Overview
Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park offer some of the best and most diverse wildlife in North America. Our Yellowstone wildlife safari will showcase early morning wildlife in the shadow of the Teton Mountains, and the thriving ecosystem of wildlife in Yellowstone’s Eastern Valleys around Yellowstone Lake. Throughout our multiple ecotones of sage steppes, river systems and mountainsides we will search for megafauna such as elk, moose, bison, bears and wolves, to birds such as swans, hawks, falcons and eagles.
We do not love big crowds, and luckily wildlife don’t either. Therefore this experience will be a quieter, more remote look at animals who prefer their own territory. Our naturalist guides know where to look for best opportunities to spot the movements and behavior of our wildlife, and will optimize your viewing with powered optics as well as attachments to take photos and videos for you to have lifetime memories to take home.
Highlights
- Diversity of Wildlife in Two National Parks
- East Yellowstone Grizzly and Wolf Spotting Opportunities
- The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
Our wildlife safari begins in the early morning hours in order to give us great opportunities to view the species who take advantage of cooler temperatures. Wildlife such as elk, moose, and bears may be visible from overlooks at our famous glacial lakes such as Jenny and Jackson, and bison and pronghorn roam old ranch lands that have been taken over by wild sage. The further north we go the more we enter grizzly and wolf territory. We will seek them out in their home ranges in Hayden Valley, Pelican Valley and around Sylvan Pass, all on Yellowstone’s Eastern side.
Your exact route and itinerary will be determined by your interests, current wildlife sightings, and current weather and road conditions. Our guides are all highly experienced, with thousands of hours in the field, and will expertly tailor your safari to you and your group.
A wildlife safari is a great choice for guests interested in learning from, and enjoying the experience offered by our professional naturalist guides. Their job is to interpret the landscape in a holistic way including history of wildlife pre and post western settlement, wildlife management over the years and specific wildlife morphology to better understand each species’ place in the ecosystem. They will explain and interpret wildlife behavior which is unique to each species and each season. They will also take care of every detail so all you have to do is enjoy the day. We will pick you up and drop you off either at your lodging, or the most appropriate meeting point. We provide fuel for the journey including snacks, beverages, and fresh picnic lunches. Additionally, each guest is provided their own pair of binoculars, and the group has multiple spotting scopes to use throughout the day. Each guide is also connected via radio and cell phones to communicate with one another about current wildlife sightings, working as a team to get everyone the best view. This equipment along with the expertise of our guides makes for incredible and personal moments of connection with this enigmatic, wild place.
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which includes both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, is a region comprising over 20 million acres of protected lands. It is a special region of the Rocky Mountains where infrastructure was created to enjoy the magic elements of wildness, while still preserving their integrity.
Springtime in May and June brings new life. Amidst the wildflower explosions, Mother grizzly and black bears awaken with vivacious new cubs or seasoned yearlings to scour the land for food. Tiny bison calves gain their strength and romp about the valleys and meadows with exuberance. Elk mothers guard their tiny calves in willow stands. Our mountainsides are still snow-bound so wildlife is pushed to the low-lands, making for great visibility and opportunity.
Summer brings food abundance and new behaviors from animals and birds. Each species finds their niche within the realms of safety and prosperity. Life spreads out over all the green fields and forests of Yellowstone as heat rises and days lengthen. Herds of ungulates move into the shade or higher onto mountain sides, and predators raising their young follow suit. August is a highlight for bison as they enter their mating season where herds congregate and males fight for dominance.
Fall brings cooler temperatures and with them the mating seasons for ungulates like elk and moose, while birds begin to flock up again preparing for big migrations. Bears seek out as much food as possible before their deep winter sleep. Frosty mornings lead to glorious sunlit days with clear visibility for wildlife. The bonus is in the color spectrum our aspen and cottonwood trees provide as their leaves change to vibrant reds, oranges and golds.
What's Included
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Hotel pickup
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Professional naturalist guide
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Small group safari: 8 guests per vehicle, maximum
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Light breakfast
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Assorted snack basket
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Lunch
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Hot and cold beverages
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Use of UHD binoculars and spotting scopes
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Guide gratuities
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National Park entrance fees
Private Safari
Pick-up Times
All guests are picked up and returned to their place of lodging. We pick up at hotels and condos in Jackson and Teton Village. Your exact pick up time will be determined by your hotel location and the season. Please make note of your pickup time, and save it for your reference.
Please give your guide an additional 5-10 minutes before and after the scheduled time to allow for other pickups or traffic conditions. Changes to trip timing may be made to accommodate daylight and/or optimum wildlife viewing.
