Night game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park: Queen Elizabeth is one of Uganda’s understandable national parks and the most popular tourist destination, the park is the second largest country’s national park and was gazetted in 1952. the park is also one of the largest protected areas in Uganda, the park covers an area of approximately 1, 978 square kilometres. The park extends from lake George in the northeast to lake Edward in the southwest and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is known for its wildlife viewing, including African buffalo, Ugandan Kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a unique opportunity to explore the darkness of the night. A night game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park is an adventure like no other, allowing visitors to witness the nocturnal creatures that roam freely under the starry sky.
A night game drive also known as a nocturnal safari, is an exciting experience that allows tourists to explore the hidden treasures of the nocturnal park’s wildlife under the light of the stars. It’s a unique opportunity to witness animals that are rare to be spotted during the daytime, often hiding in plain sight during the day. A night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a 2–3-hour safari that begins after sundown. Tourist planning to take part in this thrilling activity in the park area are always picked up from their designated lodges or campsites by experienced guides who will lead you through the park’s savannah, grassland and woodlands in search of nocturnal animals.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 100 species of mammals, which are active at night. night game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are only done in the Mweya peninsula because Kasenyi plains receive visitors during the day. During the night drive safari in the park, you will carry a spotlight torched and also be accompanied by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guide who will be helping you to spot different nocturnal animals, you will have the great opportunity to encounter these fascinating nocturnal creatures such as leopards, hyenas, lions, several cats, civets, bushbabies, banded mongoose and genets, you will also be marveled with the astonishing views hippos feeding and other nocturnal animals like elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes and waterbuck among others.
Cost of a night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
A night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park costs US$ 30 per person for foreign non-residents, US$ 20 per person for foreign residents, and UGX 50, 000 per person for East African citizens including Ugandans. Night game drive safari is only restricted to tourists staying within the park and the use of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides is mandatory for a night drive.
A night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park when using UWA is a game drive vehicle costs US$ 40 per person for foreign non-residents, US$ 35 per person for foreign residents and UGX 40,000 per person for East African community citizens. UWA vehicles are only allowed the equivalent of 3 persons for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and 5 persons for East African community members.
What to pack for a night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
When going for a night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, there are a number of items you should carry or move along such as;
- Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt; protect yourself from scratches, insect bite,s and exposure to the elements by wearing long clothing
- Flashlight/headlamp; a reliable light source is essential for navigating through the dark during the safari
- Camera/ binocular; capture the wildlife and scenic views you encounter during the night walking safari
- Comfortable walking shoes; opt for sturdy and closed-toe shoes that provide good support and protection
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirt; protect yourself from scratches, insect bites and exposure to the elements by wearing long clothing.
- Snacks; pack some energy-boosting snacks to keep you fuelled during the safari
- Water bottle; stay hydrated during the safari by bringing a reusable water bottle.
- Insect repellent; mosquitoes and other bugs are active at night, so make sure to pack insect repellent to protect yourself from bites.
- Backpack; Carry all your essential items in a comfortable and lightweight backpack among others.
Best time to go for a night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The best night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park can be conducted throughout the can year, but the best time to go for a night game drive in the park is during the dry seasons which run from June, July, August, September and December and then January to February since the weather is mild during this time of the year. Travelers should be aware that June to September is the peak time, so there will be crowding during these months. the are two low seasons due to heavy rains from March to May and October to November. Additionally, the dry season is the best time to spot nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, civets, servals and bush infants among others
Other activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Besides a night game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the national park also offers other thrilling activities that tourists can engage in during the Uganda safari including day game drives, chimpanzee tracking, launch trips, Agro-tour Walk, cave exploration, birding, hiking and nature walks and cultural encounters among others. A night game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park is an adventurous activity that can also be combined with other exciting activities in, Murchison Falls National, Lake Mburo National Park, Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about night game drive safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Achieve Global Safari which offers the best tour packages while on your safari in Uganda.
