Explore Africa Adventures

Liuwa Plains and the migration of the "Flying Foxes"

Time of year

Nov - Dec 2021

Itinerary and other information
 
This safari is a combination of the wildebeest migration in Liuwa Plains and the migration of the “Flying Foxes” or straw-coloured fruit bats in Kasanka National Park. Few people have ventured into the Liuwa Plain due to its relative inaccessibility. However, the birdlife, plain game and the wildebeest makes it one of Africa's last true wildernesses and a huge attraction to the bush fundi. Also included in the safari is a visit to Kasanka National Park. During this time of each year, five million straw-coloured fruit bats take up residence in one hectare of Kasanka National Park’s Mushitu swamp forest. This is a spectacle not to be missed and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles, if not the world’s.
 
Full Itinerary  
 
Day 0      26 Nov 2021

We will meet and greet in the campsite of Big 5 Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane. Martin Slabbert from Explore Africa Adventures will meet you and discuss the itinerary and the program going forward for the next two weeks or so. There are full ablutions as well as electricity points available.

Day 1     27 Nov 2021        +- 360 km

From Kasane we enter into Zambia via the ferry and make our way towards the town of Monza where we will overnight. Electricity is available with good ablution facilities.

Day 2      28 Nov 2021        +- 400 km

We leave in the morning via Lusaka to our next overnight stop close to the town of Mkushi. We will stock up on supplies and fuel in Lusaka on route to our campsite. Restaurant/bar facilities are available with electricity and good ablutions.

Day 3      29 Nov 2021        +- 255 km

After breakfast we depart for Kasanka National Park. Kasanka, situated on the western edge of Lake Bangweulu and is one of Zambia's smallest parks covering just 420 square kilometres and the only park in Zambia under private management. During November each year five million straw-coloured fruit bats take up residence in one hectare of

Kasanka National Park’s Mushitu swamp forest. This is a spectacle not to be missed and one of Africa’s greatest wildlife spectacles, if not the world’s. We will set up camp and leave for the viewing site around 17:00 to see the bats taking off to feed during the night. Hot showers, but no electricity is available.

Day 4      30 Nov 2021        +- 60 km

We can do a game drive and visit one of the largest trees in Zambia. For those who wants to see the return of the bats, they can be picked up by a guide at around 04:00 in the morning. It is definitely worth it as you will be in the BBC hide at a cost of 35$. Alternatively, we will again leave for the observation site at around 17:00.

Day 5      01 Dec 2021        +- 480 km

Today we backtrack towards Lusaka and set up camp about 60km north of Lusaka. Depending on the time, we can also opt to camp in Lusaka, but time, traffic and weather will determine what we will do.
 

Day 6      02 Dec 2021        +- 280 km 

We turn west towards Kafue NP, either via Lusaka or Landless Corner to set up camp on the banks of the Kafue river.

Day 7      03 Dec 2021        +- 400 km 

Heading further west, we stock up on supplies and fuel in Monza, before we travel across the Barotse flood plains to Kalabo where we will check into Liuwa plains NP, cross the river by ferry into the park and set up camp for our 3 night stay. Liuwa Plains is one of Africa’s last hidden secrets with the campsites situated in the beautiful tree islands.   This is serious, un-commercialized Africa and a once in a lifetime experience for most of us.

Day 8 & 9      04-05 Dec 2021        +- 150 km

These two days we will use our basecamp to explore Liuwa Plains Park in search for Lion, Hyena, wildebeest and numerous bird species. 

Day 10 & 11      06-07 Dec 2021        +- 330 km

We take down camp, and return via the ferry and Mongo to Kabula Lodge, situated on the Zambezi River. We will have a quick stop at Shoprite in Mongu before heading for our campsite for two nights. Tiger fishing is the main activity at Kabula. The days other adventures could include a visit to the close-by Ngonye Falls. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi is also a magnificent experience along with the sounds of the wild, which only Africa can provide. Chalet accommodation is also available, excluding. No electricity available.

Day 12      08 Dec 2021        +- 450 km

Early morning departure from Kabula to cross the borders of Zambia, Namibia and Botswana. We are heading towards Elephant Sands, 50 km north of the town of Nata. As this is our last night together, we will have dinner together at the lodge. Upgrades to chalets or tents are available for your own account. We will say our goodbyes and depart the following morning on your own time and pace.

COST:

The cost of the safari is R 17 900 p/p and covers the following: