Kasanka National Park

The plain is the favourite haunt of the sable and also attracts large numbers of hartebeest, reedbuck and occasionally a few zebra and sable. Puku is the most plentiful antelope and grazes on the grassy floodplains and dambos throughout the Park. Common duiker, bushbuck, warthog, vervet monkey and Kinda baboon (related to the yellow baboon) are common throughout the park and hippos can frequently be encountered in Kasanka’s rivers and lakes, including in Lake Wasa, opposite the main lodge. There is also a small population of elephants, which are sometimes seen. Other flagship species such as buffalo, leopard and lion are present but rarely spotted. 

The rare and elusive sitatunga aquatic antelope feeds in the swamps below in the early mornings or late afternoons. A startling sight from the hide in November and December is the evening flight of several million fruit bats leaving their roosts in search of food, darkening the sky for a few moments. This is one of the largest mammal concentrations in the world. At dusk, they fill the sky for a solid 20 minutes before they disperse to feed in the nearby miombo woodland. During the daytime, large crocodiles wander underneath the colony, scavenging dead bats.

Kasanka National Park can be visited all year round. However, the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from July to November when water is inadequate and animals gather to drink. At this time the vegetation is also thinner making sightings easier. November and December are the time to witness the roosting fruit bats.

Kasanka is an incredible birding destination, with 400 species recorded so far. The Chisamba Wamponde pan attracts spur-winged goose and saddle-bill storks and waterbuck. Lake Ndolwa is a wonderful and secluded spot where the shy shoebill stork has been found in the papyrus reeds flanking the lake. Chikufwe Plain is especially compensating in the early hours of the morning during the dry season. This is a brilliant birdwatching site, particularly for raptors, for example, the black-breasted snake eagle. The excellent Ross's turaco and Böhm's bee-eater are two of the more prominent birds in that category. The enormous assortment of natural surroundings, including papyrus swamps, waterways and lakes add to an incredible birding environment that can be very well explored by vehicle, by walking or by boat.

Kasanka National Park offers a great birding experience throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is during the wet season from November to April. It is also the time when migratory birds are available and a lot of birds can be seen in breeding plumage. 

Kasanka National Park can be visited all year round. However, the best time for wildlife viewing is during the dry season from July to November when water is inadequate and animals gather to drink. At this time the vegetation is also thinner making sightings easier. November and December are the time to witness the roosting fruit bats.