Night Game drives in Tanzania : The African-Tanzania bush is a completely different world at night, which is what makes night drives so special. It is an adventurous and memorable moment that takes place in an open safari vehicle with a canvas canopy, spotlight torches for clear viewing, driven by a professional guide, and with the assistance of an armed park ranger to ensure factual interpretation of the night attractions and protect you from any danger, respectively. Night game drives are permitted in specified protected areas in Tanzania such as Lake Manyara national park, Tarangire national park, Mikumi national park, Katavi, Burigi Chato national park, Ibanda Kyerwa national park, and Ruaha national park.
For a variety of reasons, including poaching, in order to safeguard the safety of tourists, Serengeti night game drives have been suspended. However, the management is still working on it, and it may resume at any time. Night game drives are one of the most thrilling things to include in your safari schedule since exploring the Tanzanian woodlands at night is a more fascinating experience.
The main goal of the night game drive is to see the rarely seen nocturnal animals such as civet cats, aardvarks, porcupines, genets, mongoose, bush babies, and big cats such as lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas, among others, who hide in the bushes and shrubs during the day and are thus difficult to spot during the day. Night game drives are not only a great way to see nocturnal creatures, but they are also a great chance to witness nocturnal predators and herbivores in their natural habitat.
The night game drives are usually organized by various tourist hotels within the park, and they have their own unique fee because they are a unique tourist activity. This exercise lasts about three hours and begins around 8:00 p.m., just after dinner. Visitors are recommended to bring some of the special items to this particular night tourist activity in Tanzania in order to make the activity more exciting.
Insect repellent to protect you from biting insects attracted by the spotlight torches, cameras to capture incredible moments and take great photos, a pair of binoculars to capture faraway animals, wearing cold clothes to protect you from night coldness, neutral clothes, and so on are some of the recommended items to bring on night game drives. However, if you do not bring them from home, you can rent them from your tour operator or guide.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES IN LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK
The moon shining off the lake makes night drives at Lake Manyara National Park extremely beautiful. After an early dinner, depart the lodge at 19 or 20 hrs for a three-hour exploration of the park. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the park’s various habitats in search of nocturnal wildlife and sounds, providing you with a unique viewpoint on the lake and the Rift Valley Escarpment.
Because of the consistent water supply throughout the year, the park’s wild animals are in excellent condition. There are several elusive species that are rarely observed during the day but are quite active at night in the lake Manyara national park. Keep a look out for shy animals, lithe civet cats, and thorny porcupines if you’re lucky. The enormous hippos contentedly feeding under a green tree on the roadside may be easier to observe also during Lake Manyara night game drives. The cost of a night game drive in Lake Manyara National Park is $50 for an adult and $25 for a kids.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES IN TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK.
An exclusive night game drive expedition within the Tarangire National Park will introduce you to a new world of nocturnal animal species, since this area is regarded as a perfect site for this activity. Tarangire National Park, which is near the Lake Manyara ecosystem, is a melting pot for all kinds of species. The Tarangire River is teeming with life all year round, and the animals are in peak health, making wildlife viewing even better. Animals that are less commonly observed are more likely to be seen during this night game drives which lasts for almost three hours. The cost of a night game drive in Tarangire National Park is $50 for adults and $25 for children.
The night game drive in Tarangire National Park begins at 19:00p.m., and you will meet your guide at the gate of your chosen accommodation for a briefing on what to do and what not to do during the night game drive. After that, you’ll travel through the night through Tarangire Park to witness the creatures, some of which are uncommon and inactive during the day. Leopards, as well as other species such as lions, wandering elephants, antelopes, porcupines, genets, and civet cats, will be easily visible.
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK NIGHT GAME DRIVES
Mikumi National Park is the fifth largest national park in Tanzania, situated between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango Range, and is bordered on the south by the Selous wildlife reserve and the nyerere national park. Mikumi National Park offers a night game drive with an armed park ranger that begins about 8:00 p.m. after dinner and lasts until 11:00 p.m which is almost three hours.
During the night game drive in mikumi national park, you will get the opportunity to see nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, and hyenas. The cost of a night game drive at Mikumi National Park is USD 50 for adults and USD 25 for children. Aside from the night game drive, the park offers a variety of other activities such as day game drives where you can see animals such as giraffes, buffaloes, and elephants, guided nature walks, birdwatching where you can see a variety of bird species, and camping.
Other national parks where night game drives can be taken to appreciate the African bush at night are Ibanda Kyerwa, Ruaha, Nyerere, and Burigi Chato national park.
NIGHT GAME DRIVES RULES AND GUIDELINES ACCORDING TO TANZANIA NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY (TANAPA).
TYPE OF VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT
- The vehicle will be an open four-wheel-drive vehicle with a maximum capacity of 16 people.
- The maximum number of vehicles allowed per route is three (3).
- The spotlight should have a candle power of 200,000 to 800,000 candle power and specific filters to reduce light intensity.
- Per vehicle, a maximum of two spotlights are permitted.
LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
- A tour operator with a valid Tanzania Tourism Licensing Board (TTLB) license is the one meets the requirement for organizing the night game drives in Tanzania national parks.
- A good track record in business.
- A Tanzanian guide and tracker on the job.
CONSIDERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS
- The activity must be carried out in a way that has the least amount of impact on wildlife and the environment.
- Clients must show consideration for other park visitors.
THINKING ABOUT SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH
- The operator must keep a first-aid kit on board at all times.
- During the activity, visitors must be accompanied by an armed ranger.
THE ACTIVITY’S DURATION
- The night game drive will take place between the hours of 19:00 and 23:00.
FORMS OF INDEMNITY
- All visitors must complete and sign indemnity papers prior before participating in the program.
