You barely have to step off Shumba’s elegant, streamlined decks to encounter a vast diversity of creatures. The camp’s six spacious, luxury tented units, raised on wooden platforms, stand sentry over the endless plains. Astounding vistas can be had from your bed, various seating areas in the unit, or even the indoor and outdoor showers. Zambian hospitality pervades the main area, whether you’re cooling off in the pool, dining under the stars, or sharing fireside tales with staff, a convivial nightly ritual.
Elegant Shumba, named after the prides of lion seen in the area, is found on a wooded island in the centre of the millionhectare Busanga Plains. Home to hundreds of red lechwe, puku and other plains game and their predators, the wild and remote floodplains seemingly go on forever.
Shumba is situated in the middle of the Busanga Plains in the midst of various lion pride territories and is said to provide some of the best lion viewing in Africa. These lion are often seen in and around camp. The area is also perfectly situated to see large numbers of plains game such as puku, red lechwe, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, oribi, buffalo and wildebeest. Cheetah and wild dog may also be seen, while a special treat is the ‘resident’ herd of rare roan antelope.
For birding enthusiasts, the park boasts 491 species, including endemics such as Chaplin’s barbet.
Highlights
Morning wake-up and activity times vary according to the seasons, activities on offer and wildlife sightings.
Shumba Camp is situated in the middle of the Busanga Plains in the midst of various lion pride territories and is said to provide some of the best lion viewing in Africa. These lion are often seen in and around camp.
The area is also perfectly situated to see large numbers of plains game such as puku, red lechwe, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, oribi, buffalo and wildebeest. Cheetah and wild dog may also be seen, while a special treat is the ‘resident’ herd of rare roan antelope. For birding enthusiasts, the park boasts 491 species, including endemics such as Chaplin’s barbet.
Standing sentry over these endless plains are luxury tented units raised on wooden platforms. Each spacious unit is a tranquil space from which to observe the wilderness – either from your bed, the various seating areas or even the indoor or outdoor showers. Enjoy Zambian hospitality in the main area, where sumptuous dining, cooling off in the pool and shaded relaxation are the order of the day, while convivial fireside tales and stargazing are a nightly ritual.
This camp can accommodate 14 guests in total (12 adults and 02 children), plus 01 guide/pilot/tour leader on a single occupancy accommodation basis only, subject to concession numbers and/or concession availability.
· 06 x Tents in total comprising:
· 05 x twin-bedded luxury tents each with two three quarter beds.
· 01 x family room (main bedroom with a king-size bed; second bedroom with two three quarter beds). Consisting of two bedrooms (separated by a personal divider), sharing the same bathroom, deck and entrance.
A total of five mattress converters are available that transforms twin beds into king-size beds. To be arranged prior to arrival. Plus guide/pilot/tour leader accommodation comprising:
· [01 Pilot/Guide (01 bed in total, on a single occupancy accommodation basis only, with one adjoining en-suite bathroom facility – not of the same standard as guest accommodation)].
Standard Tent
Family Tent
Pool in main area.
Lounge, dining and bar areas on elevated wooden platforms, under a canopy of majestic fig trees (with all tents and main areas connected by elevated wooden walkways).
Tent Facilities
Luxury tented accommodation on an elevated wooden deck, with elevated wooden walkways (as well as all tents and main areas connected by elevated wooden walkways).
En-suite facilities with indoor shower, outdoor shower, double basin vanity and separate toilet.
Writing desk and chair, mosquito net, during winter months hot water bottles and extra blankets are provided, electronic safe, tea and coffee making facilities, indoor lounge area, outdoor sunken lounge area.
Electrical and Water
Day and night game drives in 03 x 10-seater open Toyota Hiluxes. For reasons of comfort and space, we generally do not allocate more than six or seven guests per vehicle if the numbers are made up of different booking parties at a Classic category of camp.
Game Drives
Catch sight of the famous lion prides, other predators and the scores of plains game.
Take to the Skies
Fly eye-to-eye with an eagle and watch hippo playing far below while taking in the incredible remoteness of the plains. Available August – October. Conservation fee applies.
Night- time meanderings
Explore the Busanga Plains’ nocturnal species on interpretive game drives under the stars.
Boating
Busanga area is largely covered by water allowing for exploration
RATING
Classic Camp
TYPE
Safari Lodge
NO. ROOMS
6
CHECK IN TIME
14h00 – 17h00
Minimum age for check-in is 18
CHECK OUT TIME
07h00-10h00
AVAILABLE SERVICES
Credit Card
CHILD POLICY
6 years and above are welcome.
PET POLICY
Pets are not allowed.
OPERATIONAL PERIOD
Between 01 June and 31 October each year.
LANGUAGE SPOKEN
English
Approximately a 1hr45 minute flight from Livingstone to the North Kafue and an approximately a 1hr40 minute flight from Lusaka.
