Shumba Camp

Raised wooden decks provide superb panoramic views over the game-rich plains. A few impressive fig trees provide the bar and outside dining area with a bit of shade, while the rest of the deck is open to the sky, making for some spectacular star-gazing. There's also a small boma, great for a dinner accompanied by some Zambian song and dance. A fire pit on the main deck is surrounded by generous and comfortable seating, while a small swimming pool sits alongside. A peaceful bird hide at the one end of camp completes this perfect retreat.

There are a lot of ways to stay busy at Shumba. A host of wildlife beckons from the plains, including puku and red lechwe, big herds of buffalo and if you're lucky, roan and sable antelope. Lions are relatively numerous here and tend to provide plenty of action - whether on game drive or in camp. Night drives often produce sightings of genets, civets and owls. If you visit in May or June, the Busanga Plains are usually still largely covered in water, providing an opportunity to explore the channels and lagoons by boat. There are nearly 500 species of birds here, so you'll be sure to get your twitch on with a specialist birding safari. Bush walks here certainly give you a sense of the space around you, but are subject to environmental conditions and availability of an official scout and a qualified walking guide. But the pick of the activities is the balloon ride over the plains, watching game far below while birds fly alongside. This experience is complimentary for guests who stay three or more nights, but only available from August to October.