manner to both us and them. We wanted to do a Safari tour in Whistler last year but ran out of time, so when we saw Banff offered one too, we jumped on the occasion.
Having read mixed reviews, knowing that it is a real possibility to see nothing at all, and not really sure about the type of vehicle, we went in with a sense of "it's booked, hopefully it's fun, hopefully we'll see something"! Turns out... we had a GREAT evening! we had arranged for a city center pick-up and opted for hotel dropped off at the end, the staff on the phone were helpful and flexible. The guide was super knowledgable. A keen photographer of wildlife, who was just as excited as us to spot many animals on our tour!
We did end up going by the Golf Course, while it seems strange, it is where the wildlife was. We felt safe at all times and got to see a bear, heards of elks, deers, and great views of the town. The guide also explained some native american folklore which was a nice plus.
We truly had a nice evening. We felt like we learnt a lot and got "bang for our buck". We would recommend the tour for people who enjoy wildlife or who want to see typical local animals. Bear in mind you might not see anything, but that's part of the game!
Having read mixed reviews, knowing that it is a real possibility to see nothing at all, and not really sure about the type of vehicle, we went in with a sense of "it's booked, hopefully it's fun, hopefully we'll see something"! Turns out... we had a GREAT evening! we had arranged for a city center pick-up and opted for hotel dropped off at the end, the staff on the phone were helpful and flexible. The guide was super knowledgable. A keen photographer of wildlife, who was just as excited as us to spot many animals on our tour!
We did end up going by the Golf Course, while it seems strange, it is where the wildlife was. We felt safe at all times and got to see a bear, heards of elks, deers, and great views of the town. The guide also explained some native american folklore which was a nice plus.
We truly had a nice evening. We felt like we learnt a lot and got "bang for our buck". We would recommend the tour for people who enjoy wildlife or who want to see typical local animals. Bear in mind you might not see anything, but that's part of the game!
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello,
Thank you for the review. Seeing wildlife is never a guarantee but always special when it does happen. We follow a route of where wildlife is known to be seen, even though this might seem as an odd location.
We're glad to hear you had a great tour and hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Banff!
Written 2 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Louise C
2 contributions
Unfortunately it was a rainy day and not many animals were out, we only saw an elk and a deer sadly.
While this wasn’t the tour company or guides fault, the time spent parked next to the single elk, and the tour guide pulling over twice for each side of the bus to see a water tower feels as if we lost valuable time we could have used to spot more wildlife.
Also children on the bus frequently pointed out animals that weren’t there, the tour guide tried his best to help us spot those animals, yet again wasting time. Though this wasn’t the tour guides fault also.
Just left feelings slightly disappointed wishing I booked a longer tour with a smaller tour group elsewhere.
While this wasn’t the tour company or guides fault, the time spent parked next to the single elk, and the tour guide pulling over twice for each side of the bus to see a water tower feels as if we lost valuable time we could have used to spot more wildlife.
Also children on the bus frequently pointed out animals that weren’t there, the tour guide tried his best to help us spot those animals, yet again wasting time. Though this wasn’t the tour guides fault also.
Just left feelings slightly disappointed wishing I booked a longer tour with a smaller tour group elsewhere.
Written 5 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daymon M
Hi Louise, thanks for taking the time to write. You are correct that Mother Nature offers no guarantees for sighting. I am glad you saw both Elk and Deer on your trip, which is a highlight in and of themselves for many visitors. We would consider that a successful tour! Sorry you did not like the duration. Most folks appreciate that the tour is in the evening, and only a 2 hour(ish) commitment. Hop you enjoyed the rest of your time in banff.
Written 6 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paradise820022
3 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This was a great, safe and animal friendly experience which allowed those involved seeing a wide range of Banff National Park animals in the wild, including a Black Bear feeding in the woods. Jeff was a great guide, calm, informative, funny and friendly. We would thoroughly recommend the company and tour to those visiting Banff and if you can get Jeff thrown in as well, it'll be an amazing evening experience. Thank you. Paul & Caroline UK
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Paul and Caroline,
Thanks for taking the time to share how much you enjoyed the evening wildlife tour with Jeff - and how lucky to see so many animals including a black bear! We hope to see you both back in Banff someday.
