Coffee table books often risk becoming mere showcases of beauty, but Manish Mundra’s Wild Africa: Through My Lens achieves something more intense. At 170+ pages, this volume is both a visual feast and a philosophical reflection.
The book opens with a deeply personal introduction, where Mundra situates his journey—Deogarh to Africa, corporate boardrooms to savannah grasslands. He acknowledges that he is not a formally trained photographer, but rather a passionate observer who gradually moved from auto mode to mastering the manual, learning through patience and humility. This candor sets the tone: the book isn’t about perfection, but about presence.
Over the past seven to eight years, Mundra captured more than 28,000 images of African wildlife. Out of this vast archive, he has curated a tightly selected set for this book—his first curated collection of favourites. This ruthless editing makes the book feel distilled, like a series of essential encounters rather than an exhaustive chronicle.
The photographs span the wild landscapes of Kenya and Tanzania, many standing out not just for their composition but for the stories they hint at. The cover, depicting a lioness with six cubs, crystallises the primal essence of motherhood; her piercing gaze locked on potential prey, while her offspring hinge entirely on her silent command. In another arresting image, a cheetah cub regards the lens with wide-eyed curiosity, a fragile emblem of innocence amidst the merciless expanse. A sweeping tableau of elephants advancing across the Serengeti plains conveys both grandeur and cohesion, their monumental forms dwarfing the horizon itself. And in a more contemplative moment, a lone giraffe silhouetted against a dusky sky becomes a quiet emblem of solitude and grace.
Each of these images is technically polished yet emotionally resonant. Mundra often chooses to leave imperfections intact—for instance, in the lioness photo, one cub appears slightly out of focus. Instead of cropping or discarding it, he preserves the imperfection, making it a metaphor for life’s lack of symmetry.
What distinguishes Wild Africa from being just a collection of wildlife photography is the interspersed reflections. Short meditative passages appear throughout—“Never be afraid to take new paths,” “With expectations come pain,” “It’s through suffering that we learn our greatest lessons.” These aphorisms, drawn from Mundra’s own life and shaped by his encounters with the wild, lend the book a rhythm that oscillates between looking and introspection.
The wilderness, here, becomes a metaphor. Each photograph doubles as a reminder of perseverance, impermanence, and humility. Nature’s grandeur is not romanticised but respected—as something that allows itself to be witnessed, even as it remains fully in control.
Three threads run strongly through the book: Humility (in nature, man is not the centre. Animals allow us their presence; we are guests), imperfection (technical flaws are embraced as symbols of life’s raw truth), and resilience (the rhythm of days without a “perfect shot,” followed by sudden abundance, mirrors human perseverance).
Together, they turn Wild Africa into more than an album—it becomes a manual for living, drawn from the wilderness.
The size and weight of the book make it substantial but not unwieldy. The glossy pages ensure sharp reproduction, while the clean design by Bena Sareen avoids clutter, letting the images and reflections take centre stage.
Wild Africa: Through My Lens is at once a document of East Africa’s untamed beauty and a memoir of Mundra’s personal philosophy. For wildlife enthusiasts, the book offers exquisite visuals. For readers of reflective prose, it offers distilled wisdom. And for those who enjoy both, it is a rare, satisfying blend.
Award-winning film producer and founder of Drishyam Films, Manish Mundra, has long been known for his cinematic eye and his instinct for stories. In Wild Africa, he extends that instinct to the African savannah. The result is a collection of photographs that are not just visually striking but layered with meaning.
In a conversation with Outlook Traveller, Manish Mundra looked back on the long journey of creating Wild Africa: Through My Lens. Years in the making, the book is more than a catalogue of animals and landscapes—it reflects the emotions they stirred and the lessons they imparted. Curating the photographs became a way of reliving moments of patience, silence, and awe, while holding the finished volume, he said, feels like carrying that journey in his hands.
Following are the excerpts:
A. Actually, I call Africa my home because it has given me freedom—the power to experiment in life and try different things. I have been working here for almost 21 years, so a major part of my prime career has been in Africa. It has given me opportunities and growth. Out of these 20-plus years, I would say about 15 years have been spent living in Africa. That’s why I call it home.
A. You know, when we take a photograph of a lion or a cheetah in the jungle, the animal is the true subject of the story. Yet when the photo is appreciated later, people often admire the photographer, while the main subject remains unaware. The lesson is that even if you are at the core of an event or someone’s life, you don’t always need to take credit. Let the moment or the subject take the credit. If tomorrow a cheetah were to say, “No photography here,” we couldn’t publish a book. They allow us to do it, even though they have the power to harm us. That’s the magnanimity of nature. If nature can be so forgiving and generous, then we too must be humble and remember that we are only a small part of it.
A. It’s very difficult to pick one favourite. But the cover page of the book, which the designers and I finalised, has a special story. In that photo, the mother is in the centre with six cubs. If you look closely, the mother’s eyes are fixed on the prey—she is the guide, the protector, the philosopher. The cubs depend entirely on her cue.
The photo also has a technical flaw: on the left side, one of the lions is out of focus. Normally, photographers would reject or crop it. But I kept it because I believe there’s no such thing as perfection. Life itself is imperfect, and those imperfections should be shown with courage. That’s why it remains one of my favourites.
A. The first and most important lesson is that nature is in control. That’s again where humility comes in.
Second, patience—there are days you may not get a single good shot. But the next day, nature surprises you with incredible opportunities. So, never lose hope; there is always another day.
Third, the jungle demands hard work. Lions won’t knock on your door asking to be photographed. You have to be alert, carrying heavy equipment, always ready. Wildlife photography requires focus and determination. And when you give that, nature rewards you.
A. The book focuses on East Africa, particularly Kenya and Tanzania. These two countries share the great wildlife reserves—Masai Mara and Serengeti. The animals don’t recognise borders; they migrate freely across, without needing passports. For them, it’s one world, though divided by human boundaries. That’s why I chose this region—it reflects the continuity of nature.
A. Africa is a wonderful continent. Especially for Indians, it’s full of opportunities. The continent has immense potential and resources but lacks entrepreneurship and risk-taking ability. Unlike colonial powers that exploited it, Indians can grow with Africa and build natural partnerships.
If you want growth, satisfaction, and the chance to create something from nothing, Africa is the place. You don’t just grow individually—you help the ecosystem around you thrive.
Wild Africa is a meditative exploration of life and existence, using the wilderness as a mirror to human experience. Through evocative images of raw landscapes and majestic wildlife, Mundra reflects on themes of solitude, resilience, impermanence, and beauty. More than just a collection of wildlife photography, the book is a deeply personal statement of philosophy; a reminder to pause, look closely, and embrace the untamed spirit of life.
1. What is Wild Africa: Through My Lens by Manish Mundra about?
It’s a photography book capturing African wildlife, landscapes, and the emotions behind them, blending art with personal reflections.
2. Where can I buy Manish Mundra’s Wild Africa book?
The book is available online through leading platforms and select bookstores in India and abroad.
3. Why is African wildlife photography unique?
Africa offers diverse ecosystems, from savannas to rainforests, making it one of the most sought-after regions for capturing rare animals and landscapes.
4. How long did it take Manish Mundra to create Wild Africa: Through My Lens?
The book was years in the making, curated from his travels, patience, and personal journey through Africa.
5. Is Wild Africa only about animals, or does it also include landscapes?
It features both — wildlife, scenic African terrains, and the deeper emotions and lessons these encounters inspired.
