Night Game Drive

When the sun sets the African bush changes character entirely, and a whole cast of animals that lay low through the heat of the day comes into its own. A night game drive, conducted with a handheld spotlight and an expert guide, opens a window onto this hidden world: the eye-shine of a hunting lioness, the bounding silhouette of a springhare, the soft pad of a leopard slipping between the shadows.

Nocturnal specialists are the real prize. Aardvark, bushbaby, white-tailed mongoose, civet, genet, porcupine and the elusive aardwolf are all far more likely after dark, and even familiar species behave differently when the temperature drops and the hunt begins. Predators are typically at their most active, and there is a particular thrill to watching a pride set off in the cool of the evening.

Because spotlighting is restricted inside many national parks, the best night drives take place in private conservancies and certain reserves where the activity is permitted and managed responsibly. A skilled guide uses the light carefully, avoiding sensitive species' eyes and keeping disturbance to a minimum.

Drives usually set off around dusk so you catch the golden hour and the changeover from day to night. Warm layers are worth packing, as the open vehicle can grow cold once the sun is gone.