Bats about Zambia

They may be environmentally friendly, but a new study reveals that wind farms are proving deadly to bats because changes in air pressure can cause fatal internal injuries. Thankfully for bats, Zambia is reassuringly wind farm-free! Join Wildlife Worldwide on a 7-night bat safari, specially timed to coincide with Zambia’s spectacular bat migration – an ecological phenomenon, departing London 21st November 08.

Every year at the end of October thousands of Straw-coloured Fruit Bats congregate in the trees of the Mushitu swamp forest near the confluence of the Musola and Kasanka rivers in Kasanka National Park. The bats come to feed for just six short weeks, gorging on the abundance of seasonal fruit and by mid November their numbers reach into the millions.

To see the bats dispersing at dusk against the setting sun is one of Africa’s wildlife wonders and one that definitely shouldn’t be missed. Apart from bats, Kasanka is at its most beautiful during this time. The forest comes alive with migratory birds and wild flowers, and morning sightings of the rare Sitatunga are guaranteed from the sixty foot high Fibwe Hide.

There is also an opportunity to visit the Bangweulu Swamps, a vast watery wilderness best known as the place where Livingstone died in 1873, and as the habitat for the increasingly rare Shoebill, an unusual stork-like bird, now considered to be a distant relative of the pelican. After witnessing the marvels of central Zambia, a light aircraft transfer whisks guests off to Nkwali Camp to experience the miracles of wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park in the ‘green’ season.

The safari costs from £2,850 p/p including scheduled flights, all transfers, safari lodge accommodation, all meals, national park fees and expert wildlife guiding.

For more information, log on to Wildlifeworldwide.com.