Wilderness Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp, set in the remote Busanga Plains of Kafue National Park – managed by African Parks in partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife – have reopened for the 2026 season. From June to October, guests once again have the opportunity to experience one of Africa’s last truly wild places, where unforgettable wildlife encounters bring the safari experience to life.
Set within 28,000 hectares of private wilderness, the camps are surrounded by sweeping grasslands threaded with wetland channels. Known as the Plains of Plenty, the Busanga Plains are home to more than 55 species of large mammals, including 20 types of antelope, six big cat species, and over 500 bird species. Guests can expect sightings of oribi, roan and sable antelope, as well as iconic predators such as lion, wild dog and cheetah. The famous Busanga lion prides offer exciting game-viewing moments, while large pods of hippos are found in the waterways, adding to the magic of the landscape.
‘Although Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp welcome guests for only five months of the year, our investment in Kafue continues throughout the year,’ said Dean Morton, Wilderness Zambezi Managing Director. ‘Kafue National Park offers a safari experience that feels truly untouched – wild, immersive and deeply rewarding. From game drives in the expansive open plains to evenings under the stars in the bomas, every moment connects guests to the heart of this remarkable landscape. Even when the camps are closed, the wildlife flourishes, and we always look forward to returning at the beginning of each new season.’
The 2026 safari season is set to deliver outstanding game viewing, following generous rainfall earlier this year that replenished the floodplains and created ideal conditions for the wildlife. Guides returning to the region have already reported notable sightings, including healthy lion prides. Two young male lions have established a strong coalition and are increasingly asserting their presence across the central Busanga Plains. Their growing influence has led to shifts in established territorial patterns, with the dominant male now spending more time on the fringes of his former range. Guides have also observed several young females born in 2022 associating with the coalition. Wilderness’ long-standing guides are following the drama closely, providing valuable insights into the evolving storylines of Busanga’s predator populations.
The area’s cheetah population is also showing encouraging signs. A coalition of three brothers continues to dominate territories south of Wilderness Shumba. Having travelled more than 120 kilometres north through Kafue into the Busanga Plains in 2023, their long-term survival was uncertain given the area’s high lion density. However, the coalition remains healthy, stable and firmly established, offering guests exceptional opportunities to observe one of Africa’s most iconic predators in action.
Through its ongoing partnerships with African Parks, the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife, and specialist conservation organisations, Wilderness continues to support evidence-based conservation initiatives across the Greater Kafue Ecosystem. This includes the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP), one of the region’s largest and longest-running carnivore monitoring programmes, whose field teams completed more than 830 monitoring days, identifying over 400 individual animals across 46 carnivore groups between July and December 2025. The data collected provides critical insights into population trends, habitat use, and emerging conservation threats, helping to inform adaptive management decisions across the landscape.
Alongside long-term monitoring, targeted interventions such as snare detection and removal, supported by on-site veterinary expertise, have helped improve survival outcomes for affected wildlife. More than 1,500 snare checks were conducted, helping teams detect and respond to threats facing some of Kafue’s most vulnerable predators. Several successful de-snaring operations, including the rescue of wild dogs and lions, were made possible through close collaboration between conservationists, park management, aviation teams and safari guides, demonstrating the collective impact of protecting this vast landscape. In addition to funding tracking collars, vehicle operations and field-based staff, Wilderness also provides logistical support to ZCP by hosting its staff in our camps, and by Wilderness’ guides contributing to sightings, data and assistance with collaring.
‘The reopening of Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp marks the beginning of another special season in one of Africa’s most captivating wilderness areas. We look forward to welcoming both returning and first-time guests to experience Busanga’s abundant wildlife, sweeping floodplains, and unforgettable safari moments, while gaining a deeper appreciation for the conservation efforts that help safeguard this extraordinary landscape,’ Dean concluded.
For images of Wilderness Shumba, please click here. For images of Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp, please click here.