Night Game Drive Safaris In Uganda

Tips for Planning a successful Game Drive in Uganda

Uganda is an iconic travel destination that offers exceptional wildlife adventures to visitors from all walks of life. As a country blessed with a variety of savannah parks, game viewing is no doubt an incredible way of exploring Uganda’s natural wonders. It is because of this that game drive in Uganda is an exceptional adventure rewarding guests with unique sightings of landscapes, wildlife, as well as the endless horizons. In this article, my focus will be on the night game drive in Uganda and what makes it a unique activity. Before I go further, allow me to explain what the term ‘game drive’ means.

What is a game drive?

The term game drive refers to an activity where an individual gets involved in viewing wildlife while in a customized safari vehicle with the guidance of the game ranger.

What is a night game drive?

The night game drive is a thrilling adventure for viewing nocturnal animals in savannah parks usually after nightfall. With several spotlights, visitors are able to see wildlife creatures of the night come to life. There is a big opportunity to view predators on the prowl as they look for dinner as well as birds. These include leopards, jackal, civets, serval cats, hyenas, bush babies, owls, nightjars and many others.

What wildlife species are usually viewed during the night game drive in Uganda?

Often times, nocturnal wildlife species are usually viewed along with other wildlife species during a night game drive in Uganda. These include: leopards, hyenas, lions, the civet, porcupines, hippos that tend to feed at night, bush babies, genets, serval cats, white-tailed mongoose, side-stripped jackal, bush pigs, honey badger, the hare, Aardvark, black Galago, spotted hyena, genet cat, the nightjar, elephants and the banded mongoose. One may also spot the owl.

Which is the best place to go for a night game drive in Uganda?

The answer to the question ‘which is the best place to go for a night game drive in Uganda’ largely depends on the wildlife species one is interested in viewing at the park. Night game drives in Uganda are only enjoyed in three of the country’s savannah national parks. These are; Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park. Below is an overview of how night game drive is conducted in each park and which animals may be spotted. This should be able to guide you on which national park to go for a night game drive while in Uganda.

How is a night game drive conducted in Uganda?

• Night game drive at Murchison falls national park

In Murchison falls national park, night game drive is mostly done in the northern section of the park that is highly dominated by the open savannah grassland. The night game drive usually starts at 20.00hrs in the evening. This offers visitors clear views of the nocturnal animals at night in the jungle. Visitors on a night game drive are usually accompanied by an armed ranger guide with a spotlight torch using a customized safari vehicle. While at the park, the night game drive rewards travellers with an insight to view the nocturnal wildlife cat animals that tend to hide during day time and hunt in the night. These include the cunning leopards, hyenas, lions, the civet, porcupines, hippos that tend to feed at night, bush babies, genets, and the nightjar. Guests may also view the incredible moonlight views in the Albertine Nile among night wonders that can be enjoyed on a night game drive at Murchison falls national park.

• Night game drive at Lake Mburo national park

Night game drive at Lake Mburo national park is an incredible adventure in the park which gives guests clear views of the nocturnal animal species that cannot be seen on a day game drive. The activity begins in the night around 8 pm and can last 2-3 hours. Some of the nocturnal wildlife that can be seen on a game drive includes white-tailed mongoose, side-stripped jackal, bush pigs, porcupine, honey badger, the hare, Aardvark, bush pig, black Galago, spotted hyena, genet cat,  among others.

• Night game drive at Queen Elizabeth national park

Night game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park is limited to the great Mweya peninsula since the Kasenyi sector is high visited by a number of travellers. A night game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park rewards visitors with an opportunity to view a variety of wildlife in the park such as the leopards that do hunt at night, hippos grazing on short-grass, elephants moving around, the pride of lions as they walk around the vehicle, the civet genal, serval cat, the bush babies, and the banded mongoose among others.

When is the best time to begin a night game drive in Uganda?

You may want to start your game drive before sundown, or perhaps have an early dinner and leave after sunset to observe nocturnal activities of Africa’s most sought after wildlife species in complete darkness. For many visitors, twilight is the best time to track and observe nocturnal animals in the parks with night drives which can last long into the night.

How long is a night game drive in Uganda?

In Uganda, a night game drive often runs for about 2-3 hours in the night depending on the availability of the animals.

What is required for you to have a night game drive in Uganda?

• Park entrance

For a visitor to be allowed access to the national park premises, it is a prerequisite for him or her to pay Park entrance charges.

• Custom safari vehicle

In Uganda, a night game drive typically takes place in a customized safari vehicle whose roof can be lifted to allow a visitor lookout at animals especially when the cats which may move close to the car. Unlike the day game drive vehicles, the night game drive vehicles are availed with more spotlights to ease viewing of the nocturnal as well as prevent accidents. This offers guests a fantastic view of the nocturnal animals as well as excellent night photographic opportunities.

• An experienced and armed game ranger

In order to enjoy a remarkable night game drive in Uganda, it is recommended to hire a game ranger who will guide you along the tracks in the search for the wild game as well as lead you to the best spots where a visitor may see numerous wild animals. The ranger is always armed to guard you against any animals that may seem dangerous to you.

• Spotlight torches

Visitors interested in enjoying night game drive in Uganda are advised to carry extra lights which they add to the vehicle lighting. This is to provide a clear vision of the nocturnal animals at the park which is always active at night. These include the leopard, jackal, civets, serval cats, hyenas, bush babies, owls, nightjars and many others.

• Camera

For every activity, it is advisable for a visitor to carry his or her camera to capture all exciting wildlife adventures; hence a night game drive safari in Uganda requires one too. Even though night photography is very difficult to get right, it is from the photos taken that guests create one’s world of memories.

It is important to remember that night game drives are offered on an additional cost upon prior booking in Uganda.

Why should you go for a night game drive?

The night game drive in Uganda is a whole experience on its own, completely different from the day safaris. The purpose of a game drive is to reward a guest with the opportunity to search for the wild game in their natural surroundings. It is important to remember that game drives are the highlight of most savannah park safaris. The game drive under the starry sky and the cry of the night in the wilderness quickly accelerates a visitor’s safari experience in Africa.

Night game drives in Uganda not only allow visitors to see the nocturnal animals, but they are also a great way to get your heart pumping from the sheer thrill and excitement of viewing the nocturnal predators as they hunt during the night, especially the leopards and lions as well as herbivorous species roaming in the dark. Some of the herbivores include the hippos and elephants.

A night game drive in Uganda is a spectacular way of venturing into the unknown nocturnal world that awaits any lucky visitor who tries it. There is nothing magical than listening to the sounds of nature in the dead of night with no distractions for miles. Unlike most drives where guests would expect to see the obvious game such as big cats on the hunt, most visitors’ eyes may be amazed at occasional sightings of serval cats, bush baby, mongoose and many others.

Finally, night game drives in Uganda are a must-try for all visitors to the pearl of Africa seeking to enjoy and explore the wonders of the wild. Nothing beats your first encounter with a predator-prey hunt in the dark of Africa’s tamed wilderness.

How to book a Night Game Drive

Contact Jungle Safaris Uganda to plan for you a perfect Night game drive safari to any parks of your choice in Uganda, Email to info@junglesafarisuganda.com, Tel: +256773728141