Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
parks, it doesn't have a huge range of facilities and it sees very few visitors - and this is
what makes it special. There are no queues of jeeps to get a look at a leopard here; in-
stead, you'll discover great tracts of miombo woodland, evergreen thicket, open grassland
and rivers fringed with emerald forest, all by yourself.
Kasanka is perhaps most famous for its swampland though, and this is the terrain to see
the park's shy and retiring star, the sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope distinguished by its
long splayed hooves and oily coat. Kasanka is arguably the only national park in the world
to offer guaranteed sightings of the sitatunga. Other common antelope species include
bushbuck, duiker, reedbuck and puku. Between July and October you'll most likely see
sable antelopes and hartebeests, and may also be treated to a glimpse of roan antelopes.
Hippos and crocodiles inhabit the lakes and rivers here and there's a small population of
elephants, though these aren't as commonly seen. Night time brings out jackals, civets and
porcupines, and during the months of November and December, the park is home to more
than eight million migratory fruit bats - the biggest mammal gathering anywhere in the
world - which can blanket the sky for several minutes at dusk. Bird spotters will also love
Kasanka. There are 463 species here, including the wattled crane, Ross's turaco, Bohm's
bee-eater and Pel's fishing owl.
Kasanka is a privately managed national park, run by the Kasanka Trust. Revenue is re-
invested in the park, and the trust is also involved in conservation and local community
projects.
Sights & Activities
A trip to Kasanka isn't complete without viewing the park from the heights of the Fibwe
Hide , a 15-minute drive from Wasa Lodge. It's not for those with vertigo. You ascend
20m up an old mahogany tree via a rickety wooden ladder to a platform where you can sit
and watch the swamps below. Come at dawn and dusk for the best chance of spotting sita-
tungas. It's also a good spot for birdwatching, or, in season, for watching the hordes of
fruit bats heading off from the nearby trees to feed.
Game drives can be arranged at the main lodge for wildlife viewing in comfort. Drives
cost ZMW140 per person (minimum two people). They also arrange walking safaris, any-
thing from a one-hour jaunt near the camp to a five-day extravaganza with an armed
ranger, camping out in the bush.
Finally, gliding along the Luwombwa River in a canoe (ZMW40 per person) or a mo-
torboat (ZMW140 per person) surrounded by bustling forest on either side is a wonderful
way to get a different look at the park, and see crocodiles, otters and even the rare blue
monkey. Fishing on the river can also be arranged.
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