Uganda Night Safari: What Animals Come Out After Dark

Much of Uganda’s most fascinating wildlife is active only after dark — the lions, elephants, and gorillas that draw visitors from around the world are impressive by day, but night in Uganda’s national parks brings out a completely different cast of characters: leopards on the hunt, civets and genets crossing clearings, nightjars sitting on roads, owls calling from trees, and pottos moving slowly through the forest canopy, none of which most visitors ever see because they are back at the lodge before dusk. Night drives and night walks are a genuinely transformative addition to any Uganda safari at Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls.

Much of Uganda’s most fascinating wildlife is active only after dark. The lions, elephants, and gorillas that draw visitors from around the world are impressive by day, but night in Uganda’s national parks brings out a completely different cast of characters — secretive, rarely-seen animals that most safari visitors never encounter. In 2027 a night safari or night drive in Uganda’s national parks is one of the most rewarding wildlife experiences available.

This guide covers the animals most commonly encountered on night game drives and night walks in Uganda’s major wildlife areas, and the best parks for experiencing Uganda’s nocturnal wildlife.

Bushbabies: The Most Common Night Sighting

Bushbabies — or galagos — are the most reliably seen nocturnal animals in Uganda’s forests and woodland edges. Their eyes reflect brilliantly in torchlight as bright orange circles in the trees. Uganda has two species: the lesser bushbaby and the greater bushbaby. Both are found throughout the country’s forested areas. Their haunting, baby-like cries are one of the characteristic sounds of Uganda’s night.

Genets and Civets

Common genets and African civets are frequently seen on night drives throughout Uganda’s parks. The genet is a slender, spotted, cat-like animal that moves through the trees and undergrowth. The civet is larger, with a bold black and white pattern, and moves more heavily through the undergrowth. Both species are attracted to areas around lodges where food scraps accumulate. Night drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls regularly produce both species.

Nightjars

Several nightjar species are commonly seen on night drives in Uganda. Their eyes reflect orange-red in headlights and they often sit on warm roads after dark. The standard-winged nightjar with its extraordinary wing streamers is a particular highlight if encountered during the breeding season. Other species include the long-tailed nightjar and freckled nightjar.

Spotted Hyena

Spotted hyena are primarily nocturnal and are commonly encountered on night drives in Uganda’s savannah parks. Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth both have good hyena populations that become active after dark. Hyenas are fascinating animals — highly intelligent, socially complex, and far more capable hunters than their scavenger reputation suggests. Hearing their whooping calls in the darkness of Murchison Falls is extraordinary.

Leopard

Leopard is Uganda’s most elusive big cat and is primarily nocturnal. Night drives give significantly better chances of sightings than daytime game drives. Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo all have leopard populations that are more frequently seen after dark. A night drive with an experienced spotlight operator is the best way to encounter this beautiful and secretive cat in Uganda.

African Wild Cat and Serval

Both the African wild cat — the ancestor of domestic cats — and the serval are primarily nocturnal. Wild cats are commonly seen on night drives in savannah areas, sometimes confused with domestic cats until seen closely. Servals, with their long legs and spotted coat, hunt in tall grass after dark. Queen Elizabeth’s Kasenyi area and Kidepo are good locations for both species.

Porcupine and Aardvark

African porcupine — the continent’s largest rodent with its impressive quills — is commonly heard but less often seen. The rustling of quills in dry leaves gives away its presence. Aardvark, one of Africa’s most sought-after nocturnal sightings, is occasionally encountered on night drives in savannah areas, particularly near termite mounds. Kidepo and Murchison are the best Uganda parks for aardvark sightings.

Owls

Uganda’s owls include several spectacular species that are easily seen on night drives. The Verreaux’s eagle-owl — one of Africa’s largest owls — is seen in savannah parks. The African wood owl and African scops owl call from Uganda’s forests. The giant eagle-owl at Murchison Falls is a famous individual that has been present for years and allows very close approach.

Best Parks for Night Safaris in Uganda

Night drives are offered at Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, and Kidepo Valley national parks. Lake Mburo offers night walks. All activities must be conducted with a licensed guide and Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. Temperatures can be cool at night so bring a fleece or light jacket. A red-filtered torch is better than white light for avoiding disturbing wildlife.

Plan Your 2027 Night Safari

The gorilla trekking permit costs $800 in 2027. Adding a night game drive to your Murchison Falls or Queen Elizabeth itinerary costs a small additional fee and dramatically increases the diversity of wildlife you encounter. Contact us to include night safaris in your 2027 Uganda safari planning for the full day-and-night wildlife experience.