Where to Do Night Game Drives in Uganda: A Unique Wildlife Adventure

Night game drives in Uganda offer an exciting and unique way to experience the country’s wildlife.

As the sun sets, Uganda’s parks transform into a different world, where nocturnal animals emerge and predators begin their hunt.

This thrilling adventure allows you to spot elusive creatures that are rarely seen during the day, such as leopards, hyenas, and bush babies.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s most famous wildlife parks, home to a wide range of animals, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards.

Night game drives in the park offer a chance to spot predators like lions and hyenas, which become more active after dark.

The Ishasha sector is famous for its tree-climbing lions, and a night drive here can provide the rare opportunity to spot these elusive creatures in their natural habitat.

In addition to the Big Five, the park is also home to nocturnal animals such as bush babies, civet cats, and various owls.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, known for its abundant wildlife, including the Big Five. Night drives here give you the opportunity to spot predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas, which are more active after dark.

The park’s vast open savannahs come alive with sounds at night, from the calls of lions to the distant roar of the Murchison Falls.

On a night drive, you can experience the beauty of the park’s landscape under the stars, with the backdrop of the Nile River and the dramatic falls. Lions, leopards, and hyenas on the hunt and the possibility of spotting elephants and buffaloes at waterholes after dark.

3. Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley is one of Uganda’s most remote parks, offering a truly wild experience with fewer tourists. This makes night game drives here exceptionally peaceful and full of surprises.

The park is home to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Night drives provide a chance to see these elusive predators in action, as well as spotted hyenas and jackals.

The clear, dark skies of Kidepo make for excellent stargazing opportunities as you embark on a night game drive through the park to see cheetahs, lions, and leopards.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo is one of Uganda’s smaller national parks, making it ideal for shorter night game drives. Despite its size, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, buffalos, and hyenas.

The park’s combination of open plains, wetlands, and forests provides a stunning backdrop for nighttime photography.

A night drive through Lake Mburo offers the opportunity to see rare nocturnal creatures like bush babies, porcupines, and leopards.

Semliki Wildlife Reserve

Semliki Wildlife Reserve is located in the western part of Uganda, bordered by the Semliki River and the Rwenzori Mountains.

Its varied ecosystems—wetlands, savannahs, and forests—offer great opportunities for spotting nocturnal wildlife.

In addition to mammals, Semliki is known for its diverse bird species, many of which are active at night.

It’s a fantastic destination for bird photographers looking to capture rare species like owls and nightjars.

Due to its lesser-known status, Semliki offers a peaceful environment for night drives, with fewer tourists and more chances for intimate wildlife encounters.

6. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Ziwa is Uganda’s only rhino sanctuary, and night game drives here offer a unique opportunity to see rhinos in their natural habitat after dark.

With a spotlight, you can get up close to these magnificent creatures.

Besides rhinos, Ziwa is also home to predators like hyenas and leopards, which are active at night and can be spotted during a night drive.

The sanctuary is home to over 300 bird species, some of which are nocturnal and can be spotted during evening drives.

Night game drives in Uganda provide a thrilling way to discover the hidden nocturnal side of Africa’s wildlife.

Whether it’s tracking leopards in Murchison Falls, encountering lions in Queen Elizabeth, or marveling at rhinos in Ziwa, each park offers its own unique experience under the stars.

For photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure seekers, night game drives in Uganda offer unmatched opportunities to capture the magic of the wild after dark.