The (Five Million) Bats of Kasanka - An Unforgettable Wildlife Spectacle

During November and December each year a wildlife phenomenon occurs in Zambia's Kasanka National Park that rivals the great wildlife spectacles from around the globe. An estimated five million straw-coloured fruit bats descend on the park's mushitu swamp forest, an area roughly one hectare in size! The mind-blowing number of bats are drawn by the abundance of wild fruits that ripen over this time in and around the swamp.

During the day the bats roost in the trees of the mushitu forest, literally packing themselves around branches and tree trunks which often break due to the immense weight of the bats!

It is at twilight that the true enormity of the bat congregation sinks in. Hundreds of thousands of bats drop from their roosting position and fill the sky in all directions for twenty solid minutes as they head off to feed. Guests have the opportunity to view all of this from a 60 ft high tree-top hide that is situated next to the forest and offers a superb vantage point.

Kasanka, and the adjacent Bangweulu Swamps, are exceptionally diverse reserves that support a wide variety of animal, bird and plant life, including some of Africa's rare and iconic species. Sitatunga, black lechwe, Pel's fishing owls, shoebills, wattled cranes, blue monkeys and others are abundant in the parks and ensures that the huge gathering of bats each year is simply the cherry on the top of an otherwise fantastic African safari experience.

We highly recommend combining Kasanka with one of Zambia's other spectacular wildlife reserves: South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi or Kafue National Parks that offer a completely different, yet equally rewarding, wilderness experience.

Keen on experiencing something seriously unique and utterly breathtaking? Let us tailor-make a safari with a difference for you...

Images courtesy of Francois d'Elbée & Robin Pope Safaris

Categories: Something Different, Zambia, Wildlife, Africa's Wild Spaces

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