You don’t have to travel across the ocean to go on a Safari. You can go on your very own animal expedition right here in Manitoba! On the shores of Lake Audy, within Riding Mountain National Park, is a 500-acre site that is home to a free-roaming bison herd. The site is completely enclosed by a fence which prevents the bison from wandering too far. The enclosure gates are in the form of cattle guards, which provide easy access to passenger vehicles but keep the bison from exiting. This gives people the opportunity to view the bison up close.
The enclosure was created in the 1930s when 20 bison were reintroduced to this area. This area was chosen because evidence of a previous bison herd occupying the site was found here, including bones and markings. Today the bison herd measures 40 in size.
In the centre of the bison enclosure, there is a display depicting the life and history of bison in the Canadian prairies.
The best time to visit the enclosure is during the golden hours, the last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise. The bison are most active at this time.
Lake Audy Bison Enclosure is a 45-minute drive from Riding Mountain’s Wasagaming campground.
