Khumba, the half-striped zebra, is born into a herd of fully striped zebras who shun him for his "imperfection." When a drought hits their homeland, the herd blames Khumba for bringing bad luck and exclude him from their water gatherings, leaving him desperate to prove himself and find a way to help. One night, a mysterious creature appears to him and suggests that his missing stripes are the key to bringing rain back to the land, leading Khumba to embark on a journey to find them.
His first companion on the journey is Mama V, a maternal wildebeest who takes it upon herself to protect Khumba from danger and help him find his inner strength. Together, they encounter a flamboyant ostrich named Bradley, who joins them in their quest. Along the way, they face many challenges, including avoiding the sly jackals and confronting the dangerous, tyrannical leopard named Phango.
After a perilous journey, they finally reach a magical watering hole where Khumba learns the truth about his missing stripes and how they can save his homeland. But Phango follows them there, intent on keeping the land under his control. In a final showdown, Khumba, Mama V, and Bradley use their unique skills to defeat the leopard and save their herd.
With the rain returning to the land, Khumba returns to his herd, standing proud and united with his former oppressors now accepting him for his individuality and bravery.