A new study has ranked Africa’s leading destinations for night safaris, underscoring the growing appeal of “noctourism”—travel centred on after-dark experiences such as stargazing and nocturnal wildlife viewing.

The Night Safari Index, compiled by safari specialists Yellow Zebra, assessed 73 parks and reserves across the continent. Countries were scored on four factors: whether night drives are permitted, the diversity of wildlife active after dark, the quality of guide training, and the level of natural darkness.

Zambia emerged as Africa’s top destination, scoring 8.38 out of 10 thanks to its fully integrated night driving system and specialised guide certification. South Africa followed with 7.49, supported by its extensive private reserves and organised night drives in Kruger National Park. Zimbabwe ranked third (6.21), praised for rigorous guide training.

Botswana and Kenya completed the top five, with Botswana earning particular recognition for its exceptionally dark skies—a perfect 10 out of 10—making it the continent’s premier location for stargazing. Remote concessions in the Okavango Delta, Linyanti and Khwai were found to have some of the least light-polluted skies in Africa.

Yellow Zebra founder Julian Carter-Manning described the unique appeal of noctourism:

“Africa reveals a completely different side of its wilderness after sunset. Lions patrol, nocturnal creatures stir, and every sound carries meaning. A night safari is not about ticking off the Big Five—it is about discovering an entirely different world.”

He noted that the best guides introduce travellers to lesser-known species such as aardvarks, civets, genets, honey badgers, porcupines, African wildcats and Pel’s fishing owl.

The report highlights how noctourism is reshaping safari travel, offering visitors immersive experiences that combine wildlife encounters with world-class stargazing. Researchers suggest that Africa’s competitive edge lies in preserving unspoilt wilderness and integrating night drives into conservation areas, ensuring travellers can explore the continent’s hidden world after dark.