Best places in the world to see bats

In honour of Bat Appreciation Day, we’ve tracked down the best locations in the world to see bats in their natural environment.

Kasanka National Park in Zambia

Between October and December each year, 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats migrate to the swampy forest of Zambia’s Kasanka National Park to feast on the fruit that grows in the park. The straw-coloured fruit bat can only be found in sub-Saharan Africa and is known for living in travelling in colonies containing over a million bats. To truly appreciate the sheer size of these colonies, head to the park in the early evening as they begin to hunt for fruit.

The park is easily accessible from the capital city of Lusaka and the Terrace Apartments Zambia offer all the comforts of home, plus a terrace where you can continue your bat watching.

Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo

Deep inside the caves of Gunung Mulu National Park live 12 different bat species. If you don’t have time to visit all of the caves, make sure that Deer Cave is at the top of your list. Inside you will be able to see more than 3 million bats roosting and as the sun sets, they flock from the cave in search of food.

Less than 2km from the park, Mulu Marriott Resort is nestled in the lush rainforest that bats love.

Cairns in Queensland, Australia

In the tropical far-north of Australia, the city of Cairns is home to one of the largest species of bats in the world: the flying fox. These canine-sized bats spend much of their time in the rainforests that border Cairns, hunting for food.

Cairns is also home to the Tolga Bat Hospital, where injured, sick, and orphaned bats are rehabilitated. To learn more about Australian bats, drop into the hospital’s visitor – you may even get to see one up close.

Pullman Reef Hotel Casino is an 8-minute walk from the beach and offers activities like diving and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, perfect for those interested in seeing more of Australia’s wildlife.

Spandau Citadel in Berlin, Germany

There are two reasons you should visit Berlin’s Spandau Citadel. It is one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance fortresses and, far more importantly, it’s home to one of Europe’s largest bat colonies. Shortly after construction was finished, 11,000 bats of different species moved into the citadel’s vaulted roof home during the cold winter months. These winged inhabitants have been embraced by the Citadel staff, with a dedicated viewing area and guided tours taking visitors through the vaulted roof.

Centrovital SPA & Sports Hotel features six saunas and a large indoor pool, as well as a rooftop terrace bar where you can try and spot the bats as they leave the Citadel, located just 700m away.

University of Florida in Gainesville, USA

At the University of Florida’s campus, you will find the world’s largest occupied bat houses. Hundreds of thousands of bats live inside the structures, with the most common species being the Brazilian free-tailed bat, Southeastern bat, and Evening bat. The best time of year to visit is during the spring and early summer, as the lengthening days mean the bats emerge while there is still lingering sunlight. For the best views, look west over the pine trees and lights on Museum Road.

Home2 Suites By Hilton Gainesville is just 1.1km from campus and offers free on-site parking, making it easy to get to and from the bat houses.

Tips for watching bats

When watching bats in the wild, there are a few things to take into consideration to ensure the experience is positive for everyone involved:

• Please avoid making loud or high-pitched noises.
• Maintain a safe distance from any bats.
• If you see a bat on the ground, keep your distance. Bats infected with rabies are sluggish and are often found on the ground. While they do not show aggression like other mammals, they may bite in self-defence.