Night Game Drive

It offers a new perspective on Africa’s nocturnal predators. It happens on a night game drive. Night game drives in Tanzania are exciting.

They take place at night in an open safari vehicle. The vehicle has a canvas canopy and spotlight torches. A professional guide drives, and an armed park ranger protects.

In selected protected areas in Tanzania, visitors may take night game drives.

Lake Manyara National Park is one of the areas. Tarangire National Park is another. Mikumi National Park is also included. Ruaha National Park is the last. A night game drive is one of the most exciting activities to experience on a safari in Tanzania.

Night game drives offer the best opportunity to observe wildlife. These animals are rarely seen during the day but are highly active at night.

Stay vigilant, and you might spot elusive genets, agile civets, and spiky porcupines. Watch out for aardvarks, mongooses, and bush babies.

Also, be cautious around big cats such as lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas. These animals usually hide in the bushes and shrubs during the day.

Don’t forget to look for hippos, too, as they spend their days in the water and come out at night to graze.

Where to go for a night game drive safari?

Tarangire night game drive

Tarangire National Park is in northern Tanzania, only a short drive from Arusha town. The park is popular for its abundant wildlife. Many people visit this protected area. One exciting activity is the night game drives.

These drives last until 22:00 hours. After the drive, you return to the lodge for dinner. The game drives are conducted in an open safari vehicle. You are accompanied by an armed park ranger for protection. Spotlight torches are used during the drives.

In Tanzania, you can experience the park’s nightlife during Night Game Drives. You can see nocturnal animals such as honey badgers, wild dogs, and serval cats. During the night drives, you can also observe other nocturnal animals, including white-tailed mongooses, lions, and leopards.

Other species include jackals, hyenas, genets, and bush babies. Additionally, you can spot bat-eared foxes, aardvarks, and caracals. You can also see hippos feeding. Elephants and buffalo rest under baobab trees.

Anga’ata Tarangire Camp can arrange night game drives in Tarangire National Park. Visitors pay $80 per person, $59 for the park entrance fee, and $23.60 per group for the ranger fee.

Ruaha night game drive

Ruaha National Park is located in central Tanzania and is the country’s largest national park. The park offers a night game drive that starts at 6 pm and ends around 22:00 hours. After the drive, you will return to your lodge or camp for dinner.

During a night game drive, an armed park ranger accompanies you and guarantees your safety. The ranger also helps identify nocturnal animals, including leopards, genets, porcupines, civets, and giant eagle owls.

A night game drive in Ruaha National Park costs $50 per adult, $25 per child, plus park entrance fees. In addition to night game drives, the national park offers other activities, including bird watching, guided nature walks, and game viewing.

Lake Manyara night game drive

Lake Manyara is an ideal location for a night game drive due to its diverse ecosystems. The area has 11 distinct ecosystems. It is a melting pot of animals and plants. There is a nearby lake and the Rift Valley cliffs. The area also has a groundwater forest and the Ngorongoro highlands. Additionally, there is a dry Tarangire system nearby.

Lake Manyara wildlife

Manyara National Park has abundant water year-round. The animals in the park thrive, enhancing wildlife viewing. Animals that are rarely seen are usually active at night. Lake Manyara National Park is full of these animals! Porcupines, genets, and civet cats are frequent visitors to the forest.

Hippos are active at night. Many of these beasts are likely grazing along the side of the road. Lake Manyara is famous for its abundance of leopards. Although rare, these elusive cats are often spotted. Lions are often seen during the day. They sleep during the day but become active at night.

Your drive begins around 20:00, and you head into the dense groundwater forest of Lake Manyara. From the forest, you head down toward the lake, following the Simba River to the hippo pools.

You will return to the forest and arrive back at the park gate around 22:30. You have two options: wait at the gate for your safari driver or go to Serena Manyara Lodge to be picked up.

The night safari will showcase the park and its wildlife. Contact us to add a night drive to your safari. You can also choose from canoeing, walking, or mountain biking.

Mikumi National Park night game drive

The national park is the fourth-largest. It lies between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range. It is bordered by the Selous Game Reserve to the south.

Mikumi National Park offers a night game drive. An armed park ranger leads the drive. It starts around 20:00 hours after dinner and continues until 23:00 hours.

During the night game drive, you can see nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, and hyenas.

A night game drive in Mikumi National Park costs $50 per adult, $25 per child, $20 for the ranger fee, plus park entrance fees.

In addition to the night game drive, the park offers other activities. You can take a day game drive and see giraffes, buffalo, and elephants.

The park also offers guided nature walks and birding tours to view a variety of bird species. Additionally, you can camp in the park.

What are the packing lists for the night game drive safari?

Night game drives in Tanzania are thrilling experiences in several national parks. These parks include Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Park.

The night game drive begins at 6 pm and lasts 2-3 hours. During the game drive, visitors should bring certain items. Spotlight torches attract insects, so use insect repellent to prevent bites.

It is also important to bring antimalarial medications, cameras, and binoculars. Additionally, wearing warm clothing is necessary to protect against the cold at night. Visitors should also consider wearing neutral-colored clothing.

What are the rules and regulations for night game drives?

During the night game drive in Tanzania, follow the rules and regulations.

  • Keep a low tone while in the park so as not to chase away the animals,
  • Do not drive too close to the animals because the spotlights can confuse or blind them,
  • Do not litter, drive off the track, or smoke in the park, as it may cause a fire.

Don’t miss the night game drive on your Tanzanian safari. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You can also take part in other activities, including game viewing, guided nature walks, birdwatching, and camping. For more information, you can

Explore more of our safari packages in Tanzania

Whether you’re tracking a big cat through Tarangire or watching a storm roll across the endless plains, a journey here connects you with the enduring soul of Tanzania’s ecosystem. Request your custom safari plan now. Here is the booking form.

Recommended Tours

  • From $6,830

    14 Days, 13 Nights

    14 Days Tanzania Guide Safari

    Tarangire ,Serengeti , Ngorongoro Crater, Zanzibar

  • From $6,760

    10 Days, 9 Nights

    10 Days Tanzania Luxury Sky Safari

    Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Park

  • From $3,160

    8 Days, 7 Nights

    8 Days Wildebeest Migration Serengeti (River- Crossing)

    Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara

Enquire Now

CAPTCHA image

This helps us prevent spam, thank you.