Night game drive Safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Night game drive Safari in Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda) is one of the most exciting safari experiences you can have on a Uganda Safari. A night game drive offers a rare chance to see nocturnal wildlife that you would completely miss during the day. Besides their nocturnal nature, they are generally elusive. Therefore, you will have to settle for an overnight or a longer safari but not a day trip.
Lake Mburo National Park is one of Uganda’s smaller but most beautiful parks, located about 4 hours from Kampala. Lake Mburo Park spans 370Sq Kilometers and is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The Park features Zebras, Hippopotamuses, Buffaloes, Warthogs, Giraffes, Impalas and 350 bird species. Harboring predators like Leopards, Hyenas, Genets and crocodiles plus the only Elands population in Uganda makes the park a vital sanctuary for Uganda’s wildlife.
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Night game drive safaris here are officially sanctioned where use of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides is mandatory. They are usually conducted in open safari vehicles equipped with spotlights. They take about 2-3 hours and are best done from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Starting points for night game drives are Rwonyo Park headquarters or at some lodges inside/near the park.
What You Can See on a Night Game Drive Safari in Lake Mburo Park
Night drives reveal the park’s hidden nocturnal life though most visitors aim for the Leopards and Hyenas. These and others like Genets, Civets, Mongooses, Bushbabies and Owls are mostly active at night. Occasionally, hippos grazing out of the water or buffaloes enjoying their night rest can be spotted.
How It Works
- Conducted only with a UWA ranger/guide for safety and tracking.
- You ride in an open-top safari vehicle with a spotlight to scan for eye reflections.
- They are done privately in your tour company (Jungle Escape Africa) safari vehicle and not in a group of other tourists.
How to Prepare for a Night Game Safari in Lake Mburo
- Dress warmly: Nights in the park can get cool.
- Carry binoculars and a good camera (preferably with low-light capability).
- Stay quiet during sightings—sound carries far at night which could scare the animals away.
- If your preferred lodge is inside the park, it will be a vantage point for your night safari.
Cost for Night Game Drives in Lake Mburo National Park
A night game drive in Lake Mburo National Park costs $30 to an international visitor, $20 for a Foreign Resident and UGX30,000 to Ugandans. These rates however, do not include respective park entry fees of $40, $30 and UGX20,000 as per the visitor category.
Where to stay for Night Drives in Lake Mburo Park
Whether inside or outside the park, a night game drive is possible. However, there are some lodges inside the park from where you could get faster and closer to the known nocturnal animals’ hideouts. Some of them are;
- Mihingo Lodge – Luxurious and known for exceptional night drives.
- Eagle’s Nest Camp – More budget-friendly, can arrange drives with park guides.
- Rwakobo Rock Lodge – Offers guided night drives and great views.