The basic PPL is great, but you have to plan your flights to make sure that you get where you want to go before last light (which is roughly 15 to 20 minutes after sunset).  Also, if you want to make an early start, you will have to wait until 'first light' before you can get airborne.

A Night VFR or (Night VMC) rating will remove these constraints, so if you want to get away at 3 a.m., or get home at 9 p.m., you can - as long as the weather conditions allow visual navigation.

More info will be added to this page soon.