Limited to 12 Travelers
A Five Day Encounter with Iconic Wildlife & Natural Wonders
Yellowstone’s natural beauty, abundant wildlife and wondrous geothermal features make it one of the world's most celebrated national parks. The “crown jewel” of the American national park system, Yellowstone remains one of the wildest destinations in the Lower 48. This intimate safari takes us deep into Yellowstone's timeless marvels. Traverse the domain of elk and bison, moose, bighorn sheep, bald eagles and, of course, bears—both black and grizzly—and search for elusive wolves in the remote Northern Range. Witness Yellowstone's remarkable geothermal sights, including Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs, as we connect with the land and animals that inspired the establishment of the world’s first national park in 1872.
This trip will be hosted by a SDZWA Wildlife & Conservation Expert.
The host for this trip will be an SDZWA expert on wildlife specific to the region. They will be with you every step of the way to educate and inspire you, and to share their passion for nature! Check back for more details.
Trip Highlights
Alongside a naturalist Expedition Leader, whose Yellowstone knowledge is second to none, we will discover special wildlife spots known to few.
Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley in the remote Northern Range is the world's best place to spot highly elusive wolves, and our intensive focus ups your odds.
View Yellowstone's famed hot springs, mud pots and geysers, including Old Faithful, and learn about the powerful geothermal activity shaping the earth’s crust.
An Expertly Guided Adventure Through America’s Wild Icons
Among America’s best-known and best-loved national parks, Yellowstone hosts several million visitors each year—which is precisely the reason you should see them with us. Our decades of experience and deep local knowledge make a big difference in providing a richer, easier and less commercialized experience of these legendary vacation destinations.
- Don't Go It Alone - Let Us Take the Hassle Out!
When you travel on your own, you spend a lot of time researching, planning, asking questions, competing for reservations, or driving around trying to figure out where to go and what to do. As a result, you lose precious time and miss the secret spots known only to locals. We’ve taken out the legwork and guesswork: because we’ve already researched and tested everything, and we coordinate reservations far in advance, you'll experience much more than most people can accomplish on their own.
- Small Groups Make a BIG Difference
In contrast to motorcoach tours, our small groups are limited to just 7 guests per private safari vehicle. With a maximum of 14 guests per departure—we offer a matchless guide-to-guest ratio and a far more intimate nature adventure. We can move more quickly to areas where wildlife has recently been spotted and access roads and places buses can't reach.
- "Hidden" Wildlife Enclaves, Private Experiences & Fewer Crowds
Our itinerary features out-of-the-way corners of the Yellowstone National Park that most visitors miss. With in-depth knowledge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, we take you to lesser-known areas where wildlife viewing is better, and crowds are fewer. Over the years we’ve developed relationships with a range of interesting locals, and you'll get personalized experiences you wouldn’t have access to on your own, such as a home visit with a famous local wildlife photographer.
- Expert Naturalist Guides Add Immeasurably to Your Experience
Our Expedition Leaders are professional naturalists and biologists who know this region like few others. Many guide and teach here year-round, all have in-depth knowledge of the places we visit, resident wildlife behavior, and where and when to be in particular places to see animals. Our guides are the most senior in the region, called on to train other local guides. We can't emphasize enough how much difference this expertise makes to your overall experience. They are also in constant communication with local wolf researchers, providing our groups the most up-to-date knowledge of wolf locations and activity.
- Exclusive Nat Hab Safari Cruisers—Pop-Top Roofs Enhance Viewing
A far cry from the typical buses or vans other companies use, Nat Hab has crafted new Mercedes Sprinters into specialty North America Safari Cruisers. Featuring luxury bucket seats, USB chargers, expansive side windows and a pop-top roof offering 360° views on the landscape, these impressive vehicles provide a superlative wildlife viewing experience, not to mention exceptional comfort. Every guest has a window seat and plenty of room for camera equipment and other gear.
- Personalized Encounters with a Local Naturalist Photographer
Exclusively for Nat Hab guests, we have arranged a private home and gallery visit with Dan Hartman, one of Yellowstone's most famous wildlife photographers, whose work has been featured in National Geographic and other notable outlets. His wolf images are particularly renowned, and he is an important Yellowstone naturalist in his own right. Photo safaris also spend a day in the field with Dan, gaining insight and tips from this local pro.
Itinerary
Day 1–5: This short safari hits the best of Yellowstone in a compact time frame, as we scout for wolves and abundant wildlife in the remote Northern Range and witness exciting geothermal spectacles.
