Kingdom — A New David Attenborough Film Set in Our Backyard

Posted on Mon November 10, 2025.

We are thrilled to share that the brand-new BBC wildlife series Kingdom, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, was filmed just a few kilometres from Msandile River Lodge.

Set in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park, this breathtaking production captures the real-life drama of Africa’s most iconic predators — lions, leopards, hyenas, and African wild dogs — all living and hunting within the same dynamic landscape.

For five years, the filmmakers followed these four rival families through changing seasons and shifting fortunes, documenting alliances, rivalries, and survival in one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. With Attenborough’s signature storytelling and stunning cinematography, Kingdom brings to life the daily struggles and triumphs of these magnificent animals — right here in the wilderness that surrounds our lodge.

Step Into the Story
At Msandile River Lodge, you don’t just watch the wild — you live it.
The very terrain and river valleys seen in Kingdom stretch across our backyard, leading into the Nsefu Sector, one of the most exclusive and wildlife-dense areas of the South Luangwa. Here, lions patrol the riverbanks, leopards glide through ebony forests, hyenas prowl under starlit skies, and wild dogs race across the open plains.

Join a Full-Day Safari in the Nsefu Sector
If you’d like to meet the “stars” of Kingdom in real life, we invite you to stay a few nights with us and join our whole-day game drive into the Nsefu Sector. It’s the ultimate way to explore the very landscapes featured in the film — a true immersion into nature’s theatre, guided by our experienced team.

“Kingdom” is not just something to watch. At Msandile River Lodge, it’s something you can experience.


Book your stay now and step into the wild story of South Luangwa — the real-life Kingdom.

Further Reading

Leopards & Birds by Emma and Jeroen | Msandile River Lodge

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...

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people chilling on the riverbank @msandileriverlodge
Solly Levi visits Msandile

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...

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Whole Day Safari

Recently we took a whole day game drive into the Nsefu sector of the park. Wanting to explore with our guides and test out our chef’s picnic ability!

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