MURCHISON NATIONAL PARK
Can I do a night game drive in Murchison Falls National Park? Yes, you can! Moreover, Murchison Falls is the BEST national park in Uganda for night game drives to see nocturnal animals.
Because 70% of wildlife wakes up after sunset, you will miss leopards, hyenas and bush babies if you only do day game drives. Therefore, at Lena Tours we highly recommend adding a night game drive to your Murchison safari.
So, here is everything you need to know about night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park – cost, time, animals, booking, and safety.
1. Can I Do a Night Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park? Yes, It’s Allowed
Yes, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officially allows night game drives in Murchison Falls National Park every night.
Key details:
Time: 7:30 PM approximately 2hrs
1. Location: Paraa – Buligi area and Pakuba area – these areas have highest concentration of nocturnal animals
2. Requirement: Must be with UWA armed ranger + torch + registered tour vehicle.
Therefore, you cannot do self-drive night drive – you must book with registered operator like Lena Tours
2. How Much Does Night Game Drive Cost in Murchison Falls?
Night game drive cost in Murchison Falls is $50 per person payable to Uganda Wildlife Authority.
In addition, the cost includes 2-3 hours game drive with professional guide.
3. Which Nocturnal Animals Will You See During Night Game Drive in Murchison Falls?
Murchison Falls has over 15 nocturnal species. Moreover, success rate is very high.
Animals you will see:
High chance (90%+)
Spotted hyenas – you will see them hunting
Bush babies – tiny primates with big glowing orange eyes
White-tailed mongoose
Good chance (60-70%)
Leopards – Murchison has highest leopard population in Uganda
Porcupines and honey badgers
Lucky chance (30-40%)
Lions hunting at night – you will hear roaring from 5km away!
Serval cats and bush pigs
Hippos grazing on land far from Nile
4. How is Night Game Drive Done? What to Expect
Your day game drive finishes at 6:00 PM. Then you go to lodge for dinner.
After dinner at 7:30 PM, your Lena Tours driver plus UWA ranger with powerful spotlight/torch picks you.
Then you drive slowly through Buligi savannah with spotlight scanning both sides. The ranger spots eye reflections – white eyes for hyenas, orange for bush babies, green for leopards.
Furthermore, you must stay silent and keep lights off inside car. In addition, no flash photography allowed.
The drive takes 2.5 hours and returns to your lodge.
5. Do You Need to Book Night Game Drive in Advance?
Yes Because only 3 cars are allowed per night, slots finish very fast especially in peak season June-August and December-February.
Therefore, Lena Tours recommends booking your night game drive at least 24 hours before.
During peak season, book 3 days before.
So, when you book your Murchison safari with us, just tell us “Add night game drive” and we will reserve your slot immediately with UWA.
6. Is Night Game Drive Safe in Murchison Falls?
Yes, 100% safe when done with registered operator.
Because you stay inside closed 4×4 Land Cruiser with:
UWA armed ranger for security
Experienced Lena Tours driver who knows park at night
Spotlight to see animals before they come close
Radio communication with park headquarters
7. Murchison Falls Night Game Drive vs Day Game Drive – Which is Better?
You need both
Day game drive: See elephants, buffalos, giraffes, lions sleeping, Uganda Kobs, waterbucks – best at 6am-10am.
Night game drive: See leopards active, hyenas hunting, bush babies jumping, lions roaring – only after 7:30pm.
As a result, best itinerary is: Morning day game drive + Afternoon boat cruise + Night game drive. So you see 100% of wildlife.
3 Days Murchison Falls Big Five Safari + Night Game Drive
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls. Afternoon boat cruise to bottom of Falls where you see hippos, crocodiles, elephants. Hike to Top of Falls.
Day 2: Morning game drive 6am-10am for lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes. Afternoon rest. Night game drive 7:30pm-11pm for leopards and hyenas.
Day 3: Morning game drive or Ziwa Rhino tracking on way back to Kampala.
Cost:
– Without night drive: $900 per person sharing / $1200 solo
– With night drive: $925 per person sharing / $1225 solo – only $25 extra
Includes: Private 4×4, driver, park fees per day, boat cruise , Top of Falls , accommodation, meals, water, UWA ranger for night drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What time is night game drive in Murchison Falls?
A: 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM daily.
Q: How much is night game drive in Murchison?
A: $50 UWA fee, but it you book with Lena Tours 3 Days safari its included.
Q: Can I do self-drive night game drive?
A: No, must have UWA ranger and registered operator vehicle.
Q: Which animals will I see at night?
A: Leopard, hyena, bush baby, civet, genet, porcupine, lions hunting.
Q: Is it included in park entry?
A: No, separate fee.
Book Your Night Game Drive in Murchison Falls National Park with Lena Tours Today
Contact us to add night game drive to your safari:
– Email: info@lenatours.africa
– Website: info@lenatours.africa
Plan Your Safari with Lena Tours
Complete the enquiry form below and our safari specialists will prepare a personalised itinerary and quotation for your journey.
