Night Game drive in Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is a source of great pride for any wildlife enthusiast. All around you is this incredibly old environment. You may be familiar with Serengeti from one of the breathtaking films made there, even if you have never been there. The Serengeti has been the setting for numerous famous films, including “Surviving the Serengeti,” “Africa: The Serengeti,” “The African Lion,” and countless more. It was in 1952 that the magnificent Serengeti National Park was founded. Its location in northern Tanzania is quite convenient. Spread out over approximately 14,763 square kilometers, it is quite large. The terrain primarily consists of seemingly unending plains interspersed with grasslands, forests, and kopjes. In 1981, UNESCO designated this park as a World Heritage Site because of the ancient ecosystem it contains. The Great Migration, one of the world’s oldest events, is also housed at this park. Amazingly, this is the largest mammal migration that has ever occurred on our planet. Once a year, this enchanted occasion takes place. Indulge in a thrilling adventure at the Serengeti National Park by participating in one of several incredible events. Serengeti National Park is a fantastic place to partake in a wide variety of exciting adventures.
A variety of events can be planned in Serengeti National Park. Among these activities are hot-air balloon safaris, birdwatching, Great Migration treks, camping, chartered flights, wildlife drives, picnics and bush dinners. Right now I want to show you something that no one else does in Serengeti, and it’s absolutely amazing. Take a night game drive. The truth is that Serengeti National Park does not often allow game drives at night. On the other hand, the Serengeti’s world-class lodges arrange and carry them out on the park’s outskirts. Game drives at night are most common during the dry season, which begins in June and lasts all the way into October. Just a heads up, there is a different pricing for night game drives compared to the daytime ones. Famous lodges and tent camps use the park’s open space to host this intriguing event. A night game drive cannot be scheduled. It is scheduled for either the day of your arrival or that very day. The day’s weather, however, dictates the logistics of a night game drive. On days when there is minimal cloud cover, it goes smoothly. If it rains too much, this drive will be ruined.
You ought to be aware of the cost of a night game drive prior to organizing this occasion. It begins at $50 for each individual. You won’t regret going on this safari because there are several official camps all throughout the Serengeti. The length of a night game drive in the Serengeti ranges from two to four hours, subject to park regulations and the operator you choose. In most cases, this takes place between the hours of 8:00 and 11:00 p.m., not far from the lodge or tent camp.
What does a night game drive entail?
Night game drives provide a unique opportunity to connect with the African nocturnals, who are the only predators that emerge at night, while day game drives only show you what is visible during the day. Active African Vacations These pangolins, hippos, and countless more uncommon nighttime creatures may be approachable if you’re lucky. White-tailed mongoose, bushbabies, leopard, civet, genets, porcupines, and lions (during hunts) are among the other animals that can be seen. Predators that hunt during the night can be seen, as they prey on animals that sleep during the day.
The stars, the moon, and the animals’ eyes reflecting your car’s light are some of the other sights to behold on a night game drive.
In some Serengeti Ecosystem game reserves and protected areas, night game drives are also allowed. There are a number of game reserves in this area, including Grumeti, Maswa, Loliondo, and Ikorongo. Luxurious lodgings in these game reserves arrange night game drives. Southern Subeti Tented Camp, for instance, hosts this event all season long in Maswa Game Reserve. Maswa Game Reserve becomes a staging ground for the Great Migration whenever herds of wild animals are unable to ford the massive Grumeti River. Large herds of herbivores and predators stalk their prey in the game reserve’s still-green pastures from May until July. Buffalo Tented Lodge in the Northern Serengeti (Loliondo Game Reserve), Swala Tented Lodge, and Tarangire Tree-Tops Tented Lodge are among the other facilities in the Serengeti Ecosystem that arrange night game drives.
Although Serengeti isn’t exactly known for its night game drives, I can think of an exciting place where you can legally enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Two beautiful parks on the Northern Circuit that host night game drives are Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Just like with any other safari, you’ll need to make your request during the day. The day before your departure, be sure you clear any payments, such as the admission charge, which is valid for 24 hours. The following is the schedule for your night drive that you must adhere to.
This package does not include dinner, so you’ll need to eat dinner early. Most tour providers will pick you up from your lodge by 8: 00 pm. The next step is to gather the required paperwork, including insurance forms, at one of the park’s entrances.
You will receive a briefing before the drive at the gate. During this drive, an armed park ranger will be your tour guide and the journey will take about 2 hours. Typically, the night drive to the hippo pools at Lake Manyara starts at the park gate and follows the Simba River. You can expect to return to your lodge or tented camp by car at approximately 22:30 hours.
Exploring Lake Manyara National Park at Night for Game Drives
Even before they notice the motionless crocodiles in the river, the spirits of hippos will rise from the depths. Night game drives around Lake Manyara offer breathtaking vistas of nocturnal animals’ eyes reflecting the light of the automobile. The night is the most active time of day for big cats, such as leopards and lions. Night game drives in Tarangire are so exciting because you get to see all the big animals, including elephants, who are active during the night. Night game drives are also available in the following national parks: Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mikumi.
Items to Pack. For a night game drive, you just need a few things to keep you comfortable and attentive. Please remember to bring a jacket because the nights tend to be cold. Insect repellents are crucial for this safari because using a car light or torch will attract a lot of insects. On a night game drive, binoculars are also a must-have accessory.
Additionally, while on a night game drive, you are required to follow certain regulations. These include; reducing your tone to avoid disturbing animals, do not drive too close to the animals since the car spotlight may cause confusion to wild animals, you should not leave litter carelessly, you should not smoke to avoid bushfires, and you should not drive off the track.
A night game drive is a wonderful event which should not be missed by anyone during his/her trip to Tanzania. Several Serengeti lodges provide unforgettable wildlife drives. Spend the day exploring Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, or relax at your preferred resort and ask for a night game drive. The option is yours.