HomeSAFARI DAY TRIPS and PACKAGES
The northern part of Yellowstone is home to the largest herds of Big Game in all of North America—elk, bison, wolves, bears, and more! March through November is prime time for watching bears and wolves together with all of the other species that have lived in northern Yellowstone for the past 8,000 years. November through March is the best time for wolves, cross country skiing, and the Winter Wonderland of Yellowstone.
We are proud to be one of the few licensed by the National Park Service and the US Forest Service to operate all year in Yellowstone country!
All safaris include the expert services of a National Park Service/ Forest Service licensed guide, transportation, use of spotting scopes and binoculars, information packet, field identification guides, first aid kit, safety equipment such as bear spray, field snacks and drinks. Please contact us with your detailed information so we can supply you with an accurate quotation.
SAFARI Hiking and Logistics
Safaris with Hiking or Safari from vehicle?
We offer both car only safaris and safaris that include hiking. We also offer longer day hiking trips- we are one of very few firms licensed by the National Park Service for all-year hiking in Yellowstone! If you decide to include hiking on your safari the hiking trail for the day will be decided in consultation with you. The hikes available range from easy ½ to 2 mile treks through sagebrush flats to more strenuous hikes- a 10 mile roundtrip to a 10, 100 feet peak is one of our favorites and our 4 year old son first climbed the peak at age 10 months! Current wildlife movements and trail conditions will also dictate which trail will be best. Your guide will be carrying bear spray and you will have a brief safety orientation at the trailhead. We encourage children to participate in the logistics of a field trip so helping carry the spotting scope, training in bear spray use, and more is usually included.
With advance notice we can bring a backpack child carrier for longer hikes.
What to Bring? What is included?
We provide a spotting scope and binoculars for your use. Wildlife is best observed from a distance so that we do not disturb the animals; all of their energy is needed to help them survive in Yellowstone. We also supply interpretation materials, first aid gear, and all of the other group items you will need. Snowshoe use is complimentary. Photography stops and breaks for restrooms, sorry usually not heated, provide you with the chance to get out of the vehicle. Short walks away from the vehicle may be necessary for the best wildlife viewing. Please see individual safari details for information as to exactly what is included.
You are responsible for your own personal clothing and gear. We recommend that you dress in layers. Park entrance fees, guide gratuity, and lunch are not included.
A "List of Items to Bring" will be sent to you after your trip is confirmed.
If someone in your party has a physical handicap not allowing for walking we are happy to assist you- most of the bear and wolf viewing can be done from next to or inside the car! Please contact us to discuss how to design the day so all in your party can enjoy the wonder of Yellowstone!
Field Snacks and Drinks
Field snacks and drinks are included throughout your time with the guide.
Please advise us if you have any food allergies and health conditions. Some meals may be served inside and itineraries may need to be adjusted if conditions require. Please be sure to inform us of any special needs for your children- we avoid serving junk food!
Our Most Popular Safaris!
→Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Expedition
→Yellowstone Wolf Discovery
→Grand Yellowstone Tour
Yell Wildlife Safaris Spring to Autumn
Spring Wildlife Safaris provide the opportunity for you to see bears as they emerge from their winter sleep. The large male grizzlies usually come out first and they are hungry. It is not unusual to see a grizzly challenge a pack of wolves and take away their hard-earned meal of an elk or bison. Eagles and owls nest in the spring and the wolves are preparing to den before the birth of their pups. The big bull elk have lost their majestic antlers. Black and grizzly bears usually start appearing with their cubs in April. May brings the birth of bison calves, the first wolf puppy viewing, and secretive elk calves.
Early Summer Wildlife Touring gives you the opportunity to watch all of the different species of wildlife found in Yellowstone since the Great Ice Ages; black and grizzly bears, coyotes, gray wolves, elk, bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, deer and maybe even moose or mountain goats. The weather is still generally cool and the roads are not crowded. The wetlands along the river are home to many species of birds and waterfowl; we will look for bald and golden eagles, hawks and search for the nests of osprey, owls and sandhill cranes. Wildlife tours during the hot summer months of July and August mean that most of the wildlife has moved into the high country to escape the heat, we can usually find bears on the high mountain slopes and elk, bison and bighorn along the timberline while ospreys are teaching their young to fly and birds and wildflowers are plentiful.
