Join us for a memorable journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Discover the charm of Banff, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Our Wildlife and Sightseeing Tour is designed to showcase the natural beauty surrounding this vibrant town, while offering a unique perspective on its rich history and culture.
This tour is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Rockies, whether you're a photographer, a wildlife enthusiast, or just someone who loves the great outdoors.
Spotting wildlife in Banff is an exciting adventure. While we can’t guarantee sightings, our expert guides will lead you to the top spots to see wildlife, giving you the best chance to see elk, deer, big horn sheep and even the occasional bear *(not in winter)* in their natural habitat.
Tour Options
Explore Banff + Wildlife
Pickup included
Itinerary
Surprise Corner
10 min
Enjoy a view of the Banff Gondola and Fairmont Banff Springs
Bow Falls
10 min
Witness the beauty of the Bow River plunging over the falls
Hoodoo's Viewpoint
10 min
Learn about Banff's Hoodoos and take in the incredible views of the Bow River, Banff Springs Golf Course and Mount Rundle.
Two Jack Lake
5 min
Enjoy the incredible views of Two Jack Lake with the stunning Rundle Mountain in the background
Mount Norquay Lookout
20 min
Weather permitting - Take in an incredible elavated viewpoint above the town of Banff. Along the drive to the viewpoint, keep your eyes peeled for bears (not in winter), deer and big horn sheep.
Lake Minnewanka
20 min
Take in views of Banff National Park's largest lake. Learn about the history of Minnewanka Landing, a former village turned popular scuba diving site at the bottom of the lake.
What's included
Included
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Air-conditioned vehicle
National Park entry fees
Licensed tour guide
Not included
Gratuities
Lunch
Traveller Ratings
4.9
11 reviews
5
10
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The remaining time of the total duration is allotted for travelling between locations.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Explore Banff + Wildlife take?
Explore Banff + Wildlife lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Explore Banff + Wildlife cost?
Prices start at $69 per person for this Canmore experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Explore Banff + Wildlife for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Grande Rockies Resort - Bellstar Hotels & Resorts.
What languages is Explore Banff + Wildlife offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 13 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(11)
K
Kay_D
September 16, 2026
Good guide to Banff
We only got to see Elk and a couple of deer, but that is how it often is with wildlife spotting. However, we enjoyed the experience as a tour of Banff and surrounding area, some of which we would not have visited otherwise.
Operator response
Wildlife sightings can certainly be unpredictable, but we’re glad the elk and deer still made an appearance! More importantly, it’s great to hear you enjoyed discovering parts of Banff and the surrounding area that you may not have visited otherwise. Thanks for joining us and for sharing such a thoughtful perspective on the experience.
S
Susan_M
June 25, 2026
Highly recommend.
Brooke was a great guide to see many beautiful sites around Banff. We saw several big horn sheep and elk.
We highly recommend!
Operator response
Hi Susan, thank you for your review about your tour with Brooke. It's always exciting to spot some wildlife out on tour!
Y
Yvonne_C
December 30, 2025
Sounds like a solid...
Sounds like a solid review! If you want a polished version, here it is:
Josh, our guide, was friendly and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot many animals, but the tour was well‑organized and gave great reconnaissance of the area. Perfect for a first‑time visit or if you’re short on time around the area.
Operator response
Thank you for joining us and for sharing a review :)
3
387felik
October 19, 2025
Explore Banff and Wildlife review
Booked the trip only a day ahead, no problem, quick answer after sending a message, very reliable!
Josh was very nice and knowledgeable, showed us amazing spots even if some were closed off he found amazing alternatives!
Would do it again 10/10
Operator response
We are so glad you had a good time! Thank you for the review :)
S
S6954YRcarolo
October 15, 2025
Really worth while
Excellent time with
Josh. Such a nice chap. He was knowledgeable and fun to be with.
England, however, will win the ashes Downunder.🏏
Operator response
Thanks for the review :)
M
Marinpacker87
July 30, 2025
Wonderful tour with Explore Banff
I had a great time with Explore Banff on their wildlife tour! Our guide Austin was super friendly and really knowledgeable, it was a pleasure to get to hang out with him for the evening. We saw lots of elk, deer, and all the beautiful mountain lookouts around Banff. This was the second tour I did with Explore Banff and both times were awesome. I will definitely book with them when I come back!!
Operator response
We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience!
M
Melinda R
May 8, 2025
Banff Evening Wonders
Thanks to Explore Banff tours for this incredible Evening tour around Banff, taking us to locations around Banff for the most incredible views of Banff !! Josh making us welcome from the moment he picked us up from our hotel, his enthusiasm & knowledge definitely made for a evening filled with fun and excitement. I still cannot believe every stop we made added to our incredible Rocky Mountains Banff experience.
From views to Lakes & yes the sighting of Mountain Sheep, Elk & Donkey deer
We were thrilled Thanks again Josh wonderful experience we were on an absolute high after your tour.
P
Pam_S
April 30, 2025
Austin, our guide was...
Austin, our guide was very knowledgeable and made every effort for us to see wildlife. We saw deer, elk, horned sheep and plenty of birdlike.
K
Katrina_M
November 11, 2024
So accommodating and great scenes!
These guys were great! First, when we reached out to the company to find out where we should meet them, Josh offered to pick us up even though we weren't on their stop list. Since we were the only ones who had booked the tour they were super accommodating. Then Josh adjusted the time for us to give my husband time to finish his conference class. We loved all the scenic stops Austyn took us on. He was also really nice and took a ton of pictures for us. He also offered to take us on additional stops since we were the only ones and it didn't take him as long to show us all the scenic spots. My only bummer was that it was the middle of the day and with the sun up everything was washed out. So we didn't get the best pics. But that was not the fault of the tour company!
Operator response
Thank you for the great review and kind words Katrina. We really appreciate it!
Austin and I (Josh) are super happy you both had a great time and enjoyed the hospitality.
We have already been discussing ways to ensure there is less of a sun wash out for photos by changing starting times and trying to modify the route where possible, so thank you for including that in your review.
All the very best!
L
Lisa_S
November 7, 2024
Wonderful - A must do!
We had a fantastic 3 1/2 hours by being treated to great views, wildlife and wonderful guides. They were very considerate having both a 12 yr old and a 90 year old on board! The trip was well worth the time and money!!
Operator response
Thank you Lisa. We're really glad you and your family enjoyed the tour. It was fantastic to have you all onboard with Austin and I.
Take care,
Josh
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