Kampala, Uganda: Uganda has been ranked among Africa’s top destinations for night safaris, with new research highlighting the country’s dark skies and rich wildlife as key attractions for the fast-growing global travel trend known as “noctourism.”
The study, conducted by safari specialists Yellow Zebra, places Uganda ninth among Africa’s best destinations for nighttime wildlife experiences, with an overall Night Safari Index score of 2.97 out of 10.
The findings come as travellers increasingly seek after-dark nature experiences, including night safaris and stargazing, as part of their holiday itineraries.
According to Yellow Zebra, noctourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing trends in global travel, with tourists increasingly looking beyond traditional daytime safaris to explore Africa’s wildlife after sunset.
To compile the rankings, researchers analysed 73 national parks and wildlife reserves across the continent using a weighted index based on five key factors: nighttime darkness (light pollution), wildlife diversity, Big Five and big cat viewing opportunities, availability of guided night drives, and quality of safari guide training.
The scores for individual parks were then aggregated to produce a country-level Night Safari Index.
Uganda’s strengths
Although Uganda ranked ninth overall, the country performed particularly well in the category measuring the quality of its night skies.
Uganda recorded a Bortle light pollution score of 2.74, the eighth-lowest among all countries analysed, meaning many of its protected areas enjoy relatively dark skies that offer excellent opportunities for both wildlife viewing and stargazing.
The research notes that darker skies enhance the overall night safari experience by improving visibility of nocturnal wildlife while providing spectacular views of the stars.
Uganda also scored 2 out of 10 for safari guide training within the study’s methodology, with researchers noting that knowledgeable guides play a crucial role in helping visitors locate elusive nocturnal animals and interpret their behaviour.
Zambia tops Africa
Zambia emerged as Africa’s best destination for night safaris with an overall score of 8.38 out of 10.
Researchers attributed Zambia’s top ranking to the fact that night driving is formally integrated into its national park system, supported by specialised guide certification for nocturnal game drives.
South Africa ranked second with 7.49 points, benefiting from its extensive network of private game reserves and organised night drives in Kruger National Park.
Zimbabwe completed the top three with 6.21 points, earning praise for its rigorous guide training programmes and opportunities to spot rare nocturnal species.
The rest of the top ten comprised:
- Zambia
- South Africa
- Zimbabwe
- Botswana
- Kenya
- Namibia
- Malawi
- Tanzania
- Uganda
- Rwanda
Why the night matters
Commenting on the research, Julian Carter-Manning, Founder of Yellow Zebra, said Africa reveals an entirely different side of its biodiversity after sunset. “Prides of lions move through the darkness, while coalitions of males patrol their territories. Every sound matters. Every rustle has meaning. Africa truly comes alive when night falls.”
He said night safaris offer visitors opportunities to encounter species that are rarely seen during daylight hours. “But a night drive isn’t about ticking off the Big Five. It’s about discovering an entirely different world. The very best guides begin searching for creatures many guests have never even heard of, and others that are simply among Africa’s hardest animals to find.”
Julian added that species such as aardvarks, civets, genets, porcupines, honey badgers, African wildcats, bushbabies, pangolins and Pel’s fishing owl are among the unique attractions of nighttime safaris. “To fully understand the African wilderness, you have to experience it under the cover of darkness.”
Opportunity for Uganda’s tourism sector
Although Uganda trails some of Africa’s leading safari destinations in organised night safari infrastructure, the findings underscore the country’s growing potential to diversify its tourism offerings beyond traditional gorilla trekking and daytime wildlife viewing.
Industry players say expanding guided night drives, improving guide training and promoting Uganda’s dark skies could strengthen the country’s competitiveness within the growing global noctourism market.
The research also highlights Uganda’s relatively low levels of light pollution in protected areas, offering opportunities to combine wildlife experiences with astro-tourism and stargazing.
Source: Research by Yellow Zebra. Full study available at: https://yellowzebrasafaris.com/inspiration/safari-insights/africa-after-dark-where-the-continents-best-night-safaris-are/