Written 7 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andy B
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Couples
We had used Discover Banff tours for two trips during our stay in Banff. The first was for an airport transfer from Calgary to Banff. During the transfer, I took the opportunity to speak to our driver to explain that we were booked on the evening safari the following evening. I mentioned that the booking stated there was a hotel pick up offered, but there was no mentioned of how to do this in the emailed paperwork. She kindly dialled the booking office where I spoke to a lady to confirm my booking along with securing a pickup from our hotel at 7:15pm. We cut short our first day exploring to get an early dinner and ensure we arrived at our pickup time. We confirmed with some other guests waiting at the same spot that they were in the same trip.
At 7:20, the bus turned up. At the same time I also received a call from a man at Discover Banff tours who had explained that we were supposed to be at another pick up location and that we had missed our bus and it was too late to get the other bus to pick us up and that we could not get on the bus at our hotel as it was full. I explained the discussion I had with their agent the previous day. At that point he explained that they could no longer take us and the he would give me ‘the benefit of the doubt’ and give us a refund. My paperwork states that pick up was at 7:30, so we were in theory still on time!
Our trip to Banff is to celebrate my wife’s 50th birthday and our first day in Banff was thoroughly ruined. I would not recommend Discover Banff. We received no apology from the man on the phone and their customer service is extremely poor.
At 7:20, the bus turned up. At the same time I also received a call from a man at Discover Banff tours who had explained that we were supposed to be at another pick up location and that we had missed our bus and it was too late to get the other bus to pick us up and that we could not get on the bus at our hotel as it was full. I explained the discussion I had with their agent the previous day. At that point he explained that they could no longer take us and the he would give me ‘the benefit of the doubt’ and give us a refund. My paperwork states that pick up was at 7:30, so we were in theory still on time!
Our trip to Banff is to celebrate my wife’s 50th birthday and our first day in Banff was thoroughly ruined. I would not recommend Discover Banff. We received no apology from the man on the phone and their customer service is extremely poor.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Andy
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. Unfortunately there was a second booking with the same last name as the booking you were on, which appears to have caused the confusion. The other booking was amended to the Elk and Avenue, but it seems it wasn't clarified that there were two bookings to be updated to the new pickup location. As a result, only one booking was amended and unfortunately the driver of the bus you were assigned to was not able to turn around by the time this was discovered. We immediately issued a full refund through the third party site that you booked through (which caused the pickup error in the first place), and sincerely apologize for the missed tour. We hope that we can offer a better experience on your next visit to Banff.
Written 21 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Climber738104
1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
Rain limited our ability to see any wildlife, which was understandable. However our tour guide was not wearing her contacts and said she had limited ability to spot wildlife, and talked about several facts she had in “chart form but forgot to bring the charts”.
She seemed not fully prepared.
We had a late start due to a couple who was not at their pickup point at the allotted time and then had to circle back to get them—20 folks held up because of 2–and then we missed seeing bears that were spotted by the on-time bus ahead of us.
Disappointing experience. Felt I should have shopped around more, might be better options.
She seemed not fully prepared.
We had a late start due to a couple who was not at their pickup point at the allotted time and then had to circle back to get them—20 folks held up because of 2–and then we missed seeing bears that were spotted by the on-time bus ahead of us.
Disappointing experience. Felt I should have shopped around more, might be better options.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Daymon M
Hello
Thanks for taking the time to write. I'm sorry your tour wasn't as good as it could have been. I will take this up with our guide as a training opportunity, both on being prepared, and knowing when to abandon late guests. We do want everyone to make their tour, but you are right, those that are on time should not suffer because of those that are tardy. It is a good reminder for other guests to be on time for their tours, or they will have to depart without them.
Hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Banff.
Written 6 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rachael C
2 contributions
Evening ruined!!! We booked this trip over a month before our planned trip to Banff. We arranged our pick up for the trip over the phone with Discover Banff Tours on our transfer from the airport, as the same company did the transfer from the airport and the lady driver called the company for us.
This evening, which was the evening of our planned trip, we waited outside of the hotel with other people waiting for the same trip. When the coach arrived we were told there was no room for us. At the same time we received a call from a member of staff at Discover Banff Tours to say we weren’t at the correct pick up point and our tickets would be cancelled.
