Game Management Areas (GMAs) in Zambia are designed to integrate conservation efforts with the economic upliftment of rural households. While local communities have been involved in wildlife conservation in Zambia for an extended period, the socio-economic impact in terms of community participation raises concerns. Residents in GMAs often do not receive sufficient benefits from the natural resources in their vicinity. Surrounding wildlife sanctuaries are marked by severe poverty, hindering local inhabitants from deriving adequate livelihoods. This research aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by exploring (i) income-generating activities in GMAs, (ii) the influence of GMA-related income on overall household income, and (iii) the distribution of GMA-related income among villages in Rufunsa District, Zambia. Employing descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression analysis, and the Gini coefficient, the study yielded noteworthy findings. Regression results indicate that 75% of the selected variables significantly correlate with total household income at both p < 0.01 and p < 0.1, except for honey, which, although positively related to total household income, is not statistically significant. Notably, wild vegetables display a negative coefficient and lack a significant association with total household income. Consequently, GMA-related income exhibits a positive impact on total household income in Rufunsa GMA. The Gini coefficient results (0.3) further reveal a relative equality in the distribution of GMA-related income among the fourteen villages in Rufunsa GMA. Despite the promising socio-economic outcomes demonstrated by Rufunsa GMA, additional efforts are imperative to enhance tangible and intangible benefits for local communities, ensuring the sustainable management of both wild animals and forests.