The Great White North is a land of incredible wildlife, and few nations are as well placed to see it all. Whether you’re after polar bears on the tundra, whales in the sea, or the cutest puffins on jagged coastal cliffs, Canada Rail Vacations provide endless opportunities to tick animal-watching off your bucket list.
With a reputation as the ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World’, it’s no surprise that many travellers have sightings of these majestic animals high on their bucket lists. There are plenty of opportunities to get up close with the mighty predators, with several wildlife tour operators operating in this remote Arctic wilderness. One of the best is Knight Inlet, a small coastal community that has embraced sustainable tourism and operates the Knight Inlet Lodge – a floating resort that puts guests in prime grizzly habitat within a few short boat rides from Glendale Cove. The lodge also offers a range of guided activities, from walking alongside polar bears on foot to kayaking with pods of social orcas, giving you a real taste of life in this wild region.
The vast expanse of the Canadian north has also earned it a reputation as a whale-watching hotspot, with trips to see these magnificent creatures from Victoria on Vancouver Island and the Johnstone Strait in British Columbia among the most popular. However, for a truly unforgettable wildlife encounter, head to Churchill in the far north of Canada and spend time exploring Hudson’s Bay and its tributaries by foot with an expert guide. The area is home to a population of around 136,000 beluga whales, who can be spotted on boat tours in the summer months as they make their way up the river system to the freshwater spawning grounds where they breed for the next generation.
From delicate songbirds to lumbering moose, playful otters and wary Canada lynx, Ontario is a wildlife lover’s dream. It’s easy to spot a wide variety of critters on the backcountry trails, while the province’s iNaturalist app is a great way to share your discoveries and connect with fellow wildlife enthusiasts.
Spotting a mountain goat – with its long white fur and a goatee and thin, backward-curved horns – is another quintessential Canadian experience. You’re most likely to see this striking species in the Canadian Rockies, but you can look out for them throughout Alberta on trails such as the Icefields Parkway and Maligne Road. Alternatively, seek out bighorn sheep on mountains such as Bow Valley Parkway or Abraham Lake Provincial Park in Alberta. This rugged, beautiful animal is the second most numerous ungulate of the Rockies after elks.