Nine nocturnal African animals to spot on a night Safari

Few things in life are as rewarding as watching the sun slowly go down after a full day on safari in Africa. It merges the twin sensations of fulfilment and expectation perfectly, often over a well-poured Gin & Tonic, glass of wine, or cold beer.

While the African nocturnal animals are still covering up, you have the opportunity to reflect on the incredible experiences of the day just past, all while looking forward eagerly to what magic may lie waiting for you once the blanket of darkness has settled.

The red, gold, burnt orange, and pink sky slowly turns a deep purple before fading black. A sprinkling of glistening yellow stars twinkle above, and a definite sense of anticipation fills the air.

A night safari in Africa

Just because the light has gone does not mean the end of wildlife spotting! Oh no, anything but! With a spotlight and a red filter, a completely different perspective of the African bush is opened up at nighttime.

As the light slowly and deliberately flows from one nook to the next cranny, you quickly fall into the nocturnal rhythm as your eyes adjust to the darkness. The object is, of course, to find noctural animals while avoiding those that are active during the day.

Although it is true that most of your large predators, such as lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas, are predominantly more active at night as that is when they mostly hunt, they are not the primary targets of a night drive.

It is always incredible to see one of those long-toothed, sharp-clawed creatures out and about, but they are certainly not the only exciting nighttime animals on the prowl.

This article aims to shine a spotlight on a rather unique group of night creatures, a motley crew of darkness dwellers I affectionately refer to as the Nocturnal Nine.

African nocturnal animals

#1 The African Civet

The African civet, Civettictis civetta, looks like a cross between a large cat and a racoon.

They have short, dense, greyish fur with black spots and bands on the body, a white muzzle, and black face markings around the eyes that give them that distinct 'bandit up to no good’ look.

Civets have an interesting diet, with quite a few options on their menu that very few other animals would ever even consider! From rotten meat and eggs to fruit and millipedes, not much is left out.

They regularly use the same latrine, known as a "civitry," which is filled with undeniably huge droppings considering the size of the animal! Shy and skulking, civets are a great spot after dark.

#2 The Large Spotted Genet

The Large Spotted Genet, Genetta tigrina, and its cousin the Small Spotted Genet, Genetta genetta, are graceful, delicate, cat-like looking animals not much smaller than a domestic cat.

They have short legs, an elongated body, and a very long tail. Lines of rusty red encircling black spots cover greyish-brown fur.

Rodents and other small mammals make up its diet, but they certainly won’t turn their cute noses up to the odd snake or insect.

Genets are often seen perched at the base of a termite mound or in the lower branches of a tree, but readily glide off into the darkness when disturbed.

#3 The Cape Porcupine

The Cape Porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis, is a particularly prickly critter. The largest rodents in Africa, they are adorned with black and white quills that shout out ‘don’t mess with me’ in most spoken languages.

Heavily built with short legs, rounded heads, and small eyes, their tail bears a rattle of hollow quills, which they shake as a very effective deterrent against unwanted visitors.

Porcupines are typically herbivorous, with a preference for underground vegetation such as roots and tubers, but they are also known to eat carrion and nibble on the odd bone.

They tend to stick to thick vegetation, making them difficult to spot, but it is well worth the effort to find one.

#4 The African Wildcat

The African Wildcat, Felis lybica, is a fantastic, fierce feline about the size of a large house-cat but with longer legs.

Their coat ranges from grey to tawny to sandy yellow and is typically marked with faded spots and stripes. A long, thin tail ends with two to three black rings and a black tip and there is a characteristic rusty colour behind their ears.

When sitting, the long front legs push the wildcat's body up into an obvious near-vertical position. These master hunters strike fear into the hearts of their varied prey, from a rodents to a fish.

#5 The Lesser Bushbaby

The Lesser Bushbaby, Galago moholi, also known as the Lesser Galago, is definitely one of my favourite animals to see after dark.

About the size of a squirrel, they are tree-loving primates with huge, round eyes that immediately grab your attention and send your cuteness meter into the red zone!

They feed on tree gum, with various thorn tree species being the most highly preferred, and insects. Bushbabies are capable of truly incredible leaps, easily reaching 2 meters in height and more than 5 meters in length.

#6 The Aardvark

The Aardvark, Orycteropus afer, is by far one of the most difficult nocturnal animals to spot on an African night safari.

It gets its name from the Afrikaans words "Earth Pig" thanks to its pig-like body and snout and its remarkable ability to dig.

An aardvark is a master excavator and is able to dig a hole at a remarkable rate of 0.6 m every 15 seconds. It digs different holes for different reasons, primarily to eat and for shelter.

Every night, a hungry aardvark can slurp up tens of thousands of termites with its sticky, 30 cm-long tongue.

They are very hard to find. You need a little luck and a lot of skill to catch a glimpse of these secretive animals.

#7 The Scrub Hare

The Scrub Hare, Lepus saxatilis, is true to the classic hare form and has long ears, long legs, and a strong, robust body.

With grizzled grey upperparts and clean white underparts, they are well camouflaged to hide in hollows under scrubs during the day.

Scrub hares are notorious for their ‘mad-headlight-dash’ as they flee from an approaching game viewer and are frequently seen on the road during night drives.

Although quite regularly seen, with often multiple sightings per night drive, these super-energised fluff balls are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

#8 The South African Spring Hare

The South African Spring Hare, Pedetes capensis, is an unusual rodent that looks like a weird blend between a small kangaroo and a rabbit.

Its large hind legs enable it to make huge lunging leaps while keeping its balance with its long tail. The spring hare feeds on roots, sprouts, herbs, and fruit and has brownish-orange coloured fur.

Interestingly, when at rest, they sit with their hind legs stretched out in front of them, their body hanging low down between them, and the flat top of their heads and shoulders laying on the ground. A true oddball if ever there was one!

#9 The Flap-necked Chameleon

The Flap-Necked Chameleon, Chamaeleo dilepis, is a large greenish-yellow to brown chameleon with white triangles protruding along its throat and belly.

Its head is shaped like a dinosaur’s, its protruding eyes swivel, giving it near 360-degree vision, and its tongue can extend up to twice the length of its body.

At night, behind the glow of the spotlight, chameleons glow a pale yellow-green that causes them to stand out quite clearly to someone who knows what to look for.

A slow, calm, and charming character, the Flap-necked Chameleon is a true joy to find.

Discover the magic of Africa's nocturne

It is true that the African savannah comes alive with nighttime delights as darkness descends. These nocturnal animals, from the elusive Aardvark to the endearing Lesser Bushbaby, showcase the varied and intriguing adaptations of nighttime living.

Every sighting adds a new dimension to the safari experience, making each night drive an exciting journey. A night safari transforms the shadows into an adventurous canvas.

Beyond discovering these fascinating creatures, you’ll immerse yourself in the enchantment of Africa's nocturnal rhythms. The real excitement lies in the exploration and the priceless memories created beneath the African night sky.