Night game drives in Uganda
Night game drives in Uganda; Night game drive is one of the adventurous activities in Uganda where travelers will get an opportunity to explore the savannah national park at night. Uganda is a home of about 10 national parks namely Bwindi impenetrable national park, Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kidepo valley national park, Mount Rwenzori national park, Mount Elgon national park, Kibale forest national park, Semuliki national park, Lake Mburo national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park which offer different safari activities and night game drives are only done in three national parks including Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and Lake Mburo national park. During the night game drives which usually start at around 6:30 or 7:00pm, you will be accompanied by a Uganda Wildlife Authority and carry spotlight torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals which become active at night.
Night game drives in Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls National Park is the largest national park located in northwestern part of Uganda. The national park is known for harboring about 76 mammal species including elephants, buffaloes, lion, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, giraffes, oribi, primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and over 450 bird species including the illusive shoebill stork.
Night game drives in Murchison falls national park are mostly done in the northern part of the park and they start at around 6:30 pm with an armed ranger guide and spotlight torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, civet, genets, nightjar, porcupines, bush babies, view hippos feeding, view the beautiful moonlight among others.
Night game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest national park in Uganda located in western region in Kasese, Rukungiri, Kamwenge and Rubirizi districts. Queen Elizabeth national park is a home of about 95 mammals including the famous tree climbing lions, buffaloes, elephants, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, topi, bush bucks, primates like chimpanzees, l’hoest monkeys, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and over 600 recorded bird species.
Night game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park is only done in Mweya peninsula due to the fact that Kasenyi plains receives many visitors during the day. During the night game drive in Mweya peninsula, you will carry spotlight torches and also be accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide who will help you to spot different nocturnal animals like hyenas, lions, leopards, genal, serval cats, bush babies, banded mongoose among others which become active at night. You will also be able to view hippos feeding and other animals like elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, buffaloes among others.
Night game drive in Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is the smallest savannah national park in Uganda located in western region in Kiruhura district along Masaka Mbarara road. Lake Mburo national park is a home of over 350 bird species and animals like impalas, buffaloes, elands, zebras, waterbucks, oribi, reedbucks, topi, hippos, Nile crocodiles among others.
Night game drive in Lake Mburo national park starts at around 6:30 AM with spotlight torches and an armed ranger guide who will help you to spot nocturnal animals like leopards, bush pigs, porcupines, honey badger, side striped jackal, aardvark, genet cat, black galago, white tailed mongoose, hyenas among others.
Cost of a night game drive in Uganda
A night game drive in Uganda costs 30 USD per person for foreign non residents, 20 USD per person for foreign residents and 50,000 UGX per person for East African citizens when using a private safari vehicle and when using Uganda Wildlife Authority vehicle, a night game drive costs 40 USD per person for foreign non residents, 35 USD per person for foreign residents and 40,000 UGX per person for East African citizens. During the night game drive, only pre-registered vehicles will undertake the game drives and use of UWA guides is mandatory.
What to pack or carry on a night game drive in Uganda
When going on a night game drive in either Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park or Lake Mburo national park, there are a number of items that you should carry including insect repellent to protect you from biting insects like mosquitos, long and dull colored clothes, spotlight torches for clear viewing of nocturnal animals, warm sweater to keep you warm at night, camera and extra batteries to take pictures and record videos of the nocturnal animals.
Best time to do night game drives in Uganda
Night game drives in Uganda can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February because during this period there is less or little rainfall in the parks therefore vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to view the nocturnal animals clearly.
For more information about night game drives in Uganda, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for various safari packages.
