Yellowstone Wildlife Safari in Lamar Valley from Bozeman

Over Priced!

I would not be writing this review if the cost of this tour was not so expensive. However, since I paid around $1500 for a family of four, including tip and NPS entrance fees, I think it’s necessary. First, let me say our guide was a very pleasant and friendly elderly gentleman. He was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna in the park and shared info as we drove. However, it was not something you could not get from a $10 guide book. The main issue for me is that he had absolutely no inside information on how and where to spot animals. He told the customers to be his “spotters” and basically just drove us in a van around the upper loop. He would pull over when he saw others stopping and relied on them to show us where they saw an animal. He did NOT take us to Lamar valley first, and we arrived late and missed a wolf and bear encounter. Another guide told him all about it at a bathroom stop. The bottom line is, save your money, buy a good scope and do a little reading about what time to be where in the park to see the elusive animals. We went the next morning on our own to Lamar valley at sunrise and saw two grizzlies. You can do on your own terms for free what you are supposedly paying them to do. And do it better with a few minutes of research.

via Tripadvisor

Grizzlies, Elk and Moose!

Yellowstone Safari Co was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. They were responsive to all our questions, emailed us a confirmation a couple days before the tour, and everything went according to schedule. Our tour guide, Matt, was outstanding. He showed up promptly at dawn (6 AM pickup at our hotel) and provided everything as specified in the booking including binoculars, snacks, water, lunch and a very comfortable vehicle. Matt even had a powerful wildlife scope with an attachment where we could view the scope through his phone, and he took videos/pics of animals which he shared with us. He was patient and enthusiastic and put great effort into seeing as many animals as possible. Our guide knew exactly where to find wildlife, including remote viewing spots outside the park where we saw multiple families of grizzly bears, elk and even a moose. In the park we saw literally hundreds of bison- Matt was in radio contact with other guides to get info on where herds were located. At one point we actually parked in the midst of a herd of over a hundred bison walking right past the truck (and yes- the guides are well versed in safety precautions no one wants to wind up in a viral bison video). Also saw pronghorns and even a mountain goat. There is no way we would have seen all this wildlife without the tour- and it enabled us to devote our other days at Yellowstone focusing on the many sights in the park without having to wander aimlessly looking for animals or causing traffic jams to photograph a single bison or elk. These tours are expensive but worth every penny. There is no way we would have seen this many animals without the tour. Highly recommended.

via Tripadvisor

Yellowstone.....magical

In a word, magical. From the moment we were picked up to the moment we were dropped off, we felt like the only VIPs in the entire park. Our guide, Grant, was extraordinary — a master of Yellowstone’s flora, fauna, history, and the surrounding region. Ask him about the Burger King in Cody if you want a laugh or how much dirt can a badger can move in two minutes if you want to be amazed. From the time we booked, till the time we were picked up, Katie stayed in constant contact, making sure every question was answered and every concern addressed. She built a schedule around what we wanted to see and do, not what was easiest or most convenient for them. That level of care set the tone for the entire experience. We came hoping to see wildlife — knowing full well there are no guarantees — and somehow, we saw everything and more. Even when I pointed out “sightings” that turned out to be shadows or fallen trees, Grant never dismissed us. He checked every single one with patience and enthusiasm. Grant, I still swear that one was a moose. His own observations were on another level. It felt like a choreographed symphony of wildlife: each stop revealing a new species, each turn offering a more breathtaking view, from the Lamar Valley to the Badlands. Grant clearly put in an enormous amount of work behind the scenes, yet made the entire adventure feel effortless. The impromptu hike to the wolf pens gave us a rare look at a part of the park most visitors never experience and other tours don’t offer that gave us a chance to have some once in a lifetime encounters. But the moment that will stay with us forever happened on the last day. We had stopped for lunch. Grant said he wanted to scan some of the area. After we were about halfway through our sandwiches (amazing by the way), out of nowhere, Grant came running back toward us, trying to stay inconspicuous while barely containing his own excitement — he had found a wolf. It was obvious he was just as thrilled for us to see it as we were to witness it ourselves. For what felt like forever, it was just us and the wolf, the rest of the world fading away and stopping so we could be fully present and selfishly embrace that once‑in‑a‑lifetime encounter. There are not enough words to articulate or express the amazing time we had or the memories that will remain vivid in our thoughts till our last days. If you want perfection, the highest level of excellence, standards and to experience Yellowstone in absolute comfort, Yellowstone Safari is your one and only answer.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this thorough and absolutely wonderful review of your time in Yellowstone with Grant! We are so happy to hear you enjoyed working with us from the booking process, to the amenities, to the tour itself. Enjoy your memories and please visit us again sometime.

via Tripadvisor

Best guide ever! Kat...

Best guide ever! Kat Moore is a treasure! Her vast knowledge of Yellowstone history, the wildlife, geology…she shared in great detail. I have never experienced a guide more experienced and educated. She takes the best photos…and she will send them to you post tour. She got us tight into to the hot spots. Kat is funny, kind, attentive and a great driver! So sit back relax and let her take charge. You won’t regret it.

Response from the operator: So great to hear you enjoyed your day with Kat! We love taking photos of our days sightings and our guests of course. We love that you were able to take those memories home.

via Viator

Kat

Kat was absolutely phenomenal! She was beyond knowledgeable about her job, pleasant to be around, and wasn’t afraid to step in to take any pictures for us as we are on our honeymoon, and made sure we got the best shots with her vertox! She brought so much laughter and joy to our tour, and we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide! There were only 4 of us with her, which gave her the opportunity to be more personal with each of us. She has a friend in us and we will be requesting her when we come back. Not to mention she took us to the best places, and even though she didn’t have 100% guarantee to see a grizzley she took us to the spot they were previously spotted at hoping we would and we did!!! So thankful for Kat and all the knowledge she shared with us today, and can’t wait to come back and have her guide us again!

Response from the operator: Thank you for this great review of your day with Kat! It sounds like she worked hard to get you a great grizzly sighting (lucky with skills even!) We do our best for those special opportunities. Thanks again we hope to see you in the future!

via Viator