An adult whooping crane feeding a chick on top of the nest mound.
Photo: © K. Nigge and Parks Canada.
The
Wood Buffalo
Whooping Crane
Experience
Roberta Bondar, Canada’s first woman in space and internationally acclaimed photographer, photographs
whooping cranes from the helicopter window. Photo: © J. McKinnon and Parks Canada.
THE WOOD BUFFALO
WHOOPING CRANE EXPERIENCE
Wood Buffalo National Park is ready to present to you a
never-before offered experience of a lifetime. Celebrate
the conservation success story of North America’s most
iconic bird. Discover the ancient nesting grounds of the
whooping crane, the only place in the world where they
still nest in the wild.
WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED?
All of the tours will include other park excursions
and activities.
•
•
There are three different packages that you can choose
from, offered in May, June and August and all are guided
by Parks Canada guides.
1. The Fixed Wing Flyover Tour will take you over the
remote and extremely rare whooping crane nesting
area at 1000ft in a single-engine airplane. You will
see nesting whooping cranes in May or parents and
fledglings in August. The plane tour will also include
flying over the park’s awe-inspiring Salt Plains and the
mighty Slave River rapids, a National Historic Site of
Canada. ($1400)
2. For a closer look, join the Heli-Flight Tour to view
the nesting area from above, land to see the unique
habitat up close and hike to a huge salt mound on the
Salt Plains. ($2900)
3. Go on a Heli-Hike Tour and land and quietly hike
your way through the wetlands to a blind that will be
camouflaged into the landscape. From the blind, you
may catch a glimpse of a nesting whooping crane or
view a family out foraging for food. ($3900)
THE HIKE TO THE BLIND
A Parks Canada guided hike to the blind to view
whooping cranes is our top of the line experience. This
“behind the scenes” opportunity is worthy of any wildlife
photographer’s bucket list. We have chosen the best, most
accessible route to the blind but be prepared to quietly step
your way through the boreal wetlands. Don’t worry, we will
make sure you have all of the right gear for your adventure!
*A moderate to good level of fitness is required for this option.
Visitors should be able to hike comfortably for up to 3 hours.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enjoy mingling with the Wood Buffalo National Park
staff on the evening of your arrival and sit back for
a dinner consisting of regional cuisine and a special
Whooping Crane presentation
When you see Grosbeak Lake, you will think you have
travelled to the moon! There is so much to experience
here including shore birds, animal tracks and salt
encrusted glacial erratics
A trip to Canada’s only Salt Plains is a must when
visiting WBNP. Take in the amazing view from on top
of the escarpment or follow the trail down to the plains
where you can experience a Salt Plains pedicure
We will visit Pine Lake, one of the main recreation areas
in the park which is made up of a series of springfed sinkholes. Here we can go for a paddle, a swim
(recommended for August trips only), a hike, participate
in a cultural activity and then wrap up the day with a
traditional meal and a slideshow presentation
Learn more about WBNP through a park orientation at
the WBNP Visitor Centre
Discover the history of the Northwest Territories’
South Slave region at the Northern Life Museum
Take a tour of the Town of Fort Smith
Observe and photograph the American White pelicans
while they fish in the rapids on the Slave River
During free time, you may wish to explore more on your
own or take it easy at your place of accommodation
Two catered suppers and some lunches (lunches
depend on which package you choose)
Optional Evening program to Mountain Rapids,
part of the Slave River National Historic Site, where
you can view the nesting islands of the pelican colony
and enjoy the splendour of the rapids and Canadian
Shield landscape.
*Ask about any possible add-ons to your tour. There may be an
opportunity to spend an extra day of guided touring in WBNP.
Two adult whooping cranes walk across a shallow pond.
Photo: © J. McKinnon and Parks Canada.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A TRIP?
Registration will be confirmed upon full payment of the trip.
Bookings are made on a first-come first-served basis.
Parks Canada reserves the right to cancel a trip if minimum participant numbers are not met. The cancellation and
refund policy is detailed below. For more information please e-mail [email protected]
or call 1-867-872-7960.
HOW DO I GET TO FORT SMITH?
Fort Smith is situated just north of the Alberta/NT border in
sub-arctic Canada. Northwestern Air flies from Edmonton,
Yellowknife and Fort McMurray. They are offering a
special discounted rate for Wood Buffalo Whooping Crane
Experience participants. Just ask for the PARKS RATE
when booking. Your other option is to drive and experience
the northern Alberta/ Northwest Territories route first hand
on good highways in the long hours of sub-arctic daylight.
WHAT DO I BRING?
Here is a list of items that you should include
in your luggage:
• Small day pack for all excursions
• Sturdy hiking footwear
• Binoculars and camera
• Rain coat and pants
• Water bottle and travel mug
• Bathing suit and towel
(August only, unless you are really brave!)
• Sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen
• Warm hat and gloves/mitts
• Bug repellent
Parks Canada will provide for your use (if needed):
• Hip waders
• Camouflage gear
• Binoculars
• Life jacket
• Bug jacket
• First Aid Kit
• Bug repellent
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
The average temperature in May is approximately 10
degrees Celsius with highs in the 20’s and lows below
zero. The average temperature in August is approximately
20 degrees Celsius with highs in the 30’s and lows in the
single digits. Generally, be prepared for both cool and
warm weather.
The trip dates are situated near the beginning and end of
the mosquito season. It is hard to know year to year what
the bugs will be like. We will have bug jackets and repellent
available for your use.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
The following cancellation policies apply when booking a
trip that involves going into the backcountry. Please ensure
that you have read and understand the conditions of these
trips. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions
or concerns.
TRAVELLER CANCELLATIONS
If a reservation is cancelled by the traveller, the following
policy and guidelines apply:
More than 90 days prior to departure date = Full refund
From 90 to 14 days prior to departure date = 50% refund
Fewer than 14 days prior to departure date = No refund
PARKS CANADA CANCELLATIONS
Weather delays and flight cancellations are always a
possibility. If a flight is delayed or cancelled every effort will
be made to reschedule the flight. If necessary, the overall
schedule of the itinerary may be shifted so that we can fit in
missed flights.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT YOU HAVEN’T ANSWERED
We want to make sure we’ve answered all of your questions.
Please e-mail us at [email protected] or phone
867-872-7960 if there is any other information you need.
Juvenile whooping crane standing in bulrushes and tall grass. Photo: © Parks Canada.