The Kasanka Bat Migration: Zambia’s Greatest Wildlife Spectacle
Every year from late October to December, around ten million straw-coloured fruit bats gather over one small patch of forest in central Zambia. It’s one of the largest mammal migrations on Earth, and one of the least crowded.
The bat migration at a glance
A wildlife event few people have heard of, and one you’ll never forget.
SpeciesStraw-coloured fruit bat (Eidolon helvum)
NumbersAround ten million at the peak
WhereKasanka National Park, Central Province
WhenLate October to December
PeakNovember
Why it mattersOften described as the largest mammal migration on Earth by biomass
What a bat viewing is really like
There are two viewings a day. At dusk, the bats stream out of the forest to feed across the surrounding countryside, filling the sky from edge to edge. At dawn, they return to roost in equally overwhelming numbers.
You watch from the forest edge or from elevated hides in the trees, and the exact timing shifts a little each day with the colony’s natural rhythm. It feels very different from a game drive: this is about standing still while an extraordinary, sky-filling event happens all around you.
When to see the bat migration
The bats arrive in late October, numbers peak in November, and the colony thins out through December. Kasanka is worth visiting at other times of year too, for its sitatunga and birdlife.
Swipe sideways to see every month.
| Wildlife event | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit bat migrationKasanka National Park | Good | Peak | Good | |||||||||
| Sitatunga from the Fibwe HideKasanka National Park | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Green-season birdingKasanka and central Zambia | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | ||||||
| Wildebeest migrationLiuwa Plain National Park | Good | Good | Good |
Good time to goPeak
Guide’s tip: November is the single best month if you want to see the colony at its largest. Book early: Kasanka’s accommodation is limited, and peak dates fill up.
Getting there and where to stay
Getting there
Kasanka National Park is in Central Province, several hours’ drive from Lusaka. Our safari leaves Lusaka at 06:00, with all road transport included for the round trip.
Wasa Lodge
Our safari is based at Wasa Lodge, inside the park, for both nights, close to the colony for the evening and early-morning viewings, without long transfers.
Camping option
Prefer to camp? Our Kasanka bat migration camping trip offers the same spectacle at a lower price.
Beyond the bats
Kasanka is a small, quiet park with plenty more to discover.
Sitatunga
Kasanka is one of the best places in Africa to see this shy, semi-aquatic antelope, especially from the Fibwe Hide.
Primates
Look for blue monkeys and the little-known Kinda baboon, often seen around the Fibwe Hide area.
Birdlife
Around 470 bird species have been recorded, making Kasanka one of Zambia’s top birding destinations.
Our Kasanka Bat Migration Safari
A 3-day, 2-night safari from Lusaka, timed for the peak of the migration, with three guided bat viewings.
Included
- All road transport from and back to Lusaka
- 2 nights at Wasa Lodge, inside the park
- Three guided bat colony viewings
- National park fees
- All meals and bottled water
- Professional guiding throughout
Combine Kasanka with Zambia’s other spectacles
Liuwa Plain National Park
Home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, with tens of thousands of wildebeest on the plains from November, high hyena densities and good numbers of cheetah. It’s reached by road via an overnight stop in Mongu, or by charter flight.
Busanga Plains, northern Kafue
One of Zambia’s richest predator landscapes, with lion prides, cheetah, leopard and spotted hyena across seasonally flooded grasslands often compared to the Okavango Delta.
Short on time? Zambia’s Grand Migration combines Kasanka’s bats and Liuwa’s wildebeest in one journey.
Kasanka bat migration: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the Kasanka bat migration?
From late October to December, with the highest numbers usually in November.
How many bats are there?
Around ten million straw-coloured fruit bats at the peak, often described as the largest mammal migration on Earth by biomass.
How do I get to Kasanka from Lusaka?
By road. Our safari leaves Lusaka at 06:00 and includes all transport for the round trip.
Is there more to Kasanka than the bats?
Yes. It’s one of the best places in Africa to see the sitatunga antelope, it has blue monkeys and Kinda baboons, and around 470 bird species have been recorded.
Can I combine Kasanka with Liuwa Plain or Kafue?
Yes. Liuwa Plain can be reached by road, with an overnight stop in Mongu, or by charter flight. Zambia’s Grand Migration safari combines Kasanka and Liuwa in one trip.
Ready to witness it for yourself?
Our Kasanka Bat Migration Safari runs through the peak season. Book your place, or ask us to tailor a trip around the dates you have.