Over 20 years of award-winning safaris
Over the years Mark Thornton Safaris has been recognized as a pioneer and leader in the safari industry. Our unique Serengeti walking safaris have gained a great following and have been featured in many established and trusted publications such as The New York Times, Outside and Forbes magazines amongst others. We were also awarded Best Outfitter in Africa by National Geographic and finalist for the World Legacy Awards for preserving natural habitat.
We continue to pave the way for outstanding safari experiences using sustainable means of tourism and working with the local communities as our cornerstone ethic. We have chosen to stay small and maintain the most personal experiences with our guests, many of whom return year after year.
2023, TRAVeL + LEISURE; INTELLIGENT TRAVELLER
Mark Thornton Safaris’ signature Serengeti trek was once again chosen to be featured, this time in the November 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure.
2020, Men’s JOURNAL
Read about our amazing encounter on foot with a leopard in the backcountry of Serengeti National Park in the January, 2020 Men's Journal edition. We guided the editor for a week in Serengeti, both on foot and in the heart of the wildebeest migration.
2019, THE African Safaris of your dreams
Forbes magazine featured a full length article on Mark Thornton Safaris highlighting our unique and sustainable walking safaris throughout Tanzania’s wilderness.
2018, NEW YORK TIMES, TRAVEL
Once again Mark Thornton Safaris has been featured in the New York Times Travel section. The article highlights our unique walking safaris in Tanzania and our emphasis on environmentally responsible travel.
2017, WORLD LEGACY AWARDS, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
We were honored to be chosen as one of three finalists for National Geographic's World Legacy Awards 2017, for companies which preserve natural habitat. It is a huge honour and highlights that small, passionate outfits like ourselves can achieve a great deal.
2016, WALKING AFRICA
A First Descents Expedition led by Mark Thornton Safaris
First Descents has been organizing outdoor adventures—kayaking, climbing, surfing, you name it—for young cancer patients and survivors since 2001. Each trip is designed to help empower these individuals to move beyond their diagnoses and live life to the fullest. In 2015 we led a group of 13 people on an epic FDX Africa weeklong safari.
2015, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
Best Tours of the Year
We are pleased to announce that Nat Geo has again awarded our safaris as a Best Trip of the year! Our 100 kilometer foot traverse of Serengeti National Park’s wilderness has been named by National Geographic as their Trip of the Year for 2015. Great recognition for what is an epic “first-ever” walking safari.
2013, WORLD RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS
In 2013 Mark Thornton Safaris was recognized as a global leader in responsible tourism. Based on our record of conservation, working with communities, fair trade and our "light footprint" safari operation, we were shortlisted for the 2013 Global Responsible Tourism Awards. Out of thousands of entries, less than 20 made the shortlist. It was an incredible honour!
2011, NEW YORK TIMES Travel section, full page article
In March, 2011, journalist Jessica Bruder, joined us on safari in the Simanjiro Plains to have a look at our walking safaris and conservation efforts through the Simanjiro Conservation Easement. The full page article appeared in the Travel section of the New York Times. This was not only wonderful publicity for our safaris, but also brought to light the challenges faced by the Maasai and the wildlife in the Maasai Steppe.
2011, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
Tours of a lifetime
Again, it was our Serengeti Trek that was the highlighted trip of the year for Nat Geo Traveler. This is the 3rd time our extended walking safaris have won such an award. It really makes us realize just what a rare privilege it is to be the only ones accessing such a massive, roadless swath of untouched Serengeti wilderness. And even us guides never tire of walking in those cool mornings along the high ridges of the Serengeti, often stopping for views of over 10 large mammal species at once.
2010, OUTSIDE MAGAZINE
Trips of a lifetime for 2010
For the April, 2010 issue, Outside Magazine conducted a rigorous survey from companies all over the world and chose our Serengeti Trek as one of their Trips of a Lifetime for unique, adventuresome and one of a kind expeditions.
2009, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE
Adventure Travel Ratings
Rated Number 1 Outfitter in Africa
Rated Number 1 Adventure Travel Company in the World
For the 2nd year running, Nat Geo Adventure conducted their ratings of worldwide adventure outfitters. It is a prestigious ranking in the travel world and we're proud and honored that again we scored the highest overall at 98.07 amongst all companies surveyed!
2009, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE
Rated 25 Best New Trips, 2009
Mark Thornton Safaris' new epic bushtrek inside the Serengeti National Park was featured as one of the 25 best new trips in the world. The walk explores the truly remote sections of the park which were previously closed to tourism. It is one of the finest walking areas in Africa and serious big game country.
2008, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE
Adventure Travel Ratings
Rated Number 1 Outfitter in Africa
Rated Number 1 Adventure Travel Company in the World
In 2008, National Geographic Adventure Magazine undertook the first-ever comprehensive rating survey of worldwide outfitters. Each company was scored based on Sustainability, Spirit of Adventure, Quality of Service, References and Education. Mark Thornton Safaris scored a 97.7 which was the highest rating of all 300 companies chosen to partake in the survey.