Wildlife holidays in Canada

Vancouver Island
Visit the Pacific Rim National Park with its beautiful mountains, coastal rainforest, wild beaches and unkempt marine landscapes. The park is home to deer, wolf, black bear, racoon, cougar, marten, mink, weasel and river otter. You’ll have a free day on Vancouver Island as part of our Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast tour. Spend it walking along the park’s many trails or take a whale watching trip from one of the coastal villages in the park. Trips run all year round but the best time to go is from May to October. Orca (killer whales) are most common but you’ll also have a chance to see humpback, minke and grey whales.

Banff National Park
Spot wildlife whilst walking the trails of Banff National Park on our Walking in the Canadian Rockies tour. Banff is Canada’s oldest national park with stunning landscapes of spectacular mountain vistas, alpine meadows and crystal lakes. The picture-postcard landscape is hard to beat and the park is home to nearly 60 species of mammal, including black and grizzly bear, wolverines, marmots and moose. It also boasts some 280 species of bird, including golden eagle, osprey and white-tailed ptarmigan. 

Jasper National Park
Explore the highlights of Jasper National Park on most of our Canadian Wildlife holidays, including our Simply Rockies and Vancouver Island tour. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that roams freely here such as wapiti, elk, moose and bear. Or take the Jasper Tramway to the high alpine terrain of Whistler Mountain, named for the whistling sounds of the marmots who live there.

When is the best time to go on a wildlife tour in Canada?
May to September is the best time to go on a wildlife tour in Canada, when the weather is usually warm and dry. Temperatures can be a little cooler on the coast and in the mountains and rain can be expected at any time. Early in the season there is snow in some areas which may limit walking possibilities. If you're keen on seeing bears, spring and early June is best as the bears are emerging from hibernation. At this time the mountain peaks are still snowy, so the bears come to lower ground to look for food and are more likely to be spotted along riverbanks and even roadsides.

What should I pack for a wildlife holiday in Canada?
Pack some long-sleeved shirts and warm clothing for chilly nights in the mountains. A good waterproof jacket is also essential. Don’t forget to bring swimwear, sunglasses and a sun hat. We also recommend lightweight walking boots with ankle support and sandals or trainers for relaxing.

What is the accommodation like on a wildlife tour in Canada? 
On our wildlife tours in Canada we stay in a mixt of campsites, cabins, hostels, hotels and lodges depending on the tour. Standards range from simple, with adequate amenities and services, to comfortable, with a good level of service and often amenities such as a restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool.

How much activity is there on a Canadian wildlife tour?
Our wildlife tours in Canada are graded as Moderate. These tours are ideal if you want a holiday that combines exciting activities and experiences with plenty of time to relax and unwind. Typically, you’ll be active and busy for part of the day but then have some time to rest and recharge your batteries. 

How many people will there be on a small group wildlife holiday in Canada?
On our Canadian wildlife holidays have a maximum group size of 11 people, with an average of just 10 people. We feel this is the perfect number to get to know your group whilst getting to the heart of your destination.