During Fall Wildlife Tours you will find bison and elk in rut. The big bulls challenge each other for the right to be king of their harem of cows. Listening to the elk bugle and watching these massive animals charge and fight each other is exciting. The bears will be preparing to den; they eat constantly putting on enough weight to survive their long winter nap. The blooms of the wildflowers have faded and are replaced by the aspen and underlying shrubs turning bright colors. Birds will be flocking for migration to warmer climates, late fall will bring snow and the return of the trumpeter swans to the interior river valleys.
→March to Nov. Big Sky/Bozeman departure
→March to Nov. Gardiner/Northern Yellowstone departure
→April 20-Nov. 03, 2012 West Yellowstone departure
* For other dates please see our Gardiner based safaris
→3 nights Yellowstone Wildlife Safari Package
Yell Winter Wildlife Safari
Wolves howling, Diamond dust, Pure blue skies, Eagles’ cries
Yellowstone in winter is a wonderful once-in-a- lifetime experience! We average about 90% wolf viewing success on winter trips together with the chance for foxes and coyotes for a "3 Dog Day!" We offer a variety if winter trips to suit your needs- Car only? Include cross country skiing or snowshoeing? A one day break from downhill skiing at Big Sky or Bridger Ski Resorts? Or contact us for a custom-designed package including Old Faithful and the Yellowstone Grand Canyon- there is no where else in the world like Yellowstone, especially in winter!
→from Gardiner Car Based/ With Snowshoeing/ Family Combination
→from Big Sky or Bozeman with Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing
→from West Yellowstone area with Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing
→3 nights Yellowstone Winter Wonderland Package
Alaska Hawaii Japan India Africa South America Safaris
Bears, Tigers, Monkeys, Whales, Leopards, and more..... Oh my!!
→Alaska: Deep primeval forests, 10,000 Years of the Ice Age, Dancing Whales, and Earth Born Today!
→Hawaii
→Japan Wildlife Discovery: Grizzly Bears, Fish Owls, Snow Monkeys, and Dancing Cranes
→India Tiger Safaris
→Africa
→South America Leopard and Jungle Exploration
Contact UsReservation Confirmation & Cancellation Policy
- To confirm your safari guide reservation
- Please remit a check for the first day`s safari fee to YGA, PO Box 746, Bozeman, MT 59771 USA. We also accept wires and international bank drafts. Wire address information will be provided if needed.
- For your protection and to keep safari fees as reasonable as possible we do not accept credit cards.
- The final remaining balance will be due three weeks before your arrival. Since all of our trips are tailored to meet your individual needs detailed price quotations will be provided once we have all of the details of your trip. After receiving your payment we will contact you to confirm arrangements for your trip. Please send us your hotel itinerary and cell phone contact number so we can contact you if necessary after you depart on your trip. Also, please be sure to check with us for any last minute news from the field.
- For larger groups, courses, and specialty services please contact us for payment details.
- Cancellation Policies
- Our cancellation policies are flexible up to three weeks before arrival for individual safaris. We understand that family emergencies can happen. If the weather should be very bad on the day of your trip we will also reschedule or refund your payment- we prefer to treat you with respect and the reality is that we do not want you out in a major snowstorm without being able to see anything. However, sudden cancellations “just because” are not acceptable and no refunds will be made. Safaris will operate with normal snows and other inclement weather.
- For larger groups, courses, and specialty services the cancellation policies will be provided as a part of the quotation we will send to you- bus companies, hotels, meeting rooms, activities, and more all have their special quirks. We can assist you so your tour series or program operates as smoothly as possible.
- Special Request?
- We can assist you with wheelchair and other special needs arrangements as well. Please be sure to call us in advance to be sure all the arrangements for your family are just as you would like them to be.
We are proud to be one of the few licensed by the National Park Service and the US Forest Service to operate all year in Yellowstone country.
