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Tags: Quirky Travel / Animals / Bats / Africa Travel / → All Tags

Are You Batty Enough to Vacation in Zambia?

Plenty of people go to Africa to see animals, but most are looking for exciting safari animals like lions or maybe rhinos. But if you head to Zambia in November, you can experience something that the experts consider to be near the top of the wildlife calendar for unique experiences.

You might be surprised to learn that this wildlife fantasy come true is actually the migration of a million fruit bats. Apparently they show up every November in Kasanka National Park in Zambia at just the time the fruits on the local trees ripen – smart bats.

Tourists get to climb to a 60-foot high tree-top "hide" to watch the bats, and sunset sounds especially creepy – the sky becomes black with bats as they head off for their evening meal. There are expensive-sounding tours run out of Britain for £3,599 ($6,000) per person just for the week, and at that price we wonder if the tourists might just be a bit batty already.

Related Stories:
· Rhino Travel: Kenya is Back in Black [Jaunted]
· Minimal Impact Lion-Spotting in Botswana [Jaunted]

[Photo: Shek Graham]

Tags: It's Summer Somewhere / It's-Summer-Somewhere / Adventure Travel / Big Things / Bungee Jumping / Videos / → All Tags

It's Summer Somewhere: Victoria Falls

Forget "Victoria Falls." Zambia's Toka Leya tribe calls the falls Mosi oa Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders," and it's a spot-on description of the rumbling mist created by the world's largest waterfall. Every February, at the height of the wet season, the tribe gathers in the fog to offer sacrifices--and you can join 'em.

To view the falls on foot, trek the well-marked, paved paths through the rainforest, catching glimpses of the cascade through the trees. At the Knife Edge Bridge, you won't be able to see much, but the cool spray from the pounding waters offers some relief from the heat.

For another perspective, you can see Victoria Falls from above. It isn't hard to find a pilot in the area to take you out for a flight, zipping through the gorges and marveling at the sheer size of the falls. United Air Charter is one local outfit you can try.

If seeing it from the sky is too wimpy, you can always try bungee jumping. These crazies adventure lovers are jumping from 365 feet above the Zambezi River.

Related Stories:
· United Air Charter [Official Site]
· It's Summer Somewhere coverage[Jaunted]
· Travel Videos coverage [Jaunted]