Night Game Drives in Tanzania: Where and What to Expect

When the sun sets, the bush changes completely. Many animals, from small cats to bushbabies and aardvarks, are active mainly at night, and predators often hunt in the dark.

A night game drive offers a rare glimpse of this hidden world. However, in Tanzania they are only possible in certain places, so it is worth understanding the rules before you plan.

Where night drives are allowed

In most of Tanzania's national parks, including the Serengeti, driving after dark is generally not permitted, and vehicles must return to camp or exit by a set time around sunset. The Ngorongoro Crater also has strict timing for vehicles on the crater floor.

Night drives are typically offered in private concessions, wildlife management areas and some lodges bordering parks, where special permission applies. Rules can change, so ask us which properties currently offer night drives.

If a night drive is important to you, mention it early in planning. We can include a property that offers it, often outside or bordering the main national parks, without compromising the rest of your itinerary.

What you might see

Night drives are less about big numbers and more about rare encounters. Sightings are never guaranteed, but you might see:

• Bushbabies, genets and civets
• Porcupines, aardvarks and spring hares
• Hyenas, lions and leopards on the move
• Owls and nightjars
• Servals and other small cats

How a night drive works

Night drives usually begin around dusk and last a couple of hours. A guide or spotter uses a spotlight, often with a red filter, to scan for the reflection of eyes. Lights are kept off animals' eyes as much as possible, especially for prey species, to avoid giving predators an unfair advantage.

It can be cold in an open vehicle after dark, so bring warm layers.

Your guide or spotter will move the light slowly across the landscape, and you will learn to watch for the glow of eyes: green, yellow or red depending on the animal. Part of the fun is guessing what you are looking at before the guide confirms it.

Photography at night

Night photography is challenging. Flash is usually discouraged, and spotlights give limited light. A camera with good high ISO performance and a fast lens helps, but many guests simply enjoy the experience and keep the camera down.

Ask your guide about the rules before you shoot.

If you do want to try, set your camera up before the drive, practice focusing in low light at camp and keep exposure settings simple so you are ready for fleeting sightings.

Safety and comfort

Night drives take place in open or semi-open vehicles, with guides who know the area well. Stay seated, keep hands inside the vehicle and follow instructions carefully, just as during the day.

Insects are more active after dark, so use repellent and wear long sleeves and trousers. A warm hat and jacket are welcome, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.

Combining with other experiences

Many travelers combine a night drive with a walking safari or a sundowner, often at the same property. This makes a stay outside the national parks a great complement to classic park game drives.

We can help you build an itinerary that includes one or two nights where night drives are possible.

Even in parks where night drives are not allowed, you can still experience the night. Sitting by the campfire listening to hyenas whoop and lions roar is unforgettable, and some camps offer stargazing sessions with remarkably clear skies.