Night Safari Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Night Safari drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers unforgettable adventures, showcasing some of the most striking and rare wildlife encounters. Do you think all the wildlife activity in the African wilderness happens only during daylight? You’re mistaken, as a vibrant nocturnal life in the African bush might surprise you. Wrapped in your blanket, holding a thermos for warmth, a night safari drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park sparks a thrilling sense of anticipation. The calls of Big Cats, the grunts of Hippos, and the rustling of unseen creatures remind you to tread softly, as you’ve entered their nighttime domain, each moment filled with the excitement of what you might encounter next.
How are Night Game Drives Done in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Night safaris can begin during daylight, allowing guests to enjoy a sundowner in Queen Elizabeth Park before returning for dinner in the dark. We recommend an early dinner to enhance the experience of exploring the park’s nocturnal activities. Your safari includes a guide/driver and an experienced armed UWA Ranger as the spotter. The ranger uses a wildlife-friendly red filter light to illuminate the area, helping to spot animals’ shimmering eyes hidden in the Mweya Peninsula‘s bush.
On a night safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, your Ranger guide can distinguish between predators like lions and leopards and their prey by their eye color. Although you may drive long periods without sightings, encounters with wildlife can be breathtaking, as many predators are primarily nocturnal. The most memorable moments happen when you turn off the engine and listen to the night sounds.
You’ll encounter a unique atmosphere on your night safari drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. As day fades, it’s replaced by cool breezes, moonlight, and stars casting their gentle shadows on the wilderness. Accompanied by your safari guide in a 4X4 jeep and an armed ranger, you navigate purposefully across the Park’s savannah or through the bush until the luminous eyes of a leopard, lion, or other nocturnal creature gaze back at you from the inky darkness.
Where to go for Night safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Due to wildlife density and regulations, night safari drives are unavailable in all Queen Elizabeth National Park areas. However, if this experience is high on your list, inform us, and we’ll steer you in the right direction. These excursions in Uganda’s second-largest National Park are especially thrilling, as the dense foliage flanking the winding game tracks creates an exhilarating sense of anticipation about what lies ahead around each bend.
Night safari drives are exclusively conducted in the Mweya Peninsula, while daytime safaris typically explore the wildlife-abundant Kasenyi Plains. The Peninsula is a landmass that extends between Lake Edward and the Kazinga Channel, representing another remarkable wildlife-rich region in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
What can I see on a night safari drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
One common question from visitors planning night safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park is what they might see. Essentially, you could encounter “anything you see on a day safari drive,” provided the Ranger guide’s spotlight is focused in the right direction at the right moment.
As daylight fades, you may notice a rise in the variety and frequency of bird calls and the sounds of animals beginning to stir around you.
The excitement of night safari drives in this Protected Area stems from the unique chance to witness predator behavior that may only happen once in a lifetime. Many wildlife species that become active at night differ significantly from those encountered during daytime drives, both in species and behavior. You could find yourself tracking a pride of lions or the elusive leopard as they prepare for a hunt after resting in the heat of the day, becoming lively in the cooler night air. Additionally, visitors have the rare opportunity to spot nocturnal creatures like porcupines, Bushbabies (known as Galagos), genets, honey badgers, and jackals, as well as night-active birds such as the Pel’s fishing-owl, swamp nightjar, and squire-tailed nightjar—most of which are exceedingly difficult to see during the day, making you feel privileged to witness these creatures in their natural habitat.
A Ranger guide is essential for ensuring your safety and directing you to optimal locations for animal sightings during the night safari drives. With their extensive knowledge and experience, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. You may catch glimpses of hippos and elephants stealthily wandering under the moonlight, all under the watchful eye of your guide.
Getting ready for your night safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Your night safari drive at Queen Elizabeth typically follows the daytime game drives. It can take place after a leisurely dinner or while enjoying a sundowner. As the sun sets and its last orange glow disappears, you will prepare for a unique “after-dark” safari adventure.
Night safari drives in this National Park begin between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. and last about two hours. They are shorter than day safari drives, lasting up to three to four hours.
As previously noted, bring a blanket, shawl, sweater, and thermos to stay warm, since evening temperatures can drop quickly in tropical African destinations like Queen Elizabeth National Park. Also, remember to pack insect repellent, as small insects can be quite bothersome at night. Don’t forget your camera, as you can capture great photos during a night safari drive.
An essential packing list for your night safari drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Embarking on a night safari drive is delightful, and to enhance your experience, could you bring a few key items? These essentials include warm clothing, a quality camera, binoculars, insect repellent, a windbreaker or rain jacket, a reusable water bottle, energizing snacks, a flashlight, and your adventurous spirit.
The best time for night safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The ideal period for night safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park typically falls during the dry months, which are from June to September and December to February. During this time, the bush becomes less dense, making seeing the park’s wildlife easier.
The rainy periods, usually from March to May and October to November, are generally avoided due to heavier rainfall, which results in thicker vegetation that makes it challenging to spot animals concealed among the plants. Additionally, the roads become muddy and slippery during these times. As this is also a low tourist season, some lodges offer discounted rates, allowing you to save money on your trip.
Accommodation options
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers budget, midrange, and luxury travelers diverse accommodations. Options include Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Enganzi Game Lodge, Bush Lodge, Bulbul Safari Lodge, Parkview Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Ihamba Lakeside Lodge, and Kasenyi Safari Camp.
What is the best way to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park?
When you plan a night safari trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park, please consider your accommodation options. There are Safari Lodges and Camps both within and outside the Park.
Traveling by road from Entebbe or Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes 6 to 8 hours, based on your chosen route. The distance is about 378 kilometers, and travelers can enjoy stunning countryside views throughout the trip.
The route from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park is shorter, with a journey to the Kasese airstrip taking about an hour. Aerolink provides daily scheduled flights to this airstrip. Moreover, a well-maintained road connects the aerodrome to the National Park, ensuring that travelers driving will not risk getting stranded.
In conclusion, the thrill of night safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park is best understood through direct experience. The excitement of the dark, the shimmering eyes hiding within it, the gentle breeze, and the captivating sounds create an unforgettable atmosphere one must embrace while on a safari in Uganda. Through these journeys, you come to appreciate that Queen Elizabeth National Park offers more than meets the eye, with night safari drives being an essential highlight of any Uganda safari experience.
