Night game drives are an adventurous way of wildlife viewing in Uganda. A drive through the park at night offers travelers a unique and thrilling way of meeting up with wild animals, mostly the nocturnal wild animals which actively feed at night. Night game drives help travelers see rare animals which remain hidden during the day rewarding them with a more unique and lifetime experience.
Best places for Night Game drives in Uganda
Wondering where night game drives are conducted in Uganda? Superfine Safaris guides you to three National Parks where this experimental experience takes place. The best places for night game viewing include:
Murchison Falls National Park
Also known as Uganda’s oldest and largest National Park, located in northwestern Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park is well-known for offering exceptional night viewing experiences. Night game drives are well done in the northern sector of the park, rewarding travelers with close encounters of animals such as Nightjars, bush babies, Civets, Hyenas, Leopards, and hippos, among others. Other activities done in Murchison Falls National Park include hiking to the top of the falls, boat cruise to the bottom of the falls, day game drives, nature walks, camping, community tours and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, among others
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Ranked as Uganda’s second largest and popular National park, Queen Elizabeth National Park is yet another destination where night game drives take place. Night game driving take place in the Mweya Peninsula where travelers get a chance to see a variety of animals actively feeding at night. Some of the animals seen include Serval cats, Bush babies, Civets, Hippos, Banded Mangoose, Lions and Leopards, among others. During daytime, travelers in Queen Elizabeth national Park can take part in other wildlife experiences which include Lion tracking, boat cruising at Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, Bid watching, tree-climbing lion in Ishasha, Community tours, and nature walking, among others
Lake Mburo National Park
Night game drives in Lake Mburo National Park reward travelers with chances to see leopards, hyenas, bush pigs, white-tailed mongooses, side-striped jackals, aardvarks, black galagos, honey badgers, porcupines, and genets. Horseback riding, community tours, boat cruise, nature walking, and bird watching are other interesting activities done in Lake Mburo National Park
Cost of Night game drives in Uganda
In addition to the usual park entrance fees, night game drives attract an additional cost in each National Park. The cost is $30 for foreign nonresidents, $20 for foreign residents and UGX 30,000 for East African citizens. This applies to travelers using private vehicles. For those using the UWA Vehicles, the cost is $40 for foreign nonresidents, $35 for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 for East African citizens.
What to expect during a night game drive:
Travelers are first briefed on the dos and don’ts during night game drives
You are assigned armed rangers to escort you to and from the night game drive. The ranger guides are put by Uganda Wildlife Authority, the government body responsible for tourism and conservation in Uganda. UWA put these rangers to ensure the safety of both travelers and wild animals in the park
Headlamps and Spotlight torches make it easy for you to see nocturnal animals in the darkness
Night game drives start in the late evening around 6:30 PM or 7:00 PM, and last for about 2-3 hours.
Expect to see rare animals never seen during the daytime
What to bring for Night Game Drives
- Insect repellent to avoid bites from poisonous insects
- Long, dull-colored clothing – avoid bright, shining colors, which can catch the attention of wild animals
- A warm sweater to deal with cold nights
Night game drives can be done year-round, but the dry season (June-September, December-February) is often recommended as the tracks are easier to navigate.