Approximate pickup times for Jackson Hole include:
May 15 – September 14
- 6:30 AM – Town of Jackson locations
- 6:45 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 7:00 AM – Teton Village locations
September 15 – October 31
- 7:00 AM – Town of Jackson locations
- 7:15 AM – Wilson, Aspens, Amangani and Spring Creek locations
- 7:30 AM – Teton Village locations
Private safari guests are picked up at 6:30 AM from May 15 – September 14, and at 7:00AM from September 15 – October 31.
On the Menu
Excellent customer service, high quality product, thoughtful and intentional production.
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris is proud to partner with Teton Lunch Counter to serve a locally-sourced, sustainable lunch option for all our guests on this tour. The menu includes a sandwich with meats, veggies, and bread, served with chips and a cookie, all from locally-grown products and nearby vendors. Lunch is served in a zero-waste, reusable container.
Since the products come from small growers, bakers and butchers, some substitutions may be made for ingredients that are temporarily or seasonally unavailable. The folks at Teton Lunch Counter will make sure that each meal is sustainably sourced and spectacularly delicious, no matter the season.
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free meals are available. Please indicate if you have a food allergy at the time of booking so we can discuss your meal options prior to your tour.
We did guided tours of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Both of our guides were super knowledgeable and were outstanding in making sure we experienced all there was to the parks. Wonderful stories about people who were key to park formation which were so educational and simply fun to know. We really felt we got everything the parks had to offer and way better than we could have done by ourselves. Wildlife!!! We saw bison, mule deer, grizzlies, elk, prong horns, bald eagle, and other birds. We never would have located all them without our guides. Best decision we ever made on our National Park trips.
Safari Tour Gallery
All photography has been shot by our talented tour guides.
FAQs
What wildlife can I expect to see on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari?
Yellowstone National Park is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including megafauna like elk, moose, bison, bears, and wolves. Birdwatchers can also spot species such as swans, hawks, falcons, and eagles. The specific animals you encounter will depend on the season, time of day, and current wildlife movements, but our expert guides will optimize your chances of spotting a variety of species.
When is the best time of year to go on a wildlife safari in Yellowstone?
Each season offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities. Spring (May–June) is ideal for seeing newborn animals and active predators. Summer (July–August) sees warmer temperatures which causes some animals to slow down, but bison herds are out in full force in their mating season. Fall (September–October) is a prime time to witness elk and moose rutting season, while bears are out feeding while they prepare for hibernation. Winter provides a quieter, more intimate experience with wolves and other cold-weather species in the snow-covered landscape.
How long is the Yellowstone Wildlife Safari, and what is included?
Our full-day wildlife safari lasts approximately 8–10 hours and includes expert naturalist-guided exploration of Yellowstone’s diverse ecosystems. We provide high-quality binoculars and spotting scopes, snacks, beverages, and a fresh picnic lunch. Transportation is included, with pickup and drop-off at your lodging or a designated meeting point.
What areas of Yellowstone will we visit during the safari?
Your exact route is tailored based on wildlife activity, weather, and your interests. Common areas we explore include Hayden Valley, Pelican Valley, and Sylvan Pass, which are prime spots for grizzly and wolf sightings. We also visit iconic locations like Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and scenic glacial lakes in Grand Teton National Park.
What should I bring on a Yellowstone Wildlife Safari?
We recommend wearing layered clothing suitable for changing weather conditions, as mornings can be cool even in summer. Sturdy walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are advisable. A camera or smartphone is great for capturing memories, though our guides can also take photos for you using specialized optics. Don’t forget to bring enthusiasm for adventure and curiosity about Yellowstone’s incredible wildlife!
How does your team ensure the best wildlife viewing experience?
Our experienced naturalist guides have thousands of hours in the field and use their expertise to locate and interpret wildlife behavior. We utilize high-powered optics, radios, and real-time communication with other guides to track recent wildlife movements. By avoiding large crowds and focusing on remote, less-traveled areas, we create a more personal and immersive experience for our guests.
Guides and Staff
Our Team
Local, experienced, and passionate guides and photographers.
Further Reading
Best Places to View Wildlife in Yellowstone: Hayden Valley
Apr 12, 2022
The Lamar Valley gets a lot of credit for being the ideal area to find and observe wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. In reality, it is an expansive valley of about 29 miles, and it has been the site of many important wildlife conservation and restoration projects
Yellowstone National Park Wildlife
Feb 27, 2025
Few places are home to such exciting and majestic megafauna as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). At the heart of this spectacular region is Yellowstone National Park. A visit to Yellowstone in summer can deliver encounters with bears, elk, bison, moose, wolves, and many, many more. Knowing what the different seasons offer and where in the park to look are key to successfully finding wildlife sightings of a lifetime. Booking a Yellowstone tour with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris is an excellent way to efficiently see the park with an experienced and passionate guide who knows where to go…
