Best Destinations for Night Name Drives in Uganda
Night game drives in Uganda offer a unique and thrilling opportunity for tourists to explore the savannah plains under the cover of darkness. This fascinating activity allows you to observe the nocturnal wildlife that becomes active at night using spotlight torches for clear viewing. Uganda boasts ten national parks, each with its own distinctive charm and diverse array of wildlife. However, night game drives are a specialized experience available in only three of these parks: Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Murchison Falls National Park:
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda, situated in the northwestern part of the country. This vast wilderness is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the renowned Big Four mammals: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes. In addition to these majestic creatures, Murchison Falls National Park also hosts a remarkable variety of other animals, such as giraffes, waterbucks, Jackson’s hartebeest, oribi, warthogs, and various primate species, including chimpanzees, olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Bird enthusiasts will also be delighted to know that the park boasts over 450 recorded bird species, including the elusive shoebill stork.
Night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park typically take place in the northern part of the park and commence at around 6:30 pm. During these excursions, you will be equipped with spotlight torches and accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger guide. The experienced guide’s knowledge of the park and its inhabitants is invaluable as they help you spot nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, civets, genets, nightjars, bush babies, and hippos feeding by the water’s edge. Murchison Falls National Park offers a diverse range of activities that can be combined with night game drives, such as sport fishing, daytime game drives, boat cruises to the Nile delta and the base of the falls, chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest, bird watching, and guided nature walks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park:
Queen Elizabeth National Park, the second-largest national park in Uganda, is located in the western region, spanning Kasese, Kamwege, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri districts. This park is another splendid destination for night game drives, allowing tourists to explore the savannah plains in the cloak of darkness.
Night game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are primarily conducted in the Mweya Peninsula region. This choice of location is strategic, as Kasenyi Plains tend to attract many tourists during the day. The night game drives typically commence at around 6:30 pm and are led by armed ranger guides equipped with spotlight torches to ensure clear viewing of the nocturnal wonders. On these exciting drives, you have the opportunity to spot animals such as lions, leopards, serval cats, bush babies, Genets, civets, hyenas, and banded mongoose, among others. While exploring the park at night, you may also witness hippos feeding and encounter other animals like buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and warthogs. Beyond night game drives, Queen Elizabeth National Park offers an array of activities, including boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, lion tracking experiences, bird watching, guided nature walks, and chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge.
Lake Mburo National Park:
Lake Mburo National Park, situated in the western region of Uganda’s Kiruhura district, is the smallest savannah national park in the country. Despite its size, it is rich in biodiversity, hosting a variety of animals, including buffaloes, waterbucks, impalas, zebras, oribi, topi, elands, giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, and over 350 bird species, including the prehistoric shoebill stork.
Night game drives in Lake Mburo National Park kick off in the evening at around 7:00 pm. With spotlight torches in hand and accompanied by an armed UWA ranger guide, you embark on a journey to spot elusive nocturnal animals like leopards, hyenas, bush pigs, white-tailed mongoose, side-striped jackal, aardvark, black galago, honey badger, porcupines, genet cats, and hippos. Lake Mburo National Park offers a wide range of adventurous activities to complement your night game drive experience, including horseback riding, sport fishing, bird watching, boat cruises, guided nature walks, and daytime game drives.
Cost of Night Game Drives in Uganda:
The cost of night game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park varies depending on your status as a foreign non-resident, foreign resident, or East African citizen. When using a private vehicle, the prices are as follows:
- Foreign Non-Residents: $30 per person
- Foreign Residents: $20 per person
- East African Citizens: 50,000 UGX per person
If you opt to use a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) vehicle, the prices change slightly:
- Foreign Non-Residents: $40 per person
- Foreign Residents: $35 per person
- East African Citizens: 40,000 UGX per person
Best Time for Night Game Drives in Uganda:
While night game drives can be enjoyed throughout the year, the optimal time for this activity is during the dry season, which typically spans the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This period sees less rainfall, resulting in shorter vegetation, which enhances visibility and makes it easier to spot nocturnal animals. Moreover, the dry season ensures that game drive tracks are dry and easily passable, enhancing the overall experience.
What to Carry for a Night Game Drive in Uganda:
To make the most of your night game drive experience in Uganda, it’s essential to come prepared. Some essential items to bring include:
- Spotlight torches: These are crucial for illuminating the wildlife in the darkness.
- Insect repellent: Protect yourself from pesky insects that come out at night.
- Long-sleeved shirt and trousers: Dressing appropriately can protect you from insect bites and cooler nighttime temperatures.
- Warm sweater: Nights in the wilderness can get chilly, so a warm sweater is essential.
- Camera and extra batteries: Capture the incredible moments you encounter during your night game drive.
