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

Where do you find the animals of Banff when the sun goes down? Your guide will know! So keep your eyes peeled for twilight wildlife encounters.

YouTube video

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.

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

Kelsea's Pick

"Guiding this tour during the elk rut in Fall- where else can you watch and listen to two huge bull elk bugling at each other?" - Kelsea , Tour Guide, Discover Banff Tours

Evening Wildlife Safari Reviews


4.5
3894+
4.4
374+
4.5
786+

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

1

Bus Tour

The Evening Wildlife Safari is a 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!
2

Wildlife Viewing

We see wildlife on over 95% of our tours, and often see deer, elk, big horn sheep, bears and birds. Please note that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
3

Interpretation and Education

You will learn information about the local animals, safe wildlife-watching practices and the importance of wildlife management in Banff National Park.
Included
  • Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff)
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Kelsea's Pick

"Guiding this tour during the elk rut in Fall- where else can you watch and listen to two huge bull elk bugling at each other?" - Kelsea , Tour Guide, Discover Banff Tours

Evening Wildlife Safari Reviews


4.5
3894+
4.4
374+
4.5
786+
While the starting time varies depending on the sunset, this is a 2 hour tour.
The two-hour tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour to look for local wildlife.
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.
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.

The tour is a paved road tour and there are a number of routes this tour follows, depending on wildlife activity.
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.
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.
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.
Just your camera and warm clothes, plus any refreshments you may like.
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).
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.

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

Kelsea's Pick

"Guiding this tour during the elk rut in Fall- where else can you watch and listen to two huge bull elk bugling at each other?" - Kelsea , Tour Guide, Discover Banff Tours

Evening Wildlife Safari Reviews


4.5
3894+
4.4
374+
4.5
786+
  • 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.
Included
  • Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff)
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Kelsea's Pick

"Guiding this tour during the elk rut in Fall- where else can you watch and listen to two huge bull elk bugling at each other?" - Kelsea , Tour Guide, Discover Banff Tours

Evening Wildlife Safari Reviews


4.5
3894+
4.4
374+
4.5
786+
See elk and other animals on a Banff wildlife tour with Discover Banff Tours
See bighorn sheep on the Evening Wildlife Safari Tour with Discover Banff Tours
See bighorn sheep on a Banff wildlife tour with Discover Banff Tours
See Bears on the Evening Wildlife Safari Tour with Discover Banff Tours
See a black bear on a wildlife tour iwith Discover Banff Tours
See elk in Banff National Park on the Evening Wildlife Safari with Discover Banff Tours
See elk rutting in Banff National Park on a wildlife tour
See deer and other animals on a Banff wildlife tour with Discover Banff Tours
See animals such as deer on a wildlife tour with Discover Banff Tours
See local wildlife such as coyotes on a wildlife tour with Discover Banff Tours
See animals such as squirrels on a wildlife tour