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One of my favourite activities when in the bush is a night drive.
If you thought the thrill of finding an animal during the day was incredible, wait until you do so in the dead of night.
Night drives are made all the more exciting by the fact that you have a chance to spot nocturnal critters like servals, porcupines, civets, genets, bushbabies, caracals, and aardvarks.
Leopards and lions are also most active at night, so those big cats are on the cards if you are lucky enough.
Traditionally, a night drive consisted of a spotlight in hand, with the reflection of eyes the only real way to force your guide to stop and investigate.
That appears to be changing forever.
READ: 4 affordable places to stay near Kruger's Malelane Gate
The dawn of the thermal night drive
Technology touches pretty much every element of life in 2026 - and it appears safaris are no different.
The use of thermal technology to find animals at night has become the latest trend in the bush. While this makes spotting animals a lot easier, it kind of takes away from the thrill of the hunt - for me, at least.
Having said that, you can't argue that actually getting to see that serval prancing around the bush on its long legs is far more appealing than driving for hours without seeing a single sign of life. So it is a toss-up, really. (Disclaimer: Even with thermal technology, you aren't guaranteed to see anything. It's the luck of the bush, after all.)
The Tintswalo Collection is the latest safari provider to adopt this new technology, launching a new Thermal Night Safari & Stargazing experience.
This activity is available in the Greater Kruger at both their Tintswalo Safari and Tintswalo Manor House properties in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, as well as at Tintswalo Scops Rest in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.
There is also another option through Thermal Night Drive Safaris out of Marloth Park, located on the southern border of the Kruger National Park, while for those in KwaZulu-Natal, &Beyond Phinda also uses the technology.
These safaris use thermal imaging cameras and heat-signature technology to spot the animals. Some argue that this is a less disruptive way of viewing game than the traditional spotlight, but if you know not to shine the light directly into the animal's eyes, there really isn't an issue.
As I have yet to experience a thermal night drive, it's difficult for me to judge (despite already kind of judging), but until then, I will settle for the trusty spotlight, a keen set of eyes, and that constant hope that something rare and exciting will reveal itself in the darkness.
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