We highlighted that a call had been made to the company arranging a pick up the previous day at our hotel, The Elk and Avenue. The member of staff insinuated that we were lying and said twice “they would give us the benefit of doubt”.
We are gutted this is a holiday of a lifetime for 50th birthdays, this company has let us down and I would caution anyone from using them in the future!!!
This evening, which was the evening of our planned trip, we waited outside of the hotel with other people waiting for the same trip. When the coach arrived we were told there was no room for us. At the same time we received a call from a member of staff at Discover Banff Tours to say we weren’t at the correct pick up point and our tickets would be cancelled.
We highlighted that a call had been made to the company arranging a pick up the previous day at our hotel, The Elk and Avenue. The member of staff insinuated that we were lying and said twice “they would give us the benefit of doubt”.
We are gutted this is a holiday of a lifetime for 50th birthdays, this company has let us down and I would caution anyone from using them in the future!!!
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Rachael,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. Unfortunately there was a second booking with the same last name as the booking you were on, which appears to have caused the confusion. The other booking was amended to the Elk and Avenue, but it seems it wasn't clarified that there were two bookings to be updated to the new pickup location. As a result, only one booking was amended and unfortunately the driver of the bus you were assigned to was not able to turn around by the time this was discovered. We immediately issued a full refund through the third party site that you booked through (which caused the pickup error in the first place), and sincerely apologize for the missed tour. We hope that we can offer a better experience on your next visit to Banff.
Written 21 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Satansneakers
Barrie, Canada5 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Jeff was really great and informative in telling us about the history of the park and what is being done to preserve the wildlife in the area and reintroduce wildlife that had been hunted to extinction in the park generations past.
We saw elk bucks, a sow and her calves, mule deer and a big horn ram. We also ended up seeing some of the lakes we wouldn't have gotten the chance to see on our short trip into Banff so it was an added bonus!
We saw elk bucks, a sow and her calves, mule deer and a big horn ram. We also ended up seeing some of the lakes we wouldn't have gotten the chance to see on our short trip into Banff so it was an added bonus!
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MattMacclesfield
Macclesfield, UK49 contributions
A great way to see Banff and surroundings with a knowledgeable guide. We saw some wildlife but not a lot - we have subsequently seen a lot more whilst just driving ourselves in the area. That said though Ellie’s commentary was superb and we learnt a lot from her. I’d recommend the trip as much for this as for the wildlife which is always going to be hit and miss
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for joining us on the evening wildlife tour. We never know what animals we may be lucky enough to see, although it has certainly been an incredible year for bear sightings with the higher snow levels in the alpine. We're so glad that you enjoyed the commentary and learning about the local wildlife, and hope to see you again.
Written 14 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alecia H
Mount Mourne, NC1 contribution
I would give this tour no stars if possible. DO NOT waste your money or time. We spent over an hour of the tour time picking up and dropping off people. The tour lasted only 55 minutes and the guide told personal stories the entire ride. The exterior glass of the bus was so dirty we could not see out well, much less take any pictures. The guide complained about the poor planning of pick ups and apologized for the tour starting 30 minutes late. He also said at the one hour mark that he would love to continue our tour but that he had to get us back because he was approaching his legal drive time limit and could be fined $3000 if he was stopped. Extremely disappointing experience!
Written 5 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello Alecia,
We have ordered new glass for the bus windows but it is currently on back order. The buses are cleaned daily, it is an issue with the seal on the window. We are hoping to get this fixed as soon as possible.
I sincerely apologize about the tour being cut short. We will have a conversation with your guide about this as it is unacceptable. We always strive to provide the best tours possible. We have issued a refund for this order for you but please contact us at 4037605007 if you did not receive it.
Written 7 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ONTARIO1981
CANADA257 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
This tour was the perfect amount of time, and made stops at a few of Banff's major highlights while looking for wildlife during the early evening hours at the same time. While we understood that spotting wildlife was never a guarantee, we were fortunate enough to see some black bears & elk on our tour. Chris took his time to share his insights & knowledge of the area, the wildlife, and the plants/trees. He was entertaining for adults and youth alike. Great tour guide, great tour!
