Many reserves only allow people to be out from sunrise to sunset. Practically, this is to keep people safe and to allow the predators to hunt without interference. However, one of the huge benefits of private reserves is that you can game drive 24×7 if you like! We were treated to many a night game drive.
So, what is a night game drive? It’s a drive in a game viewer vehicle where you use high powered spot lights to see creatures who are out at night. If you are a SCUBA diver, it’s a bit like night diving. You can basically see what it in the spot light and not much else. As you search, moving the light back and forth and up the road, you are looking for eye shine. Eye shine is when animal eyes are caught in the light beam. Predators and prey have different eye colors and behave differently when the light sweeps over them. Predators will often shield their eyes.
Why go on a night drive? Because you have the chance of seeing animals who are only awake at night! We caught a glimpse of a civet, a few genets, and more – but no pictures – too quick!
One animal I never expected to see at night was a spider, yet their eyes shone brightly that we saw several of them! Love that Sigma 150-600 mm lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1082153-REG/sigma_150_600mm_f_5_6_3_dg_os.html) that can capture these little creatures from afar!
Each night we saw many rabbits. They would race down the road away from the vehicle and eventually find their way off into the bush. Once out of the road, they would sit and munch on grass as we passed by.
The zebras were shy this trip, which is very rare! We only saw them at night for the first 8 days and then only butt shots!
If you ever get the opportunity to enjoy a game night drive – go for it!
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