Read 5 traveller reviews of Shumba Camp

Situated on Kafue National Park's Busanga Plains, Shumba Camp was originally a basic bush-camp run by Busanga Trails. We've known this camp since 1995, when we first visited ... although it's changed out of all recognition since then.

In 2007 it was almost completely rebuilt by its new owners, Wilderness Safaris, and it reopened in July as one of their 'premier' (high-spec) safari camps.

Standing on an island of large, majestic fig trees, in the centre of the Busanga Plains, the camp overlooks vast floodplains in all directions. This is quite a spread out camp, built high off the ground and linked by wooden walkways. Despite being in a very open environment the camp has been well camouflaged with the use of grass roofs helping it to blend into its surroundings. From various vantage points around the camp you can often see antelope, typically puku and red lechwe, grazing the lush grasses below.

When we last visited in early October 2007, Shumba Camp had six tented twin/double rooms. Soon after our visit there was a fire, caused by a flame from the gas geyser catching the grass roof. This burnt room 'six' down. Two new developments came about because of this accident. The first is that all the gas geysers at Shumba have now been replaced by solar powered geysers. The second is that room six is being re-built as a larger room which can be used as a family unit.

Each of the very spacioussix tented rooms has been built up on raised platforms about 2m off the ground. Canvas walls are fastened around a wood-and-pole structure to create a substantial yet solid tented room. Every room has two large queen-sized beds, an en-suite bathroom with a flush toilet and an indoor and outdoor shower.
(Read more about the rooms at Shumba Camp …)

The dining and bar area is also elevated and positioned so it has a great view of the sunrise, whilst most of the deck is shaded during the hotter afternoons. A well-stocked bar, comfortable lounge with a small reference library and dining area are all under cover in the main building. Glass folding, sliding doors push back to give this area a very open feel but can be closed in times of windy or wet weather. There are several seating areas scattered over the vast deck. This includes a sunken campfire surrounded by a wall to wall cushioned bench and a sunken pool surrounded by loungers.

Whilst this is a 'premier' camp, we didn't find the camp overly luxurious at first glance. Whilst the rooms and communal areas are certainly vast, it was the little extras that appealed to us: a mohair blanket lain out on our chair, the sherry available in our room, the filter coffee brought with the wake-up call and the marshmallows offered for toasting whilst sipping liqueurs around the campfire.

Activities from Shumba Camp centre around exploring the vast Busanga Plains by day and night 4WD safari drives. During the early months of the season (May – June), boat trips are also often possible. The surrounding terrain might be better compared to Serengeti's open plains than any of Zambia's usual bush landscape. This makes it a worthwhile and contrasting inclusion on any safari to this country.

The flora and fauna in this fairly unique area can be amazing. For the first part of the year – typically from about mid-November to late-June – these plains are largely under water. This verdant, marshy environment attracts a wide variety of birdlife, with many herons, ducks and other waders, often including goliath herons, wattled cranes and saddle-billed storks. During May and the beginning of June this area is explored by boat and on short guided walks.

Shumba Camp has an aluminum swamp boat with a specially-adapted motor allowing it to travel through as little as six inches (15cm) of water. Boat tri

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Shumba tented room at Shumba Camp

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 6 tented rooms

Season: May to December

Ideal length of stay: We recommend a 3-night stay at Shumba Camp combined with one of its sister-camps in the Kafue National Park Lufupa Tented Camp or Lunga River Lodge.

Central facilities: At the centre of Shumba Camp the main building and its vast wooden deck has been built around three giant fig trees. The bar, lounge, small reference library and dining room are all under cover here. The deck is split-level with scattered seating areas on the top levels. A sunken camp fire area and a swimming pool are built into the lower levels. A small room has been built adjoining the bar which is used as the camp's well stocked wine cellar. Shumba Camp has introduced the innovative idea of personal water bottles for each guest which we particularly liked. These are similar to sports drinking bottles and can be filled up by the water filter at the bar. A great way to reduce the waste of small plastic bottles often produced by safari camps. To the left of the main building there is a small curio shop selling safari clothing and various souvenirs.

