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 roan, sable, bushbuck, eland, reedbuck, duiker, puku, lechwe and waterbuck. Buffalo and elephant can also be seen. Lions are widespread and cheetah and leopards are also frequently spotted.

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 early morning and evening game drives and also bring a hat and swimming gear for when it warms up. Be sure to pack 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 June through October.

What is Shumba Camp in Zambia?

Wilderness Shumba is a six-tent luxury tented camp in the remote Busanga Plains of Kafue National Park, Zambia's largest national park and one of Africa's most expansive wilderness areas. "Shumba" means lion in Tonga, and the Busanga Plains are famous for outstanding lion sightings in one of Zambia's most productive wildlife ecosystems. Shumba operates seasonally (approximately June to October) when the Busanga Plains have drained sufficiently for vehicle access.

What wildlife is Shumba known for?

The Busanga Plains are consistently regarded as Zambia's finest game viewing destination. Large lion prides, cheetah, leopard, and wild dog are the predator highlights, and the open floodplain ecosystem makes predator-prey interactions highly visible. Puku, lechwe (red lechwe are endemic to Zambia), sitatunga, and oribi are common antelope on the plains. Sable, eland and roan antelope are also regularly sighted. The Busanga's bird life is also spectacular with crowned cranes, wattled cranes, saddle-billed storks and African fish eagles regularly seen.

When can you visit Wilderness Shumba?

Wilderness Shumba operates from approximately June to the end of October, when the Busanga Plains have sufficiently drained after the wet season to allow vehicle access. This is when predator activity is at its highest and wildlife concentrates around the remaining water pools. The wet season (December to May) sees the plains flood, and the camp closes.

How do you get to Shumba?

Shumba is accessed by light aircraft from Lusaka or Livingstone (Victoria Falls) via Busanga Airstrip within Kafue National Park. The remote Busanga Plains have no road access for casual visitors, and the ecosystem's exclusivity is partly a function of its inaccessibility.

Zambia

Shumba

Plains of Plenty

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

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DESTINATIONS

Wilderness Shumba

Safari elegance in the remote Zambian wilderness.

Located in the heart of the Busanga Plains, an area famed for its abundance of antelope and resident lions, Shumba's six luxury tented suites open for just five months each year, making this seasonal camp one of the most exclusive safari destinations in Africa. With sunrise views over the vast plains, this small, elegant Zambian safari camp provides access to a remote area favoured by photographers and true safari enthusiasts.

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, wild dog, 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, wild dog, cheetah, and the star attraction, the 'flying lions’ - often seen leaping over the drying channels.

Accommodation

Shumba occupies its own little island in the Busanga Plains, overlooking miles of floodplains threaded with channels. There are just six luxury suites here, including a family room that consists of one large room with a double bed and two three-quarter beds separated by a screen. All suites feature indoor and outdoor showers, a double basin vanity, and are built on raised wooden platforms.

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Cuisine

Dining at Shumba is a relaxed, generous affair, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Start your day with pastries and fruit before your morning game drive, then enjoy a leisurely brunch with sweet and savoury options, including eggs made to order. Unwind before returning for an afternoon treat. After your next game drive, enjoy dinner with soup or salad, a hearty main, and a traditional dessert.

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Wilderness Shumba Camp rates

The fully inclusive rates vary seasonally, reflecting both demand and wilderness conditions. The fully inclusive rate covers your accommodation, all meals, twice-daily camp activities, park fees, laundry, and all local drinks with the exception of premium imported brands and champagne.

Here is a breakdown of nightly rates per person, based on travel dates across 2026 and 2027.

Wilderness Shumba 2026 & 2027 rates

(per person per night)

Travel dates	Rates
1 June 2026 – 31 October 2026	USD 1,677
1 November 2026 – 31 May 2027	Seasonal camp closure
1 June 2027 – 31 October 2027	USD 1,761
1 November 2027 – 31 May 2028	Seasonal camp closure

Talk to your travel designer for more information

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

Wilderness Zambia supports the conservation of large carnivores and the ecosystems they depend on in Kafue National Park, managed by African Parks in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Through our partnership with the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), we help provide support and critical tools for vital ongoing work to protect the carnivores of Kafue.

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, with big prides and cubs frequently seen by guides and guests. If you’re a big cat lover, there’s no better place to encounter, photograph and observe them.

Purpose

Wilderness Shumba impact

Wilderness Zambia supports the conservation of large carnivores and the ecosystems they depend on in Kafue National Park, managed by African Parks in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Through our partnership with the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), we help provide support and critical tools for vital ongoing work to protect the carnivores of Kafue.

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, with big prides and cubs frequently seen by guides and guests. If you’re a big cat lover, there’s no better place to encounter, photograph and observe them.

Activities

EXPERIENCES

Shumba experiences

Is there anything more humbling and beautiful than finding oneself in a vast landscape with no other humans for as far as the eye can see? Witnessing the thrill of a lion hunt. Listening to the iconic cry of a fish-eagle. Rising before the sun to admire lechwe in the misty 'Plains of Plenty'. Experience all this and more in Zambia's Kafue National Park

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Nature drives

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

Nature Drives

Namibia

Birding

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

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, 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 Night Drive Wildlife Leopard

Night game drives

A jackal’s cry. A lion’s roar. The gentle rumble of elephants. The bush comes alive at night, awakening all senses.

Night Game Drives

Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia

Game drives

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

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

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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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

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, lions visiting the camp! A little scary but the staff and management had it under control; their first priority was the safety of the guests whilst giving 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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What you need to know

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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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