Updated
After dark in Uganda’s parks you can see animals that hide by day: bushbabies, genets, civets, white-tailed mongooses, porcupines, hyenas, nightjars and owls, and with luck a hunting leopard. Guided night drives run in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, and forest night walks in Kibale and around Bwindi add pottos and tree hyraxes. This guide covers the animals you are most likely to see and where.
Savannah animals at night
On night drives, spotlights pick up eyes first and bodies second. Common genets and African civets are seen regularly, as are white-tailed mongooses, scrub hares and springhares in some areas. Spotted hyenas move between kills, and lions are often more active at night than by day. Leopards are the prize: Lake Mburo and the Mweya and Kasenyi areas of Queen Elizabeth give fair chances, and Murchison’s northern bank is also good. Porcupines and, rarely, aardvarks complete the list.
Forest animals at night
Forest night walks in Kibale and on the edges of Bwindi focus on smaller animals. Bushbabies are the most likely sighting, with eyes glowing orange in the torchlight, and pottos creep slowly along branches. Tree hyraxes are heard far more than seen, with loud, rising screams from the canopy. Read our guide to night sounds in Bwindi.
Night birds
Nightjars often sit on warm tracks and fly up in the headlights; the pennant-winged and standard-winged nightjars, with their long display feathers, are seen in some seasons. Owls include the huge Verreaux’s eagle-owl, the Pel’s fishing owl along rivers in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth, and the small African scops owl, which is heard more than seen.
How to plan a night safari
Night drives are run or approved by Uganda Wildlife Authority, with an armed ranger, and usually start around 7pm for two to three hours. Book through your lodge or the park office a day ahead. Bring a warm layer and binoculars, and keep the spotlight off animals’ eyes once spotted. Our night game drive guide explains the logistics and rules.
Night activities fit well around daytime trekking. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guides to Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth.
Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Lake Mburo, run with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
Bushbabies, genets, civets, white-tailed mongooses, hyenas, nightjars and owls.
Sometimes; Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth give the best chances.
Yes. Drives are guided and accompanied by an armed ranger.