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hi,
When will the tour starts in mid june. We have booked a horse tour from 1:30 to 3:30. Just wonder if we can make it for this early evening tour. we will stay in baff town center.
Thanks.
Emma
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hi Emma,
Apologies for the delayed reply as we aren't notified of these questions. The earliest the tour starts is 5:30pm (seasonally, in line with the sunset time), so as long as your horseback ride is in Banff, you will have plenty of time to make this evening tour.
TrainToronto
Toronto, ON51 contributions
A couple of questions: 1. Do we get to leave the bus and walk around at all? and 2. Is it still light enough (July 2) to photograph if we do see any wildlife? and 3. What are the mosquitoes like?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your question and apologies for the delayed reply, as we aren't notified of these at the moment. We usually make several stops along the way, where guests can get out and stretch their legs and enjoy various viewpoints (and usually one restroom stop). The tour is timed throughout the season to align with the sunset, so that there is still some light during the time to allow guests to be able to see. And there can be some mosquitos at that time of year, so you're welcome to bring your spray with you.
Helen Y
Surrey, Canada
Are pets allowed to go with us?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your question and apologies for the delayed response as we didn't receive notification of your question! Pets aren't permitted on our tours, although if you have a seeing eye dog please contact our reservations team and they will do their best to coordinate this with you.
Karey55
Calgary1 contribution
We are two senior who would like to take our tour on Sept 12th. How can we work this out as I am sure there must be other people with only 2.
Thank you
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello, there's no minimum number to book this tour, however please bear in mind that we do require a total of four people booked for the tour to run. Tours are rarely cancelled due to not meeting minimum numbers, but we do ask all guests to give us a call the evening prior to confirm their tour.
Rosemary723
Baraboo, WI2 contributions
Where is the starting point for this tour? We are staying at Douglas Fir Resort and need to figure out how much time to allot for travel to the departure point. Thanks!
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hi Rosemary,
This tour picks up from most hotels in Banff, including the Douglas Fir Resort. We do ask guests to be ready at their pickup location 15 minutes prior to the tour start time, with a 15 minute window for pickups.
Apologies for the delayed response as we no longer seem to be advised of new questions by TripAdvisor and we've only just seen this question.
nuntanee s
Songkhla, Thailand7 contributions
We stay at Banff park lodge, does this tour pick up and drop us at our hotel?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello, This tour picks up from most hotels in Banff, including the Banff Park Lodge. We do ask guests to be ready at their pickup location 15 minutes prior to the tour start time, with a 15 minute window for pickups. Apologies for the delayed response as we no longer seem to be advised of new questions by TripAdvisor and we've only just seen this question.
Robert Y
Tucson, AZ104 contributions
What about photography?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your question. You will be on the bus for the majority of the tour, so it's most likely that you would be taking photographs through the tinted bus windows. There are always several scenic stops along the way where you can also get some great evening shots, but you would only be allowed off the bus to photograph wildlife if it's safe to do so and abiding by Parks Canada's distance recommendations. Many photographers prefer a private tour, which we can also offer.
FrederickK337
Graham, OK13 contributions
Hi, Does your tour bus have air conditioning in case its hot?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello Frederick,
Thank you for your question. All of our vehicles have air conditioning and heating.
Ursula J
Toowoomba, Australia62 contributions
Is the evening tour still worth it? On the 3 days that we are in banff, I can only get the 7.30 pm tour. can I try for a cancellation for morning or late afternoon?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your enquiry. The evening is the best time of day to see wildlife, as they are most active at dawn and dusk when it's cooler.
This is the best wildlife tour of Banff, and we see wildlife on 95% of these tours. We never know what we may be lucky enough to see, but our guides will vary the route each night to where we have spotted animals lately.
gertiers
Maryland6 contributions
We will be on the Rocky Mountaineer trip in Banff the evening of May 8. Does the tour pick you up at your hotel?
DiscoverBanffTours
Banff, Canada2 contributions
Hello,
Thank you for your question. This tour picks up at most hotels in Banff, and so we would pick you up either at your hotel or one next door to it. Our reservations team are more than happy to help you select the closest pickup point to where you are staying.
