Kasanka National Park

Kasanka National Park is one of Zambia's top national parks and tourist attractions, located immediately south of the Bangweulu Wetlands and close the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the only privately managed park in Zambia. It boasts excellent papyrus marshes, swamp forests, and miombo woodlands, as well as multiple criss-crossing rivers and seasonal, swampy pools that sustain about 500 kinds of birds, making it one of Zambia's most picturesque reserves.

Kasanka's annual bat migration is by far one of its most popular attractions. Of 10 million straw-colored fruit bats fill the skies around Kasanka National Park every year from late November to December. The yearly bat migration at Kasanka National Park is the world's largest animal migration! While the sheer number of bats is mind-boggling, it's the atmosphere that surrounds this event that is the most fascinating part, as giant birds of prey swoop through the skies attempting to capture as many bats as possible. Small predators and scavengers are also lurking below, waiting to pounce on any that fall.

Kasanka is home to a variety of wildlife and antelope species, including the Sitatunga antelope, an unique swamp-dwelling antelope that is rather widespread in this area and can often be seen grazing in the misty dambos (wetlands). Hippopotamus and crocodiles abound, whereas buffalo, leopard, and elephant are more difficult to spot. Many travelers combine a visit to Kasanka National Park with a visit to the nearby Bangweulu Wetlands to witness the unique black lechwe and famed shoebills.

Location: Bangweulu Wetlands