Where is Kafue National Park?

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

How big is Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park covers a massive 22 400 sq km.

How old is Kafue National Park?

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

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.

Where is Busanga Plains?

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

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.

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.

When can I visit Shumba Camp?

Shumba Camp is open from May through October.

Zambia

Shumba

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'.

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Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Private safari

Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations.

Private Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Wilderness Experiences Boating Family Fun

Boat safari

View wildlife from the water on a thrilling boat safari, past hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and a dazzling array of birds.

Boat Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

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.

See all journeys

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Testimonials from fellow safari-goers

With a perfect 5 star rating from 61 reviews, guests consistently praise Shumba's exceptional wildlife viewing, dedicated guides, and luxurious accommodations. Read what fellow safari-goers have to say about their unforgettable experiences at Wilderness Shumba. Read more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Memorable experience

"Shumba was just lovely! This is a wonderful camp in a great location. We were very well accommodated and we really appreciated the attentiveness from the staff to all guests. The food was some of the best we have had in the Kafue, we had a great stay!"

Tiwonge K

★★★★★

Lions visiting

"What a wonderful experience at Shumba Camp, lions visiting the camp! a little scary but the staff and management had it under control, there first priority was the safety of the guests whilst giving them an amazing up close experience with these majestic cats. Our guide James was amazing and his knowledge was impeccable, his love for Zambia and its animals shone through on every game drive. The accommodation was lovely, food was good and everyone there tried their best to give you an amazing safari experience, a well organized happy environment to be in."

MissFussy | Australia

★★★★★

One of the best safari experiences ever

"This was my fifth trip to sub-Saharan Africa, and I've stayed in many safari camps. Shumba was one of the best --- if not THE best. It is in a beautiful, and unusual location; both public spaces and guest "tents" are tasteful and comfortable. Isaac was one of the best guides ever, and ALL of the camp staff were outstanding. The chef has a real gift. Safari camp food is always very good, in our experience, but there's an extra je ne sais quoi here. Kudos to Arnold for managing an outstanding operation and making guests feel welcome."

Lynne W | USA

★★★★★

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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.

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