Witness the Incredible Bat Migration in Kasanka, Zambia
Safari info:
- Starts and ends in Lusaka.
- Duration: 4 days
- Accommodation type: Safari lodge
- Next group departure: 22 November 2027
Each year, one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on Earth unfolds in a small corner of Zambia. Between late October and early December, more than 10 million African Straw-coloured Fruit Bats arrive in the evergreen swamp forest of Kasanka National Park.
This is the largest mammal migration on the planet by number, surpassing even the famous Serengeti wildebeest migration. For several weeks, the skies above Kasanka fill with vast, swirling clouds of bats as they leave their roosts at dusk to feed on ripening forest fruit — a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Our short safari places you right at the heart of the action. Staying beside Lake Wasa, travellers witness the nightly exodus from hides overlooking the Mushitu swamp forest and explore one of Zambia’s most diverse and lesser-visited national parks. Along the way, there are opportunities to spot rare antelope, remarkable birdlife, and dramatic landscapes that few travellers ever experience.
Experience one of Africa’s most unique wildlife events — the Kasanka bat migration — on a safari designed for unforgettable encounters and spectacular photography.
Why this safari – Trip Highlights:
Kasanka Bat Migration – Witness the largest mammal migration on Earth as more than 10 million African Straw-coloured Fruit Bats fill the evening sky above Kasanka National Park during their spectacular nightly exodus.
Fibwe Hide – Climb to this famous treetop platform overlooking the Mushitu swamp forest, where thousands of bats roost during the day and where sightings of the elusive Sitatunga are possible below.
Mushitu Swamp Forest – A small patch of evergreen forest that becomes the epicentre of the migration, where fruiting trees attract millions of bats arriving from the forests of the Congo Basin.
Lake Wasa – A scenic lake in the heart of the park where Wasa Lodge is located, offering excellent wildlife viewing and birding right from camp.
Luwombwa Region – A diverse area of grasslands and woodland known for good general wildlife viewing, including Puku, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, and Sharpe’s Grysbok.
Sitatunga Wetlands – Kasanka’s papyrus swamps support one of Africa’s most visible populations of the shy swamp antelope Sitatunga.
Top Mammals:
African Straw-coloured Fruit Bat, Sitatunga, Puku, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Sharpe’s Grysbok, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, Kinda Baboon, Blue Monkey
Top birds:
Wattled Crane, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Ross’s Turaco, African Finfoot, African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Pygmy Goose, Marsh Tchagra, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Fülleborn’s Longclaw, Osprey
Day to day summary
| Day 1 | Lusaka to Kasanka National Park |
| Day 2-3 | Kasanka National Park |
| Day 4 | Kasanka National Park to Lusaka |
Day to Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Lusaka and flight to Kasanka
Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital and main gateway. After clearing arrival formalities, and meeting up with your Nature Travel Africa guide you will connect with a light aircraft flight north to Kasanka National Park. (Times may vary)
Although covering only about 390 km², Kasanka is one of Zambia’s most beautiful and biologically rich parks. Situated on the edge of the Bangweulu Basin, the landscape is a mosaic of rivers, swamps, lakes, lagoons, wetlands and miombo woodland. This diversity supports an impressive variety of wildlife.
On arrival, transfer to Wasa Lodge, located beside Lake Wasa in the heart of the park. The lodge has just seven chalets, each tucked into the treeline or overlooking the water. The main lodge area looks out over the lake and offers a welcoming bar, dining area and fireplace where evenings are spent sharing stories under the African stars.
Depending on arrival time, you can enjoy a walk around the lodge. Wildlife often seen here includes African Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Nile Crocodile, Sable Antelope, Roan Antelope, Puku, Bushbuck, and Common Warthog.
After dinner, relax around the campfire and prepare for the extraordinary spectacle awaiting the following days.
DAY 2: Kasanka National Park
Early morning is one of the most atmospheric times in Kasanka. Mist often hangs over the wetlands while antelope graze quietly in the open dambos. Keep an eye out for the park’s speciality species, including the elusive Sitatunga, which thrives in the swamp forests around the lake. We will enjoy a Bat experience today where we will go with a local guide to view the Bats up close.
