30 Apr
Kasanka National Park, Zambia
Kasanka National Park in Zambia hosts one of the most spectacular natural events in Africa, if not the world…
The Great Bat Migration – the world’s largest mammal migration with 10 million fruit bats migrating thousands of miles between Northern Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When to View the Great Bat Migration
It occurs annually between late October and mid December in Kasanka National Park, Zambia, where approximate 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats roost in the park’s forested wetlands during their seasonal migration.
The straw-coloured fruit bat, also known as the Eidolon helvum, is the largest bat in Africa, with a wingspan of up to three feet. The bats are attracted by the abundant fruiting trees in the Kasanka’s forested wetlands. The migration usually occurs from late October to mid-December, when the bats gather in huge numbers, to feed and rest before continuing their journey.
The highlight of your visit to Kasanka is viewing the bats’ flight, as they leave their roosting sites at dusk to go foraging, and their return at night. It creates a mesmerizing sight, unlike any other. The sky literally turns black with the movement of millions of bats, and the sound of their wings flapping can be heard from miles away.
The bats’ migration has a significant impact on the ecosystem of Kasanka National Park. The fruit bats are important pollinators and seed dispersers, and their presence helps to maintain the biodiversity of the forest. The bats also provide a vital source of food for other animals in the park, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small carnivores.
Threats to the Fruit Bats
Despite the importance of the Great Bat Migration of Kasanka, the bats face numerous threats to their survival. Habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, and climate change are among the biggest challenges facing the bats. In recent years, the bats have also been affected by the deadly white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has decimated bat populations in North America.
Helping the Bats – The Kasanka Trust
Efforts are being made to conserve the bats and their habitat by the independent Kasanka Trust which manages Kasanka National Park. The park authorities have implemented measures to protect the bats’ roosting sites and limit disturbance during the migration season. Community outreach programs have also been established to raise awareness about the importance of the bats and their role in the ecosystem.
How Your Visit to Kasanka Helps
By visiting Kasanka you will help by contributing directly to the funds for the project and also enjoy other wildlife in the park such as it being one of the best places to view Sitatunga and Puka in Africa. Birding here is also excellent. Getting around the park is best experienced on foot, by canoe or by mountain bike. Staying in small rustic camps or lodges a trip to Kasanka is a very eco-friendly safari which benefits the bats, other wildlife and local communities who support the Kasanka Trust project.
Kasanka is off the beaten track but is such a unique wildlife experience that we think it is well worth making the effort.
Check out our small group Luangwa Valley and Bat Safari!
