The Biggest fruit bat migration in Kasanka Zambia – Witness bat migration in Kasanka National Park
The Biggest fruit bat migration in Kasanka Zambia – They hosts a unique wildlife spectacle every November and December when Millions of Straw-coloured Fruitbats assemble from around Central Africa to roost in an area of ‘Mushitu’ swamp forest near the confluence of the Musola and Kasanka Rivers.
At twilight bats fill the sky in all directions for twenty solid minutes as they leave their roost site to feed though the night on abundant seasonal fruit of the “miombo” woodlands.This event is one of Africa’s most amazing and unusual wildlife spectacles – never forgotten by those lucky enough to witness it.
Visitors can also take guided walks through the forest in the day time to view the bats as they chatter, fly and crawl about their roost. This bat migration has been the subject of intense interest from scientists who are trying to find the reason why so many colonies all assemble in this one corner of Zambia. They report that it is the largest aggregation of mammals in Africa, and probably the most concentrated in the world. Preliminary research has also found many other interesting species of bat in Kasanka, and we plan to run some specialist bat tours during November and December for enthusiasts.
Best time to visit kasanka national park.
Kasanka is open all year round. Birding is especially good in the wet season from November to March when migrants arrive from the north. Game viewing is best in the dry months from May to October.
How to get to kasanka national park.
Take the Great North Road from Lusaka, turn right just after Kapiri Mposhi and left after Serenje on the road to Samfya. Turn left at the 54km mark into the Park at the Malaushi gate.
Where to stay in kasanka national park?
Situated on the south-western edge of Lake Bangweulu, and with a surface area of 450 square kilometres, is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks – the Kasanka National Park. Run by the Kasanka Trust charity in partnership with the local community – this park is the only privately managed park in Zambia.
Brimming with awe-inspiring rivers, vast lakes, beautiful miombo woodlands, swamp forests, wetlands, dambos, lagoons and meadows, this picturesque park is able to support a unique and wide variety of fauna and flora. One rare species commonly found here is the sitatunga antelope, but in actual fact – the park’s biggest wildlife attraction is the annual fruit-bat migration; the largest mammal migration on Earth!
Since Kasanka National Park is one of Zambia’s lesser-known parks, accommodation options are somewhat limited, but you can still choose between options such as the luxurious Wasa Lodge, the comfortable Luwombwa Lodge or the adventurous Shoebill Camp.