Zambia

Shumba

Q: Where is Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park is located in the centre of western Zambia.

Q: How big is Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park covers a massive 22 400 sq km.

Q: How old is Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park was first established in the 1950s and is the oldest and largest park in Zambia.

Q: What wildlife can I expect to see at Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park in Zambia hosts over 500 bird species, and huge numbers of antelopes, such as kudu, bushbuck, eland, reedbuck, duiker, grysbok, lechwe and waterbuck. Buffalo and elephant can also be seen. Lions are widespread. Leopards are frequently spotted in forested areas, especially during night drives.

Q: Where is Busanga Plains?

The Busanga Plains are located in the remote north-west of Kafue National Park.

Q: Why does Wilderness operate in the Busanga Plains?

The Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park is among the world’s most important natural heritage sites. Our conservation tourism presence here helps support anti-poaching activities and provides local employment.

Q: What should I wear on safari at Wilderness Shumba?

Mornings and evenings are chilly at Shumba, though the daytimes are comfortable. Bring something warm for the winter months (May to August). Also bring a hat, swimming gear and light clothing and closed shoes. Avoid black or blue clothing as it attracts insects, and stay away from bright colours. Neutral tones that blend into the surroundings are a good option.

Q: When can I visit Shumba Camp?

Shumba Camp is open from May through October.

Plains of Plenty

Wilderness Shumba Camp invites you to an intimate and exclusive bush experience in wildlife-rich Busanga Plains in Zambia.

Home Africa Zambia Kafue National Park Shumba Camp

DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Shumba

Safari elegance in the remote Zambian wilderness.

Shumba opens for just five months each year, making this seasonal camp one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa. Expect front-row seats to dramatic and thrilling wildlife encounters.

ZAMBIA

Shumba moments

Right from Shumba’s contemporary deck you’re immersed in its exceptional diversity of wildlife. The area boasts more antelope species than anywhere else in Africa, taking dramatic flight as predators approach. Busanga Plains is known for its predators - leopard, hyena, cheetah, and the star attraction, the 'flying lions’ - often seen leaping over the drying channels.

Wilderness Shumba Zambia Wildlife Elephants

Shumba moments

Right from Shumba’s contemporary deck you’re immersed in its exceptional diversity of wildlife. The area boasts more antelope species than anywhere else in Africa, taking dramatic flight as predators approach. Busanga Plains is known for its predators - leopard, hyena, cheetah, and the star attraction, the 'flying lions’ - often seen leaping over the drying channels.

Accommodation

Remote and exclusive, Shumba occupies its own little island in the midst of the Busanga Plains, overlooking miles of floodplains threaded with channels. There are just six luxury suites here, built on raised wooden platforms to observe the wilderness from every angle. Marvel at the Plains’ lion dynamics, relax in your spacious tented suite and later, dine sumptuously under the stars.

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Cuisine

Delectable meals focus on Zambian cuisine, many cooked on an open fire and served under the stars in a picture-perfect, starlit boma. For the ultimate bush experience head into the Plains for a brunch you’ll never forget. And toast the setting sun with one of our famous signature cocktails.

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THE DETAILS

Wilderness Shumba

Kafue’s Busanga Plains is so far off the beaten track, it’s utterly unspoilt. And every season the rains come in and reset the balance. The guides at Shumba have a deep connection to the wildlife, and love heading back in the dry season to see which lions are around, and whether there are new leopards or cubs in the area. It’s an authentic wildlife safari treasure.

Purpose

Facilities

Wildlife

Area

Activities

Wilderness Shumba impact

For seven months each year, life around Shumba remains a glorious, wild mystery. Then, the waters recede, and the wilderness becomes a safari wonderland. It’s this extraordinary privilege, not profit, that keeps us here. And helps us continue to protect our wild areas through supporting anti-poaching efforts and creating employment.

Family unit

Our elegant family unit has spectacular views of the productive plains.

Pool

Our crystal clear pool-with-a-view overlooks the teeming floodplain.

Wi-Fi

Stay connected with family and friends, and share your adventures.

Massage

Massage treatments offered by our in-house therapist.

