Canada attracts millions of visitors a year, ranging from the backpacker to the retired couple. The country’s vast diversity of landscapes, cities and cultures makes it an attractive holiday destination for a variety of tourists, including those who enjoy wildlife tours. Canada’s wildlife includes whales, bears, elk, moose and seals, some of which you’ll be able to see without even booking yourself on a tour.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia is known for its bustling harbour, heritage buildings and whale watching opportunities. There are many tour companies offering a variety of tours on boats of varying sizes, where you can see orcas, minke whales and grey whales off the coast.
Tofino
Like Victoria, Tofino is also located on Vancouver Island. This coastal district is an interesting combination of beaches and forests and is near to the protected rainforests of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. In addition to the marine life you may encounter in this area, you can also see black bears in their natural habitat. You’ll need to board a boat which will take you to the bear feeding ground. Once the tide goes out, the bears start to emerge from the nearby forests to feed on rock crabs. In addition to black bears, the East coast of Vancouver Island is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” because you’ll find all five varieties of Pacific Salmon here.
Churchill
About 650 miles north of Winnipeg, the town of Churchill in Manitoba is famous for polar bear sightings in the autumn and winter, when they gather at the edge of Hudson Bay to search for food. You can head out in a tundra vehicle for a tour, where you may also come across the Caribou Fox, Snowy Owl and other small mammals. If you plan a holiday to Churchill in the summer, the Beluga Whale becomes the main attraction as they populate the Churchill River.
Calgary
This corner of Alberta is ideal for horse lovers – the Calgary Stampede is hosted annually in the city, which features an authentic rodeo. If your ideal holiday involves daily horse riding in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, you can stay at a working ranch just outside Calgary’s bustling centre. Enjoy a more relaxed way of life in a family-owned resort, with the opportunity to see elk, moose and deer in the foothills while out riding.
Glendale Cove
The resort of Knight Inlet in Glendale Cove, British Columbia, is one of the best places in the world to see Grizzly Bears. If you stay at the inlet anytime from spring until autumn you are guaranteed to see these mighty animals up close as they rear their cubs at Glendale Cove. In addition to the bears, you may also see deer and mountain goats along with a variety of marine life off the coast.
