Need a new camera - traveling to Africa?

I'm looking to purchase a new camera.

I already have a nikon cool pics camera, and i do love it, but I think I'm in need of something more for my trip to Africa. I'm looking to stay under $250.00 - Can you please suggest any?

Also remember I take a lot of shots at a race track, so I need something that is good for night pics and great zoom. If anyone can give me some suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Pros/Cons are welcome.

To stay in, or close to, budget, look at these: Super Zooms: Nikon Coolpix P100 or Nikon Coolpix L120 or a good buy is the Nikon Coolpix S9100

Get hold of a bridge camera like the Coolpix P510 or Finepix SL300
You get good zoom 42x & 30x resp.
http://www.dpreview.com/...film_sl300

Checkout deals for the P510, prices should be down since the P520 has been launched
The SL300 is within your budget
Both offer max aperture of f/3.0 & f/3.1 at the wide end
Does that mean good for night shots
No! The sensor is way too small > 1/2.3"

The only way you can manage night shots is by slowing your shutter speed & keeping the camera mounted on a tripod or wall, firing the shutter with the self timer

There's the Fujifilm X-S1, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Black.html
26x zoom & way better at night shots with a much larger 2/3" sensor, but then it's $600+
And no-where close to a DSLR, just a better bridge