Zambia Migration Safari 2021 - Photos and Stories
In November 2021, Next Adventure’s Zambia Migration Safari almost didn’t happen. The Omicron variant emerged over Thanksgiving weekend just as most of the group was making their way to Zambia. As flights were cancelled and borders were closing, all eleven travelers made it to Lusaka, and the trip went off without a hitch.
Here’s a small selection of photos by Next Adventure CEO Kili McGowan with quotes from our intrepid guests…
I just wanted to let you know how much the trip to Zambia meant to me and how the memories of it buoyed me through the rest of the long dark winter! It was a dream come true, an effortless journey through African landscapes filled to the brim with wildlife and sunsets, pampering and amazing food and staff in incredible surroundings.
Where else can one experience a bats-eye view from a 60 ft tree hide as a molten sun sets below the tree canopy of Straw Coloured Bats chirping and stirring in the gloaming. Feel the volume and movement growing ever louder and more pronounced until we are eventually surrounded by sound and flapping silhouettes as the group as a whole, 10,000,000, head out to forage for the night. An aerial stream, a river, of bats. It was breath taking and surreal. Thank you!! Gitte, Vancouver, BC
“My very first trip to Africa, The Zambia Migration Safari, was one wonderful surprise after another. From the motherless baby elephant being airlifted to a sanctuary to the fruit bat migration whose appearance was reminiscent of a M.C. Escher painting to the wildebeests and hyenas roaming the vast Liuwa Plain – I was enthralled by all matter of wildlife, big and small, plus the diversity of habitats. It was a trip of a lifetime and went well beyond my wildest expectations.” Susan, Boston, MA
This unique safari includes a diverse mix of accommodations and ecosystems along with wonderful and unusual wildlife viewing, plus the opportunity to meet the extraordinary people who live in and work to conserve these vital wilderness areas.
There is a narrow window, about 3 weeks, when three wildlife migrations overlap: elephants walking through Mfuwe Lodge, 10 million fruit bats descending on Kasanka Park, and the second largest wildebeest migration in a park with only a handful of visitors.
It’s hard to imagine a more diverse wildlife experience. Each of the four camps offered a singular opportunity. Elephants practically at arm’s length, clouds of fruit bats surrounding us and the beauty of Liuwa Plain was unlike any safari in our memory. Barbara, Healdsburg, CA
Africa is always wonderful, never disappoints, but this trip was truly special. The three places we visited were quite different from each other. The first was an opportunity to observe elephants pretty close-up, along with lots of other wildlife. In addition to hippos, giraffes and lions, we saw the elusive wild dogs, several of them. Bierta, Seattle, WA
The Kasanka bat migration was remarkable for the millions of bats but the other animals, such as sitatunga, were also different from wildlife in the other parks. Finally, we visited the Liuwa Plain for the wildebeest migration. Along with the wildebeest, this park hosts an incredible abundance of bird life, hyenas and other animals. This was the trip of a lifetime. Bierta, Seattle, WA
The people at Next Adventure know their stuff! I had a lot riding on this trip. My sister was coming with me on her first trip to Africa. She’s a person who loves her creature comforts including sleeping in, and she dislikes little creatures, e.g., flying and crawling insects and the like.
In the end, the trip exceeded our imaginations. Watching the fruit bat comings and goings was perhaps the highlight of this trip for its uniqueness, but there were so many others, too. The trip worked its magic. My sister wants to return. Thank you, Next Adventure!! Joan, Nashville TN
The team here at Next Adventure is always looking for safaris that deliver great value as well as great benefit to the communities and conservationists who are often overlooked. There are many popular safari destinations, but there are so many more unknown areas that offer outstanding wildlife viewing, great guiding and a wonderful overall experience.
