Every year at the end of October thousands of “straw coloured fruit bats” congregate in the trees of the Mushitu swamp forest near the confluence of theMusola and Kasanka rivers in Kasanka National Park. The bats come to feed for a short six weeks on the abundance of seasonal fruit including wild loquat and waterberries. By mid November their numbers reach into the millions.These migrations happen in other parts of Africa, but they tend to occur in urban areas, and with the growth of cities, bat numbers seem to be on the decline. To see millions of bats dispersing at dusk against the setting sun isone of the wildlife wonders of Africa, and one that definitely shouldn’t be missed.
The safari will continue at Nkwali Camp, where you will enjoy the Emerald Season in South Luangwa.
The Bangweulu wetlands, just north of Kasanka are one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife secrets with over 100,000 black lechwe and the world’s most visible shoebill storks. Kasanka is famed for having over 400 bird species, as well as both the tsessebe and sitatunga species of antelope.The South Luangwa River addsto the wildlife experience with the chance to see wild dog and explore the lush, colourful landscape at this time of year.