The 8 Best Wildlife and Elephant Encounters in Canada

1.Jasper National Park: Evening or Morning Wildlife Watch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 691 reviews · 3 hours · from $63Our pick

Spend three hours searching Jasper National Park for elk, bears, moose, eagles, beavers, goats, and smaller wildlife from a comfortable minibus. Guides such as Sam, Ross, Catherine, Kelli, and Josh adjust the route to seasonal animal movements and share useful facts about the park, wildlife safety, fire ecology, and conservation.

“Our guide Sam went and above beyond to show us many wild animals. We spotted a grizzly bear, mountain goats, elk, beavers. It is worth the money.”

Check availability →Read our review →

2.Jasper: Winter Wildlife Bus Tour in Jasper National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 93 reviews · 3h 30m · from $62Best value

Join SunDog Transportation and Tours for a 210-minute wildlife drive through Jasper National Park. Your English-speaking guide may spot elk, deer, moose, sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, and birds while explaining winter survival, geology, and local history. Hotel pickup, drop-off, a small group, and a comfortable vehicle are included.

“The tour was very informative and interactive. Despite not seeing a huge amount of wildlife, time of year, weather, etc,( not the companies fault), this was a very good time and would do again, summer or fall.”

Check availability →Read our review →

3.From Jasper: Jasper National Park Wildlife Discovery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 86 reviews · 3h 30m · from $66

Spend 210 minutes touring Jasper National Park by sightseeing vehicle, with hotel pickup, drop-off, binoculars, and an English-speaking guide. You may see elk, sheep, moose, mountain goats, or bears, though sightings depend on season and weather. Guides such as Nigel add useful stories about Jasper’s animals, geology, fires, and ecology.

“Nigel la nostra guida è stato fin da subito molto coinvolgente con i suoi racconti, trovando sempre dei link interessanti, nel mentre in una splendida serata tiepida e perfettamente limpida, abbiamo visto: Cervi, capre di montagna cerbiatti un alce femmina e un maschio che ci ha fatto il regalo di farci un guado davanti agli occhi da sponda a sponda del Maligne Lake… e poi sulla via del rientro abbiamo visto anche una femmina di Grizzly!! Quindi è stato davvero un gran bel tour di 4 h totali!! Consigliatissimo!!”

Check availability →Read our review →

4.Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Top rated

Join the Banff Canoe Club for a 90-minute wildlife trip along the Bow River. Your guide handles navigation while you paddle as a team, watch for elk, bald eagles, beavers, bears, and water birds, and learn about animal behavior and conservation. No canoeing experience is needed.

“Very calming experience after a long day of hiking. We saw some beavers, loon and Heron. Cam was our guide, super friendly and shared lots of interesting facts!”

Check availability →Read our review →

5.Canmore: Wilderness & Wildlife Tour – 2hr Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Set out from the Canmore Recreation Centre for roughly three hours of walking through Rocky Mountain wilderness, ancient forest, and varied terrain. Your English-speaking guide, such as Jacob, Jake, Ewan, or Euan, explains local wildlife, plants, scenery, and history. Groups are capped at 12, and wildlife sightings are possible but never promised.

“Jake is a great guide- very knowledgeable and extremely attentive to the needs of a diversified group - plus he is quite an entertaining guy. Totally recommend doing this tour.”

Check availability →Read our review →

6.Wilderness and Wildlife Hiking Tour – 3hr Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $93

Meet your guide at Canmore Recreation Centre for a three-hour hike on a quieter Kananaskis trail. Guides such as Ben, Jacob, and Isla adjust the route for weather, trail conditions, and wildlife reports. Expect forest paths, streams, mountain views, plants, and wildlife signs, with a moderate fitness level required.

“Jacob is an excellent guide who knows so much about the Canmore Corridor. I highly recommend his hikes!! We had the best time!”

Check availability →Read our review →

7.PRIVATE Wilderness and Wildlife Walking Tour – 3hrs

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 2h 30m · from $329 per vehicle (up to 6)

Leave Canmore with a private guide for a three-hour walk through quieter Canadian Rockies terrain selected for wildlife sightings. Guides use annual wildlife reports to choose promising areas, carry bear spray and first-aid gear, and explain local plants, animals, tracks, and history. Jacob is one guide praised for his local insight and entertaining style.

“Jacob was really friendly and took us on a more local tour so there weren’t any other tourists around. His knowledge was great including history nature and wildlife info. He gave us better recommendations for travel destinations too which we are definitely going to use. His jokes were definitely corny but he was such an entertaining guy all the way we can forgive him 😁 We only saw deer but lots of tracks and the weather was glorious. The mountains and river were stunningly beautiful. I’d recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our review →

8.Winter Wilderness Walk with Wildlife Tracking – 2hrs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Spend two hours in Banff National Park learning how to read animal tracks, spot winter wildlife, and understand cold-weather survival. Meet your English-speaking guide outside the Cave and Basin Gift Shop, then walk through snowy Rocky Mountain scenery. Guides such as Jacob add local stories, photo advice, and useful details about the land.

“Jacob was friendly —a true local with lots of knowledge so you get to enjoy some hidden nuggets! Absolutely gorgeous views hiking along Johnson Lake …got some amazing Christmas card pictures…stunning! Animal tracks everywhere in the snow. Enjoyed sighting mule deer and an eagle!”

Check availability →Read our review →