Kasanka bat migration, Liuwa plains wildebeest migration and Kafue Zambia
Overview
This remains one of those special tours, and this year it is going to be even more special.
Have you ever heard of the second largest wildebeest Migration in the world? Have you ever heard of the bat migration in Kasanka? The largest mammal migration in the world? More than 8 million fruit bats doing their thing for just a few weeks every year. We go on Safari in search of these phenomena and much more.
We start our tour in Nata in Botswana for our first night. Then on to Gazangula Zambia. Hop skip and jump and we are in Kasanka.
With 6 – 8 million fruit bats ( depends who is counting ) migrating in to Kasanka, it is a must visit and we experience the largest mammal migration in the world. We sleep in the park for two nights. Don’t worry, the bats don’t fly in to your hair or any thing funny, the just leave their forest which we observe from a distance. Fruit bats are almost as big as a Hadida.
Then on to Kafue national park for a bit of a 2 night rest and explore before we head out to Liuwa national park.
We spend 3 nights in Liuwa plains park and absorb the environment. We cross the park and look for the wildebeest, visit waterholes looking for returning summer birds. And normally see lots of baby wildebeest as this is where they come to calve.
Once we are done here we head down alongside the Zambezi and drive through the spectacular Barotse plain before crossing back in to Botswana at Katima and then on to Nata for those traveling with me.
The Itinerary
Day 1. 12 November 2025
We meet in Nata Botswana for our first night. Our campsite has a good restaurant so no cooking necessary.
Day 2.
We depart from camp and head to the Zambian border. With the help of my border assistants we clear the border and set off to Livingstone, with the falls at their low point we will skip Lusaka and make some time up to get further north to Lusaka. It is a full day drive but the road is pretty good these days.
Day 3.
We complete our journey to Lusaka and visit the grocery shop for our final shopping. We spend the night in Lusaka.
Day 4.
From Lusaka we head off direction copperbelt. We continue our journey north, and just before we hit the copper belt we turn right towards the Tanzania border. Our camp is just around the corner.
Day 5.
We head up to Kasanka national park. We enter the park the day and visit the largest Bat migration on the world. We spend two nights in the park.
Day 6.
You may construct the day as you want to. There are two bat sighting windows, one in the morning and one in the evening. I will discuss the options and expectations and procedures with you, for you to be able to make your choices of activities.
This is really spectacular and for me one of the top life experiences, with the Serengeti Migration and Gorilla trekking. If this is not on your bucket list it should be.
Your park fees are included but the bat experience will depend on your needs and wants and therefor excluded.
Day 7.
We leave the park and start heading west to Kafue National park.
Day 8.
We make our day to Kafue national park where we sleep on the Kafue river for two nights.
Day 9.
We take relaxed day off and visit the park as day visitors or just lazy around. Your park fees included for the day.
Day 10,11,12.
We continue our journey and head west towards the great Zambezi. Liuwa plains and the arrival of the wildebeest is what we are looking for.
We enter Liuwa plains park and we explore the park, looking for their Hyenas in the water, like they do over here. We find the summer visiting birds and the wildebeest.
This park is also one of the top parks to visit for the cranes in our region.
We will spend 3 nights in the park
Day 13.
We make our way south and drive the spectacular Borotse plains. The history of the Lozi people living here is fascinating.
We sleep on the banks of the Zambezi on our way south.
Day 14.
Our final day is back to Kasane / Nata depending on timing. We travel via Katima Mulilo. If you wanted to you could take the alternative road and head to Vic Falls for a night or two.
Day 15.
Our tour concludes and I head back home to JHB.
Tour specific comments
Vehicle
A normal 4×4 with low range as you buy them from the shop floor. No special kit required. I carry the recovery equipment should you get stuck.
Drivers
No experience required. The biggest challenge will be sand, but that is easy negotiated. I personally guide the tour and will give you everything you need as we go.
Towing
You may bring your favourite bush van or bush trailer if you want to.