Geographics

Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia

Directions: Approximately a 90-minute flight from Lusaka or 105 minutes from Livingstone to Busanga Airstrip. From there it's about a 6-minute helicopter flight over the plains to the camp.

Accessible by: Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Wilderness Safaris

Staff: Managers: Shannon & Andrew Guides: Idos & Lexon Outdoor dining: Alan Camp chef: Phinias

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board

Food quality: Shumba Camp prides itself on its great food and it doesn't often disappoint. Varied and delicious meals are inventive and well presented. The day will often begin with a light breakfast on the camp's deck whilst watching the sun rise over the plains. As well as the usual cereals and toast there is often fruit salad, mini pancakes, muffins and hot porridge to which you are invited to add a shot of whisky. This is all laid out in a buffet style with tea and filter coffee. A large brunch is usually served upon returning from your morning activity. Choices of cold platters are available for self-service and might include two or three types of salads, quiches, tasty pastry packets and freshly baked breads. The chef also offers a hot selection of eggs prepared on his hot plate to order with sausages, tomatoes and bacon. If you arrive at camp after brunch on your first day you will usually be offered a light lunch instead. Dinner is a 3-course affair eaten either in the dining room or in the camp's boma under the stars. Often beginning with soup and a freshly baked bread roll, it's followed by a main and desert. When we visited we began with creamy tomato soup, followed by beef ragout, on a bed of vegetables with potato wedges. Desert was a choice of chocolate mousse with a brandy snap or a cheese board. Needless to say, the chocolate mousse was wonderfully decadent. An added treat whilst at Shumba are the unique sundowners offered. Often the afternoon drive is met at a picturesque spot by the camp's outdoor dining manager. He will have a camp fire lit and be preparing a light snack such as bacon and vegetable kebabs or spicy nuts flambéed in vodka. These creations are usually prepared whilst guests enjoy a refreshing drink.

Dining style: Group Meals

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Room service: Filter coffee or tea with the morning wake up call.

Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included

Drinks included: Most drinks are included, although premium brands are not included.

Special interests

Birdwatching: The birdlife on the Busanga Plains is excellent. In particular May is well worth it for serious birders and Shumba is the only camp open here during this time. Traverse the flood plains by swamp boat in search of herons, ducks, storks and other waders or take a full day trip to visit a breeding colony of open-billed storks. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Zambia

Wildlife: Shumba stands in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains, which cover a variety of habitats from seasonal and permanent floodplains to tree islands and grasslands, edged with miombo woodland. Various unusual species occur here such as serval, oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck; it is one of the only areas in Zambia where cheetah are regularly seen. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife in Zambia

Children

Age restrictions: Children over the age of 8 are welcome.

Generally recommended for children: As the camp is unfenced and in a wildlife reserve, children will need to be supervised by their parents at all times. However, as the rooms here are built on platforms, above the level of the plains, this camp is safer for young children than most.

Central communications

Power supply: Generator

Communications: The camp uses radio coms between guides and the various camps in Kafue. Satelite phone and email is used to communicate with their main office in Lusaka.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: All the guides are trained in first aid. Air transfer to Lusaka for more serious injuries.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: Each room has a small safe to store valuables. Compressed air alarms are provided in each room for guests to alert management in the case of an emergency.

Fire safety: Each room has a fire extinguisher which is regularly serviced. The camp has a fire station with fire beaters, sandbags and extinguishers at the ready. Instructions of what to do in case of a fire are posted in each room.

Extras

Disabled access: On Request

Laundry facilities: There is a laundry service included here; clothes are usually returned in 24 hours. They use a coal iron for pressing, so it's not recommended for anything delicate. It is possible to do a little hand-washing for yourself in the tents as washing powder is provided.

Accepted payment: American Dollars, Pounds sterling, Euro, South African Rand and Zambian Kwatcha are all accepted forms of cash. Visa and Mastercard as well as travellers cheques are also accepted at Shumba Camp.

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