Night Game Drives Safaris in Tanzania
Night Game Drives Safaris in Tanzania : Night Game Drive Safaris in Tanzania, the land is renowned for its incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes, making it a prime destination for night game drive safaris. A night game drive safaris exposes you to encounter with wildlife species which are hardly spotted during a day game drive safari. Some of the nocturnal wildlife species in the country includes, genets, porcupines, civet cats, white-tailed mongoose, aardvarks, hippos, lions, and cape hares. These nocturnal creatures are less seen during the day and at night there is an opportunity to see them. If you are inquisitive about what the animals are up to at night, then the night game drives in Tanzania are an opportunity not to be missed. Here’s a guide to night game drive safaris in Tanzania:
Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is located in northern Tanzania, is renowned for its vast savannas and rich wildlife. Established as a national park in 1951. The park is home to the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other animals move in search of greener pastures. More so, the park is one of the Africa’s best safari destinations for safari activities and spotting the Big Five – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinoceros. Its diverse ecosystems offer a welcoming haven for other remarkable inhabitants, including giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and hyenas. Night game drives here offer a unique perspective on the park’s nocturnal residents, such as leopards, hyenas, and bush babies.
Lake Manyara National Park
Lake Manyara National Park is situated just a two-hour drive from Arusha. The park was gazetted in 1960, famous for its tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara National Park offers a unique night game drive safari experience. Its stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, including a ground-water forest and the soda lake itself, are home to a variety of wildlife such as flamingos, diverse birdlife, and a variety of mammals such as elephants, buffaloes, and hippos. Night game drive safari here which start at around 8:00 pm after an early dinner and it takes about 2 to 3 hours. On nighttime drives, visitors can encounter elusive creatures like genets, civet cats, porcupines, leopards, lions, view hippos grazing along the roadsides among others. You may also hear the calls of elephants and spot hippos and flamingos as they journey between their feeding grounds.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a vast an untouched protected area teeming with the densest wildlife populations on earth, breathtaking landscapes, mountains, world’s largest unbroken caldera, history of human evolution, and so much more. One has to visit to see and believe it. The crater floor is home to an incredible concentration of animals, including lions, elephants, hippos, and even rare black rhinos, making it a popular destination for safari enthusiasts. During night drives, the dark canvas of the crater reveals the secret lives of nocturnal animals like the aardvark and various species of owls. The experience of gazing up at a sky full of stars while listening to the sounds of the wild adds a magical element to this incredible location.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park is another exciting destination to embark on a night game drive safaris in Tanzania. The parks were established in 1970, is known for its large elephant herds and iconic baobab trees, Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem in Tanzania. Located in northern Tanzania, it is less crowded than other parks, offering visitors a more intimate wildlife experience. Visitors can expect to see a wide array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, giraffes, and over 500 bird species. Night game drives which are carried out at around 8:00pm after dinner at the lodge and it’s done in an open safari vehicle with spotlight torches and with the company of an armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. Night game drives in Tarangire reveal a hidden side of the park, where visitors can spot a variety of nocturnal animals which become active at night such as honey badgers, wild dogs, serval cats, white tailed mongoose, lions, leopards, jackal, hyenas, genet cats, bush babies, bat eared fox, aardvark, caracal among others.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park, the second largest park in Tanzania, is one of the few places where you can enjoy a night game drive. The park is home to diverse ecosystems, including woodlands, savannahs, and the Great Ruaha River, which sustains a rich variety of wildlife. Night game drives in this remote national park begin around 8:00 PM after dinner. You’ll be accompanied by a trained ranger who ensures your safety while helping you spot nocturnal creatures like leopards, genets, porcupines, civet, giant eagle owl among others. Besides night drives, Ruaha offers other exciting activities such as bird watching, guided nature walks, and regular game viewing.
Selous Game Reserve
One of Africa’s largest protected areas, Selous Game Reserve, gazetted in 1982, is located in southern Tanzania. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its vast landscapes and diverse ecosystems, including rivers, hills, and woodlands. The reserves are one of the best wildlife densities in Tanzania, is home to a huge population of hippos, buffalo, wildebeests, and zebras inhabit an area the size of Denmark. The sheer amount of prey attracts a diversity of predators including 4,000 lions, as well as leopards, hyenas and crocodiles. On a night game drive, you can observe the unique nightlife of animals like the African wild dog and the elusive bush baby. As you navigate the darker trails, watch for lions and leopards on the hunt. The experience is enhanced by the chorus of nocturnal sounds, making it a thrilling adventure for those seeking to understand the wild side of Africa.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania, nestled between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango Range, and it shares its southern border with the Selous Game Reserve. One of the exciting activities you can do at Mikumi is the night game drive, which takes place from around 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm with a park ranger for safety. During this drive, you’ll get the chance to see night-time wildlife such as lions, leopards, hyenas among others. In addition to the night game drive, Mikumi offers other activities, including daytime game drives where you can spot animals giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, as well as guided nature walks, birdwatching to see various bird species, and camping experiences.
What is the best time for Night Game Drive Safaris in Tanzania?
Tanzania can be visited throughout the year and the best time is during the months of December to February and then June to October which is relatively dry than March to May and November.
