Night Drives and Nocturnal Wildlife

Night drives use a spotlight to reveal the nocturnal animals that stay hidden through the day, from bushbabies and genets to hunting leopards and hyenas. As the beam sweeps the bush, eye-shine gives away creatures you would never notice by daylight, and the whole atmosphere of the safari shifts. Because national parks often restrict after-dark driving, night drives are most common in private reserves and conservancies.

Key things to know

• ➜A spotlight reveals eye-shine and the animals active after dark.
• ➜Look for genets, civets, bushbabies, owls and hunting cats.
• ➜Night drives are common in private reserves and conservancies, less so in national parks.
• ➜The bush feels completely different — sounds and atmosphere sharpen after dark.
• ➜Bring a warm layer, as temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets.
• ➜A red filter on the spotlight reduces disturbance to sensitive nocturnal eyes.

A different world after dark

A night drive reveals the nocturnal shift most safari-goers never meet: genets, civets, servals, bushbabies, porcupines, owls and hunting big cats, all active once the heat has gone. A guide sweeps a spotlight across the bush, and the eye-shine of animals in the dark gives them away.

Night drives are offered by many private reserves and conservancies but are restricted or banned inside some national parks, so availability depends on where you stay. Where you can do one, it often becomes a trip highlight — the bush feels wilder, more mysterious and full of surprises after dark.

• ➜Reveals nocturnal species rarely seen by day
• ➜Guides use a spotlight to catch eye-shine
• ➜Common in private reserves; limited in some national parks
• ➜Big cats and other predators are often more active at night

Making the most of a night drive

Dress warmly — nights cool quickly once the sun is down — and bring a light jacket even after a hot day. A red-filtered light is kinder to animals' eyes and preserves your own night vision, and a good spotter beside the guide dramatically improves what you find.

Keep noise and movement low, let your eyes adjust to the dark, and be patient: much of the pleasure is in the atmosphere and the sounds as much as the sightings. Photography is challenging in the low light, so consider simply watching and listening rather than fighting your camera, and let the night deliver its surprises.

References & further reading

1. Sinclair, A. R. E., et al. (Eds.) (2015). Serengeti IV. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
2. Estes, R. D. (2012). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals. Berkeley: University of California Press.
3. Kingdon, J. (2015). The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury.
4. IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Version 2024-1. www.iucnredlist.org.