A Dream Comes True in the Wildlife Paradise of Africa

Diinesh found these two young cheetahs lazing on a termite mound and grooming each other one afternoon, at the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. These agile and fast cats usually sit on these mounds to look for food. Photograph/Diinesh Kumble

“Being out there in the wild jungles, observing wildlife, understanding their behaviour and capturing that one moment that you can carry back with you, is a feeling better left unexplained.”—Diinesh Kumble

This story was originally published in March 2012.

For Diinesh Kumble—a businessman and brother of former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble—wildlife photography is a part of life he enjoys the most. His recent accomplishment is the launch of his book Dream Safari—which reflects his fulfilled dream of capturing lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras and more during his 10-day trip to Africa. This photograph alongside is one of the many featured in the book that will catch your attention.

Diinesh recollects how he found these two cheetahs lazing on a termite mound one afternoon, in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. “Cheetahs are used to safari vehicles, unless one gets very close or makes disturbing noises. What struck me most was that these two cheetahs were so at ease with each other. I was lucky to capture this moment when the two were in a grooming ritual.”

“Just being out there in the wild jungles of India, observing wildlife, understanding them and ultimately capturing that one moment you can carry back with you, is a feeling better left unexplained,” he says in all honesty.

-Written by Sneha Ullal