ACCESS – FLY IN BASIS | |||
Airstrip Name: | Plains Airstrip | ||
Duration to Camp: | June to July: Approximate 20 minute drive in a game viewer | ||
from airstrip to the mokoro pick up point. Approximate 20 | |||
minute mokoro trip (water levels permitting) to a game viewer | |||
and approximate 10 minute drive into camp (depending on | |||
wildlife sightings, scenery and photographic opportunities en- | |||
route) | |||
August to November: Approximate 40 minute road transfer | |||
from airstrip to camp (depending on wildlife sightings, scenery | |||
and photographic opportunities en-route) | |||
Airstrip Coordinates: | 14°17’36.00″S 25°53’06.00″E | ||
Altitude/Elevation: | 3 750 feet | ||
Runway Heading: | 09/27 | ||
Runway Length: | 1 000 metres | ||
Airstrip Surface: | Compact gravel and sand | ||
Airstrip Services: | Busanga Bush Camp and S |
Child Policy
Laundry services are provided on a daily basis (weather permitting, items will be returned on the same day)
and included on the FI rate basis. Laundry is dried by the sun and on most days any laundry placed out in the morning will be returned,washed, dried and ironed, by the evening.
Due to prevailing local cultural traditions, please place any underwear items in the mesh laundry bag provided, so that these can be machine washed separately. Should guests prefer to hand wash, environmentally friendly detergent is available in the tents or can be provided on request.
As an environmentally-aware company, we strive to reduce our water usage where we can. Since towel washing consumes an enormous amount of water, we follow the same policy used by most top establishments around the world: should guests want their towels washed,
we request that guests please place these into the laundry basket/laundry bag supplied. Towels not in the laundry basket/laundry bag will be hung up and dried for their reuse.
Note that laundry services may be limited as a result of water shortages. We cannot be held liable for any damage to clothing.
For five months each year, before the rains return, watch a wildlife extravaganza play out in the infinite floodplains. Witness hundreds of red lechwe, puku, and other plains game, often chased by predators, including the famous ‘flying lions’ leaping across the channels (Shumba’s named after the local lion prides, the camp’s show stealers). Boat through the channels seasonally, when the water is high, gliding past hippo pods.
These are payable in Kwacha cash or USD to the Department of National Parks on departure unless included in your rate.
The combined per day rate is; ·
Citizen: K334 pppd ·
Resident: $45 pppd ·
International: $50 pppd
If your visit to us includes a special occasion, birthday or anniversary, do let us know in advance so that we can make preparations accordingly.
There is no phone signal at the camp, and no wifi, making it the perfect place for a “digital detox”.
Fig Tree bush camp welcomes young adults above the age of 12 years, but parents take their children on activities at their own risk. Guests with young adults will be either grouped tog
Fig Tree Bush Camp offers superb food and after a three-course supper guests will sit around a campfire, feet in the sand, gazing at the stars and listening to the sounds of the African Bush. Mukambi is famous for its excellent cuisine and friendly staf
Early mornings in winter (Jul-Aug) can get a little chilly whilst out on an open game-viewer, and whilst Mukambi provide fleece-lined ponchos on the vehicles for our guests, it is advisable to bring along some suitably warm clothing for these activities. A warm fleece hat and gloves is also recommended. Mukambi provide towels in the tents and around the pool, so feel free to bring along your swimming costume to enjoy the view from our infinity pool.
The birdlife in the park is one of the major reasons people visit, so it is advisable to bring along your binoculars to maximise your viewing. Standard safari clothing (neutral coloured, not white or black) is recommended for all activities as well as sturdy, closed-toe shoes should you wish to join a nature walk. Please bring any medication you may need as well as spares; we are a long way from the nearest pharmacy or doctor
This property offers transfers from the airport. Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. There is no front desk at this property. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property for check-in instructions. For more details, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation. This property is located in Kafue National Park. The additional mandatory fee covers entrance to the national park.
Shumba Camp
Some of the animals found in this area. Kafue National Park, Zambia.
The Hippo within the lodge area - Busanga Plains Camp
The Lizard within the lodge area - Busanga Plains Camp
Roan antelopes resting - Busanga Plains Camp
The Warthog searching for food - Busanga Plains Camp
Roan Antelopes at peace - Busanga Plains Camp
The leopard resting - Busanga Plains Camp
The Varaan at peace with nature - Busanga Plains Camp
The Hippos as usual at play in Kafue River water - Busanga Plains Camp
The head of Elephants on the pool - Busanga Plains Camp
Some of the birds found in this area. Kafue National Park, Zambia.
Black-cheeked lovebird – Credit Dick Daniels
Böhm’s bee-eater – Credit Nathan DeBruine
Brown-headed apalis – Credit Nik borrow
Chaplin’s barbet – Credit Nick Hudson
Chestnut-backed_Sparrow-Weaver – Credit By Nigel Voaden
Collared palm-thrush – Credit Zak Pohlen
Denham’s bustard – Credit Bernard
African Finfoot – Credit Wikipedia
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