Night vision goggles used at game lodge in South Africa

The days of the traditional African safari may be numbered after one operator turned to battlefield technology to spice up the game-viewing experience.

Bosses at one of South Africa's most famous Game Lodges, Londolozi, have brought in night vision goggles - more often used to hunt the Taliban in Afghanistan - to stay on the trail of wildlife once the sun sets.

The equipment means that, as other guests head back to their lodges for their evening meal, the night vision crew can stay out as the bush comes to life in the dark.



"The whole idea was to try and get closer in with nature," Londolozi owner Dave Varty said. "With the night glasses you could see what the lions see because their nocturnal vision is so good."

Using a normal spotlight to view the animals in the dark upsets them and stops them acting naturally.

But with the night vision, they return to bush business as usual with no idea they are being watched.

With news video.