Abashimba - The Return of Lions to Nsumbu (conservation documentary, 2025)
Abashimba | The Return of Lions to Nsumbu
In July 2025 we screened our first feature documentary, Abashimba — Return of Lions to Nsumbu. The production of this film — the culmination of three years of incredibly hard work in some of Africa’s remotest wilderness areas was a momentous achievement for us — both as a small production company and as a family and we share more Behind-The-Scenes stories and images below.
The premiere screening took place at the Frankfurt Zoological Society’s Africa Office with attendees from government, Nsumbu Tanganyika Programme and conservation stakeholders from all over Zambia.
Abashimba — The Return of Lions to Nsumbu
What does it take to restore Africa’s apex predator to a landscape? And can the return of a species help restore an ecosystem and revive a culture? This documentary film explores the return of lions to Nsumbu National Park in Northern Zambia, exploring the complexities of conservation and the deeply-rooted ties between people, wildlife, and place.
International recognition for Abashimba — The Return of Lions to Nsumbu
Behind the Scenes
Mana reflected back on the experience:
“We’re so excited to share the story of this very special national park — a beautiful wilderness that has recovered — and prospered — in the face of serious adversity. More so, the journey taken by the small but extremely dedicated team of the Nsumbu Tanganyika Conservation Programme, who are behind this remarkable recovery. And of course — the story of both ecological and cultural revival — as lions return to a landscape, and to a people who have never forgotten them.
A Family Film:
We documented this film over the course of three years with countless 26-hour road trips up to Nsumbu in our Landy as a family.
“It’s also a huge personal and professional milestone for Matt Blair and me. Our first feature documentary, nearly three years in the making, this project began when Zambezi (our boy) was just a newborn. As a tiny husband-and-wife film crew — and a brand-new family travelling to some of the remotest parts of Zambia for long stretches — it pushed and shaped us in ways we hadn’t imagined. Thank you to everyone who’s been with us on our own little journey — and hope you watch it soon!””
Behind the scenes of the making of Abashimba - The Return of Lions to Nsumbu.
The team & thank yous
We want to give a huge thanks to all those that made this possible, without your support we would never have reached this milestone — the amazing team who contributed to this film; Rich Watson, Wrightwel Nyirenda, Samson Moyo and Jono Skinner, our incredible Lead Editor, Benjamin Haskins, Colourist, Robyn Nesbitt, and the final mix by Grey Room Studio. Of course, Craig and Zanne who trusted us with this story and for all their support throughout the highs and lows, Ed Sayer from North Luangwa, His Royal Highness, Chief Nsama, and the countless others who helped us on this journey along the way. Thank you.
What fills us with the most joy was having the film dubbed into Bemba for the local audience surrounding Nsumbu. With projectors and generators being paddled across rivers - the film continues to be shown in schools around the park with over 1600 school children now having watched the film.
Above: Abashimba — The Return of Lions to Nsumbu roadshow being shown to school children surrounding Nsumbu National Park (Photos: Mubanga Mulenga)
Where to watch Abashimba — The Return of Lions to Nsumbu
And finally…. where can you watch it?!
Abashimba — The Return of Lions to Nsumbu is available free of charge on our YouTube channel.
Please see the link below:
