Night Game Safaris in Uganda.
Wondering what night offers in the animal kingdom, take a night game drive in Murchison Falls National Park in the northwestern part of Uganda, and Lake Mburo national park in the southern part of Uganda. Uganda is a tiny landlocked country gifted with a stunning landscape, vast water bodies, birds and the animals. Countries in the neighborhood include: the Democratic republic of Congo, the republic of Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Burundi. The roars, night movements, and the shaken bushes ignite one’s imagination.
On a 4wd, with a help of the vehicle lamp light and torches, your eyes and ears will be in full use, to provide a chance of an unforgettable encounter. There are animals that will be easy to see at night than day time since that is when they are much active, feeding or hunting. One of the animals known for night hunt are the Hippos, which spend their day time soaked in water, but come out at night to graze. There are three destinations best known for night game drive in Uganda; Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park.
Where to go Night Game drive:
Murchison Falls NP
Murchison falls National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda located in the northwest. The park has about six gates where visitors enter and exit. It open at 6am and closes at 7pm. Night game drives start at about 2000hrs, for 2-3 hours, in the northern section, guided by an expert armed ranger with much knowledge of the wilderness under the moon and torch light.
With luck on your side; you will encounter among others the leopards, lions, bush babies, hyenas, warthogs, genets, Jackson hartebeest, elephants, buffalos, and more. Book accommodation ranging from Budget to Luxury lodges inside the park for proper time management.
Lake Mburo Np
Lake Mburo is one of the ten national parks in Uganda. It is located in Kiruhura district in the western part of Uganda, between Mbarara and Kampala city, and one of the smallest parks covering about 370 sq kms, and nearest to the capital city Kampala. The park is one of three destinations offering night game drives where you can spot the different nocturnal creatures that are active at night. Guided by an expert ranger, your night game drive will start at 20:00 hrs, for about 2-3 hours, with among the animals to look-out for being; white tailed mongoose, stripped jackals, porcupines, honey badger, genet cats, bush pig, the hare, hyenas, aardvark, and more.
There are two gates at the park for entry and exit. These are: Nshara gate located about 8kms from the main road and Sanga gate located about 14 kms from the main road. As you intend to do a nocturnal game drive, book; Mihingo lodge, for luxury experience, Rwakobo rock for midrange, eagles nest lodge, Mantana tented camp for budget, arcadia lodges and more. The nearer the lodging options, more easily getting to your activity.
When to go night game drive and what to carry?
Night game drive is open for all year round, however, the best months to choose a night activity is between June to September and January to March. You don’t want to go night game drive and get stuck in the mud in the middle of the wild, where no rescue will come fast. Pack simple with among others; insect repellent to use against the mosquitoes, warm sweaters, good camera, binoculars, dull colored clothes for the game drive, and all the travel documents.
The other activities you can engage in queen Elizabeth national and Lake Mburo national park include among others; lion trekking, day game drives, bird watching, boat cruise, nature walks, and cultural tours. Additional activities to do in a Ugandan tour include: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla or Bwindi Impenetrable Np, Mountain hiking, chimpanzee trekking, birding, cultural tours, camping, city tours and water rafting and more.
Wander to the wild by having a night game drive in Lake Mburo and Murchison falls national park. All you need is book you safari at least a few months in advance for a better organization. Night game drives are safe and offer a great chance of uncovering and the sound and site of nocturnal creatures.