Accommodations
Armory Hotel
Location Bozeman, Montana
A brand-new, yet historic hotel in the heart of downtown Bozeman, the Kimpton Armory Hotel is the city's premier address for visitors. Bozeman's first and only four-star hotel, the Armory melds past and present to honor the heritage of the landmark Armory building, creating an atmosphere of relaxed, contemporary refinement. Just a block off the city's historic Main Street, which remains its most vital commercial and cultural artery, the Armory Hotel enjoys a prime location steps from Bozeman's best shops, galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs. With a modern twist on mountain style, the Armory's luxe guest rooms offer laid-back elegance, outfitted with a mix of natural materials including rich woods, hand-stitched leather, and woven textiles in a warm, earthy palette that evokes the natural landscape encompassing Bozeman. Rooms have a contemporary, yet cozy vibe, with one king or two queen beds with custom mattresses, luxurious Frette linens including crisp cotton duvets, and chunky accent pillows. Amenities include a work desk, comfortable arm chair, wall-mounted flat-screen LCD smart TV, and mini bar. Spacious bathrooms have all-glass walk-in showers, marble-tiled walls and deep soaking tubs. Thoughtfully designed social spaces feature a casual fine-dining restaurant, basement whiskey bar, rooftop Sky Shed lounge, rooftop pool, and 24-hour fitness center. A hosted evening social hour and morning coffee and tea service are included. Loaner bikes are also available for guests who arrive in time to explore a bit of Bozeman on their own.
Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone
Gardiner, Montana
A member of the Ascend collection, this boutique hotel overlooks the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Located on the edge of the historic downtown, the Ridgeline is in easy walking distance of shops, pubs and attractions including the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center and Yellowstone National Park Gateway Garden. The famous Roosevelt Arch passage into the park is just a mile away, offering easy access for our wildlife safari adventures.
Guest rooms are spacious and contemporary, appointed in a western palette of neutral tones with warm touches of wood and leather. Comfortable king or two queen beds have pillow-top mattresses, and amenities include air conditioning, a writing desk with ergonomic chair, 42-inch television with premium cable channels, free Wi-Fi, a fridge, microwave, AM/FM clock radio and coffee maker. On site are the Yellowstone Mine restaurant featuring fireside dining, a lounge and bar, billiard room, sauna, and spa with indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
Know Before You Go
Whether you're preparing for your upcoming Yellowstone adventure or just want to learn more about America's oldest national park, we've got you covered. We've rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to compelling first-hand accounts written by Nat Hab travelers and staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about Yellowstone? We've got answers! We've compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions about wildlife, weather, and more.
Weather and Climate
Discover the typical weather conditions and climate in Yellowstone National Park throughout the warmer seasons.
Trip Pricing
Trip Price: $4,995
Single Occupancy: For a single room, add $995. Ask us how to avoid the single supplement.
Deposit: $500 per person (non-refundable)
Group Size
Limited to 13 Travelers
A very important feature of this wildlife safari is the small group size and exceptional guide-to-guest ratio. A low-impact presence is essential for a quieter, more intimate experience of nature and wildlife. Traveling in Nat Hab's specialty North America Safari Cruisers, the group travels with a highly qualified Expedition Leader, ensuring a light impact and personalized interpretive experience.
Included
Accommodations, meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on final day, drinking water throughout the trip, services of Nat Hab Expedition Leader, airport transfer on Day 1 and final day, some gratuities, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.
Not Included
Travel to and from start and end points of trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes, optional travel insurance.
Physical Requirements: Easy
Travelers must be able to walk at least 1 mile unassisted on a variety of terrain. Hikes range from a few hundred yards to 1 mile; expect 1-3 hours of physical activity daily. Walks are at a leisurely pace with guided interpretation. Terrain includes gravel, pavement, boardwalks, and dirt paths, sometimes on uneven ground and possibly muddy or slippery surfaces. For hikes longer than 1-mile, shorter alternatives may be available; longer hikes may be offered for more active travelers at some locations. Activities take place at higher altitudes (up to 8,400’ above sea level), where even basic exertion may feel more strenuous. Travelers must be physically independent and able to maintain balance to participate in planned activities.
Important Information About This Trip
While the Lamar Valley and Yellowstone National Park offer some of the best opportunities to see wolves in the wild, the animals are still elusive and generally do not come within close range of humans. Since our trip offers a totally natural, uncontrived experience, most wolf viewing is done at a distance through spotting scopes. We are thus able to watch the packs go about their normal behavior uninfluenced by the presence of humans. It is important to understand that it is extremely difficult to see wolves without the use of a spotting scope (which Nat Hab provides). Often, the best way to get wolf photos is with a cell phone camera through a spotting scope. Your Expedition Leader will help you with this technique, called “digiscoping.” While a long lens is a must for photographers, even then, we can't guarantee excellent shots of wolves. However, we are likely to see plenty of the region’s other iconic species at closer range, and the sheer beauty and grandeur of the landscape provides magnificent nature imagery.
Our Expedition Leaders, who know the Greater Yellowstone region intimately, are adept at getting our groups to less-visited areas away from crowds. But of course, Yellowstone is a very popular destination, so be prepared for a fair amount of company no matter when you travel. We operate this Rocky Mountain safari in a manner similar to our African safaris: visiting prime wildlife locations in the early morning when viewing opportunities are best and most visitors are still asleep.
Getting There and Getting Home
This trip begins and ends in Bozeman, Montana. You must arrive in Bozeman by 4 pm on Day 1 in order to attend a welcome dinner beginning at 6 pm. Guests arriving before 1 pm on Day 1 may join an optional visit to the Museum of the Rockies with one of our Expedition Leaders. You may depart Bozeman any time after 12 pm on the final day.