Each year, it is estimated that over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other animals make the journey from the Serengeti in Tanzania for the greener pastures of Masai Mara. This spectacular scene has been described as one of the most awe-inspiring on Earth.
“I’ve felt a pull towards Maasai Mara since I was young. I’ve always wanted to be there,” Tinesh, 32, told FMT Lifestyle.
“This assignment means so much more than a professional milestone – it’s a reminder that even the most far-fetched dreams can become a reality, no matter how distant or unimaginable they once felt.”
Titled “Echoes of the Savannah”, the assignment will be a still-photography project – no videos, drones, or multimedia distractions.
Tinesh hopes to photograph moments of wonder and tension: young zebras learning to stay with the herd; wildebeest diving into crocodile-infested waters; cheetahs sprinting across the open savannah.
He also plans to interview conservation officers and elders of the Maasai society, whose sustainable grazing practices for their herds – as well as spiritual reverence for wildlife and deep ecological knowledge – may well provide a blueprint for conservation.
“My intent is to tell the full story of the migration – not just the iconic river crossings but the ecological dynamics, predator-prey tension, indigenous perspectives, and conservation challenges that surround it,” he said.
According to Tinesh, the assignment must be completed by December. As such, he aims to be at the Masai Mara National Reserve in August, the ideal time to witness and photograph the migration.
As the assignment is unpaid, Tinesh must raise approximately RM16,000 to cover his expenses, which include flight tickets, food, accommodation, a local guide, and ground transportation.
Sponsors, he added, will be acknowledged in a photobook he plans to produce and distribute to schools. They will also receive three limited-edition museum-grade prints that will be signed and framed.
He is thankful to Wedding Professionals Alliance Malaysia and Sony Malaysia; for the financial support of Steve Yap and Premm Enbasegaran; and to Arvend Applasamy, special officer to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Update: On Aug 6, Tinesh informed FMT Lifestyle that he has secured the funds required.
Tinesh said his interest in photography began when he was 19. “I initially took photos of wildlife. I used to go to Zoo Negara and the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. But after about a year, I didn’t see a clear path forward in wildlife photography.”
He later switched to taking pictures at weddings and concerts. “But then last year, I came across the Instagram profile of wildlife photographer Mohan Raj Nair. He inspired me and reignited a fire within me to start wildlife photography again.”
Having a pitch approved by the National Geographic Society is, without a doubt, a remarkable achievement for Tinesh.
“It’s an honour I don’t take lightly, and I hope it opens the door for others like me to believe they, too, can belong in spaces that once felt out of reach,” he said.
He also shared what he hopes to convey through his photographs from the assignment: “A sense of reverence for the raw, instinctive wisdom of nature, and for the intricate balance that allows life to thrive in the wild.
“I want people to see that these are not just animals – they’re sentient beings, part of a living system that speaks a language we have forgotten how to listen to.”
On World Nature Conservation Day today, Tinesh shares this message: “Nature is not just a backdrop but the foundation of our existence. Every species and ecosystem plays a vital role in maintaining the balance that sustains life on Earth.
“Conservation is not only about protecting wildlife but about safeguarding our future.”
For more information and to keep updated on Tinesh’s adventures, click here. View his portfolio here.