
When the sun sets and darkness settles over South Luangwa, the landscape transforms. While most of us head to bed, the bush comes alive with creatures that thrive in the night. These nocturnal animals have evolved incredible abilities to help them navigate the darkness. Let’s explore some of the fascinating creatures that call the night their own, and how they’ve adapted to life after sundown.
Leopards: Quiet Hunters
Leopards are masters of nocturnal hunting, using their spotty camouflage to blend into the shadows. Their eyes, six times more sensitive to light than ours, help them detect movement from 200 feet away, even under moonlight. With ears that rotate 180 degrees, they can pinpoint the slightest rustle, while their keen sense of smell helps track prey.
When they get close, leopards pounce with incredible speed and power, using their jaws to subdue their prey instantly. They’re also fantastic climbers, often using trees to escape danger or enjoy their meal undisturbed.
Trail cam footage captured at Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Bush Camp often features these cats passing through, typically in search of bushbuck. Mwezi, one of the resident leopards at Kaingo Camp, is frequently seen wandering around.
Lions: Masters of the Night Hunt
Lions, often called the “king of the jungle,” are highly adapted for nocturnal life. While they don’t have the night vision of a leopard, lions possess excellent eyesight that allows them to see in very low light conditions, making them effective hunters at dusk and dawn. They use the cover of darkness to ambush prey, relying on their strong sense of hearing and smell to track animals that are also active at night. Typically hunting in groups, their social structure enhances their success; lionesses coordinate attacks while males defend their territory. Their teamwork, combined with the cool night air and stealthy movement, gives them the upper hand in catching dinner.
Trail cam footage of the Mwamba Kaingo Pride at Mwamba Bush Camp in 2024 on the hunt.
Owls: Silent Flyers
Owls are built for the night. Their large eyes take in as much light as possible, helping them spot even the slightest movement. But their hearing is just as impressive. With ears positioned slightly differently, they can zero in on exactly where a sound is coming from, making them excellent hunters. And what’s more, they fly silently. Their feathers are designed to reduce noise, so they can swoop down on their prey without being heard.
One particularly rare owl in South Luangwa is the Pel’s fishing owl. This elusive bird is most commonly found in the Ebony Grove, where its deep, booming call echoes through the night. Unlike other owls, the Pel’s fishing owl specializes in catching fish, making it an unusual and fascinating resident of the Luangwa Valley.
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Trail cam footage of a Barn owl at Kaingo Camp near one of the mini waterholes.
Servals: The Bush Acrobat
Servals are a bit like the acrobats of the bush. With long legs and big ears, they’re built to catch small animals like rodents and birds. Their ears act like super-sensitive radar, picking up even the faintest rustle in the grass. When they hear something, they’re quick to react, leaping high into the air to catch their prey—sometimes with amazing precision.
Civets and Genets: Night-Time Foragers
Civets and genets are smaller animals that spend their nights foraging for food in the bush. They rely on their sharp sense of smell to find fruit, insects, and other small animals, aided by a special organ called Jacobson’s organ, which helps them detect subtle scents in the air. Both species are predominantly nocturnal and are skilled climbers, often seen climbing trees or sneaking through the undergrowth in search of food. Civets tend to be solitary and territorial, while genets may live in pairs or small groups. Their agility and stealth make them effective foragers, always on the lookout for their next meal.
Genets and a civet were captured on the trail cam wandering around in search of food at Kaingo Camp and Mwamba Bush Camp.
Spotted Hyenas: Opportunistic Hunters

Hyenas are often seen as scavengers, but they’re also skilled hunters, especially at night. With strong jaws and a keen sense of smell, they can find food in the dark and take advantage of opportunities that arise. Their eyes are adapted to low light, helping them track prey in the night, and they often work together in groups to hunt, which makes them even more effective.
Trail cam shots of hyenas on the prowl around Kaingo Camp—wandering in search of scraps and, as always, up to no good!
Honey Badgers: Fearless Foragers
Honey badgers thrive as primarily nocturnal creatures due to several key adaptations. Being active at night helps them avoid some diurnal predators and hunt for food, including insects, small mammals, and even larger prey like porcupines. Their keen sense of smell is vital for locating prey in low light.
Additionally, their robust build and sharp claws enable them to dig for food and use burrows, often those abandoned by other animals. Their thick skin provides them protection against bites and bee stings. With a diverse diet that includes honey and bee larvae, honey badgers can find sustenance in various environments. Their solitary lifestyle enhances foraging success by reducing competition and allowing them to explore habitats independently.
Honey badgers making their way to Kaingo Camp’s kitchen in search of food, and spotted at Mwamba Bush Camp by the waterhole.
Why Be Nocturnal?
You might wonder why these animals are so active at night. For many, it’s about avoiding the heat of the day. South Luangwa can get really hot, especially in the dry season, so staying active at night helps them conserve energy and avoid overheating. It also gives them a better chance to catch prey or stay out of sight of larger predators. For some animals, the cover of darkness just gives them an advantage.
Next time you're in South Luangwa, take a moment to listen to the sounds of the night.
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