Meet Shumba’s lions

Shumba means lion and Wilderness Shumba lives up to its name. These predators are famous, especially the ‘flying lions’ seen hunting, and bounding over the channels in the seasonally flooded plains. If you’re a big cat lover there’s no better place to encounter and observe them. Whether by game vehicle, on foot, or by boat, Busanga is incomparable.  

Purpose

Wilderness Shumba impact

For seven months each year, life around Shumba remains a glorious, wild mystery. Then, the waters recede, and the wilderness becomes a safari wonderland. It’s this extraordinary privilege, not profit, that keeps us here. And helps us continue to protect our wild areas through supporting anti-poaching efforts and creating employment.

Facilities

Family unit

Our elegant family unit has spectacular views of the productive plains.

Pool

Our crystal clear pool-with-a-view overlooks the teeming floodplain.

Wi-Fi

Stay connected with family and friends, and share your adventures.

Massage

Massage treatments offered by our in-house therapist.

Wildlife

Area

Meet Shumba’s lions

Shumba means lion and Wilderness Shumba lives up to its name. These predators are famous, especially the ‘flying lions’ seen hunting, and bounding over the channels in the seasonally flooded plains. If you’re a big cat lover there’s no better place to encounter and observe them. Whether by game vehicle, on foot, or by boat, Busanga is incomparable.  

Activities

EXPERIENCES

Shumba experiences

Is there anything more humbling and beautiful than finding oneself in a vast landscape with wildlife as far as the eye can see? Witnessing the raw beauty of it all unfold. The thrill of a lion hunt. Boating past snorting hippo pods. The iconic cry of a fish-eagle. Rising before the sun to admire lechwe in the misty 'Plains of Plenty'.

Explore all Experiences

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MAP

Explore camps in the Kafue

Shumba is located in the northern region of Zambia’s enormous Kafue National Park, in a wildlife paradise known as Busanga Plains. It’s an area considered to be one of Zambia’s most important wetlands, with a wealth of plains game, predators and over 500 species of birds. Highlights include Fülleborn’s longclaw, Chaplin’s barbet (the country’s only endemic bird) and Böhm’s bee-eaters.

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Shumba

Standard Season

From USD 1,600 per person, per night

Premium Season

From USD 1,600 per person, per night

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

From thrilling big cat encounters at Shumba, one of Africa’s most remote safari camps, to adrenaline-fuelled Livingstone and the majestic Victoria Falls, wherever you safari with Wilderness, you’re guaranteed unforgettable encounters.

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Solo

Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

An 8-night exploration of the best of Zambia & Zimbabwe, from the plains of Kafue National Park to the banks of the Zambezi River and Zimbabwe's iconic Mana Pools.

8 nights

3 camps

From USD 13,860 per person

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Zambezi Wonders: Safari & Victoria Falls

An 8-night exploration of the best of Zambia & Zimbabwe, from the plains of Kafue National Park to the banks of the Zambezi River and Zimbabwe's iconic Mana Pools.

8 nights

3 camps

From USD 13860 per person

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Couple

Zambia's Vast Plains

The awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. The spectacular Kafue floodplains. A six-night journey across some of the most remote and untouched game areas in the world.

6 nights

2 camps

From USD 9,070 per person

Explore Journey

Zambia's Vast Plains

The awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. The spectacular Kafue floodplains. A six-night journey across some of the most remote and untouched game areas in the world.

6 nights

2 camps

From USD 9070 per person

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Couple

A Zambezi Exploration

An ongoing stream of wildlife. Ground-level rooms. Total immersion. Nine nights at four camps across wild Zimbabwe and Zambia, teeming with natural wonders.

9 nights

4 camps

From USD 14,560 per person

Explore Journey

A Zambezi Exploration

An ongoing stream of wildlife. Ground-level rooms. Total immersion. Nine nights at four camps across wild Zimbabwe and Zambia, teeming with natural wonders.

9 nights

4 camps

From USD 14560 per person

Explore Journey

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FAQs

General

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JOURNAL

Shumba featured Stories

Take a moment to read our stories from the bush. Thrilling personal encounters and on-the-ground updates from our conservation team at Shumba. And scroll through our striking wildlife photographs that will have you packing for your next adventure.

See all stories

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