On A Night Drive:
15 Nocturnal Animals of Zambia
When the sun dips below the horizon and the golden light of the bush fades into twilight, South Luangwa transforms. The daytime animation may be pausing — but the bush doesn’t sleep. Instead, it shifts into a different rhythm, quieter and more mysterious.
At Kafunta Safaris, our night drives offer a rare glimpse into this twilight world, where some of Africa’s most fascinating and elusive creatures come to life.
While night drives are restricted in many parks across Africa — like in Kenya or Tanzania — Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park allows them, making this one of the most unique and memorable experiences of a safari.
Our night drives are an extension of the afternoon game drive. After a sundowner drink at sunset, we turn on the spotlight and let the night unfold. It’s during this hour-long window that the secrets of the night are revealed – with the help of your safari guide and expert spotter, whose ability to detect the slightest movement or glint of eyes in the dark is nothing short of extraordinary. Their sharp instincts and deep knowledge bring the nocturnal world of South Luangwa to life, one flicker of light at a time.
What Makes an Animal Nocturnal?
Nocturnal animals are species that are primarily active during the night rather than the day. They have evolved specific adaptations — such as enhanced hearing, heightened sense of smell, and specialized night vision — to help them navigate, hunt, or forage in the dark. These adaptations give them an edge in cooler nighttime temperatures and help them avoid daytime predators or competition. In South Luangwa, nightfall signals the start of their active hours, offering a whole new chapter of wildlife behaviour to witness.
So what might you see once darkness falls? Here are 15 nocturnal animals and birds you may encounter during a night drive in Zambia, and in particular in South Luangwa.
1. Leopard
The undeniable star of the night. Stealthy, solitary, and elusive, leopards are often active after dusk. South Luangwa has one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa, and night drives offer some of the best chances to see them on the move, hunting or lounging in trees.
2. Lion
Often more active after dark, lions stir from their daytime rest, stretching and greeting one another with low grumbles and affectionate nuzzles before setting off to hunt. This is also the best time to hear them calling across the plains — a deep, resonant roar that carries for kilometres. Hearing it in the stillness of the night is truly unforgettable.
3. Genet
Graceful and feline-like, genets are agile hunters that move effortlessly between the ground and branches. Their sleek, spotted coats and glowing eyes often catch the spotlight — though they tend to vanish just as quickly. As we like to joke on drive, spotting ten genets in one evening is the equivalent of one leopard!
4. Civet
Larger and stockier than a genet, the civet’s striking black-and-white patterns and bushy tail make it a special sighting as it forages quietly under the trees.
5. Honey Badger
Famed for their fearlessness, honey badgers are powerful little mammals that are tough as nails — and not afraid of a standoff with lions (or a safari vehicle!). They’re not seen every night, but when they appear, it’s always memorable.
6. Aardvark (a rare prize!)
This shy, nocturnal digger is one of South Luangwa’s most sought-after sightings. With its long snout and powerful claws, the aardvark is perfectly built for termite feasts — but not easy to find.
7. Porcupine
These spiky herbivores are common after dark and are often seen alone or in pairs (and if extremely lucky, a small family like on Gene & JP’s photo below). You might catch sight of their distinctive black-and-white quills bristling as they forage along the ground — or hear the telltale rustle in the undergrowth just before they emerge into view.
8. Scrub Hare
A familiar figure of the night drive, the scrub hare freezes in the spotlight before springing away in wild zigzags — a key prey species for many nocturnal predators.
9. Elephant Shrew
Tiny, twitchy, and fast. These long-nosed insectivores dash around low underbrush with surprising speed — and sharp-eyed guests might spot their darting movement.
10. White-tailed Mongoose & other mongoose species
South Luangwa is home to several mongoose varieties, but the white-tailed mongoose is one of the most frequently seen after dark. It often trots confidently across open spaces, its bright tail tip glowing like a little beacon in the spotlight. Alongside the equally charismatic bushy-tailed mongoose, they’re regular visitors to the Kafunta floodplains — often making their rounds right around our dinner time.
11. Bush Baby (less & Thick-tailed)
A true nocturnal gem. These tiny primates with enormous eyes leap between branches with astonishing agility. Listen for their eerie cries — and keep an eye out for their glowing eyes in the trees.
12. Chameleon
Hard to spot by day, but at night, chameleons become easier to find. They often turn pale in the spotlight, glowing softly as they inch along branches with swiveling eyes.
13. Spotted Hyena
Whether alone or in groups, hyenas are often seen on the move, sniffing out opportunities. Their whoops and giggles add an eerie soundtrack to the Luangwa night.
14. Owls (Pel's Fishing Owl, Verreaux' Eagle Owl & more)
From the huge, deep-voiced Verreaux’s eagle owl — the largest owl in Africa — to the tiny Scops Owl, which blends perfectly into the bark of mopane trees, and the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl perched near the riverbanks, Luangwa’s owl population is remarkably diverse. Their distinctive calls — hoots, trills, and resonant booms — echo through the darkness, carrying on until dawn.
15. Nightjars (square-tailed, Fiery-necked & others)
These ground-roosting birds often flush up from the road, their eyes flashing red in the spotlight. Their soft calls and cryptic plumage make them one of the quieter, but charming, night drive residents.
What We don't shine the light on
As much as we love to share the magic of the night, we do so with deep respect for the animals we encounter. Certain species — like hippos, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes — are particularly sensitive to artificial light. Unlike nocturnal animals, their eyes aren’t adapted to handle direct beams; they lack the reflective tapetum lucidum layer that helps reduce glare. Shining a spotlight on them can cause stress, disorientation, or even lead to dangerous situations.
For this reason, our guides and spotters are trained to avoid lighting up these species unless absolutely necessary for safety. When observing predators actively hunting, we also switch to a red-filtered light, which is much less disruptive to both predator and prey — preserving the natural rhythm of the hunt while still allowing for responsible viewing.
and above it all...
But there’s another element to night drives, other than wildlife.
With no light pollution in the remote Luangwa Valley, the African night sky comes alive — a blanket of stars, the shimmering Milky Way, and the unmistakable Southern Cross shining brightly overhead. It’s a humbling and magical backdrop to an already unforgettable experience.
Mysterious, thrilling, and full of surprise — the night holds stories waiting to be discovered. Want to experience it for yourself? Contact us to plan your stay and join us on a journey into the African night.
