Kasanka’s Bats Have Arrived!
Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of Straw-coloured fruit bats have been arriving at the Bat Forest in Kasanka National Park. These are the first of the millions of fruit eating bats that will descend on the park over the coming weeks.
Thought to be the largest mammal migration in the world, every year, between October and December, about 10 million bats migrate to the park in search of food. They will have flown for thousands of kilometres, from Equatorial African countries, to converge at Kasanka’s Bat Forest. As their name suggests, they come in search of wild fruits and berries, such as the Masaku (wild loquat) and waterberry, which they fly out to feast on every evening.
During the day, these bats roost is a small Mushitu forest within the park. This huge mammal gathering also attracts predators such as Crowned, Fish and Marshal eagles, making this a bird lovers spectacle as well. Visitors can view the bats, and the predator birds, from tall platforms overlooking the Bat Forest’s canopy and watch as these amazing bats fly out to feed at sunset.
Kasanka National Park’s unique habitats are home to over 109 mammal species, so whilst you are there, look out for the shy sitatunga, Kinda Baboons and blue monkeys, as well as elephants, hippos, zebra, buffalo and many different species of antelope. The park is also a dedicated Important Bird Area, with over 500 species of birds and its rivers are home to almost 70 species of fish.
With a range of accommodation to suit all budgets, why not visit the park and experience this ultimate wildlife experience for yourself this year? For more information on the bats and this year’s resident’s specials, then check out www.kasanka.com and the Kasanka Trust’s Facebook Page
Photos © The Kasanka Trust Ltd.