Most visitors come to Yellowknife for the night sky, which leaves the daylight hours to fill. This guided bus drive is one of the easier ways to do it. It leaves town and follows the highway north and west toward the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, through the boreal forest and bare Canadian Shield rock that define the landscape here. The headline is wildlife: wood bison range along stretches of the highway, and a coach with a guide who knows where to look improves your odds of seeing them far beyond what a lone driver gets. Bison are never guaranteed, because they are wild animals that wander across a very large area, but the drive is worth taking for the scenery and the commentary alone. You sit in a heated vehicle, you stop where it is safe to stop, and you hear about the geology, the lake, the people of the region and the way a northern highway is built and kept open. It suits travellers who do not want to drive themselves on winter roads, and it fits neatly into a day that ends with an aurora tour.
What the day looks like
The bus collects passengers, heads out of the city and travels along the highway for the better part of the outing, with stops for photos and for any animals the guide spots. The pace is relaxed. Expect to look out of the windows a great deal, step out for short, cold photo stops and be back in the city in time for dinner.
Because the route follows a public highway, it works in both summer and winter, though the look is completely different: green forest and open water in the warm months, white lake and frost-covered spruce in the cold ones.
Wildlife expectations
Wood bison are the largest land animals in the region and the reason people book. Sightings depend on the day. Early morning and late afternoon are often better light for photos, and cold weather sometimes pushes animals closer to the plowed road. Do not expect a safari. Treat any bison as a bonus on top of a scenic drive, and keep the windows and your distance in mind, since these are large wild animals and the guide will tell you when it is safe to step out.
Planning notes
Dress for the cold even though you are in a vehicle, because photo stops can be bitterly windy. Bring a camera with a zoom lens, snacks and a hot drink if the operator permits. Confirm the departure time and pickup point when you book, since schedules change with the season and with daylight.
The tour pairs well with an evening aurora outing, so you can see the north in daylight and again after dark, and it is a sensible choice for older relatives or anyone who would rather not stand in the snow for hours.
What to expect
The experience
A guided bus drive along the highway toward the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, with photo stops and a watch for wood bison.
Best time
Daylight hours in any season, with early morning and late afternoon often giving the best light and animal activity.
How long
A half-day outing; confirm the length for your departure.
Tips
Dress for the cold, bring a zoom lens and treat bison sightings as a bonus rather than a promise.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a relaxed, warm way to see the landscape and possibly wildlife in daylight.
- Families
- A good family outing because it is vehicle-based, though sightings cannot be promised and photo stops are cold.
- Couples
- A quiet daytime drive that pairs well with an aurora evening.
- Pair with
- An evening aurora tour, or a visit to the Northern Heritage Centre the next morning.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Will I definitely see bison?+
No. They are wild animals that roam a large area, so sightings depend on the day. The guide knows where to look, which raises the odds.
Does it run in winter?+
The route uses a public highway, so it can operate in both summer and winter. Check the operating season for your dates when you book.
Do I need to drive myself?+
No, the outing is by guided bus, which is useful in winter when road conditions can be difficult.
What should I wear?+
Warm layers, insulated boots, a hat and mitts. You stay in a heated vehicle for most of the trip but photo stops can be very cold.
Is it suitable for children?+
Generally yes, since most of it is by vehicle, but the length of the outing and the cold at stops are worth weighing for young children.
