Kasanka National Park

This peaceful sanctuary, situated on the south western edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin, is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. It’s 450 km2 however, are so well endowed with rivers, lakes and wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows and dambos that it supports a uniquely wide range of animals and abundant birds and fish. Do not expect to see large herds of animals round every corner, but it is surely one of the most picturesque parks in Zambia with superb bird life.

Kasanka National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful parks in Zambia and contains a rich diversity of animal, bird and plant life. Several rare species are abundant in the park, including Sititunga, Wattled crane, Ross’s Lourie and Blue Monkeys.

Kasanka hosts a unique wildlife spectacle every November and December when Millions of Straw-colored Fruit bats assemble from around Central Africa to roost in an area of ‘Mushitu’ swamp forest near the confluence of the Musola and Kasanka Rivers.

At twilight bats fill the sky in all directions for twenty solid minutes as they leave their roost site to feed though the night on abundant seasonal fruit of the “miombo” woodlands. This event is one of Africa’s most amazing and unusual wildlife spectacles – never forgotten by those lucky enough to witness it. Kasanka has a wide variety of habitats, each hosting their own associated wildlife.

KASANKA NATIONAL PARKS’ EXCEPTIONAL RESOURCE VALUES

• Hosts a seasonal colony of about ten million straw-colored fruit bats, which forms possibly the largest mammal concentration known in the world, a significant part of the subequatorial population of this near-threatened species and is a major attraction for tourism.
• Has the second longest bird list of all NP’s and Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) in Zambia, which includes many threatened species and reflects its highly diverse and attractive habitats.
• Holds important dense and very visible populations of the scarce and highly valued Sitatunga, offering the best Sitatunga viewing in Zambia and beyond, as well as the near-threatened Puku.
• Holds a unique small-scale diversity of intact habitats, often of great scenic beauty, including threatened habitats such as mushitu wet evergreen forest and mateshe dry evergreen forest, extensive peat swamps, and plains, which together host an enormous biodiversity.

Pros & Cons

• A chance to see up to 12 million fruit bats from October to December
• Great birding destination with many Zambian specials
• Wildlife hide overlooking a swamp providing a chance to see sitatunga
• All park proceeds go back into conservation and the community
• Walks, game drives, canoe and cycling trips offered
• Animals are skittish and limited variety of flagship species
• Off the beaten track and not easily combined with Zambia’s main attractions

Best Time to Go – October to December (Bat migration)

High Season – October to December (The park gets busy)

Size –  420km² / 160mi²

Altitude – 1,173-1,267m / 3,848-4,157ft