COUNTRY
Zambia
WHEN TO GO
October, Early November
NUMBER OF NIGHTS
14 to 28
You bounce up and down in the back of a safari jeep as it races down a rugged dusty dirt road. Your guide just got the call on the radio you’ve been waiting for: a pride of lions is feasting on recent kill. Excitement bubbles in the air as you anticipate your first lion sighting, Most safari days, you drive roughly 15-20 km. But on this day, you’re looking at more like 75. When you arrive on scene, seeing lions in the wild is sheer magic. But it’s not until you get your camera out that you realize just how incredible the sighting is.
The African Safari is the bucket list adventure of a lifetime. Here at Pangea, we’re all about taking it even further to make your adventure even more memorable. In addition to your traditional African Safari, head to Kasanka National Park to witness the world-famous bat migration and complete your bucket list adventure. Every October, millions of fruit bats come out of the Congo and settle in Kasanka’s bat forest as they migrate south for the southern hemisphere summer. The largest mammal migration in the world is one of the most unique and magical sights you’ll ever see.
Part 1 Overview: African Safari Itinerary at a Glance
NUMBER OF NIGHTS
7 to 14
To correctly time your trip with the peak of the bat migration occurring in late October and early November, we strongly recommend you plan your safari earlier in October before going to the bat migration. Zambia’s rainy season starts on November 1st, so you will likely encounter rains after that. When we went on safari in mid-October, the weather was dry the entire time and the wildlife was splendid.
Day 1
Arrive by air into Lusaka to clear customs and immigration
1-hour domestic flight to Mfuwe
Afternoon game drive from Mfuwe Lodge
Overnight at Mfuwe Lodge
Day 2
Morning game drive from Mfuwe Lodge
Midday ground transfer to the bushcamps in the heart of the park
Overnight at the Bushcamps
Remaining Days
Follow standard safari schedule (see below)
Overnights at the Bushcamps
Final Day
Morning game drive from the bushcamp
Midday ground transfer back to Mfuwe Lodge
Afternoon ground transfer to Mfuwe Airport
1-hour domestic flight back to Lusaka
Overnight in Lusaka
The Map: Visualize Your African Safari Adventure
A Day in the Life on Your Bucket List African Safari
While the atmosphere and pace of life at the bushcamps is slow and laid-back, your days on safari are well structured. They’re designed to keep you engaged while maximizing your opportunities to see and photograph the park’s extensive wildlife. Your days start and end early, but trust us, when you get done with dinner after a full day on safari, all you want to do is climb into bed.
5 AM or 5:30 AM
Wake-Up Call
6 AM to 6:30 AM
Breakfast
6:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Morning Game Drive
Break for Coffee and Biscuits around 9 AM
11 AM to 12 Noon
Brunch
12 Noon to 3 PM
Downtime at the Bushcamp
3 PM to 3:30 PM
Tea and Baked Treats at the Bushcamp
3:30 PM to 7:45 PM
Afternoon Game Drive
Sundowner Cocktails at Sunset
8 PM to 9 PM
Dinner
South Luangwa National Park: Area Overview
Set on the shores of the Luangwa River in eastern Zambia, South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. Featuring one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa and few tourists, South Luangwa is a birder’s heaven and big-game paradise that features something for animal lovers of all walks of life. Best of all, it’s one of the most affordable destinations in the world for your African Safari.
To make your wildlife safari even more intimate, try your hand at a walking safari. Born in South Luangwa National Park, the walking safari is one of the most fulfilling and captivating ways to explore the landscape and experience the wildlife in its rawest and purest form. The vulnerability you’ll feel is a unique experience, knowing that you’re a visitor on the turf of some pretty serious predators. But rest assured, under the careful watch of your guides, you’ll be perfectly safe.
If you’re looking to extend your safari adventure beyond South Luangwa National Park, consider doing a boating safari at nearby Lower Zambezi National Park or a safari in one of the neighboring countries.
A Word of Caution on South Luangwa's Heat
October is both the end of the dry season and the hottest month of the year in Zambia. While relative humidity levels remain at a very comfortable 15-20%, afternoon temperatures routinely reach 38 to 41°C (100 to 105°F). Many of the bushcamps in South Luangwa National Park do not have cooling systems, so if you are sensitive to the heat, please stay at a facility that has either air conditioning or swamp coolers.
Part 2 Overview: Bat Migration Itinerary at a Glance
NUMBER OF NIGHTS
7 to 14
While you will have more free time during the day than you did on the safari, your days at Kasanka National Park still have good structure to them. You will be up both late at night and early in the morning watching the bat emergences and returns, so we encourage you to take advantage of the downtime to take a nap, rest, and relax. But don’t miss out on the park’s daytime activities, either, such as game drives, hikes, and learning about the bats.