After breakfast, visit the famous Fibwe Hide, a raised platform built high in the forest overlooking the Mushitu swamp. From here it is possible to observe the bats roosting during the day. Tree branches are often packed with thousands of bats hanging wing to wing.
Kasanka supports a rich birdlife, and the surrounding forests and wetlands offer excellent birdwatching. Species regularly recorded include Wattled Crane, African Fish Eagle, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Finfoot, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Pygmy Goose, Marsh Tchagra, Ross’s Turaco, Coppery-tailed Coucal, and Fülleborn’s Longclaw.
In the late afternoon, return to the Mushitu forest or another viewing point for the main event. As dusk approaches, the bats begin to stir. Suddenly the sky fills with dark ribbons of movement as millions of bats lift off together and head out across the landscape.
The sound of countless wings and the sight of the sky thick with bats is unforgettable. Raptors such as Martial Eagle and Crowned Eagle sometimes sweep through the swarms, hunting bats in mid-air.
Dinner is served back at Wasa Lodge, often enjoyed around the campfire beneath a canopy of stars.
DAY 3: Kasanka National Park
Another early start provides the chance to see wildlife at its most active. The wetlands around Lake Wasa are home to the densest and most visible population of Sitatunga in Africa, and careful scanning of the swamp edges can sometimes reveal these shy antelope moving through the reeds.
After breakfast, explore more of the park, including the Luwombwa region, where open grasslands and woodland support large numbers of Puku, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, Sharpe’s Grysbok, and occasionally Blue Monkey and Kinda Baboon.
Kasanka’s position between the dry savannas of southern Africa and the forests of the Congo Basin gives it a unique mix of species. The wetlands, rivers and papyrus swamps create ideal habitat for waterbirds and forest species alike.
The afternoon is again dedicated to the bat migration. Each evening the spectacle unfolds slightly differently depending on wind, weather and fruiting trees. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts often return several times to capture the perfect moment as the bats stream across the sunset sky.
After dinner, enjoy one final evening around the fire at Wasa Lodge.
DAY 4: Kasanka National Park to Lusaka
Enjoy a relaxed final morning overlooking Lake Wasa in Kasanka National Park. Early risers may take a short walk around the lake and nearby wetlands, where the quiet morning hours often reveal wildlife such as Puku, Bushbuck, and Hippopotamus, while birds like African Fish Eagle and African Pygmy Goose are frequently seen along the water’s edge.
After breakfast, transfer to the park airstrip for the scheduled flight back to Lusaka. The safari concludes on arrival, or travellers may continue with further Zambian adventures from the capital.
Optional Victoria Falls extension:
Extend your safari with a 3-day trip to the spectacular Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most famous natural wonders. Highlights include a guided visit to the Falls, where the sheer scale and thunderous roar of the water create an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, spotting wildlife along the riverbanks while sipping drinks as the sun sets over the horizon. For a truly memorable perspective, optional helicopter or microlight flights offer breathtaking aerial views of the Falls and the surrounding rainforest. This extension combines awe-inspiring scenery with adventure, making it the perfect complement to your Kasanka Bat Migration Safari.
You might also like:
“We’ve just finished a 15 day Namibia / Botswana Safari, ending with a visit to Victoria Falls and it was amazing!”
“All in all, we cannot stress how wonderful Nature Travel has been for us, and we cannot recommend them enough.”
MORE REVIEWS
The best time to experience the Serengeti Migration is in April during the calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu region. This is when thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles give birth, attracting predators like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas for unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Highlights include the Big Five – Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, African Elephant, and Buffalo – along with Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hyena, Topi, Hippopotamus, Defassa Waterbuck, and Hartebeest. Birdwatchers can spot Green Wood-hoopoe, Brubru, Superb Starling, Abdim’s Stork, Magpie Shrike, and Red-and-Yellow Barbet.
This is an off-the-beaten-track safari, offering intimate wildlife experiences without the crowds. Explore the southern and central Serengeti, Lake Masek, and Ngorongoro Crater while witnessing predator-prey interactions during the calving season, all while staying in comfortable lodges.