Night Game Drives
As the sun sets over Tarangire, a hidden world awakens. Embark on a night game drive to witness the park’s nocturnal wonders, from elusive predators to shy bush babies. Under a silver moon, experience the wild in its most mysterious form. An unforgettable after-dark safari adventure awaits.
Overview
Summary
Available at select properties in Tarangire National Park (prohibited inside the Serengeti).
Duration
1 – 2 hours
Price
$100 – $200 per person (varies by lodge)
Location
Tarangire National Park
Night Drive Access & Logistics
While night drives are restricted in many areas, several premier properties in Tarangire National Park are permitted to conduct these exclusive excursions, including Elephant Springs Tented Lodge, Swala Tented Lodge, Mpingo Ridge Lodge, and Tarangire Tree Tops Lodge.
Each lodge utilizes specialized open-sided safari vehicles designed for nocturnal viewing. These vehicles are equipped with a dedicated “spotter” seat at the front and a powerful spotlight to illuminate the bush.
Nightfall transforms the park into an alien landscape bathed in silver moonlight. In this “other world,” the ghosts of hippos emerge from the rivers, and the giant shapes of elephants melt in and out of clearings like silent battleships passing in the night. The experience is punctuated by the deep throb of a lion’s roar piercing the chilly air.
What to look for:
- Reflective Eyes: Watch for the glow of predators caught in the spotlight.
- Nocturnal Specialists: Keep an eye out for creatures rarely seen by day, such as bush babies, porcupines, and aardvarks.
- The Sounds of the Wild: Listen for the unique symphony of the African night that only begins after the sun goes down.
