Kasanka National Park
Park Zambian park renowned for world's largest bat migration
A wetland‑forest reserve in central Zambia, Kasanka National Park is noted for the annual straw‑coloured fruit bat migration; visitors come for birdwatching, guided walks and canoeing.
Kasanka National Park is a protected area in central Zambia noted for seasonal wildlife concentrations and wetland systems. It is internationally known for a major annual migration of straw-coloured fruit bats.
The park’s key wildlife attraction is the bat migration, when millions of bats congregate in forested roosts for several weeks each year. In addition to bats, the park contains miombo woodland, dambos and wetlands that support diverse birdlife and resident mammals.
Kasanka was established to conserve wetlands and woodland habitats and to provide a managed area for wildlife viewing and research. Management focuses on habitat protection and sustainable visitor access tied to seasonal wildlife events.
Located in central Zambia, the park lies within the country’s Central Province and is accessed by road from regional towns; it occupies a mix of swamp, woodland and riverine environments.
- Bat migration: Hosts an annual mass appearance of straw-coloured fruit bats - numbering in the millions - typically visible in October and November.
- Habitats: Park habitats include seasonally inundated wetlands and miombo woodland, important for birdlife and several large mammal species.
How to Get to Kasanka National Park #
Kasanka lies about 500 km north of Lusaka. The usual approach is by road: from Lusaka take the Great North Road (T2) toward Mpika, then turn west on gravel district roads; most visitor accommodations will arrange transfers from the nearest paved hub at Mkushi or Serenje. Regional charter flights can land at small airstrips closer to the park during the dry season - arrange through a camp or the park office in Kasanka town.
Tips for Visiting Kasanka National Park #
- Visit in late October during the bat migration to see the dawn exodus from the Kasanka River - guides at the park can arrange boat vantage points.
- Book a guide through the park office in advance; trails are unmarked and seasonal flooding can change routes.
- Bring binoculars for wetland bird hides near the Mapanza plain - it's where rare marsh terns and African jacanas concentrate.
- Avoid the rainy season (December-March) for road access; a 4x4 is recommended if self-driving from Lusaka.
Best Time to Visit Kasanka National Park #
Best visited in the dry months and specifically during the bat migration in late October-November for the park's signature spectacle.
Weather & Climate near Kasanka National Park #
Kasanka National Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 8°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1098 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (270 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (247 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is the coolest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the coolest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (254 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
_collected_in_Zambia_by_South_African_Institute_for_Aquatic_Biodiversity.att.jpg?width=600)
