Shumba Camp is a tented camp on the Busanga Plains in the far north of Kafue National Park, raised on a tree island of figs above a seasonally flooded grassland. It operates for five months of the year and is sold as a fly-in.
Best for
Experienced safari travellers who already know the big-game parks and want somewhere genuinely empty, and photographers drawn to open floodplain light and to lions that hunt through water. Not for a first African trip, and not for anyone travelling between November and May, when the camp is closed.
Location
Busanga is open floodplain cut by narrow channels and dotted with wooded islands that are the only ground above water at peak flood. The camp’s structures stand on raised decks in the grass, with horizon in almost every direction and very few other vehicles.
Rooms and style at Shumba Camp
Six tented suites on raised wooden platforms, one of them a family unit, sleeping around twelve guests. All are en-suite with indoor and outdoor showers and beds under nets.
Facilities at Shumba Camp
Swimming pool overlooking the floodplain, in-house massage, solar power with in-room charging, and wifi at limited bandwidth. There is no mobile signal; guides work by radio.
Trade-offs and what to know
Season. Open 1 June to 31 October only.
Access. Fly-in in practice, and the charter is a substantial cost on top of international flights.
Density. Kafue carries lower game density than South Luangwa or the Lower Zambezi and can feel quiet early in the season.
Walking is short and terrain-limited rather than a serious walking safari, and both walking and boating depend on water levels.
Child policy varies between sources; confirm it before booking a family trip.
Getting there and getting around
Light aircraft fly from Lusaka or Livingstone to the Busanga airstrip, followed by a short road transfer. The camp does not take road arrivals. The plains themselves are reachable by 4×4 in the dry months for parties heading to other camps, but that is not a route into Shumba.
Explore the area
Compare other places to stay on the Busanga Plains, browse accommodation across Kafue National Park, read our Kafue National Park guide, or start from where to stay in Zambia.
Before you book
Rates are fully inclusive of accommodation, all meals, twice-daily activities, park fees, airstrip transfers, laundry and local-brand drinks; premium imported spirits and champagne and all flights are extra. Water is highest and boating best in June and July; the ground is driest and game most concentrated from August to October. Hot-air ballooning runs over the plains in some years, typically August to October, but it is a seasonal add-on rather than an inclusion, so do not build a trip around it without written confirmation.
Current rates and availability
We do not publish fixed rates for Shumba Camp, because pricing and availability change with dates and demand. Use the Check Availability button on this page to see the current options offered by the independent booking provider. Zambia Travel Guide does not set prices, hold inventory or take payment.