It is such a unique experience to be in a wilderness with literally no other people, coming face-to-face with lion and elephant (amongst lots of other game!)
— L. Gordon
 
 
Experience a Serengeti walking safari with Mark Thornton Safaris, encountering buffalo and other wildlife on foot.

EXPERIENCE

What Sets Our Guides Apart

Our team of experienced safari guides has earned their stripes the right way — not in a classroom, but through thousands of hours in the bush. We’ve walked the valleys, tracked the herds, and read the signs of nature firsthand. This deep field knowledge is backed by intensive training in tracking, safety, rifle handling, and interpreting animal behavior on foot.

We don’t outsource or hire freelancers. Every guide is a long-standing, trusted member of our small team — and a respected leader in their field. If you’re heading into the Serengeti backcountry on a walking safari, you want someone by your side who truly knows what they’re doing. That’s us.

 
 
Experience the Serengeti on foot with expert guides like Chagamba on a Thornton Safaris walking safari.

PASSION FOR THE BUSH

We Do This Because We Love It

While much of the tourism industry grows more corporate, we’ve stayed true to our roots — in the wilderness. We don’t spend our spare time designing brochures or tweeting from hotel lobbies. You’ll find us deep in the field, bashing through mopane thickets or tracing an unfamiliar river bend.

That spirit of exploration — the drive to find a new waterhole, plot a new walking route, or stumble upon a never-before-seen valley — has fueled us since 1994. And it still does.

 
 
A family enjoys a safe and educational Serengeti walking safari designed for kids, with Thornton Safaris.

GUIDING FAMILIES

Safari Memories for All Ages

When it comes to family trips, the right guide makes all the difference. Instead of just game driving for hours, we get kids out of the vehicle and into the action with hands-on, educational, and fun experiences.
Because we bring our own children into the bush, we know what works: spotting animal tracks, learning to throw a spear or dig for edible roots with the Hadza, or simply laughing at the antics of a warthog family. Our experienced safari guides know how to create magic for every age.
> Learn more about Family Safaris

 
Relax with a well-earned cold beer after a long walk on a luxury safari.

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

Where Stories and Stars Come Out

Evenings on safari are something special. After a full day in the wild, we gather around the fire with a G&T in hand and a hearty meal to share. We chat about the day’s sightings, the plan for tomorrow, and the bigger picture — conservation, culture, and the endless wilderness that still awaits.

And of course, the bush has a way of telling its own stories too: the far-off roar of a lion, the whoop of a hyena, or the simple hush of the savannah under starlight. Expect a few tall tales, a lot of laughs, and moments you’ll never forget.