While anyone can go to Kasanka to view the bat migration, we strongly recommend you travel with a bat organization. You’ll get access to parts of the park the general public does not have. You’ll also see the research and conservation efforts to protect the bats hands-on.
Day 1
Spend previous night in Lusaka
Ground transfer to Kasanka National Park
Check-in and Settle into Your Accomodations
Days at Kasanka National Park
Follow Standard Bat Migration Schedule (see below)
Overnight at Camp(s) inside the Park
Second-to-Last Day
Ground Transfer Back to Lusaka
Overnight in Lusaka
Final Day
Outbound flights home or to your next destination
What to Expect: A Day in the Life at the Bat Migration
While your days at Kasanka won’t be quite as well-structured as your days at South Luangwa, you will still be able to take full advantage of everything the park has to offer while still allowing for some down time to catch up on rest and take time for yourself.
3:30 AM to 6:30 AM
Watch the bats return to the bat forest at sunrise
8 AM to 9 AM
Breakfast
9 AM to 1 PM
Open Time for Naps, Hikes, Game Drives, Bat Education, etc.
1 PM to 2 PM
Lunch
2 PM to 4:30 PM
Open Time for Naps, Hikes, Game Drives, Bat Education, etc.
4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Watch the evening bat emergence at sunset
8 PM to 9 PM
Dinner
Kasanka National Park: Area Overview
With a diverse landscape of papyrus marshes, swamp forests, and miombo woodlands, it’s a surprise to many that Kasanka National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Zambia. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in biodiversity. Nestled near the border of the DR Congo in north-central Zambia, it’s not even on the radar as a conventional African Safari destination. But that only makes the experience that much more special. If you can make the day-long drive from Lusaka on crumbling roads, you’ll be rewarded with a truly authentic African adventure and one of the greatest wildlife wonders of the world.
While South Luangwa National Park is known for its big game, you come to Kasanka for one reason, and one reason only: its bats. Every October, up to 10 million fruit bats descend on Kasanka’s bat forest as they migrate south for the southern hemisphere summer. Seeing millions of bats emerge in front of the world-famous African sunsets is a sight you’ll remember for the rest of your life. It’s the cherry on top of an incredible bucket list African Safari adventure.
Accommodations: The Bushcamp Chalets
Nestled deep in the heart of both South Luangwa and Kasanka National Parks, you’ll settle into a slow, laid-back pace of life at the bushcamps. With prime views of wildlife in lakes, rivers, and watering holes from your private balcony, you’ll be treated to everything from elephants to monkeys wandering right through camp. Outdoor showers in many of the chalets give you the same unparalleled views while you’re freshening up after a day on safari. The Bushcamp chalets are some of the most unique accommodations in the world, so settle into a truly magnificent experience.
While the chalets offer all the comforts of home, you can stay at more traditional campsites as well.
Beyond Zambia: Experience Africa to Its Fullest
Just because your incredible bucket list adventure to go on an African Safari and see the famous bat migration is over, it doesn’t mean that it has to all end here. Visit one of the seven natural wonders of the world, continue your wildlife adventure in a neighboring country, or explore exotic landscapes. Southern Africa features the most richly diverse nature in the world. This bucket list African Safari adventure through Zambia only scratches the surface. Dive even deeper into Africa to experience it at its fullest.
Dive Deeper into Africa
Victoria Falls (Zambia/Zimbabwe)
Namibia
Botswana
South Africa
Tanzania
Kenya
The Fine Print: Costs
We strongly recommend you book your safari through a tour company that specializes in African Safaris. Zambian law has very strict regulations for self-driving safaris, which will lead to a lot of headaches if you try to plan and coordinate everything on your own.
SOUTH LUANGWA – KASANKA SAFARI (PER PERSON)
$6,000 to $15,000
The Cost Includes
All Lodging and Accomodation
Food and Drink, including Alcoholic Beverages
Park Fees
All Game Viewing Activities
Guides and Vehicles
All Airport, Intercamp, and Park-to-Park Transfers
Domestic Flights
The Cost Does Not Include
International Flights to get to Zambia
Visa and/or Entry Fees to Zambia
Gratuities
Personal Items and Souvenirs
Premium Drinks
Note: Baggage limit on domestic flights is strictly limited to 23 kg or 50 lbs. Your luggage must be packed in soft bags. The airline will not accept hard suitcases.