Harry Martin

He was welcomed by the guiding team to help with tips and tricks for photography and positioning of the vehicle as well as the guests (and the management team) to help with tips and tricks of using our cameras. Already working as a tour guide across the world on wildlife and photography tours Harry has been cherished by the team and our guests and just as we do in Msandile, has created lots of lifelong friends and potentially clients whilst here! Harry’s favourite African animal is the wild dog, and boy was he spoiled with sightings. Sometimes one of the more elusive species here in the valley, for his first two weeks he saw them almost every day!!! Beyond the obvious big mammals, we were pleased to see what an avid birder Harry was, he managed to fit in well with the usual lively debates between the guides, guests and Chloe on what species is that and provided lots of help spotting!

Not just content with some great wildlife we set Harry the task of helping us with images of the rooms, the staff and of the lodge itself. We wanted to showcase the lodge at its most gorgeous! Most of the images you have seen already have been taken by the management team, who do our best, but are not quite as talented as Harry! We had two wonderful models, staff members and some guests who all provided us with some truly memorable images. Despite the weather (here is looking at you rain out of rainy season) giving Harry (and the lodge) some challenges we are so happy with the results, and we hope you enjoy the re-vamped website and some snippets on socials.

The team, Sabine in particular has put in so much work over the last 3 years to elevate the lodge, the rooms, the cars and of course our services so it is nice to see that “on paper” or on the screen. A reflection of the investments made but also hopefully of the warmth of the lodge. A picture paints 1000 words but to really get a sense of the lodge, we hope these images will entice you to come see it for yourself!

A massive thank you to Harry for not only helping us market the lodge with pretty pictures but for also becoming one of the team! We have enjoyed having Harry around immensely, for the stories, the chats, the help and the fun! We wish him the best on his next venture and hope we see him back here not only as a photographer but as a friend of the lodge- in the famous words of Musa, our ops manager “we have a game to play, let’s play a game”! 

Coming in 2027: Photography Safaris with Harry & Msandile River Lodge. [Contact us] for details and early bookings!

Zikomo Harry!

A word from Harry:

“I have been fortunate to spend time in the African bush working as a photographic tour leader and working with other venues, but usually only for a week or two at a time. As I’m sure many safari-goers will agree, that just isn’t enough time! It has, therefore, been an absolute privilege then to have been hosted by Msandile River Lodge for the past 5 weeks - a selfish indulgence that I hope has yielded some results for the team here!

It became quickly apparent in just the first couple of days that the friendly atmosphere and big family feel the staff exude is not for show. Genuine connections, support and help, is just their day to day currency. Before even getting to the main reason I wanted to be here I felt at home.

Follow that up with some of my most memorable wildlife encounters and it has been a win win combination. Leopards feeding just a couple of metres from the vehicle, a lions roar reverberating in my chest, following packs of African wild dogs on a hunt, not once, but three times. Bear in mind too that my visit has coincided with some of the biggest rains for years, and that makes game viewing much more difficult.

I think it’s safe to assume that they’ll be dragging me kicking and screaming out of the lodge once my time is up, and it won’t be very long until I come back to Msandile River Lodge.”