A bit of the wild - Masai Mara, Kenya - By Sujata Sengupta

Written By: Sujata Sengupta

Category: travelogue

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her evocative travelogue "A bit of the wild - Masai Mara, Kenya," Sujata Sengupta offers readers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Africa's last great wilderness. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece delves into the profound connection between man and nature, capturing the untamed beauty of Masai Mara. Through her vivid descriptions and personal insights, Sujata invites us to explore the delicate balance of life and death that defines this breathtaking landscape.

About the Work

Sujata Sengupta's travelogue weaves a tapestry of vivid imagery and introspective reflection, presenting Masai Mara as a realm where nature reigns supreme. Her narrative captures the essence of the wild, from the majestic lioness and her cubs to the graceful gazelles and giraffes. Sujata's prose is a masterclass in capturing the awe-inspiring beauty and raw emotion of the Savannah, urging readers to embrace the wonder of living in harmony with nature's rhythms.

A bit of the wild - Masai Mara, Kenya

Original Submission by Sujata Sengupta

A Bit of The Wild - Masai Mara (All photos taken by me and my husband, Sanjoy Sengupta )

“There is never enough life. Never enough time, never enough power to consume it all.”- Danny Lyon

"How many days are enough for Masai Mara?"

I would say an entire lifetime is not enough. My daughter would say three days max as by then you have seen all the poses a lion can make. This is probably the dichotomy of tourists that travel to this last great wilderness on earth.

Mara caters to both - selfies with a lioness - in your best designer safari attire as well as a sense of calm and rekindling of the spirit as it unwinds to the natural rhythms of an untamed, unchained ecosystem, devoid of human interference. You can make it about yourself and check boxes off your travel list or you can give centerstage to the inhabitants and surrender to the wonder.

Recently, I returned from my second trip to the Mara and I am already missing it. No other place leaves me so attuned with the cycle of life and death and the endless possibilities within. To witness the rancing gazelles, galloping giraffes and the playful lion cubs and then assimilate how undefined they are by the predator looming over them is a master class in "living in the moment".

Within moments of entering the park gates, I am hypnotised by the beauty of the Savannah, the golden grassland that envelops you and allows for an unhindered gaze to the horizon feels luxurious to the eyes trained by ugly cityscapes. The land, dotted with Acacia trees and its gentle grazers, is used to the ogling tourists. It shows unending patience and generosity towards the invaders, unlike the passport-control of civilised society.

There is a thin layer of dust that stains the land, the colour of red rust, smooth and earthy, wet from the recent floods, it slips beneath the tires. The roads, bumpy and wide don't even begin to tell the story of these soils. The dust skims over a bush only to dip, without warning, over the edge of the blue horizon, where a secretary bird sits atop a tree, feeding its chicks, against the low hung, red ball of an African winter sun.

The moments of joy, struggle, rebellion, trust are all visible to the beholding eye. For a cub, each day starts with a tail raised walk beside it's mother - tugging, licking, pulling - holding the sun in its eyes along with a fire in its belly to grow big and strong. The mother lives up to this trust by hunting, chasing water buffaloes and wildebeest to make a kill that can feed herself and her cub. She stays alone with her small cubs in a thicket by a water hole till the time they are big enough to be introduced to the pride. This means she hunts and fends alone for herself and her cubs - nature's pyramid of prey is not cruel, survival of the fittest cannot be debated - just as I see the lioness chase a wailing bison calf, I cannot unsee the little lion cub I saw a while back, walking with a swag, next to the lioness.

Survival is paramount here, it is visible everywhere, from the hyper alert head turns of the gazelles and zebras to the unbelievable speed of a bison and the wildebeest. To fend and hunt for yourself and your young is primal, not cruel. Hunting is not a sport here, unlike in our part of the world.

Africa gets in to your blood and adjectives fall short for what we experience on so many levels.

Sujata Sengupta

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices in literature, providing a platform for writers worldwide to share their unique stories and perspectives. This prestigious event encourages creativity and expression, fostering a global community of writers who engage with compelling themes and inspire audiences through their work.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sujata Sengupta for her captivating contribution, "A bit of the wild - Masai Mara, Kenya," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her evocative storytelling and vivid portrayal of the Masai Mara's wild beauty enrich our understanding of this remarkable landscape. Thank you, Sujata, for sharing your journey and inspiring us with your words.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.