Blog

Discover the magic of South Luangwa through the eyes of Emma & Jeroen who spent a few unforgettable days at Msandile River Lodge. From tranquil mornings by the river to thrilling game drives filled with lsightings of leopards and birds, their story captures the heart of safari life. With stunning photographs and heartfelt reflections, their blog showcases not just the wildlife, but the charm of our riverside chalets, the warmth of our team, and the peaceful rhythm of the Luangwa Valley. It’s a must-read for anyone dreaming of an authentic and intimate safari experience in Zambia.

At Msandile River Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Luangwa River, we believe that responsible tourism is not just a choice—it’s a commitment. Our approach to sustainability is rooted in supporting our local community and protecting the incredible wildlife and natural environment that makes South Luangwa so special.

Deon Kelbrick

We are lucky enough at Msandile to get lots of photographers pass through camp, from the amateur iPhone snappers to the world-famous mirrorless, big lens captures.

By now you may have realised that most of our management team, some of our guides and even some of our waiters are aspiring photographers. With a constant source of inspiration streaming from the bush you can easily get carried away taking 1000s of shots but not getting quite what you wanted. We absolutely love having amateur photographers coming to stay, sharing tips, gathering round the computers to show off edits and the excitement of getting a shot that really makes you say wow. This can be from incredible sightings of kills, or unusual interactions or simply capturing the magic at the right moment making the spectacular of what some think is the mundane. When the golden hour hits even the marabou stork can look quite handsome.

Maybe you have heard of the big 5, traditionally these were the hardest animals to hunt. Bringing down one of these was a sign of what a great hunter you were and came with big acclamation.